It’s no secret that when you book a cruise, you are almost guaranteed to have an unforgettable time. After all, what isn’t there to love about having world-class dining options, attentive room attendants and tons of fun-filled activities available onboard? However, one aspect of cruising that can be a bit intimidating to first-time travelers is tipping. How much should I give? Do I have to leave anything at all? Which staff members should get a little something extra? No one wants to come across as stingy or unappreciative so it’s easy to feel some anxiety over this issue. We’ll set the record straight so you can relax and enjoy your cruise.
Consider your service
These days, not only is a cruise vacation a trip, it’s an experience. Because cruise lines want your time with them to be a great experience they’ve come up with a way to simplify tipping. The service you receive will be so exceptional, you’ll want to tip but you don’t want the hassle of having to mess with it, so gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account. The great part about this cash-free environment is you will never have to dig for cash on your last night of the cruise and hunt around for those special people to give it to. During the cruise, you’ll be surrounded by dedicated staff who will answer any question with a smile and attend to any of your needs. Your room steward will know your name and it won’t take long for the bartender to figure out you like your mojito with more lime and less rum (or vice versa!). In most cases, the employees on a cruise ship are extremely attentive. However, if you feel that service was less than satisfactory, feel free to discuss your experience with the customer service desk onboard the cruise. In some cases they may adjust your gratuities accordingly. Or if you feel someone went above and beyond, you are more than welcome to give that person a little extra gift.
Every cruise line is a little different
Here are some examples of customary gratuities onboard some popular cruise lines:
- Carnival – $11.50 per cruiser/per day
- Celebrity – $11.50 per cruiser/per day
- Princess – $11.50 per cruiser/per day
- Holland America Line – $11.50 per cruiser/per day
- Royal Caribbean – $11.65 per cruiser /per day
- Norwegian – $12.00 per cruiser /per day
- Oceania – $14.50 per cruiser /per day
Contact us to know more
If you want more information on cruise tipping, then reach out to one of our knowledgeable travel agents here at www.CruiseExperts.com. Our agents will help you find the perfect cruise vacation for you and your family, and help save you money in the process. We have access to tons of cruise discounts including free onboard credit, free shore excursions, reduced deposits & free gratuities! Just give us a call at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784), and any of our knowledgeable cruise experts will be more than happy to help you plan the vacation of your dreams at the right price!