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Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. 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.". This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. Most US lines that base ships in the UK over the summer -- Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, for example -- offer automated gratuity options that charge a standard daily gratuity fee to the credit card you've placed on file for each day of your cruise. Although gratuities arent mandatory, and in most cases you can go to guest services and have the amount adjusted, most cruise lines do tend to discourage it. Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. Most cruisers tip anywhere from $2-$10 per person (or the equivalent in the local currency) to the tour guide, and hand a couple of dollars to the driver. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. Have some small bills handy for these times. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. Hi Janet! Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? .WONDER OF THE SEAS. How much shouldwe tip? cabin (not suite) recommended amount would be $39 pp times two equals $78 for a 4 night cruise. What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? If you want to adjust the amount, go to the reception desk. 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. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. Prior to your cruise, youll connect your onboard account with a credit or debit card, and all payments will be charged to that card at the end of the cruise. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Keep in mind, the venues are not always the same between Royal Caribbean ships, but each of my tips can. Tipped crew on many cruise lines include housekeeping, dining, and laundry workers. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. One of the most luxurious aspects of cruising is the service of room stewards -- that team of people who often go unseen in their daily mission to keep your cruise cabin sparkling fresh and clean. I generally tip extra, mostly because I come from a customer service back round and know how hard these people work, compared to their pay. Most are experienced cruisers and, as a group, theyre very well-liked. Weve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. Pasted as rich text. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. Cruise gratuities are divided among your cruise cabin steward, waiters and other crew members who work as support behind the scenes. First is the ATM. Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. 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. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. There are a number of factors which people use to decide how much to tip their Genie. When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. Sometimes it cannot be helped ! We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. How Much Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost? There are a couple of exceptions, though. In standard cabins, Carnival charges $14.50 per person, per day in tips. If you put your tips on your seapass you will get a voucher for each envelope. You can choose to pay in local currency, too, but obtaining money in 3+ currencies before a cruise is not necessary. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Any chance of that? We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it wont be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. 40 Ocean Quotes for Everyone Who Loves The Sea, 15 Delicious Foods in the Bahamas You Need to Try. Viking Cruises gratuities are $15.00 per person, per day for all staterooms. 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. Royal Caribbean Cruises Tipping Policy As of September 7th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Suites, will be applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isnt included in the tipping pool. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Ill definitely look into it and see how I can best do that on this site. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. How Much Does A Cruise Cost? If you havent notified your bank, they will usually send you a fraud alert or temporarily freeze your card. cruise. Between January 2, 2018, and Sept 7, 2022, RCI's daily (per passenger) crew gratuities were US$14,50 (standard staterooms) and US$17,50 (Grand Suites+). I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. I dont tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things. It was just the two of us. All ships have at least one ATM onboard, which is usually located in the Royal Promenade or Centrum. Passengers sometimes plan in advance to bring small gifts to leave with their cabin stewards, either at the beginning or end of the cruise. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Do you tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities? When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. Plus, youre never required to make any extra purchases in the first place if you take advantage of the complimentary options available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk. Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. Most cruise lines allow guests to remove automatic gratuities. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. 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. ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. I purchased the package pre-cruise for $76, this equates to just over $25 per day. While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). If you dont have a drink package, theyll add the price of each drink plus the service fee to your onboard tab. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. 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. On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_20',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');In for-a-fee specialty dining restaurants, you might see a spot on your bill (if you get one) to add a tip. Now if someone goes over and above a little extra is due. Each person you tip gets their own envelope. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Get access to the best last minute hotel rates in the USA by becoming a registered member online today. Thanks! How much are automatic gratuities on a cruise? 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. While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally dont have to leave a tipthe tour company takes care of the lunch bill. The gratuity is $15.50 per person, per day for guests in mini-suites and $16.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. Ren de Lambert. Im so glad youre enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. Clear editor. If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), its a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience. If your kids have had a great time and youve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated. Other itineraries may differ. Manage Settings One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. With a beverage package, youve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included. Paste as plain text instead, Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. On embarkation day of my very first cruise, a porter came up to my taxi and whisked my luggage away, seconds after I got out of the car. Id give a much larger tip to a knowledgeable tour guide who led us on an intensive nine-hour experience compared to a guide who did a basic three-hour city walking tour. Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. Having small bills handy is helpful if you plan to tip crew members throughout your sailing. US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! one in 2023. If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. 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. However, a few lines dont add autogratuities for babies and toddlers under age two or three. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. You can post now and register later. But if you dont want to prepay, thats fine too. If sailing in a reg. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining. A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew members supervisor about your concerns. 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. What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? UK lines such as Fred. Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. Do you have a favorite bartender? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Since you cant remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. You will get great service either way. So our "big tip" on this subject is this - if you guys have a service staff problem, speak first with your cabin attendant. Please let me know in the comments below. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. It's all on the room service menu. At the base level, one person can use the service, and the price rises as you add more logins. This cruise ship was the first of Carnival's unique Dream Class cruise ships. I would imagine wed see prices increase overall if they did this, but perhaps it amounts to this anyway. How to Pay: Paid in cruise fare at the time of purchase. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Both beautiful cruise options! 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. These kind, helpful, generous, employees work extremely hard to make sure guests like myself have a fabulous time, and since I do, the very least I can do is show my appreciation in a way that benefits them the most! By Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Whether to or not and then how much. How much do people tip a Royal Genie? Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. So glad this was helpful. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. How it works: Gratuities are automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');Tipping is supposed to encourage excellent customer service from workers, because (in theory at least) customers will tip generously for friendly, prompt service. In their case "tipping" doesn't mean "extra" - it means "salary". I believe since these are pooled between everybody, additional tipping should only be done if you feel somebody has gone above and beyond. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. Thank you, Carrie Ann. 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. If you wait to the end to tip, then the servers wont know and you possibly missed out of knowing how wonderful the cabin steward or others could be. 1. All rights reserved. You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. For some of them, depending . The worst thing you can do is wait until you are home from your cruise to address it. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Celebrity Cruises isnt a luxury cruise line, however it is a top premium cruise line that markets itself as modern luxury. When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities. 4 Ways to Tip Extra on a Non-Tipping Cruise Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Onboard Spending, Service on a Luxury Cruise: What to Expect. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. The gratuities on Oceania Cruises are $16.00 per person, per day for most staterooms and $23.00 per person, per day for guests in suites. Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. ~ janet Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? The fact is, the tips that crew get from passengers make up a good part of their wage. Thoughts? There's a wide variety of services that you will receive during your cruise. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) Required fields are marked *. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. Then (if your problem continues to bother you) contact the hotel manager. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $20 per passenger per day, are published either in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line web page. Based on the amount of the bill. How Much Water Should I Drink Before Donating Plasma. Unless they are below average and that has happened only one time. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! However, the price of getting online can be expensive. December 8, 2010. Manchester 3. But I also feel like people will think Im rude for not doing so in reality tho, they are already being tipped 18%. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . 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. 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. Ill explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuitiesfrom who you should tip, how much you should tip, and who you should never tip on a cruise ship. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!) After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. What I can say, on a personal level, is that we have found that the majority of cabin stewards, waiters, assistant waiters and ship staff have given us amazing service. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. If you go to any slot machine, youre able to transfer money to the game via your onboard account, which is connected to your credit or debit card. As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking). On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers. This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. By general rule of thumb, the big ship mainstream cruise lines charge it as an extra payment above and beyond the base cruise fare while luxury lines adopt an all-inclusive approach. However ,usually you can have at least 2 cabin stewards. New York state residents who wish to purchase the product may visit https://travelcruisecare.com to enroll directly with . The amount is based on the service received of course. If theres a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? Its also a nice gesture to tip the matre d or head waiter in the main dining room, especially if they were helpful with special menus or seating arrangements. I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. If you dont see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 service fee and room service is available 24-hours a day. Who else should you tip on a cruise ship? On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! Cruise Ship Engine Power, Propulsion, Fuel, Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices, Beverage Menus, Alcohol Policy, Carnival Cruise WiFi Internet Packages Prices. Royal Caribbean's drink packages include: Deluxe Beverage Package Refreshment Package (No alcohol) Classic Soda Package Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Its important to note that, especially on the luxury lines, tipping is not expected. Im not expecting him to kiss our butts, but come on. The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. It really made my day! Please check MSCs website for details. on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. Display as a link instead, Your email address will not be published. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. 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. There may be cases where you'd like to tip your cabin steward more than what he or she will receive after your automated gratuity is pooled and shared out. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port. Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). Continue with Recommended Cookies.