Are you going on a cruise? Cruise gratuities can be confusing. Many first-time cruisers experience sticker shock when they see the gratuity charges added to their final bill. There is also a lot of confusion about whether or not to prepay gratuity and who receives these tips.
You Might Be Accidentally Double Paying Gratuities
Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, automatically include an 18% gratuity in the total price of their beverage packages. However, many passengers may not realize that gratuities have already been added. As a result, when they place their drink orders and sign for the charges, they might inadvertently add gratuities again, leading to double tipping. While it’s perfectly fine and quite common to give extra tips to bar staff, the real issue arises when guests are unaware of the initial gratuity and end up tipping twice.
Not All Gratuities Are Included
Many people are confused about cruise gratuities because they think the automatic gratuity charged to their account covers all gratuities. But that’s not the case since not all gratuities are included. You are still expected to leave a tip for spa treatments, specialty dining, room service, and drinks from the bar, especially if you don’t have a beverage package. These additional tips are separate and not part of the ship’s automatic gratuity charges.
Norwegian Cruise Has the Highest Automatic Gratuity Rate
Among the major cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line stands out for having the highest automatic gratuity rates. Norwegian charges $20 per person per day for passengers staying in Club Balcony Suites and below and $25 per person per day for The Haven and Suite guests.
Higher Category Cabins Pay More in Gratuities
Many cruise lines have different gratuity rates based on cabin categories. For example, Carnival Cruise charges $16 per person per day for guests in standard cabins, while guests in suites are charged $18 per person per day.
Gratuities Also Help Behind the Scenes Crew Members
Cruise gratuities are typically pooled together and shared among a variety of staff members. This means that, in addition to the team you interact with directly, such as your cabin steward and waitstaff, the tips also benefit those working behind the scenes. This includes guest services personnel, kitchen staff, hotel service teams, and even some entertainers, like dancers, singers, and backstage crew members.
Gratuities are Included in Most Luxury Cruise Lines
Many luxury cruise lines, such as Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Lines, don’t charge gratuities. Their cruise fares are truly all-inclusive and already include gratuities. You are not expected or required to tip.
Kids Gratuity Rate Varies by Cruise Line
Cruise lines have different gratuity policies for kids. For example, on Disney Cruise, all guests, including infants, are charged the automatic gratuity charge. While Carnival Cruise and Norwegian Cruise Line only require guests aged 3 and older to pay gratuity, meaning that infants and toddlers 2 years old and under are exempt. While with MSC Cruises on European sailings, children aged 2 to 11 are charged half the adult gratuity rate. Be sure to check out my experience with MSC Cruises—I shared my honest review of sailing with MSC for the first time!
Gratuities Could Increase Every Year
It’s common for cruise lines to adjust their gratuity rates to keep up with inflation and rising salaries. In fact, Royal Caribbean recently increased its automatic gratuity rate, which you can read about: Royal Caribbean Increases Automatic Gratuities: What You Need to Know
Pre-Paying Cruise Gratuities Can Save You Money
When you pre-pay gratuities, you are actually locking in the old gratuity rate, which protects you from any gratuity rate hikes. Prepaying gratuity also allows you to spread out the payments over time, helping to ease any sticker shock when you receive your final bill at the end of your cruise. For example, a family of four with a $20 per person gratuity rate on a 7-day cruise will expect to pay an extra $560 in gratuities! Check out Should You Prepay Gratuities on Cruises? Pros and Cons
Cash Tips
Many cruise passengers often leave extra cash tips in addition to the automatic gratuity that’s already included. These additional tips are a way to express gratitude for the hard work of cabin stewards, bar staff, Kids Club team members, and wait staff who truly go the extra mile. Take a look at: I’ve Been on Over 25 Cruises, Here is How Much Extra Gratuity I Give to the Cruise Staff
You Can Adjust Cruise Gratuities
Many people assume that the automatic cruise gratuity amount is set in stone, meaning you can’t change it or request for it to be removed. However, the reality is that this automatic gratuity, which usually falls between $14 and $25 per person per day, can actually be adjusted or even removed. All you need to do is visit guest services and ask for the change. Keep in mind, though, that it’s typically frowned upon to do so since it can significantly impact the earnings of the hardworking cruise staff. Check out Should You Remove Automatic Gratuities on Your Next Cruise?