We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $20 per passenger per day, are published either in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line web page. However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, youre not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond whats normally expected. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. Below are just some of the people you may want to tip in this way, and some rough guidelines regarding how much - though know this is very subjective, and of course should be commensurate with the level of service that a given person provided. See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -Whats Included, What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (with packing list), 7 Cruises to Avoid and What to Do Instead, Cruise Line Stocks Shareholder Benefits for Cruisers (FREE onboard credit). We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line charges a daily service fee of $15.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. Although gratuities arent mandatory, and in most cases you can go to guest services and have the amount adjusted, most cruise lines do tend to discourage it. Whether $2 to a bartender, $20 to your waiter, or $50 to your stateroom attendant, its common to tip crew members extra for excellent service. Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. Royal Caribbean's drink packages include: Deluxe Beverage Package Refreshment Package (No alcohol) Classic Soda Package In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. The big three, including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean expect guests to foot the bill and tips are added to their onboard account. Those can range from about $15 to upwards of $20 for each . Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? You can post now and register later. What you cant do is adjust or remove automatic gratuities for a specific crew member. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. It was just the two of us. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! I almost alwaysgive my dining staff a bit extra, my kids generally have some special requests that take extra time and effort for the wait staff. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? Don't be Held Back on Arrival Royal Caribbean requires you to do an online check-in, at least three days before your published sail date. If your kids have had a great time and youve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated. If you transfer money to the slot machine and immediately cash out, you can take your cashout slip to the casino cage and receive the listed amount in cash. Carnivals daily gratuities are $13.99 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. We never gave him anything. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. 1) Get a Free Balcony Upgrade Promotion and How to Find Them Occasionally cruise lines will run special promotions on particular ships, itineraries, and/or destinations offering balcony staterooms at the same price as an outside or inside cabin. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. According to RCI's website, of the 2016-updated gratuities (US$13.50), nearly US$8.30 goes to dining / culinary services; suite attendants receive US$6,85; stateroom attendants get US$3,85, and housekeeping service staff - US$1.35. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). This amount varies by cruise line, however the average daily gratuity is $14-15 US per day, per passenger for a standard cabin and $17-18 a day for guests in suites. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . A The automatic service gratuity is $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. UK lines such as Fred. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) Robinson said mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line charge gratuities on a per person, per day basis. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. . About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Since you cant remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. Tips are of course a personal decision. Please check Costas website for details. You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise? Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Beyond that, consider writing a heartfelt note of thanks or a drawing from your child (many have children they do not see for months at a time). RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise! Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. So glad this was helpful. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise? Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. The premium cruise line's fleet of 15 ships sail around the world, from the Galapagos to the Caribbean. People associate umbrella drinks and colorful tropical concoctions with cruising, and fancy-looking martinis have become a nighttime staple at sea. There are instances of passengers who prefer not to tip, usually either because they disagree with tipping on principle or they've experienced unsatisfactory service. Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. Most are experienced cruisers and, as a group, theyre very well-liked. Wondering how much gratuities are on a cruise? If you dont have a drink package, theyll add the price of each drink plus the service fee to your onboard tab. The amount is based on the service received of course. Many cruisers opt to give extra cash tips to crew members who made their vacation that much more enjoyable. If youre new to cruising, or its been a while since your last cruise, its important to know about cruise tipping guidelines before you sail. You could also tip based on the length of the tour. Cruise gratuities are divided among your cruise cabin steward, waiters and other crew members who work as support behind the scenes. There aren't any hard-and-fast guidelines for this type of tip since it's contingent on your experience, but $25 to $40 on behalf of a couple roughly works out to an extra $2 to $3 per person,. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Holland Americas daily gratuity is $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $16.00 per person, per day for guests in suites. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. But honestly, theyd prefer cash over a gift basketno matter how yummy your treats are! However ,usually you can have at least 2 cabin stewards. Similarly, in the main dining room, we tip our waiter around $6 to $8 per day for the two of us, averaging around $50 for a 7-night cruise. This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Unless they are below average and that has happened only one time. Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. Have some small bills handy for these times. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. Ill definitely look into it and see how I can best do that on this site. Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise? Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. Hi this was helpful, thank you. Just remember that a cash tip goes to your server, and a charged tip gets added to the tip pool. Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. But if you dont want to prepay, thats fine too. The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). Lines with such charges include both of the two giants of the cruise business, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . Manage Settings For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally dont have to leave a tipthe tour company takes care of the lunch bill. The gratuity is $15.50 per person, per day for guests in mini-suites and $16.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! On embarkation day of my very first cruise, a porter came up to my taxi and whisked my luggage away, seconds after I got out of the car. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. Youre welcome to use a credit or debit card to make purchases in ports of call whenever possible. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. How Much Water Should I Drink Before Donating Plasma. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Travelers in suites are. Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isnt included in the tipping pool. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. How Much Does A Cruise Cost? P.S. W. Just like with the Carnival's tipping policy, under the new Royal Caribbean tipping policy guests who believe they've been serviced poorly while onboard their "Of The Seas" ship has the right to ask Guest Services personnel to reduce or even to remove their automatic gratuities. Clear editor. Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise? .WONDER OF THE SEAS. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Im so glad youre here! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');For other cruise lines, youll be able to adjust your autogratuities at the Passenger Services desk. Royal Caribbean Cruises Tipping Policy As of September 7th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Suites, will be applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. Instead, passengers can tipor notat their own discretion. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. One of the most luxurious aspects of cruising is the service of room stewards -- that team of people who often go unseen in their daily mission to keep your cruise cabin sparkling fresh and clean. If you could use cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more, youll love the Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner. Still confused . Any chance of that? Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. Norwegian Cruise Line has onboard service charge will is charged automatically for guests 3 and up, and distributed among staff that serve you in various ways. Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. Its important to note that, especially on the luxury lines, tipping is not expected. Outdoor Activities If outdoor fun is your thing, the Carnival Dream offers a near endless array of ways to fill both day and night with fun. Thanks so much! When we tip them individually, do they get to keep the entire amount for themselvesor do they have to share that too? I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. Given the high level of service, passengers often wonder how much they should plan to tip their cabin steward, especially when they go above and beyond. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. Cunards daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, its a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries youll be visiting before your cruise. raahc and lovecruising!!! I also tip constantly while on the cruise. On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. If not, just leave blank. This is a good question. When booking a Celebrity cruise, tips are included in their Always Included program. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. I would imagine wed see prices increase overall if they did this, but perhaps it amounts to this anyway. Just did 8 nights on Voyager. I don't actually agree with th. Critics of this system (which has evolved in the last several decades from strictly cash-based gratuities) say that under this tip pooling arrangement, cabin attendants and wait staff aren't getting recognized for exemplary work the same as they were in the old days. Other itineraries may differ. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. Here are the top travel tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise from the experts themselves: At the AquaTheater, acrobats, high divers, slackliners and more put on shows that make a splash. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. I was even more surprised that it was a Disney cruise, where they are used to kids, and generally have a good reputation for service. Please let me know in the comments below. Whether to or not and then how much. Please check MSCs website for details. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. And if the problem still remains unsolved - then adjust the tips. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');Tipping is supposed to encourage excellent customer service from workers, because (in theory at least) customers will tip generously for friendly, prompt service. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. Do you have a favorite bartender? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking). So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. If sailing in a reg. We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Thank you, Carrie Ann. If you want to avoid any ATM charges, though, you can theoretically take money out via the casino. That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise!

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