The time when youll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when youre in port. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. The onboard price of this package varies from $63 to $89 a day, plus an 18% gratuity. We rarely do the parties anymore. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. The Smart Cruiser's Guide to Tipping on a Cruise | Cruisewatch Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. Top Cruise Tips | Royal Caribbean Blog I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. Given that most , all ? This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. Hi Janet! If cruising from Australia to the South Pacific, Australian dollars are widely accepted. If you buy a $5 souvenir with a $20 bill in Mexico, for example, youll receive change in Mexican pesos. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. 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. You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know. Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. Then (if your problem continues to bother you) contact the hotel manager. Tipping on Ships: An Australian Culture Clash - Cruise Critic April Fools' Day - Wikipedia Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. How Much To Tip A Royal Genie (With Chart) - Cruise Mummy Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. Please check Costas website for details. $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Heres a video which answers many questions that you may have about cruise gratuities and tipping on a cruise ship. 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 auto gratuity goes not only to your cabin steward but is also shared among the entire crew that works to make your cruise successful: the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurant wait staff, cooks, laundry staff and the general housekeeping staff that cleans the ship's common areas, for example. If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companiesthe guides and drivers arent employees of the line. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. 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. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. 1. Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests). Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. The porters will assist with your luggage and its customary to tip for their service. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! i understand what you are saying.and I know we are paying roughly 15 dollars a day each as a tip already. 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+). If youre new to cruising, or its been a while since your last cruise, its important to know about cruise tipping guidelines before you sail. All rights reserved. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in its Always Included cruise fare. This cruise ship was the first of Carnival's unique Dream Class cruise ships. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. 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. Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. Tips on Cruise Ship Tipping - Who and How Much to Tip! I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Treasure Coast of Florida. Tipping wait staff extra - how much? - Cruise Critic Community If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. While most people know it for being a cruise destination, shadowing the coastline to see the glaciers, there is so much How Much Does a Caribbean Cruise ACTUALLY Cost? (13 Examples) How much cash should you bring on a cruise? | Royal Caribbean Blog There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases. Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks. If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. However, the price of getting online can be expensive. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! There are instances of passengers who prefer not to tip, usually either because they disagree with tipping on principle or they've experienced unsatisfactory service. I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. 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. Jan 6. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in our privacy policy where you can withdraw consent. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. The suite life: Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity Cruises. Which is better How much do people tip a Royal Genie? What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? Tipping Etiquette on Cruise Ships - TripSavvy Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. 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. 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). 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. Whether to or not and then how much. One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. How much are automatic gratuities on a cruise? A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. What is Royal Caribbean's gratuity price and policy? - Cruises The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. 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. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. Pasted as rich text. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. 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. 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. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. So our "big tip" on this subject is this - if you guys have a service staff problem, speak first with your cabin attendant. Bond with your snorkel guide? When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. Manage Settings Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks - MSN 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. That is a very personal question. You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? 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. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. 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. 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! Alaska is such a beautiful destination. Related: Cruise Line. Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise? Do you have a favorite bartender? Once you book your cruise, there are some things you'll need to do in advance to prepare. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. 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. #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! Love this! Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. Thanks so much! I think this depends on who it is and what their job is. 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. To avoid currency confusion, especially if youre traveling to multiple countries on one cruise, we recommend using a credit or debit card to make purchases in port whenever possible. The amount is based on the service received of course. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). 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. flipped into Ren de Lambert. If you could use cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more, youll love the Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? If you go on a tour or shore excursion, its nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if youve appreciated their service. Thanks! Paste as plain text instead, Having the articles in a printable format is a really interesting idea. Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! Travel Agent Finder - Australia on LinkedIn: Unforgettable Experiences Your glowing review can help a hardworking crew member earn a promotion or raise. Manchester 3. When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. 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. Your previous content has been restored. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred. 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. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. Im not expecting him to kiss our butts, but come on. I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. The items and service are provided free of charge (except midnight - 5am when there is a nominal delivery fee). Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Ren de Lambert. 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. cabin (not suite) recommended amount would be $39 pp times two equals $78 for a 4 night 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. Depending on what you plan to do in port, you might need cash for the following: We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. Something you will need cash for on a Royal Caribbean cruise are any extra tips you give to crew members. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. Should you tip extra on a cruise? The bar service personnel still gets their 15% tips from each bar sale. Happy cruising :). 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. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 service fee and room service is available 24-hours a day. 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. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. 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. With a beverage package, youve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included. Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier. 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. After 23 Royal Caribbean Cruises, What I've Learned About Tipping First is the ATM. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Celebrity Cruises guide: Ships, itineraries, tips & more | Royal Hi All, Im Ilana. 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. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. When people think of cruises,, Theres nothing quite like relaxing on a Caribbean beach with no worries in the world except deciding which tropical, A lot of cruise ship passengers will drive to their port of embarkation, whether with their own vehicle or in a ride, Royal Caribbean cruises are known for the wide-array of entertainment, dining and things to do onboard, and it got us. What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? How much? Some things are free, other items are fee-based. 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. 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. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. In reality, the cruise staff on board want you to be satisfied, so this is the time address a problem. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? Cruising can be such a relaxing vacation as well as so much fun. When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. And just like with the Carnival case, this will reflect directly on the ship's serving staff (cabin stewards, Room Service, and Main Dining Room wait staff, as well as kitchen, entertainment, passenger services and other hotel personnel). We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. They will seldom steer you wrong. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Is a Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It? Eat Sleep Cruise These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? Your cruise in April sounds amazing! For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. Cruisers would have to tip each of their service personnel (the cabin steward, restaurant servers, bartenders, etc.) 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. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. You may want to give a small tip to the person who delivers your room service order. Norwegian Cruise Line charges a daily service fee of $15.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. Tips are of course a personal decision. I also tip constantly while on the cruise. I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but thats just my preference. 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. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. 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. Thoughts? Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. In-suite parties are a huge amount of work for the Genie and room attendants. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. There was only one cruise where my sons special request was denied. 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.". 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. 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. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise! Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. (Admit it: You tend to miss those nightly pillow chocolates and towel animals after you get home.) Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise? Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. But if you dont want to prepay, thats fine too. Which family cruise can you book for $2000? 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. Hi this was helpful, thank you. While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!)