Cruise tipping explained. What YOU need to know!

Are you wondering if you really need to tip on a cruise ship? In this video, we dive into the often confusing world of cruise ship tipping etiquette. I'll discuss whether tipping is mandatory, who I personally tip, and which crew members I recommend tipping for the best experience. Plus, I'll break down how your tips are distributed among the hardworking staff. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this guide will help you navigate cruise tipping like a pro!

[jeffdinter]

I feel that the cruise line needs to simply just raise the price of the cruise so that they can pay their employees the way that they should.

[whiskeychick]

Unpopular opinion. Daily service charges, whatever they are called on different lines, are under the control of the cruise line. It is a revenue line item on their balance sheet. I am not paying anymore discretionary service charges. I will tip the people who serve me well generously. Include these fees in the fare or I am not paying them. The cruise lines only get away with this because we let them. We don't know where the money goes yet they call it gratuity. It is nonsense.

[mlhobbs]

It is a fact that the crew does not receive the gratuities. It is an income source for the cruise line. The crew members only receive the salary that is specified in their contracts. Princess in particular states that gratuities are pooled fleet wide and may be used to pay bonuses to certain employees such as the crew member of the month. If you want a crew member to actually receive the cash, you need to hand it to them!

[MsTruthSeekr]

Just so you know, Waiters and Cabin Stewards work a minimum of 10hrs every day. That averages to $10 an hour.

I know because I worked as a cocktail server on a passenger cruise ship in the 90s. This was for a U.S. based company (American Hawaii Cruises). I worked 10-11 hrs every day with no days off. It was physically exhausting work with terrible living conditions (uncomfortable beds, very noisy environment, inconsiderate cabin mates, horrible food for the crew).... but I also had the time of my life! What an incredible adventure, sailing the Hawaiian Islands!!

[allent]

No, the tips are not spread out to all employees on the ship. It is given to the service workers (waiters, room stewards, etc) and their supervisors. The guy down in the engine room or the captain do not receive your tips. If you take a cruise with automatic tips then just plan on paying that. If you don't want to pay, then don't cruise. I used to give additional tips (and still do for extra good service) but in the last 10 years the price of tips has almost doubled the cost of inflation. They get a lot of tips today. One new Assistant Waiter started a YouTube and said his first 2-week paycheck was about $500 but did not include any tips. The second paycheck which did include tips, was over $1500. So the auto tips make up 2/3 of their salary. $3, 000 per month plus free room and board, health care, etc for a young entry level, unskilled, no degree, person is pretty good for a US salary and a windfall for a Pilipino.

[blargblarg]

Tipping, here's all you need to know.

Auto gratuities: pay them or remove them. It's your call. No shame.
In person tipping: give as much or as little as you feel and as often as you feel like it. Again, no shame.

Remember, tips and gratuities are 100% voluntary or they are not tips and gratuities. The worker's salary is not your concern because you are not their employer. If anybody tries to shame you kindly direct their ire towards the cruise line where it is actually deserved.

[ANGELATAYLOR-yg]

Unpopular opinion: Half of all cruise promotions now include gratuities. If those passengers aren't paying additional for gratuities, why should I? Should I pay additional just because I booked at a different time? (and even when I may have paid more than they did!) Cruise staff are getting paid whether we add auto gratuities or not, so I prefer to cancel auto gratuities, then tip is cash anyone that went out of their way to make my trip special.

[lindak]

We use to cruise frequently back 20-25 years ago. Then work and life got in the way. It sure has changed. We have retired and have two cruises booked, both with prepaid gratuities. Princess and Royal Caribbean. Since we have prepaid, our personal tips to the room steward and wait staff will be a lot less. I’m not even sure how much we will go to the main dining room. We use to love cruises, I hope it hasn’t lost all its charm by them nickel and dimming us. I did get the Princess plus package for our November 10 day cruise. 🎉

[chairmandan]

I used to tip for good service, I no longer tip when they introduced a tipping fee into my cruise fare. I have noticed the service from my room stewards has declined.

[seastheday]

Gratuity....to show your gratitude for a service that was above or beyond their normal duties of employment. In conclusion....I remove auto gratuity and give to those that went above or beyond the normal service I allready paid for through cruise cost.

[jeffdinter]

The gratuities are going to everybody on the ship. I would rather just simply tip my cabin Steward and my dining staff

[Викуся]

leave a comment card and list all employees who made your vacation great. it helps them to get a promotion or a raise. It is super helpful and doesn't cost you anything 😊

[WmDuffell]

Cruise line should just raise the fare and get rid of tipping. Tipps by passengers should just be for extraordinary service by and to specific individuals at my total discretion.

[jeannel]

Bring thank you cards put a little in it & they appreciate!

[jeannel]

I tip most & believe room Stewart should get at the least 10 dollars a day

[lorrettasimmons]

Gratuities are for most all ship employees. If you do not want to tip, cruising is not the type of vacation for you.

[nanaontherun]

But do they all really get those tips you pay through the ship? I have spoken to only two employees one used to work on the ships and one still on the ship. One said they got about $10 per day the other said he never seen any extra. So I'm not sure the truth.

[rosinajones]

Tip are for great service cruise line should pay a fair wage

[benbazy]

If the service is a 7 I mark it a 7. I write mediocrity names down. I am not paying $8k for an alaskan cruise to deal with half ass workers