Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. 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. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. You dont need to write a noveljust a few sentences about how the crew member made your cruise even better will do. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. Though automated gratuities are the easiest and most common way to tip, some passengers prefer to instead tip their attendants in cash, either in addition to the automated gratuity or in place of it. 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. Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks. Im so glad youre enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback. At some North American ports, youll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. 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. 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. 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. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). 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. 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. Like what you see? Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. What Is The Average Amount of Cash to Bring on a Cruise? I also tip constantly while on the cruise. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. Happy cruising :). Could you possibly make your articles printable? 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). On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port. Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise! The average price of a 7 night Caribbean cruise, on a mainstream cruise line, in April is approximately $616 (493) per person, excluding taxes. These feedback cards mean a lot and sometimes lead to a stellar crew member getting a raise or even a promotion! Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! The Sky Suite on Celebrity was a perfect size for two, at around 320 square feet. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. Want to give something beyond cash? Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. 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. I was very surprised. 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. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. 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? 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). Read our best tips.). The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . 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. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? First is the ATM. Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. It was just the two of us. In reality, the cruise staff on board want you to be satisfied, so this is the time address a problem. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. Given that most , all ? Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. This fee ranges anywhere from $12.50 to upward of $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line -- usually on the higher end if you're staying in a suite. There are some exceptions. In fact, I think most would agree that cruise line staff make a huge difference in the cruise experience. Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). Just did 8 nights on Voyager. cabin (not suite) recommended amount would be $39 pp times two equals $78 for a 4 night cruise. P.S. 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%. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. Clear editor. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk. 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). You just cant help being extra nice or helpful when you know the people are going to be extra nice to you, ie the extra tips. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise, The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation, The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler, How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget, Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port. So glad this was helpful. I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Keep in mind, the venues are not always the same between Royal Caribbean ships, but each of my tips can. Posted September 17, 2021. In addition, a portion of the tips are given to those who work behind the scenes or may serve you in different areas of the ship. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? 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. Congrats on reaching Diamond :) Happy cruising! In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. If sailing in a reg. Most cruise lines allow guests to remove automatic gratuities. I believe since these are pooled between everybody, additional tipping should only be done if you feel somebody has gone above and beyond. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. In this post, Ill be going through the cruise tipping policies by cruise line and answer some of the most common questions people have about gratuities on a cruise. Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? It's all on the room service menu. 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! I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. Some cruise lines refer to the gratuities as a crew incentive or a service fee, but essentially these are tips for crew members that are used to augment their low wages. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service. 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. I think this depends on who it is and what their job is. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? I purchased the package pre-cruise for $76, this equates to just over $25 per day. I don't actually agree with th. 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. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise! Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? In the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and other dining venues, your tip is included in the automatic gratuities. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () 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. However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Note that paying in cash does not necessarily circumvent the pooling system -- attendants are officially required to turn in any cash gratuities to put toward the pool. This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that dont want to think about extra charges once onboard. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! Cruise Tipping and Salaries Dissected, Tipping On Cruises: Cruise Line Policies Revealed, Tipping on Ships: An Australian Culture Clash, Cabin Stewards on a Cruise: What to Expect, How Not to Be Rude on a Cruise: 10 Ways to Make the Crew Love You. Maybe your cabin attendant delivered when you made a special request, or you loved how your steward always sweetly arranged your children's stuffed animals before bed every night -- or maybe you just want to show a little extra appreciation in the universal language of money. Who else should you tip on a cruise ship? How much do people tip a Royal Genie? The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. You can post now and register later. Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. Youll want to factor in the cruise line gratuity charge, sometimes called on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I was even more surprised that it was a Disney cruise, where they are used to kids, and generally have a good reputation for service. 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. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. There was only one cruise where my sons special request was denied. 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. 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. Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean's sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. By Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. Do you have a favorite bartender? If you want to avoid any ATM charges, though, you can theoretically take money out via the casino. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. We have also taken a few of the ship's "backstage" tours and could see where the crew members reside, dine, kick back to relax, etc. I would imagine wed see prices increase overall if they did this, but perhaps it amounts to this anyway. All rights reserved. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. 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. Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. 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. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. Similarly, in the main dining room, we tip our waiter around $6 to $8 per day for the two of us, averaging around $50 for a 7-night cruise. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. I have to say, we simply prepay or leave the tips as is, so I really dont pay attention these days. Heres a video which answers many questions that you may have about cruise gratuities and tipping on a cruise ship. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. Before Your Royal Caribbean Cruise . When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Wondering how much gratuities are on a cruise? Your link has been automatically embedded. They often work 7-10 months at a time and 12-14 hours per day for seven days straight before having a half or even a whole day off. Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. Cunards daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. 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. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. cruise. Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Treasure Coast of Florida. However, youll want to make sure youve notified your bank that you will be out of the country.
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