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$200 to 300 per cruise is average, although some may prefer to tip more. Many cruise passengers will tip their bartender on a per-drink basis, usually $1-2 per drink ordered. Some passengers prefer to tip their bartender a larger one-off amount if they intend to stay at a bar for a little while – up to $20 is seen as normal. There may be some times when you’re asked to pay them upfront. One example is Royal Caribbean’s MyTime Dining plan – if you want the flexibility to eat dinner at a time that suits you, you have to prepay your gratuities. I’ve collected a ton of data that will help you to compare yourself to others and find a level that feels right for you.
What about Aussie cruises?
By understanding and participating in the practice of extra tipping, you're not only rewarding stellar service but also encouraging the continuance of high-quality hospitality on your cruise. Youth counselors and childcare providers make the cruising experience enjoyable for both you and your kids by offering a range of activities and services. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Tipping your guide or driver won’t tend to get you better service, and so it’s normally done at the end of the day more as a thank-you. Most people offer a small tip to the baggage handlers at the cruise terminal, to ensure their bags are looked after as they are taken onto the ship.
Tips for Managing Tipping Budgets
Don't wait till the morning of disembarkation, though, when everybody is in a frenzied transition mode and it might be difficult to locate the staffer you're seeking. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Your article has done a lot to change my philosophy and increase my understanding of why there is this charge and what the implications of reducing it might be.
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The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet - Cruise Passenger
The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet.
Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. At some North American ports, you’ll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. You also shouldn’t tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. One exception is the piano player in the lounge—most accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music.
Passengers, especially those from the United States equate bar service with tipping. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to see bartenders getting tipped frequently on a cruise. However, If we enter our cabin with a steward nowhere to be seen and we don’t ask for anything above basic service, we’ll sometimes leave nothing extra. Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay. The amount you tip is up to you—I generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward.
Oceania Cruises
For both of these services, always check with your cruise line's tipping policy for guidance as policies vary. Your generosity helps acknowledge the dedicated service your family receives, ensuring a memorable experience for all. Remember, while tipping policies may vary, adhering to them is considered a part of cruise etiquette and ensures that those servicing your vacation are adequately compensated for their efforts.
Recently we were asked this by a fellow passenger – so let’s elaborate :
As is common, a beverage service charge (18% for Windstar) is automatically added to your bar bill and any wine/beer you order in the dining room. If you’re sailing to Hawaii, you’re also charged an additional 4.275% pre-paid service charge GET Tax. Tipping on Holland America, which jumped on February 1, 2023, is recorded daily.
These talented folks don’t rely on tips and don’t expect any additional gratuities while performing on board. There are a few occasions, however, when we’ve observed passengers & guests tipping singers and musicians. This usually can be seen when there is live music in one of the bars. It’s not uncommon to see a passenger hand a musician singing solo a few dollars or even buy them a drink (depending on the rules of the cruise line). As with other service people working on a cruise ship, those who give exceptional service are those we often tip extra. ($10-$20) If the bartender(s) do something special, we’ll often leave more.
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And you might feel awkward tipping on a cruise when you’ve already paid your gratuities. That’s absolutely fine – there is no obligation at all, and you’ll still get great service. If you’ve paid for a drinks package, you’ll already likely have paid an additional gratuity, and so many people don’t then like to tip again.
If you’re cruising the Med with a bunch of Brits, expectations for what to tip may be different than if you’re on an Alaska cruise with Americans used to a 15 or 20% tipping culture. You’re sure to stand in line for some time with a whole lot of other guests who have questions about their account (not the way you want to spend the end of your trip). The problem is that since you don’t usually get your onboard bill until the last day of your cruise, you have to settle this the last day or evening of your cruise. We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess’ premium beverage package. Your understanding of these tipping practices not only aids in budgeting your cruise but also ensures a harmonious journey respecting the efforts of all those who make your experience enjoyable.
Passengers should visit guest services to adjust these if they want. An automatic 18% gratuity is added to beverage packages, specialty dining, spa services, bar packages and main dining room wine purchases. Most, if not all, major cruise lines impose automatic gratuities now. These are in addition to the cruise fare, port taxes, and general taxes.
So if you’re planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities. Don’t forget to factor those charges into your overall vacation budget. To help you sort things out, the following guidelines will give you an idea of what to expect with tipping on cruises and provide some answers to frequently asked questions. Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kid’s club staff.
Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but that’s just my preference. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. For other cruise lines, you’ll be able to adjust your autogratuities at the Passenger Services desk. Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws.
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