Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. 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. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. Im so glad youre enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? 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. The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare. Cruises in Europe, World cruises and those departing from a non-US Caribbean port charge 10 Euros per person, per day. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? Manage Settings cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government By Youll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip! 1. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). 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. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. Something you will need cash for on a Royal Caribbean cruise are any extra tips you give to crew members. Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. 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. 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. The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. (For line by line information, read more about cruise line tipping policies.). If you want to avoid any ATM charges, though, you can theoretically take money out via the casino. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. With a beverage package, youve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included. In reality, the cruise staff on board want you to be satisfied, so this is the time address a problem. Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, youre not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond whats normally expected. 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. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. A The automatic service gratuity is $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. What to Expect: Tipping Crew Members on a Cruise. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. Jan 6. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? You can post now and register later. Let me know in the comments below! If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. Please let me know in the comments below. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! I always prepay the gratuities. This is a good question. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in our privacy policy where you can withdraw consent. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. The price increases during August to approximately $773 (619) per person, excluding taxes. 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. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? How Much Does A Cruise Cost? Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. If you go on a tour or shore excursion, its nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if youve appreciated their service. What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? .WONDER OF THE SEAS. I guess I was looking for some kind of scale like we have atrestaurants on land. Every stateroom has a room service menu. Manchester 3. Why taking a weekend cruise is a great escape, 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, How to get to Royal Caribbean's cruise terminals and how much parking will cost, Top 16 things on a Royal Caribbean cruise everyone needs to do at least once. Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. In some service industries where wages are substandard, customers are expected to pay a gratuity, typically 15 to 20% of the bill, to augment the workers low hourly wages. Virgin Voyages does a lot of things differently than its mainstream peers. Pasted as rich text. How Much Water Should I Drink Before Donating Plasma. The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. 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). If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk. Having the articles in a printable format is a really interesting idea. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! If you're staying in a high-category suite, you may be expected to tip . Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. You wont require cash for 99% of purchases on a cruise, whether specialty restaurants, cocktails, or souvenirs. Hi All, Im Ilana. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. Norwegian Cruise Line. 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. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Between May 1, 2016, and Jan 2, 2018, passengers on RCI boats paid US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. Below are just some of the people you may want to tip in this way, and some rough guidelines regarding how much - though know this is very subjective, and of course should be commensurate with the level of service that a given person provided. You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know. What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. If you feel you would like to give more that is fine and I am sure they will appreciate anything you decide to tip beyond the daily gratuity. Your link has been automatically embedded. 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. 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. A 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 person, per day for guests in Suites, will be applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. I go into more detail about this topic in this post:Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? Or do you remove them altogether? Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. 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. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. flipped into Ren de Lambert. For some of them, depending . $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. Should you prepay automatic gratuities? 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. 15% being the rough standard for satisfactoryservice. Thoughts? You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. 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. It's all on the room service menu. 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). If cruising from Australia to the South Pacific, Australian dollars are widely accepted. 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. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. 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! As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, its a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries youll be visiting before your cruise. You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. Royal Caribbeans daily automatic gratuities are set at $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $17.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? I believe this to be true, too. But I also feel like people will think Im rude for not doing so in reality tho, they are already being tipped 18%. Once you book your cruise, there are some things you'll need to do in advance to prepare. Thanks so much! No worries about "shoddy tips" since you have already paid the standard tip. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Don't be Held Back on Arrival Royal Caribbean requires you to do an online check-in, at least three days before your published sail date. If you havent notified your bank, they will usually send you a fraud alert or temporarily freeze your card. Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been sailing at nearly 100% capacity for the past few months. In fact, I think most would agree that cruise line staff make a huge difference in the cruise experience. UK lines such as Fred. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. There is a lot of included dining location so how do you know which ones to che. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. 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. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise? 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. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? We rarely do the parties anymore. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. Should you tip extra on a cruise? Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips). Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Cruise gratuities are divided among your cruise cabin steward, waiters and other crew members who work as support behind the scenes. On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. This amount varies by cruise line, however the average daily gratuity is $14-15 US per day, per passenger for a standard cabin and $17-18 a day for guests in suites. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. How much shouldwe tip? 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. The COST Series: Cruise Ship TIPPING | Who to tip on a cruise and how much | Royal Caribbean Tipping The Weekend Cruiser 8.96K subscribers Subscribe 588 Share 10K views 8 months ago. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. Your previous content has been restored. raahc and lovecruising!!! But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. Required fields are marked *. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. Cruise Ship Engine Power, Propulsion, Fuel, Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices, Beverage Menus, Alcohol Policy, Carnival Cruise WiFi Internet Packages Prices. On a 7 day cruise we usually give $50 to the waiter and $30 to the asst. Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members earnings to a reasonable rate. And if the problem still remains unsolved - then adjust the tips. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. 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. 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. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. The cruise line makes no recommendation for tipping room service. There are also usually comment cards available at the purser's desk or online for additional recognition -- or post a review on Cruise Critic. 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. You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers. Just did 8 nights on Voyager. Even though cruise gratuities technically arent mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines. I believe since these are pooled between everybody, additional tipping should only be done if you feel somebody has gone above and beyond. 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. Some guests may bring $200 extra for gratuities whereas others may bring $50. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Heres a video which answers many questions that you may have about cruise gratuities and tipping on a cruise ship. Those can range from about $15 to upwards of $20 for each . You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. Here are some daily automatic gratuity costs for several popular ocean cruise lines in USD (prices accurate as of summer 2021): Unlike with the deals you can get for prepaying for drink packages and some other add-ons, you wont get a discount for prepaying your automatic gratuities. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities. Often cruise lines provide additional envelopes to tuck a little extra cash at the end of the cruise just for this purpose. Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. Want to give something beyond cash? If your kids had a great time at the kids club on board, giving a tip at the end of the cruise to their favorite staff members is always appreciated. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Thanks! In this post, weve gone over how tipping works on a cruise. You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. 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. Tipping extra is not necessary, and theres no right or wrong amount to give a crew member. 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). Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. 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 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. Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. I agree with Kelli. 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. 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. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. . ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. You cannot paste images directly. Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. Your email address will not be published. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. December 8, 2010. 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. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. Now, with automatic gratuities, the process is much simpler and you dont need to carry all that cash. Carnivals daily gratuities are $13.99 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. The onboard price of this package varies from $63 to $89 a day, plus an 18% gratuity. Just like with the Carnival's tipping policy, under the new Royal Caribbean tipping policy guests who believe they've been serviced poorly while onboard their "Of The Seas" ship has the right to ask Guest Services personnel to reduce or even to remove their automatic gratuities. Royal Caribbean states the current pricing for 2022 sailings is between $12.99 and $15.00 per day of the cruise. 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. However, if you prefer to pay off your account and daily gratuities in cash, you can do so by going to guest services. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. will be more appreciated than something they would have to store. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. 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). In addition to the automatic daily gratuities, a tip or service fee of 15-20% is added to drinks and/or drink packages as well as spa services on a cruise. on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Still confused . Happy cruising :). They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. Most are experienced cruisers and, as a group, theyre very well-liked. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities! There are a couple of exceptions, though. All rights reserved. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Like what you see? Your glowing review can help a hardworking crew member earn a promotion or raise. 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. Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. i understand what you are saying.and I know we are paying roughly 15 dollars a day each as a tip already. #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! 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. 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. New York state residents who wish to purchase the product may visit https://travelcruisecare.com to enroll directly with . Passengers sometimes plan in advance to bring small gifts to leave with their cabin stewards, either at the beginning or end of the cruise. 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. How Much Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost? The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. Paste as plain text instead, If not, 15-20% of the bill (excluding any products that you buy) is customary. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. Ren de Lambert. The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then theyll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise. 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.
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