What You Need to Know About Cruise Line Gratuities
Cruise ship crews work hard to provide passengers great service, and it is common practice for guests to reward them with gratuities. Cruise lines provide a suggested amount for different services which varies between cruises, and it is subject to change. Cruise line gratuities are an important part of the crew’s salary, and every dollar goes directly to those you interact with daily and those who work in the background making your daily cruise experience a delight.
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Cruise Line Gratuities
The crew members benefiting from cruise line gratuities include the staff from bar and culinary, hotel services. stateroom attendants, dining room waiters and assistants, entertainment and guest services, and others working to make your cruise enjoyable.
Cruise line gratuities are generally added to your bill as a per day charge.
When exceptional service is given, you may want to increase the cruise line’s amount. The gratuity amount also depends on the cost of your stateroom.
Here is what to expect concerning gratuities on each major cruise line:
Carnival Cruise Line
Starting December 1st, Carnival will charge $13.99 per person, per day for guests staying in standard rooms; and $15.99 per person, per day, for suites.
Azamara Club Cruises
Gratuities are included in all fares.
Celebrity Cruise Line
$14.50 per person, per day is charged to those in standard cabins, $15.00 for Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $18.00 for suites. 18% gratuity is added to all beverage, salon, spa, and minibar purchases.
Crystal Cruises
Gratuities are included in all fares.
Holland America Line
Starting in 2019, Holland America Line will begin charging $14.50 per day, per person for guests in standard cabins, and $16.00 for suites.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line charges $14.50 per day for standard cabins and $17.50 per person per day for suites and Haven guests. On the Sky and Sun ships, its two all-inclusive vessels, Norwegian charges $19.99 for standard cabins and $22.99 for suites.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania charges $16.00 per person, per day for standard cabins and $23.00 for suites. There is also an 18% charge on all beverage and spa purchases, as well as on specialty dinners.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean charges an automatic $14.50 per person, per day for standard cabins and $17.50 per person, per day for suites.
Silversea
Gratuities are included in all fares.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking charges $15.00 per person, per day to shipboard accounts. An additional 15% gratuity is added for bar and deck service.