Are gratuities included on a cruise? Sure, gratuities may be a pain to deal with on land, but what about when you’re out at sea? Are gratuities included on a cruise? Do you have to tip the staff? How much should you give? Will gratuities be included in my bill? Is it ok to give my server an extra tip if they have gone above and beyond?
While looking for answers to your burning questions about tipping on cruises. Let’s take a look at more handy tips on gratuities while onboard a cruise ship.
Many people wonder if gratuities are included on cruises
Many people find tipping an exhaustive conundrum, often asking if tipping is even required while on a cruise. Of course the answer is simple – gratuities are typically included on cruises! Most cruise lines factor gratuity into their fares through automatic charges or as part of a tour. While tipping guidelines vary from vessel to vessel and depending on your chosen activities, gratuities are typically mandatory. It will appear as a daily charge per passenger on your bill.
Staff Appreciation
That said, additional tips will be much appreciated for those going above and beyond expectations with exemplary service. Most of the staff stay on board a cruise ship for weeks at a time, and many are younger people just starting out in life, so an extra gratuity is valued and makes their time on the ship more memorable. If you are sailing soon, don’t forget to check out your cruise line’s tipping policies so there are no surprises when you review your room charges at the end of your vacation.
Some include gratuities in the price of the cruise, while others do not
Is your next Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America or Princess Cruiselines has an additional charge for tipping? It all depends on the cruise line! Some will include gratuities in the ticket price, while others require you to pay a daily fee on top of your ticket cost. That means it’s essential to do your research before packing your bags and setting sail—you don’t want hidden fees in your well-earned vacation!
What If Gratuities Are Not Included?
If gratuities are not included in the cost of your cruise package, it is still customary to tip your servers and house keepers.
When planning your cruise, whether you tip or not can significantly impact your overall experience. Many cruises don’t include gratuities in the price – instead, tipping your cabin steward and waiter/waitress is considered customary. But tipping doesn’t just apply to those two individuals; other services such as spa treatments, restaurants, and bars often require tipping, although the amount varies depending on the service provided.
How Much Should I Tip My Servers?
How much should you tip for these services? Standards vary from 15-20%, but always err on the side of generosity and give more if possible! It’s important to ensure that all tipping practices are taken into account during your time onboard a cruise – after all, a positive tipping culture is part of what makes cruising so enjoyable. The staff that serves you every day will remember your generosity and make you feel extra welcome every time they see you on board. It is simply wonderful to be greeted with a warm and genuine “Good morning!”
Tips Are Always Appreciated
Tipping is also appreciated for other services rendered on board, such as spa treatments and excursions.
Tipping is an important part of the cruise experience and one that isn’t just limited to the dine-in restaurants. Spa treatments, excursions, and other land tours often depend on the services of guides who want to feel appreciated. The same goes for the bartender at the pool or casino host and waitstaff at the poker tables. Make sure to never forget about them, even if tipping is included in your ticket price or not! Showing appreciation by tipping those who assisted you with spas, tours, and other services is always a great way to enhance your once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience.
Going Above and Beyond
Even if gratuities are included in your daily charges, the staff who serve you in a restaurant, hair salon, spa, or bar will appreciate your generosity when you give them a tip above and beyond the daily charge that is added to your bill. Many people feel good when they leave a nice tip because it adds to their overall experience.
Let's Do the Math
All in all, the room charge is very convenient. Let’s do some simple math: The automatic room charges are typically $14/person per day or $28/cabin per day.
While there are ways to remove this automatic charge, tipping while on your cruise is still an expected practice. If you don’t pay your room charge, be sure to tip as you go for every service that you receive. In this writer’s opinion, we opt for worry-free vacations, so the automatic charge frees us from remembering who and when to tip during our cruise. $14/person is 18% of $77. If you include your 3 meals, snacks, beverages, and shows, you can easily spend more than $77 per day. So you can see what a great convenience it is to be added as a room charge.
Summing it Up
So, as you can see, tipping on cruises isn’t a yes or no answer. With many cruise lines offering unlimited drinks and specialty restaurants, they will include gratuities in the upfront price of your cruise. If gratuities aren’t included in the Cruise fare, it is customary to tip your cabin steward and waiter/waitress. It is also recommended that you give additional gratuities to other services rendered on board, such as spa treatments and excursions. Remember that while gratuities allow you to show appreciation for good service, they are not mandatory and should not be taken for granted. Now that you know more about tipping on cruises, share your experience with us! Did you feel compelled to tip? Did you already know what was included before booking? Share with us in the comments below!