how much to tip on cruise royal caribbean
Though cruise lines usually state up front that tipping is still at the discretion of the passenger, keep in mind: As with most employees in the service industry (at least in the U.S.), most of the wages cruise employees make come from these tips. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. They have the insider tips to match so that you can make the most of everything that'll be at your fingertips. Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. Clear editor. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. In addition, weve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. Upload or insert images from URL. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. Here are the top travel tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise from the experts themselves: At the AquaTheater, acrobats, high divers, slackliners and more put on shows that make a splash. People associate umbrella drinks and colorful tropical concoctions with cruising, and fancy-looking martinis have become a nighttime staple at sea. UK lines such as Fred. raahc and lovecruising!!! 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. Children aged 2-11 will be charged $6.25 per day. The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. Still confused . | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. Celebrity Cruises isnt a luxury cruise line, however it is a top premium cruise line that markets itself as modern luxury. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier. Should you prepay automatic gratuities? New York state residents who wish to purchase the product may visit https://travelcruisecare.com to enroll directly with . While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? If theres a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. Tipping on a cruise ship isnt mandatory, but it is customary, and many crew members rely on tips as a large part of their income. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. If you want to give an additional tip to your cabin steward (or two), Im sure its very appreciated. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. P.S. But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. cruise. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then theyll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise. ), it, So youre planning a family cruise with a $2000 budget is it possible? Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, youre not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond whats normally expected. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? Just did 8 nights on Voyager. If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. Im so glad youre here! Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. While most people know it for being a cruise destination, shadowing the coastline to see the glaciers, there is so much Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. How much shouldwe tip? 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. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. How it works: Gratuities are automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Its important to note that, especially on the luxury lines, tipping is not expected. 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. 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. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. The COST Series: Cruise Ship TIPPING | Who to tip on a cruise and how much | Royal Caribbean Tipping The Weekend Cruiser 8.96K subscribers Subscribe 588 Share 10K views 8 months ago. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! 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. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. Unless they are below average and that has happened only one time. #1 Bring a bathing suit on embarkation day On embarkation day, the pools are open so be sure to pack a bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy them with less crowds! Its a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. 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. If youre going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. If you put your tips on your seapass you will get a voucher for each envelope. 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. Why taking a weekend cruise is a great escape, 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, How to get to Royal Caribbean's cruise terminals and how much parking will cost, Top 16 things on a Royal Caribbean cruise everyone needs to do at least once. It was just the two of us. Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred. Other people you should tip during your cruise, Nine Things You Need to Check Before Your Cruise, Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers, How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise, Giada De Laurentiis Named Godmother of Oceania Cruises New Ship Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemaker Series, P&O Arvia Naming Ceremony Will Feature Olly Murs, Carnival Now Offering Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila Fleetwide, Princess Cruises Introduces Welcome Home Program, https://shouldbecruising.com/privacy-policy/, A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know, 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. I purchased the package pre-cruise for $76, this equates to just over $25 per day. Thanks so much! You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. The extra cash may or may not end up in your steward's pocket, but he'll appreciate the gesture nonetheless. We never gave him anything. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. Of course, as always, its at your discretion. Since most cruise passengers follow the tipping guidelines, that amounts to an increase $13.30 . Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Cindi Plus, youre never required to make any extra purchases in the first place if you take advantage of the complimentary options available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. 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. A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. balyasny aum TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. If you want to avoid any ATM charges, though, you can theoretically take money out via the casino. Disney cruises has a suggested daily gratuity charge of $13.50 per person, per day for all guests. This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! You also shouldnt tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. I dont think anyone will think youre rude for not tipping over and above this. 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. Treasure Coast of Florida. Cunards daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. In addition, a portion of the tips are given to those who work behind the scenes or may serve you in different areas of the ship. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. 1. But honestly, theyd prefer cash over a gift basketno matter how yummy your treats are! Based on the amount of the bill. Your glowing review can help a hardworking crew member earn a promotion or raise. If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. Manage Settings Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests). 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. It's all on the room service menu. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. ROYAL CARIBBEAN BIGGEST SHIP. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. By I'm so glad you found my post! 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). The worst thing you can do is wait until you are home from your cruise to address it. Weve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. What Is The Average Amount of Cash to Bring on a Cruise? What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? If you dont see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. 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. The onboard price of this package varies from $63 to $89 a day, plus an 18% gratuity. Your email address will not be published. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age. (For line by line information, read more about cruise line tipping policies.). 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. This amount varies by cruise line, however the average daily gratuity is $14-15 US per day, per passenger for a standard cabin and $17-18 a day for guests in suites. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. You will get great service either way. 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. Id give a much larger tip to a knowledgeable tour guide who led us on an intensive nine-hour experience compared to a guide who did a basic three-hour city walking tour. Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? Your cruise in April sounds amazing! You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise? Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. 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. 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. Princess Cruises will automatically charge a crew incentive of $14.50 per person, per day for guests in inside ocean view and balcony cabins. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. How much do people tip a Royal Genie? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a . Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. 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. Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. During your cruise vacation, youll probably receive services from other people who arent cruise line employeesbut you might not realize it! Travelers in suites are. The time when youll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when youre in port. How much people tip a Royal Genie on their Royal Caribbean cruise tends to vary, although many American guests tend to fall at around the $75-$100 per day. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_20',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');In for-a-fee specialty dining restaurants, you might see a spot on your bill (if you get one) to add a tip. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government Who else should you tip on a cruise ship? This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. Many cruisers opt to give extra cash tips to crew members who made their vacation that much more enjoyable. Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! However, cruisers dont always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! How Much Water Should I Drink Before Donating Plasma. No worries about "shoddy tips" since you have already paid the standard tip. April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. Let me know in the comments below! Do you prefer to prepay your gratuitiesor to pay in cash? First is the ATM. Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive. I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. Instead, passengers can tipor notat their own discretion. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Given that most , all ? Thanks for sharing your view on this. 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. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. Pricing varies based on the ship, sail dates, and itinerary. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. First of all, don't neglect any post-cruise questionnaires, which provide an opportunity to rave about your cabin attendant directly to his or her employer. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port. on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Heres what you should know about cash on a Royal Caribbean cruise. When we tip them individually, do they get to keep the entire amount for themselvesor do they have to share that too? At the base level, one person can use the service, and the price rises as you add more logins. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. Cruise Tipping and Salaries Dissected, Tipping On Cruises: Cruise Line Policies Revealed, Tipping on Ships: An Australian Culture Clash, Cabin Stewards on a Cruise: What to Expect, How Not to Be Rude on a Cruise: 10 Ways to Make the Crew Love You. However ,usually you can have at least 2 cabin stewards. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. 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. Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. Jan 6. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . Most cruise lines allow guests to remove automatic gratuities. Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. 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. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! However, youll want to make sure youve notified your bank that you will be out of the country. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. Royal Caribbean states the current pricing for 2022 sailings is between $12.99 and $15.00 per day of the 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. Hope you enjoy! How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? 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. 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. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. 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. You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. I have a video on my YouTube channel about this and people have commented amounts they give so his could be helpful (just check YouTube and search cruise gratuities Life Well Cruised). 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. What to Expect: Tipping Crew Members on a Cruise. This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that dont want to think about extra charges once onboard. You'll find an extensive selection of options all over Canada Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. 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. 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. The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and . If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally dont have to leave a tipthe tour company takes care of the lunch bill. For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), its a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience. Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. However, the price of getting online can be expensive. Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? Before Your Royal Caribbean Cruise . Want to give something beyond cash? I dont tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things. 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cruise Line Gratuities: What's the Point? A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew members supervisor about your concerns. It May be Time for Some Royal Caribbean Elites to Reconsider Paying for Drink Packages. Stay in one of the Royal Suites and room service is included.