Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities! 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. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. MTD and ate in MDR 5 nights. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. Hi All, Im Ilana. 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. You may want to give a small tip to the person who delivers your room service order. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. 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. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. Based on the amount of the bill. Thanks so much! cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare. Hi this was helpful, thank you. Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!) 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. (Youll often see a survey pop up in your email inbox a few days after your cruise.). The amount you tip is up to youI generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. Please check Costas website for details. Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. 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.. Other people you should tip during your cruise, Nine Things You Need to Check Before Your Cruise, Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers, How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise, Giada De Laurentiis Named Godmother of Oceania Cruises New Ship Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemaker Series, P&O Arvia Naming Ceremony Will Feature Olly Murs, Carnival Now Offering Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila Fleetwide, Princess Cruises Introduces Welcome Home Program, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/, A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know, 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. What you cant do is adjust or remove automatic gratuities for a specific crew member. Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line 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. 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. 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. Thanks so much for your input on this. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? Celebrity Cruises isnt a luxury cruise line, however it is a top premium cruise line that markets itself as modern luxury. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. There are different service charges for certain itineraries. Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. I believe since these are pooled between everybody, additional tipping should only be done if you feel somebody has gone above and beyond. 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. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. Posted September 17, 2021. How it works: Gratuities are automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. By Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. 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. 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. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. There are a number of factors which people use to decide how much to tip their Genie. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? Both beautiful cruise options! Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. If cruising from Australia to the South Pacific, Australian dollars are widely accepted. Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with third party vendors, or used specifically by this site or app. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier. Depending on your cruise ship, you may be able to use the Royal . I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. In this post, weve gone over how tipping works on a cruise. Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. The premium cruise line's fleet of 15 ships sail around the world, from the Galapagos to the Caribbean. 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. Alaska is such a beautiful destination. Its important to note that, especially on the luxury lines, tipping is not expected. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. I was very surprised. 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? The amount is very personal. 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. 15% being the rough standard for satisfactoryservice. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link 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. Jan 6. Something to note is that although daily gratuities arent charged, there may be a service fee or tip added to certain services onboard. 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.". A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. 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. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? 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. If you dont have a drink package, theyll add the price of each drink plus the service fee to your onboard tab. On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. Hi Janet! Get expert advice, insider tips and more. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. 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. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. (Admit it: You tend to miss those nightly pillow chocolates and towel animals after you get home.) Should you prepay automatic gratuities? Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. 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. I dont tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things. 1 1 Quote Cindi Members 12 Author Posted April 16, 2019 Children aged 2-11 will be charged $6.25 per day. These feedback cards mean a lot and sometimes lead to a stellar crew member getting a raise or even a promotion! Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise? You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. All rights reserved. Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. 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 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. 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). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? Have some small bills handy for these times. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. 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. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise? If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Whether to or not and then how much. So why dont cruise lines just increase the price of fares, and pay their crew a living wage with a decent hourly rate? Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks. You might want to reward your cabin steward, favorite bartender or MDR server, or any other crew member you think did a great job. After 50 cruises I know they really mean it! Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. The gratuity is $15.50 per person, per day for guests in mini-suites and $16.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. 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. This may be rare, however if theres a problem with service or you have a complaint on your cruise, that you should bring this to the attention of the staff member, supervisor, or guest services when it occurs. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Keep in mind, the venues are not always the same between Royal Caribbean ships, but each of my tips can. Ive been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. In-suite parties are a huge amount of work for the Genie and room attendants. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! There are a couple of exceptions, though. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. 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. 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. I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. The Sky Suite on Celebrity was a perfect size for two, at around 320 square feet. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. If youre sailing from the United States to the Caribbean, US dollars are widely accepted in popular cruise ports. 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). Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 service fee and room service is available 24-hours a day. However, the price of getting online can be expensive. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Cruises from Europe and Australia will still use the US dollar as the official onboard currency, but you should make purchases in port with the destinations local currency. Tips are either covered by the autogratuities or theres a service fee tacked on, so you dont need to tip again. You can purchase the drink package online pre-cruise or once onboard during the first day (or two) of your trip. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. 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. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. separately, near the end of the cruise. 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. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. Knowing how much cash to bring on a cruise can help you plan your vacation budget and avoid pesky ATM fees along the way. 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. Viking Cruises gratuities are $15.00 per person, per day for all staterooms. After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. I always prepay the gratuities. Let me know in the comments below! Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. But honestly, theyd prefer cash over a gift basketno matter how yummy your treats are! Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service. 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. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. Your email address will not be published. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. Congrats on reaching Diamond :) Happy cruising! #4. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . The price increases during August to approximately $773 (619) per person, excluding taxes. Norwegian Cruise Line. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. If your kids have had a great time and youve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. 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. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. The cruise where fun means everything. The amount is based on the service received of course. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard?