How much to tip waiter and his assistant? frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. I was thinking of giving ours a $20 at the beginning, not sure if this is about the "norm", or if I should give a little more. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. Follow me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised, Follow me onYouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips), Follow me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised. Which family cruise can you book for $2000? Its customary to tip the waiters generously at specialty restaurants. They cheerfully attend to your requests, tidying your home away from home from the moment you leave in the morning to the last turn-down before bed. We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. We never gave him anything. To avoid currency confusion, especially if youre traveling to multiple countries on one cruise, we recommend using a credit or debit card to make purchases in port whenever possible. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. raahc and lovecruising!!! This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that dont want to think about extra charges once onboard. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Thanks for sharing your view on this. You cannot paste images directly. 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. Any chance of that? The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. Youll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip! The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',676,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? Congrats on reaching Diamond :) Happy cruising! Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. I go into more detail about this topic in this post:Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? Price: $14.50 per person/day in standard cabins, $17.50 per person/day in suites, and 18% on beverages and spa and salon services. Cruisers would have to tip each of their service personnel (the cabin steward, restaurant servers, bartenders, etc.) We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You wont require cash for 99% of purchases on a cruise, whether specialty restaurants, cocktails, or souvenirs. 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. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. 2% would be a shoddy tip, but it's fine for the "extra tip" line if that 2% was to bring the 18% service charge up to 20%. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. Tip amount: Gratuities amount to $13.50 per person per day (including children 3 and older) in standard rooms and $15.50 per person in suites. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. The auto gratuity goes not only to your cabin steward but is also shared among the entire crew that works to make your cruise successful: the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurant wait staff, cooks, laundry staff and the general housekeeping staff that cleans the ship's common areas, for example. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. Credit: Royal Caribbean Show-Stopping Entertainment Ill definitely look into it and see how I can best do that on this site. I think it's more like when you go to a restaurant and they added the automatic service charge to the bill, but there is still a line for additional tipping. Cruises from Europe and Australia will still use the US dollar as the official onboard currency, but you should make purchases in port with the destinations local currency. If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. Still confused . Jan 6. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. Even if you prepay for your shore excursions directly through the cruise line, its customary to tip your tour guides and drivers in cash after each excursion. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. 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. This cruise ship was the first of Carnival's unique Dream Class cruise ships. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. But I also feel like people will think Im rude for not doing so in reality tho, they are already being tipped 18%. If you feel that you wish to give an extra amount to anyone who you feel has done a great job, they will be appreciative. Children under 4 are not charged. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. . Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. I believe that often the bartenders will pool their tips b/c there are so many working the crowd but I think it's an individual choice on their parts as to how they handle this. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. #1 Bring a bathing suit on embarkation day On embarkation day, the pools are open so be sure to pack a bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy them with less crowds! I have a video on my YouTube channel about this and people have commented amounts they give so his could be helpful (just check YouTube and search cruise gratuities Life Well Cruised). Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise? A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? There are different service charges for certain itineraries. 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. You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. Virgin Voyages does a lot of things differently than its mainstream peers. Heres what you should know about cash on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Celebrity Cruises isnt a luxury cruise line, however it is a top premium cruise line that markets itself as modern luxury. The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. 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. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. 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. Just for comparison, by the old RCCL tipping guidelines, the Royal Caribbean suggested tips/gratuities were a total of USD 11,65 per day per passenger (respectively USD 13,90 for suite passengers) and also guests could pay onboard either in cash or via their shipboard account. Whether to or not and then how much. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. The items and service are provided free of charge (except midnight - 5am when there is a nominal delivery fee). How much people tip a Royal Genie on their Royal Caribbean cruise tends to vary, although many American guests tend to fall at around the $75-$100 per day. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? For example, Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) recently increased its tip recommendations and now suggests $3.75 per day for your main waiter, $5 per day for the cabin housekeeping staff, $2.15 per day for the assistant waiter, and $0.75 per day for the head waiter. Let me know in the comments below! If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. First is the ATM. On luxury cruise lines, such as Azamara, Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, Tauck World Discovery and Uniworld, gratuities are already included in the cost of the cruise, and additional tipping is not expected. Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Cruising can be such a relaxing vacation as well as so much fun. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. Disney cruises has a suggested daily gratuity charge of $13.50 per person, per day for all guests. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. Depending on your cruise ship, you may be able to use the Royal . I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. 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. If you found this helpful, please dont keep it to yourself ;-). The onboard price of this package varies from $63 to $89 a day, plus an 18% gratuity. However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. Viking Cruises gratuities are $15.00 per person, per day for all staterooms. You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Most mainstream cruise lines will charge you about $14 to $15 per person per day for automatic gratuities. (For line by line information, read more about cruise line tipping policies.). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred. Happy cruising :). You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. Related: Cruise Line. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? It's always up to you to adjust the number of gratuities at any time while onboard the ship and your tips will be deemed undisputed. Cunards daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Before that, in 2015 RCI upped its gratuities from USD 12 to USD 12,95 (standard cabins) and from USD 14,25 to USD 15,95 (suites). Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per. In addition, weve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. Please check MSCs website for details. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (Youll often see a survey pop up in your email inbox a few days after your cruise.). As it is with most cruise shipping companies, RCI's tourists can remove the daily gratuity but know that these tips are for all the housekeeping and dining staff. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. 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. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. It's all on the room service menu. Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. You also shouldnt tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a . Thank you, Carrie Ann. There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? Robinson said mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line charge gratuities on a per person, per day basis. Olsen Cruise Lines and Cruise & Maritime Voyages charge substantially less -- 7 per person per day; while Marella, Saga and P&O Cruises now include tips (MSC Cruises also includes tips for its UK-based ship, Preziosa). Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! 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. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. 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. You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. I dont tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things. According to Royal Caribbean, the last increase put the company "in line with its competitors in the industry and recognize the exceptional work that Royal Caribbean's staff and crew does to deliver unforgettable vacations every day.". Alaska is such a beautiful destination. 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. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in our privacy policy where you can withdraw consent. on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). 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). Most mainstream cruise lines bill passengers between $12 and $15 per person, per day for. You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. The amount is based on the service received of course. Even though cruise gratuities technically arent mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines. All ships have at least one ATM onboard, which is usually located in the Royal Promenade or Centrum. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Royal Caribbean raised the service fees on its ships in August by more than 10% to $16 per person per day for those staying in most cabins. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. If not, just leave blank. If you havent notified your bank, they will usually send you a fraud alert or temporarily freeze your card. Tips are of course a personal decision. You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! Depending on what you plan to do in port, you might need cash for the following: We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. 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, per day, for a seven-night cruise. Tipping on a cruise ship isnt mandatory, but it is customary, and many crew members rely on tips as a large part of their income. Near the end of your cruise, youll probably receive some comment cards in your stateroom that you can use to leave feedback about a member of the crew. Posted September 17, 2021. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with third party vendors, or used specifically by this site or app. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Your email address will not be published. Like what you see? Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean's sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. cruise. If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. Though cruise lines usually state up front that tipping is still at the discretion of the passenger, keep in mind: As with most employees in the service industry (at least in the U.S.), most of the wages cruise employees make come from these tips. US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. Tips on Cruise Ship Tipping - Who and How Much to Tip! 40 Ocean Quotes for Everyone Who Loves The Sea, 15 Delicious Foods in the Bahamas You Need to Try. I dont think anyone will think youre rude for not tipping over and above this. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. How much do people tip a Royal Genie? I'm so glad you found my post! Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. I guess I was looking for some kind of scale like we have atrestaurants on land. P.S. You can choose to pay in local currency, too, but obtaining money in 3+ currencies before a cruise is not necessary. Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. 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. You might want to reward your cabin steward, favorite bartender or MDR server, or any other crew member you think did a great job. This may be rare, however if theres a problem with service or you have a complaint on your cruise, that you should bring this to the attention of the staff member, supervisor, or guest services when it occurs. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? Ren de Lambert. Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. You can purchase the drink package online pre-cruise or once onboard during the first day (or two) of your trip. 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. Knowing how much cash to bring on a cruise can help you plan your vacation budget and avoid pesky ATM fees along the way. For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. If mainstream cruise lines decided to abolish tipping and pay all crew members a reasonable rate per hour, they would have to significantly raise the cost of cruise fares. Just remember that a cash tip goes to your server, and a charged tip gets added to the tip pool. Treasure Coast of Florida. Whether $2 to a bartender, $20 to your waiter, or $50 to your stateroom attendant, it's common to tip crew members extra for excellent service. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future.
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