Tipping on a Cruise: Your Complete Big-Ship Tip Guide

Table Of Content

• Tipping on a Cruise: Your Complete Big-Ship Tip Guide
• Booster Shots for Crewmembers: Keeping up With Omicron
• Norwegian Cruise Line to Increase Gratuities From April
• Are Casino Dealers, Kids Camp Workers, and Spa Workers Included in the Auto-Gratuities?
• Who is covered & not covered by gratuities/service charges?
• Why Aren’t Gratuities Just Included in the Price of the Cruise?

Typical increases are around $1 per person, per day and seem to happen about once a year. When you book your cruise, you’ll be given the opportunity to prepay the gratuities. In this case, you can simply choose to have them lumped in with your cruise fare, paying them all at once. If that’s the case — and you decide you want to change the amount you are charged for tips — then you can do that.

Tipping on a Cruise: Your Complete Big-Ship Tip Guide

It is important to acknowledge and appreciate their efforts by providing a gratuity. Other luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent include all gratuities except on spa services. However, an 18% service charge still applies to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, and Lotus Spa services. These cruise gratuities also apply to all guests regardless of your dining options.

Booster Shots for Crewmembers: Keeping up With Omicron

In addition to the suggested gratuity amount, Norwegian Cruise Line also adds a 20% gratuity to all beverage, spa, and specialty dining purchases. This automatic gratuity ensures that the service staff in these areas are properly compensated for their excellent service. On all cruise lines, additional gratuities may be added at your discretion.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Increase Gratuities From April

As stated above, these service charges apply to all guests regardless of stateroom category. Passengers who want to adjust the amount of their cabin auto-gratuity in either direction can do so at the guest services desk. However, you cannot remove the automatic 18% tip on drinks, specialty dining and so on. The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board. Guests with reservations made on or before March 31, 2022, will have the option of pre-paying their service charges at the current suggested rate prior to their sail date. The included tip amount varies by cruise line but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill.

Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. Never feel pressured to add an extra tip when you've already paid one. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers the option to remove gratuities, but it is essential to understand their tipping policy. According to the Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Tipping Policy, passengers can remove gratuities by visiting the Guest Services desk onboard.

Are Casino Dealers, Kids Camp Workers, and Spa Workers Included in the Auto-Gratuities?

Depending on the cruise line, these charges are usually applicable to guests 2-3 years of age and older. & Ireland passengers from October 2019, gratuities are still applied to U.S. cruisers' bills. Auto-gratuities vary by destination and onboard currency (USD or euros). Disney Cruise Line gratuities start at $14.50 per person, per night for regular cabins and rise to $15.50 per person, per night for Concierge-class and Suite guests.

Guests can request specific songs or genres of music during DJ performances at the beach club in Bimini. Virgin Voyages ensures a diverse range of music genres through their resident DJs and the founder’s selection of the soundtrack. I can’t wait to experience Diplo’s Grammy award-winning talent during his performance on May 7, 2020, at the Riviera Maya sailing. Diplo, whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, is a highly influential figure in the music industry.

Why Aren’t Gratuities Just Included in the Price of the Cruise?

When looking at NCL’s rates, you might notice they are comparatively higher, which aligns with their freestyle cruising philosophy, emphasizing flexibility and a wide array of services. When sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), it's important to understand their specific guidelines regarding tipping. Lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages. The price hike for gratuities by Norwegian Cruise Line is just one in a series of price increases that we’ve seen across the industry in the last couple of months.

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Being a lover of music, I am thrilled to see how Virgin Voyages has embraced the central role that music plays in their vacation experience. With their long history in music and entertainment, it’s no surprise that they have made music an integral part of their offerings. One of the highlights is The Beach Club at Bimini, where immersive music experiences await. Founding DJ resident Mark Ronson himself selects the soundtrack for this beach paradise. Onboard, you can explore Voyage Vinyl, the Scarlet Lady’s record shop at sea, and indulge in bespoke intimate and authentic entertainment experiences. The Red Room is another incredible space where you can enjoy live music and entertainment.

When it comes to tipping on a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vacation, it’s important to know the appropriate amounts for each service. NCL suggests a daily per-person gratuity of $15 for guests staying in standard staterooms and $18 for those in suites. These amounts cover the cabin steward, restaurant servers, and other crew members who provide exceptional service throughout your trip.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a mandatory service charge for all guests, which covers the hardworking crew members who provide exceptional service throughout your journey. If you don’t pay the gratuity upfront, it will be automatically added to your onboard account. Failing to settle this charge can result in penalties or even being denied certain services. To avoid any issues, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the cruise line’s gratuity policy and budget accordingly.

Those who have prepaid will usually have their rates “grandfathered” in. At the $20.00 rate that most passengers see, a couple traveling on a week cruise will see total gratuity charges of $280. Sail on the cruise line, and you’ll now pay $20.00 per person, per day if you are sailing in an interior, oceanview, balcony cabin or Club Balcony Suite. Other suites and The Haven see a charge of $25.00 per person, per day. NCL now has the highest paid CEO and the highest service charges in the cruise industry.

Passengers of Princess Cruises benefit from early access to global satellite internet through improved connectivity and enhanced digital services. This allows for seamless land/sea digital experience, unparalleled Wi-Fi service, and the functionality of MedallionNet. The improved connectivity and digital services provided by Princess Cruises will undoubtedly enhance my overall cruise experience and make it even more enjoyable.

Additionally, a 20% service charge is automatically added to all bar purchases, specialty dining, and spa services. It’s worth noting that NCL’s tipping policy is flexible, allowing guests to adjust or remove gratuities as they see fit. For more details and a comprehensive breakdown of NCL’s tipping policy, visit the official Norwegian Cruise Line website. When it comes to tipping your cabin steward on a Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s important to consider the exceptional service they provide throughout your voyage.

However, it is important to note that NCL recommends discussing any concerns regarding service directly with the relevant staff members before considering removing gratuities. Additionally, it is worth considering that gratuities serve as an important part of the crew’s income and removing them may adversely affect their livelihood. To learn more about NCL’s tipping policy and the importance of gratuities, refer to the Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Tipping Policy.

Remember, gratuities are an essential part of the cruising experience as they support the hardworking crew members who ensure your comfort and enjoyment throughout your trip. Therefore, it’s encouraged to recognize and appreciate their efforts by paying the recommended gratuity amounts or more if you receive exceptional service. With access to the new satellite network, MedallionNet, guests can stay connected and enjoy seamless internet access throughout their Alaskan journey. As the ship sails through the stunning Alaskan landscapes, passengers can take advantage of the benefits of MedallionClass, such as personalized service and a wide range of digital features. These additional gestures of appreciation are not mandatory but are highly encouraged if guests feel that a particular crew member has provided exceptional service.