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Tipping onboard a cruise ship
When it comes to gratuities on board it can be quite confusing if you are cruising for the first time. CruiseCompare decided it was time to lay out all the facts and give you some concrete recommendations for when to tip, how much and who.
Firstly guides set out by the cruise lines are in fact just that, guides. Everyone is different when it comes to tipping, some leave the outlined recommended amount, some leave less and others leave more. Who you tip also comes down to your own choice. Usually you will tip your cabin steward and waiting staff, anyone else is your own prerogative.
You can also find that some cruise lines actually include their gratuities within the cost of your cruise. This is a much easier way and it saves a lot of confusion, however there are only a small number of lines that offer this.
During your cruise the on board staff especially your cabin steward and waiting staff work extremely hard round the clock to make sure your every need is catered for, although you don’t have to tip on all cruise lines it is nice to do so.
A lot of today’s lines offer welcome packs within your cabin, it is worth reading through these as more often than not you will find information regarding tipping whilst on board. Generally you tip at the end of your cruise. If for example you are tipping you waiting staff then this is usually done on the last evening of your cruise. As a rule you will tip your cabin steward on the day of your departure.
Amounts vary per cruise line but as mentioned these are guides. Some examples can be found below of what cruise lines own recommendations are:
Cunard guide $11 - $13 per person per day Drinks 15%
P&O Cruises guide £3.75 per person per day: Freedom dining £1.60 per person per day automatically added to cabin account
Royal Caribbean International guide $9.75 per person per day (rising to $11.65 per person per day from July 1st) Drinks 10-15%
Princess Cruises guide - $10 per person per day Drinks 15%
MSC Cruises guide - £5.00 per person per day or euro/dollar equivalent Drinks 15%
Carnival Cruise Lines guide - $10 per person per day Drinks 15%
Azamara Club Cruises – No tipping. Drinks: 18%.
Celebrity Cruises - $11.50 per person per day Drinks 15%
Cruise & Maritime - £5 per person per day
Crystal Cruises - $13 per person per day Drinks 15%
Costa Cruises – 7 euro per person per day Drinks 15%
Disney Cruise Line - $12 per person per day Drinks 15%
Fred Olsen - £4 per person per day
Holland America Line - $11 per person per day Drinks 15%
Island Cruises – 0 tipping
Louis Cruise Line – 8 euro per person per day
Norwegian Cruise Line - $12 per person per day Drinks 15%
Oceania Cruises - $12.50 per person per day Drinks 18%
Regent Seven Seas – 0 tipping
Saga Cruises – 0 Tipping
The Yachts of Seabourn – 0 Tipping
Silversea – 0 Tipping
Spirit of Adventure – 0 Tipping
Star Clippers - $8 per person per day Drinks 12.5%
Swan Hellenic – 0 Tipping
Thomson Cruises – 0 Tipping
Voyages of Discovery – 0 Tipping
The above are examples and not every line is the same. If you are an avid cruiser you will know the differences or at least what to expect. If you are cruising for the first time then it’s definitely worth doing some research into the extra charges you may find apply to you whilst on your cruise.
Prices are accurate as of February 2011 but please double check with your cruise line