However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? 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). Check out the latest web stories from Should Be Cruising! Now if someone goes over and above a little extra is due. Cruise gratuities are divided among your cruise cabin steward, waiters and other crew members who work as support behind the scenes. I also tip constantly while on the cruise. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities! Your email address will not be published. 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. If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew. One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. 40 Ocean Quotes for Everyone Who Loves The Sea, 15 Delicious Foods in the Bahamas You Need to Try. Then (if your problem continues to bother you) contact the hotel manager. Here's a guide to help you navigate ways to show your appreciation for these hard workers. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. If cruising from Australia to the South Pacific, Australian dollars are widely accepted. Youre right an 18% gratuity is added each time you purchase a drink. You just cant help being extra nice or helpful when you know the people are going to be extra nice to you, ie the extra tips. #4. New York state residents who wish to purchase the product may visit https://travelcruisecare.com to enroll directly with . 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. Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! 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. You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. For some of them, depending . When booking a Celebrity cruise, tips are included in their Always Included program. However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. In some service industries where wages are substandard, customers are expected to pay a gratuity, typically 15 to 20% of the bill, to augment the workers low hourly wages. When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges, is a question that comes up often. Hope you enjoy! People associate umbrella drinks and colorful tropical concoctions with cruising, and fancy-looking martinis have become a nighttime staple at sea. Want to give something beyond cash? Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. We never gave him anything. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. On a 7 day cruise we usually give $50 to the waiter and $30 to the asst. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? Since most cruise passengers follow the tipping guidelines, that amounts to an increase $13.30 . Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. Depending on your cruise ship, you may be able to use the Royal . Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. MTD and ate in MDR 5 nights. Children aged 2-11 will be charged $6.25 per day. If you put your tips on your seapass you will get a voucher for each envelope. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. P.S. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? 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+). It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. 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). Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. On a cruise, most guests bring between $100-$120 in cash per day to be spent on transportation, tips, gifts, food, and shopping. 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. Keep in mind, the venues are not always the same between Royal Caribbean ships, but each of my tips can. separately, near the end of the cruise. However, you might end up paying a similar total price on a mainstream line when you factor in gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and the like. Cruise Ship Engine Power, Propulsion, Fuel, Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices, Beverage Menus, Alcohol Policy, Carnival Cruise WiFi Internet Packages Prices. It's all on the room service menu. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. 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). Even if you try, theyll likely graciously turn down your offer. Jan 6. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. Youll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip! The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Please let me know in the comments below. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. 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. 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.". Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I dont think anyone will think youre rude for not tipping over and above this. 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. Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. I had prepaid my gratuities, and I assumed the porter was a cruise line employee, so I didnt tip him. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But honestly, theyd prefer cash over a gift basketno matter how yummy your treats are! Happy cruising :). If your kids have had a great time and youve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated. 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. Sometimes it cannot be helped ! Weve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. That was the only time I didn't give an additional cash tip to the wait staff. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. So our "big tip" on this subject is this - if you guys have a service staff problem, speak first with your cabin attendant. Credit: Royal Caribbean Show-Stopping Entertainment Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. Cruises in Europe, World cruises and those departing from a non-US Caribbean port charge 10 Euros per person, per day. 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. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. The time when youll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when youre in port. 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. Ive got you covered! There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. Every stateroom has a room service menu. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! Ren de Lambert. 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). 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. 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. If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), its a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. 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. Do you have a favorite bartender? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! Most cruisers tip anywhere from $2-$10 per person (or the equivalent in the local currency) to the tour guide, and hand a couple of dollars to the driver. 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. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. 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. I have to say, we simply prepay or leave the tips as is, so I really dont pay attention these days. (For line by line information, read more about cruise line tipping policies.). Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companiesthe guides and drivers arent employees of the line. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. Hi Janet! Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. . Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. How Much Does A Cruise Cost? If you're staying in a high-category suite, you may be expected to tip . Do you tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities? They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! All ships have at least one ATM onboard, which is usually located in the Royal Promenade or Centrum. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. Thank you, Carrie Ann. How much tip receive in cruise royal caribbean? Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. Norwegian Cruise Line. I agree with Kelli. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) Any chance of that? 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. Don't be Held Back on Arrival Royal Caribbean requires you to do an online check-in, at least three days before your published sail date. Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. When we tip them individually, do they get to keep the entire amount for themselvesor do they have to share that too? Its a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. 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. 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. If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. (Admit it: You tend to miss those nightly pillow chocolates and towel animals after you get home.) 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). The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. 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. Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been sailing at nearly 100% capacity for the past few months. 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. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. Cruisers would have to tip each of their service personnel (the cabin steward, restaurant servers, bartenders, etc.) There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . There are a couple of exceptions, though. 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. As it is with most cruise shipping companies, RCI's tourists can remove the daily gratuity but know that these tips are for all the housekeeping and dining staff. 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. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age. 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. It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. Pasted as rich text. They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. Thats up to you! We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Since you cant remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. However, a few lines dont add autogratuities for babies and toddlers under age two or three. Thanks so much for your input on this. Im so glad youre enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback. The average price of a 7 night Caribbean cruise, on a mainstream cruise line, in April is approximately $616 (493) per person, excluding taxes. Most mainstream cruise lines bill passengers between $12 and $15 per person, per day for. 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. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! 15% being the rough standard for satisfactoryservice. I go into more detail about this topic in this post:Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. 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. At some North American ports, youll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise. How to Pay: Paid in cruise fare at the time of purchase. raahc and lovecruising!!! The big three, including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean expect guests to foot the bill and tips are added to their onboard account. 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. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. While most people know it for being a cruise destination, shadowing the coastline to see the glaciers, there is so much 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 Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost? That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . It was just the two of us. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types. I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future. Tipping extra is not necessary, and theres no right or wrong amount to give a crew member. 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. Even though cruise gratuities technically arent mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk. The worst thing you can do is wait until you are home from your cruise to address it. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Love this! April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. 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. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. Required fields are marked *. Tips on Cruise Ship Tipping - Who and How Much to Tip! Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. For example, Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) recently increased its tip recommendations and now suggests $3.75 per day for your main waiter, $5 per day for the cabin housekeeping staff, $2.15 per day for the assistant waiter, and $0.75 per day for the head waiter. 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. Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. ), it, So youre planning a family cruise with a $2000 budget is it possible? Princess Cruises will automatically charge a crew incentive of $14.50 per person, per day for guests in inside ocean view and balcony cabins. The drink package works at all onboard bars, restaurants, and even Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay. Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!) Having small bills handy is helpful if you plan to tip crew members throughout your sailing. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. The amount is very personal. 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,. i understand what you are saying.and I know we are paying roughly 15 dollars a day each as a tip already. 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. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. The extra cash may or may not end up in your steward's pocket, but he'll appreciate the gesture nonetheless. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. 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. On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. 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. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. Note that we are Australian, so therefore not inclined to tip unless the service warrants it. US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. Wondering how much gratuities are on a cruise? Display as a link instead, They have the insider tips to match so that you can make the most of everything that'll be at your fingertips. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. In-suite parties are a huge amount of work for the Genie and room attendants. First is the ATM. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. 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. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. A kind word or a drawing costs nothing and is always appreciated. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package.