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. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. On most cruise lines that collect automatic gratuities, youre able to remove or adjust the charges by visiting the passenger services desk. How much do people tip a Royal Genie? I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. 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. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. There is a lot of included dining location so how do you know which ones to che. Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred. The thing that gets me so mad is we never were approached by the Maitred..except the last night when the extra tipping comes in. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. And if the problem still remains unsolved - then adjust the tips. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. 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). We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future. 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). April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. It includes who to tip, who not to tip, and some tips to help as you plan your cruise vacation. Cruising can be such a relaxing vacation as well as so much fun. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. Having small bills handy is helpful if you plan to tip crew members throughout your sailing. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. When we tip them individually, do they get to keep the entire amount for themselvesor do they have to share that too? While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. 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. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. balyasny aum TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM. 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. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. 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. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. Here's a guide to help you navigate ways to show your appreciation for these hard workers. Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise? $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then theyll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise. Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? Tips on Cruise Ship Tipping - Who and How Much to Tip! Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. The average price of a 7 night Caribbean cruise, on a mainstream cruise line, in April is approximately $616 (493) per person, excluding taxes. Do you have a favorite bartender? There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. First of all, don't neglect any post-cruise questionnaires, which provide an opportunity to rave about your cabin attendant directly to his or her employer. Hi this was helpful, thank you. So our "big tip" on this subject is this - if you guys have a service staff problem, speak first with your cabin attendant. When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. W. Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. Still confused . While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Get access to the best last minute hotel rates in the USA by becoming a registered member online today. 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. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. Every stateroom has a room service menu. Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests). We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isnt included in the tipping pool. Paste as plain text instead, However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? There was only one cruise where my sons special request was denied. | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. In their case "tipping" doesn't mean "extra" - it means "salary". I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities. Your previous content has been restored. There are different service charges for certain itineraries. Now if someone goes over and above a little extra is due. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. 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. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. If youre new to cruising, you might be wondering who to tip on a cruise, how much to tip, and exactly how onboard gratuities work. one in 2023. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. Could you possibly make your articles printable? The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. It was just the two of us. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Read our best tips.). Viking Cruises gratuities are $15.00 per person, per day for all staterooms. Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',605,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-3-0');For other cruise lines, youll be able to adjust your autogratuities at the Passenger Services desk. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? Want to give something beyond cash? Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. All rights reserved. Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. A kind word or a drawing costs nothing and is always appreciated. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Thanks! 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. Travelers in suites are. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. 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. If your kids have had a great time and youve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated. Its a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. Virgin Voyages does a lot of things differently than its mainstream peers. 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. Knowing how much cash to bring on a cruise can help you plan your vacation budget and avoid pesky ATM fees along the way. #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! 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks. ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. 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. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. People associate umbrella drinks and colorful tropical concoctions with cruising, and fancy-looking martinis have become a nighttime staple at sea. Should you prepay automatic gratuities? For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. 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. Youre welcome to use a credit or debit card to make purchases in ports of call whenever possible. Required fields are marked *. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 service fee and room service is available 24-hours a day. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? So glad this was helpful. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. cabin (not suite) recommended amount would be $39 pp times two equals $78 for a 4 night cruise. 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. What I can say, on a personal level, is that we have found that the majority of cabin stewards, waiters, assistant waiters and ship staff have given us amazing service. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. There are also usually comment cards available at the purser's desk or online for additional recognition -- or post a review on Cruise Critic. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-medrectangle-4-0');Tipping is supposed to encourage excellent customer service from workers, because (in theory at least) customers will tip generously for friendly, prompt service. Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world. $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. 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. 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. That is a very personal question. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. 2% would be a shoddy tip, but it's fine for the "extra tip" line if that 2% was to bring the 18% service charge up to 20%. Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. There aren't any hard-and-fast guidelines for this type of tip since it's contingent on your experience, but 25 to 40 on behalf of a couple roughly works out to an extra 2 to 3 per person, per day, for a seven-night cruise. Hi All, Im Ilana. i understand what you are saying.and I know we are paying roughly 15 dollars a day each as a tip already. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. Manchester 3. When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. They have the insider tips to match so that you can make the most of everything that'll be at your fingertips. Holland America Line, whose ships Noordam and Maasdam are regular visitors to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, has the same tipping policy aboard all its ships. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a . There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. 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. will be more appreciated than something they would have to store.
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