how much to tip on cruise royal caribbean

Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers. The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. 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+). This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. 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. It was just the two of us. With the exception of a couple cruise lines on this list, most cruises that include gratuities are luxury lines. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. 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. .WONDER OF THE SEAS. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? 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. 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. The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. Like what you see? I always prepay the gratuities. 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). Are very professional, what should a tip look like at the end of a 10 day cruise? The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. If youre sailing from the United States to the Caribbean, US dollars are widely accepted in popular cruise ports. There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companiesthe guides and drivers arent employees of the line. However, youll want to make sure youve notified your bank that you will be out of the country. Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. 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. The balcony is a good size with two chairs. We have also taken a few of the ship's "backstage" tours and could see where the crew members reside, dine, kick back to relax, etc. What to Expect: Tipping Crew Members on a Cruise. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. Tips are of course a personal decision. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. 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. You can post now and register later. There are some exceptions. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',676,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? Many cruisers opt to give extra cash tips to crew members who made their vacation that much more enjoyable. You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. 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. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. If you're staying in a high-category suite, you may be expected to tip . The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. Prior to your cruise, youll connect your onboard account with a credit or debit card, and all payments will be charged to that card at the end of the cruise. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line. First is the ATM. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. (Learn more about when and when not to pay auto-gratuities.). Just did 8 nights on Voyager. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. (For line by line information, read more about cruise line tipping policies.). If sailing in a reg. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay. I had prepaid my gratuities, and I assumed the porter was a cruise line employee, so I didnt tip him. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. They will seldom steer you wrong. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced. You can choose to pay in local currency, too, but obtaining money in 3+ currencies before a cruise is not necessary. 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. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. 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. The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. I almost alwaysgive my dining staff a bit extra, my kids generally have some special requests that take extra time and effort for the wait staff. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. 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. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. W. No worries about "shoddy tips" since you have already paid the standard tip. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isnt included in the tipping pool. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. balyasny aum TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM. Upload or insert images from URL. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. Hope you enjoy! The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. I don't actually agree with th. Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. 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.". Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. The drink package works at all onboard bars, restaurants, and even Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay. Cruises in Europe, World cruises and those departing from a non-US Caribbean port charge 10 Euros per person, per day. In addition, weve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. 15% being the rough standard for satisfactoryservice. This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that dont want to think about extra charges once onboard. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Its also a nice gesture to tip the matre d or head waiter in the main dining room, especially if they were helpful with special menus or seating arrangements. Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. Credit: Royal Caribbean Show-Stopping Entertainment MTD and ate in MDR 5 nights. On a 7 day cruise we usually give $50 to the waiter and $30 to the asst. But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! will be more appreciated than something they would have to store. 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 porters will assist with your luggage and its customary to tip for their service. Do you tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities? Depending on what you plan to do in port, you might need cash for the following: We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. This is a good question. The new RCI tips per day are added to each guest's SeaPass card (shipboard account) automatically. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. Thoughts? The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then theyll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise. You wont require cash for 99% of purchases on a cruise, whether specialty restaurants, cocktails, or souvenirs. Or do you remove them altogether? Heres a video which answers many questions that you may have about cruise gratuities and tipping on a cruise ship. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? If you put your tips on your seapass you will get a voucher for each envelope. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. In standard cabins, Carnival charges $14.50 per person, per day in tips. 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. Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. After 50 cruises I know they really mean it! You may also like: Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers. In their case "tipping" doesn't mean "extra" - it means "salary". Your previous content has been restored. Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For some of them, depending . Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Cruise Ship Engine Power, Propulsion, Fuel, Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices, Beverage Menus, Alcohol Policy, Carnival Cruise WiFi Internet Packages Prices. You could also tip based on the length of the tour. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . 1. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? cruise. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. Later I learned that the porters outside of the cruise terminal are not cruise line employees at all! Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world. Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. 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). What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. 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. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. We never gave him anything. All ships have at least one ATM onboard, which is usually located in the Royal Promenade or Centrum. It's all on the room service menu. Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in its Always Included cruise fare. Children aged 2-11 will be charged $6.25 per day. 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. UK lines such as Fred. Do you have a favorite bartender? Some things are free, other items are fee-based. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). Bond with your snorkel guide? You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. Ive been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. 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. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Most mainstream cruise lines have their headquarters in the US. If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. 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). You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. The fact is, the tips that crew get from passengers make up a good part of their wage. If cruising from Australia to the South Pacific, Australian dollars are widely accepted. Thanks for sharing your view on this. Your email address will not be published. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise, The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation, The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler, How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget, Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. Youll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip! flipped into Ren de Lambert. Norwegian Cruise Line has onboard service charge will is charged automatically for guests 3 and up, and distributed among staff that serve you in various ways. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. Please let me know in the comments below. To avoid currency confusion, especially if youre traveling to multiple countries on one cruise, we recommend using a credit or debit card to make purchases in port whenever possible. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. Follow me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised, Follow me onYouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips), Follow me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised.

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