Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. Manchester 3. Thoughts? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. You can purchase the drink package online pre-cruise or once onboard during the first day (or two) of your trip. 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. Required fields are marked *. What to Expect: Tipping Crew Members on a Cruise. Which family cruise can you book for $2000? 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. I would imagine wed see prices increase overall if they did this, but perhaps it amounts to this anyway. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. 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. Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, youre not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond whats normally expected. In standard cabins, Carnival charges $14.50 per person, per day in tips. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. 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. Most mainstream cruise lines bill passengers between $12 and $15 per person, per day for. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. If your kids had a great time at the kids club on board, giving a tip at the end of the cruise to their favorite staff members is always appreciated. 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. Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been sailing at nearly 100% capacity for the past few months. 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. Your previous content has been restored. Wondering how much gratuities are on a cruise? Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. According to RCI's website, of the 2016-updated gratuities (US$13.50), nearly US$8.30 goes to dining / culinary services; suite attendants receive US$6,85; stateroom attendants get US$3,85, and housekeeping service staff - US$1.35. cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government 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. 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. Youll often receive change back in local currency even when paying with USD. There's a wide variety of services that you will receive during your cruise. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. The cruise where fun means everything. This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. frequentfloaters.com - That Guy. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. Here's a guide to help you navigate ways to show your appreciation for these hard workers. Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in its Always Included cruise fare. How to Pay: Paid in cruise fare at the time of purchase. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. Ive got you covered! If you go to any slot machine, youre able to transfer money to the game via your onboard account, which is connected to your credit or debit card. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. Thanks for sharing your view on this. 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. 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. Critics of this system (which has evolved in the last several decades from strictly cash-based gratuities) say that under this tip pooling arrangement, cabin attendants and wait staff aren't getting recognized for exemplary work the same as they were in the old days. Ive been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. I believe that often the bartenders will pool their tips b/c there are so many working the crowd but I think it's an individual choice on their parts as to how they handle this. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip. But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line charges a daily service fee of $15.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. How much shouldwe tip? Have some small bills handy for these times. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! royal caribbean cruise cruises deals 2021. Even though cruise gratuities technically arent mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines. Thanks! Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. The porters will assist with your luggage and its customary to tip for their service. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it wont be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. Hi Janet! Clear editor. If you want to adjust the amount, go to the reception desk. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. We never gave him anything. The gratuities on Oceania Cruises are $16.00 per person, per day for most staterooms and $23.00 per person, per day for guests in suites. W. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. 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. Weve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. The average price of a 7 night Caribbean cruise, on a mainstream cruise line, in April is approximately $616 (493) per person, excluding taxes. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. Although cards are widely accepted, you may still encounter establishments that do not accept card payments. Before that, in 2015 RCI upped its gratuities from USD 12 to USD 12,95 (standard cabins) and from USD 14,25 to USD 15,95 (suites). Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! And while you dont need to visit a port with $1000 in your wallet, youll want to make sure you have enough money to account for expenses throughout the day. The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. While most people know it for being a cruise destination, shadowing the coastline to see the glaciers, there is so much 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. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. This is a good question. It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . 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. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. 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. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. I'm so glad you found my post! Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! People associate umbrella drinks and colorful tropical concoctions with cruising, and fancy-looking martinis have become a nighttime staple at sea. 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. I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () It includes who to tip, who not to tip, and some tips to help as you plan your cruise vacation. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. With a beverage package, youve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included. With the exception of a couple cruise lines on this list, most cruises that include gratuities are luxury lines. Get access to the best last minute hotel rates in the USA by becoming a registered member online today. 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. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. 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. I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. Or do you remove them altogether? US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. Related: Cruise Line. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). When you book your cruise, youll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. 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). Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? Cruising can be such a relaxing vacation as well as so much fun. We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. I have to say, we simply prepay or leave the tips as is, so I really dont pay attention these days. Holland Americas daily gratuity is $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $16.00 per person, per day for guests in suites. Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? Tips are of course a personal decision. Passengers sometimes plan in advance to bring small gifts to leave with their cabin stewards, either at the beginning or end of the cruise. It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. For some of them, depending . Had same two waiters 4 of those nights. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types. 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. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. 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. Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. And just like with the Carnival case, this will reflect directly on the ship's serving staff (cabin stewards, Room Service, and Main Dining Room wait staff, as well as kitchen, entertainment, passenger services and other hotel personnel). 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. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew. 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. Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Given the high level of service, passengers often wonder how much they should plan to tip their cabin steward, especially when they go above and beyond. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. You will get great service either way. By 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. I love reading your blog and learning, but I dont often have time to sit down at the computer to read. Note that we are Australian, so therefore not inclined to tip unless the service warrants it. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. All rights reserved. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. There is a lot of included dining location so how do you know which ones to che. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. Norwegian Cruise Line. Some cruise lines refer to the gratuities as a crew incentive or a service fee, but essentially these are tips for crew members that are used to augment their low wages. 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.". The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. 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. There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases. Depending on your bank, the ATM transaction fee may be waived. 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. Youll want to factor in the cruise line gratuity charge, sometimes called on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean's sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. 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. On embarkation day of my very first cruise, a porter came up to my taxi and whisked my luggage away, seconds after I got out of the car. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. No worries about "shoddy tips" since you have already paid the standard tip. That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise! Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members earnings to a reasonable rate. How Much Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost? These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isnt necessary. The amount you tip is up to youI generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. The cruise line makes no recommendation for tipping room service. Treasure Coast of Florida. Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. Extra tipping doesnt give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip! Who else should you tip on a cruise ship? Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. Later I learned that the porters outside of the cruise terminal are not cruise line employees at all! You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? Typically, this is associated with your credit card which youll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. 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. will be more appreciated than something they would have to store. Price: $14.50 per person/day in standard cabins, $17.50 per person/day in suites, and 18% on beverages and spa and salon services. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. There may be cases where you'd like to tip your cabin steward more than what he or she will receive after your automated gratuity is pooled and shared out. If you want to give an additional tip to your cabin steward (or two), Im sure its very appreciated. 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). There was only one cruise where my sons special request was denied. But lets say you have a negative experience with your server in the dining room, or you feel that the cabin steward isnt doing their job. Similarly, in the main dining room, we tip our waiter around $6 to $8 per day for the two of us, averaging around $50 for a 7-night cruise. You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips). Something you will need cash for on a Royal Caribbean cruise are any extra tips you give to crew members. A kind word or a drawing costs nothing and is always appreciated. You cannot paste images directly. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally dont have to leave a tipthe tour company takes care of the lunch bill. The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. 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. 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. 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. 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. 4 Ways to Tip Extra on a Non-Tipping Cruise Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Onboard Spending, Service on a Luxury Cruise: What to Expect. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. How much are automatic gratuities on a cruise? On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Royal Caribbean raised the service fees on its ships in August by more than 10% to $16 per person per day for those staying in most cabins. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier.
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