Gratuity is a fancy sounding term that cruise lines use for tips.
Just like in restaurants and hotels, guests on many cruises are generally expected to leave tips for certain cruise staff members serving them.
Pre-paid gratuities means that we {Cruise Specialists} have negotiated a special offer for you and you are not expected nor will you be charged for tips.
On most big-ship mainstream lines, the service crew members are dependent on the generosity of travelers for the vast majority of their salary. Luxury cruise lines often have no-tipping policies where the gratuities are already included in the fares.
VARIED POLICIES
Tipping is a source of some confusion (and much discussion among some passengers) because policies vary from line to line and often it is not sufficiently explained by the cruise lines once passengers are on-board.
Cruise line tipping policies generally fall into three different categories:
(1). Gratuities automatically added to your onboard bill.
Most of the large ship cruise lines (such as Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean and others) have a policy of automatically adding a set gratuity amount to your onboard account.
This is calculated on a per passenger per day basis, and generally ranges from $10 to $15 per person per day. This money is then distributed based on the cruise line’s set formula to cabin stewards, room service stewards, bartenders, baggage handlers, and restaurant staff such as waiters and Maitre d’s and other lower pay staff members.
You have the right to refuse this automatic gratuity charge and may compensate cruise staff on your own terms. However, you will need to notify the front desk of this desire. Otherwise it will appear on your bill when your cruise ends and it will be charged to your credit card on file.
(2) Suggested gratuities policies.
Before the concept of automatic gratuities was put in place, cruise lines provided guests with tip envelopes and a suggested daily amount for the individuals they are served by every day.
For example, it might be suggested to give the cabin steward and main dining room waiters each $3 per day per person, the Maitre D a $1 a day, $5 for any tour guides, etc.
These are suggested amounts and the passenger can choose to give less, more or none at all. Some of the River Cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises, follow this policy.
You can give gratuities in cash at the time of service or at the end of the cruise or alternatively you can ask the front desk to add it to your credit card bill and be distributed by the cruise officer.
(3) No tipping policies.
Many of the top end luxury lines we represent always include tips in the fare and as such you are not expected to tip onboard personnel.
This includes:
- Azamara Club Cruises
- Crystal Cruises
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Seabourn
- SeaDream Yacht Club
- Silversea Cruises
- Tauck World Discovery
- Uniworld Cruises
They pay their staff higher salaries, obviating the need for automatic or suggested gratuities.
Of course, if any staff member on the no tipping ships go “way above and beyond the call of duty” you are welcome to offer a tip. Some may gracefully accept and others may politely turn down your gesture.
If you are unclear about tipping policies please ask your Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultant any questions you have – it’s important to us that you fully understand all your cruise costs and options.
FAQs
Prepaid gratuities cover tips for housekeeping and dining room staff members — waiters, room stewards, etc. They supplement the base salaries of the hotel services team members, some of whom you'll interact with on your cruise (like a waiter) and others you won't (like the crew members who wash your sheets).
Is it cheaper to prepay gratuities on a cruise? ›
Depending on the cruise line and type of room, you should expect a daily charge of $16 to $23 for gratuities. There are a couple of good reasons why you might want to prepay, including getting to spend less during your trip and locking in the current rate.
Do you still tip if you prepay gratuities? ›
Pre-paid gratuities means that we {Cruise Specialists} have negotiated a special offer for you and you are not expected nor will you be charged for tips. On most big-ship mainstream lines, the service crew members are dependent on the generosity of travelers for the vast majority of their salary.
Does it matter if you prepay gratuities on Carnival? ›
Even if you prepay the gratuities for your cruise fare, you will still be charged an 18% service fee for other applicable purchases onboard, such as specialty dining, drinks, and certain room service orders.
What happens if you don't prepay gratuities on a cruise? ›
Nothing, gratuities are optional. You can go to the Customer Service Desk and ask for them to be removed from your bill at any time before the end of the cruise. Some lines, such as P&O have done away with automatic gratuities.
Do you tip on top of gratuity on a cruise? ›
Note that there may be a space on the bill for a tip, which passengers can use to add anything extra on top of the included gratuity, but it's not necessary.
Can you decline gratuity on cruise? ›
You can, just like you can go to a good restaurant and pay the bill without giving a tip. It's possible to not pay gratuities on any cruise ship but its insulting to the staff who waited on you.
Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise? ›
Balcony cabins cost more than ocean-view cabins or windowless "inside" cabins. But they can be worth the splurge if you're the kind of person who likes a private place to be outdoors during a vacation.
How much do you tip baggage handlers on a cruise? ›
Cruisers should also bring cash to tip the porters who bring their bags onto the ship (usually $2 per bag), as well as tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per person for half-day tours, $10 to $20 for full-day excursions and $2 for nonguide drivers).
What happens if you don't tip a cruise? ›
What happens if you don't tip on a cruise? Most cruise lines work on the basis that the crew members' pay structure is based on receiving tips. If you choose not to tip, for whatever reason, you are impacting the salaries of the crew who have served you so well during your cruise.
Tom Baker, president of Cruise Center, notes that when guests wish to tip on a “tipless” cruise line, “this is personal and there's no rule or guideline for this.” On some cruise lines, gratuities may go into a “staff fund” that is used to purchase equipment, events, and other things that benefit the collective crew.
Is it rude to not tip if gratuity is included? ›
No. Customers cannot refuse to pay automatic gratuity since the payment is a service charge. Tips are optional and freely given by customers, but charges on the receipt from the restaurant itself are mandatory fees. Not paying the automatic gratuity is the same as not paying for the food.
Why should you prepay gratuities? ›
Prepaying locks in the current rate but that is something you can do at any point before sailing. Otherwise, it's just a matter of cash flow what works best for your finances and whether you get peace of mind from having as much prepaid up front as possible.
Can I use Carnival Cruise cash to pay gratuities? ›
Cruise Cash ($25, $50, $75 and $100) – Can be used for any expenses on the guest's Sail and Sign account. This includes gratuity charges.
Will Carnival refund prepaid gratuities? ›
Government Taxes and Fees, as shown on your cruise invoice, as well as any prepaid Service Gratuity, will not be subject to a cancellation penalty and will be refunded in case of cancellation.
Can I refuse to pay cruise gratuities? ›
Yes, just go to the service desk and ask that gratuities not be charged to your account, as you are going to tip in cash. I usually do that as i do not trust the cruise line to give all the tips to the employees, and some employees I get no direct service from.
Can you decline gratuity on Royal Caribbean? ›
Gratuities may be modified in the guest's sole discretion by visiting the Guest Services desk onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation. Guests sailing in group reservations should check with their group leader or travel agent for additional details.
Are prepaid cruise gratuities refundable? ›
Government Taxes and Fees, as shown on your cruise invoice, as well as any prepaid Service Gratuity, will not be subject to a cancellation penalty and will be refunded in case of cancellation.
