Tips are of course a personal decision. However, the price of getting online can be expensive. There is a lot of included dining location so how do you know which ones to che. Tips are either covered by the autogratuities or theres a service fee tacked on, so you dont need to tip again. Some guests may bring $200 extra for gratuities whereas others may bring $50. 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. 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. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. On a 7 day cruise we usually give $50 to the waiter and $30 to the asst. Your link has been automatically embedded. On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! It's all on the room service menu. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. Here's a guide to help you navigate ways to show your appreciation for these hard workers. Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! Most mainstream cruise lines bill passengers between $12 and $15 per person, per day for. Knowing how much cash to bring on a cruise can help you plan your vacation budget and avoid pesky ATM fees along the way. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () I don't actually agree with th. How to Pay: Paid in cruise fare at the time of purchase. 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). That was the only time I didn't give an additional cash tip to the wait staff. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) 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. 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. 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. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . 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? For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. The premium cruise line's fleet of 15 ships sail around the world, from the Galapagos to the Caribbean. In addition, weve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. 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). Clear editor. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. Get access to the best last minute hotel rates in the USA by becoming a registered member online today. The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your 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. 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. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. Posted September 17, 2021. 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. Youre right an 18% gratuity is added each time you purchase a drink. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray 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. What to Expect: Tipping Crew Members on a Cruise. The Sky Suite on Celebrity was a perfect size for two, at around 320 square feet. 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. What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation? As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -Whats Included, What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (with packing list), 7 Cruises to Avoid and What to Do Instead, Cruise Line Stocks Shareholder Benefits for Cruisers (FREE onboard credit). They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. The automatic service gratuity is $14.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $17.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. If you want to adjust the amount, go to the reception desk. There are also usually comment cards available at the purser's desk or online for additional recognition -- or post a review on Cruise Critic. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line. 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. Its customary to tip the waiters generously at specialty restaurants. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. #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! Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. The new RCI tips per day are added to each guest's SeaPass card (shipboard account) automatically. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On most cruise lines that collect automatic gratuities, youre able to remove or adjust the charges by visiting the passenger services desk. But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. Cruises in Europe, World cruises and those departing from a non-US Caribbean port charge 10 Euros per person, per day. 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. Note that we are Australian, so therefore not inclined to tip unless the service warrants it. Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. But if you dont want to prepay, thats fine too. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? Im so glad youre enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! Bond with your snorkel guide? Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. What Is The Average Amount of Cash to Bring on a Cruise? Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. 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. The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. Or do you remove them altogether? How much to tip waiter and his assistant? 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. Ive got you covered! They have the insider tips to match so that you can make the most of everything that'll be at your fingertips. They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. Any chance of that? One of these differences is that cruise gratuities are included. | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. Hi All, Im Ilana. Having small bills handy is helpful if you plan to tip crew members throughout your sailing. You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada 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. Royal Caribbean states the current pricing for 2022 sailings is between $12.99 and $15.00 per day of the cruise. separately, near the end of the cruise. What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in its Always Included cruise fare. However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. 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. When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. 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. Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! The best advice I can give Americans and Canadians, if they are tipping questions arise either on the ship or ashore, follow the lead of Aussies and ask their advice. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. Ren de Lambert. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Should you tip extra on a cruise? Thoughts? Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. 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. 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. Have some small bills handy for these times. US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. Cindi The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. They will seldom steer you wrong. I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk. It is best to drink 9 to 13 cups of water before donating money in the 24 hours preceding the event. 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). on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Are very professional, what should a tip look like at the end of a 10 day cruise? They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. 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. 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.. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. But I also feel like people will think Im rude for not doing so in reality tho, they are already being tipped 18%. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! This is a good question. Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. I'm so glad you found my post! Virgin Voyages does a lot of things differently than its mainstream peers. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. The amount you tip is up to youI generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. All ships have at least one ATM onboard, which is usually located in the Royal Promenade or Centrum. Learn how your comment data is processed. A kind word or a drawing costs nothing and is always appreciated. If you havent notified your bank, they will usually send you a fraud alert or temporarily freeze your card. All rights reserved. Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. If sailing in a reg. I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but thats just my preference. However ,usually you can have at least 2 cabin stewards. We never gave him anything. The cruise line makes no recommendation for tipping room service. Credit: Royal Caribbean Show-Stopping Entertainment It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. 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). That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise! ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. Disney cruises has a suggested daily gratuity charge of $13.50 per person, per day for all guests. The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities! I believe this to be true, too. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. If you transfer money to the slot machine and immediately cash out, you can take your cashout slip to the casino cage and receive the listed amount in cash. 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. It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. Related: Cruise Line. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a . Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. Giving service staff tips in a currency they cant easily use means theyll have to pay a fee to change your cash tip into another currency. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. If you put your tips on your seapass you will get a voucher for each envelope. W. The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. If you dont see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. When booking a Celebrity cruise, tips are included in their Always Included program. How Much Does A Cruise Cost? There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. There are some exceptions. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. 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. With all of your meals and the fun activities on the ship, easily accessible and planned, you won't have to do much work once you are on vacation. 15% being the rough standard for satisfactoryservice. A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew members supervisor about your concerns. Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been sailing at nearly 100% capacity for the past few months. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. Like what you see? Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Keep in mind, the venues are not always the same between Royal Caribbean ships, but each of my tips can. 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. Not only will it improve your cruise experience, but youre also allowing the cruise ship staff the opportunity to make things right. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. Weve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. Please check Costas website for details. 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). It really made my day! And if the problem still remains unsolved - then adjust the tips. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. You also shouldnt tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. If not, just leave blank. When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? You can post now and register later. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. I was very surprised. The bar service personnel still gets their 15% tips from each bar sale. So why dont cruise lines just increase the price of fares, and pay their crew a living wage with a decent hourly rate? $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. 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. Its unlikely to do any good by this point. However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. For some of them, depending . You can choose to pay in local currency, too, but obtaining money in 3+ currencies before a cruise is not necessary. Instead, passengers can tipor notat their own discretion. Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. Jan 6. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. 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. If you're staying in a high-category suite, you may be expected to tip . 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. 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. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). 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. First is the ATM. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. UK lines such as Fred. This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. I agree with Kelli. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. 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. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. Those can range from about $15 to upwards of $20 for each . 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. The extra cash may or may not end up in your steward's pocket, but he'll appreciate the gesture nonetheless. If theres a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. #4. There are a couple of exceptions, though.