How Tipping Works on Cruise Ships | Cruise Gratuity 101

One of the most Controversial and Widely Debated Topics on Planet Earth is Tipping or Gratuity within the Hospitality Industry. On Cruise Ship there is even more confusion as there is a lot of mystery surrounding where Tips go with Auto-Gratuity feature most of the World’s Cruise lines have implemented. Today we’re talking all about money and what your options are as guest or passenger when it comes to tipping on Cruise ships to your Crew that provide you with an unforgettable experience.

00:00 -INTRO
00:43 -DISCLAIMER
01:15 -WHY TIPPING EXIST
01:46 -HOW AUTO-GRATUITY WORKS
02:13 -IS AUTO-GRATUITY FOR YOU?
03:00 -COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
04:30 -Alternative Options
05:30 -THE BEST CHOICE

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*(DISCLAIMER) The Shiplife is not affiliate with any Cruise Line in any way, shape or form nor is it a Travel Agency. This channel is strictly for Entertainment purposes only and is to be viewed as such. The Cruise commentary in this video should not be taken as Fact or Advice.

[gailhandschuh]

I love the fact that Disney gives us a full breakdown of all our crew members and their share of the auto tips given to each one. It allows me to know that I haven’t missed anyone.

[TheTwistedintent]

Going on another cruise in November already prepaid for all four rooms i got and will tip onboard. Especially since the pandemic and lots have been out of work. And I've been blessed i never lost a day.

[CharlieDeltaEchoVict]

Great video thanks. I'd like to see cruise companies run *no tipping* cruises where the staff are genuinely well paid. Happy crew, happy passengers and, if successful, happy cruiseline.

[Kwantifye]

I'm old enough now and fortunate enough to be able to tip well; so when I cruise (Princess & Carnival), I always leave the 15% intact and still carry cash just for tipping. I don't believe I've ever had a cruise-ship employee give me bad service; they're phenomenal. They work so hard and seem so grateful for any tips; I always feel pampered when I take cruises; great trips!

[dalejensen]

We always prepay our gratuities, give the cabin steward $20 on embarkation day and $20-$50 on disembarkation day (depending on how they did, ) and tip $1-$2 when ordering drinks at the bar -- that makes a HUGE difference in service, when you go to the same bar over and over.

[waynegherke]

My gratuities are already prepaid but if someone goes above a beyond the call will get an extra gratuity.

[kittycat]

No auto gratuity. I like to know where or who my money is going to. Auto gratuity is the socialism of tipping. Some work harder or more and deserve the recognition.

[Brusssss]

You are only one who has given unbiased suggestions regarding the tippings. Many vloggers are pushing to give more than what they should. However, people should have a choice according to their affordability.

[Katie-lf]

Princess posted that the prepaid gratuities are now “Crew Incentives “ and are pooled fleet wide and used as “compensation, including bonuses “ which makes me think that my steward and waiters may not see much of it.

[boatlover]

After a few cruises, I found it well worth it to not only give you auto gratuity but I also give the cabin steward about $5 a day and the bartenders about $1 per drink. They appreciate it greatly and will at the bar will jump over others to help you, LOL. I also leave a modest tip at a specialty restaurant comped or pre-paid that has had a tip pre-added, maybe $10. I'm sure someone will say I'm cheap below, pretty sure 99% do less. Diamond Jim can save their reply.

[wambutu]

I am astonished at how businesses have managed to convince customers to pay part of their labor costs and make those self same customers feel guilty being annoyed by it. Cruise lines, restaurants, whatever. Charge us the price you want for your service. Labor should not get angry at customers for management's parsimony. But they do and it is deflection that lessens a customer's enjoyment.
As in many things Japan is superior to us in this. The first cruise line that removes the aggravation of tipping in all its forms and just pays it workers out of its fares, (the way its supposed to without guilt, aggravation and the con) will go to the top of my cruising options.

[qq]

The easy way to say it (although it may be different on lines besides Carnival, Celebrity or RCL) When you do the auto tip thing, the money is split between everyone that served you including kitchen and laundry people. They used to post what percentage of the auto tip went to each department. The money that you HAND to your steward and/or diningroom server, they person you hand it to gets to keep the entire thing.

[RWM]

I love to give out the tip on the last day of the cruise. Makes it more personal and I make sure the money goes to the right places.

[AlanStarks-qnek]

It’s really nice to hear this from a person who worked onboard. Thank you 👍🏾

[joseruiz]

Everyone on a cruise deserves a tip. Many times the things people complain about have nothing to do with the staff. Take care of them because they are good people and they are making your stay a memorable one. I pre-pay my tips prior to the cruise, but on top I usually tip the room attendant an additional $10 -$20 per day. I also tip the bartenders $5 per drink and the dining staff. It is a pleasure to acknowledge their hard work.

[eleanor]

Very informative. I was told on several occasions by crew members that their tips were based on our reviews. They would literally beg for a perfect “10”

[kevinjackson]

At the end of the Cruise we pass out cash as a tip to the people we see the most..

[alsuzy]

This is a very hot topic and a very much debated topic. I think you said it best. Give what you can afford.

I have always preferred to add cash to every drink tab. I prepay my gratuities but I am still "old school". We hand out envelopes at the end of each cruise with a thank you note and cash to all the usual players and then some. We just plan it as part of our cruise. At the end of the day, the cruise costs a good bit but a few hundred more in tips, isn't going to break our bank and it makes for a better experience for us. I am not saying it is right for everyone, it is just right for us.

[aussiejohn]

I believe the pre or post paid gratuities should be included in the fare as it is in Australia and New Zealand. I also tip with cash, especially to the cabin steward and the laundry staff as well as the room service crew. We don't have a tipping culture in Australia and this sometimes leads to poor service, however, I always tip for exceptional service. I also tip taxi drivers if they are quick, efficient and smooth driving even though in all circumstances tipping is not expected.

[CruisesAndCasinos-Cruising]

When cruises resume, I have already decided to give much larger tips to crew members. The prepaid gratuities at half capacity along with the additional work that they have to do would not amount to a decent income. They deserve to earn more and I will do my part to help.