Mastering Cruise Ship Tipping: Your Complete Guide to Gratuity Etiquette and Tips!

Welcome aboard cruise sea-kers! 🚢⚓️ Are you ready to set sail on a journey to unravel the secrets of cruise ship tipping? Join us in this comprehensive video as we dive deep into the world of gratuity etiquette and tips, ensuring you navigate the seas of generosity with confidence.

In this must-watch guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships. From understanding the various tipping policies across different cruise lines to decoding the hidden nuances of onboard gratuities, we've got you covered. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this video will provide you with invaluable insights to enhance your cruise experience.

🌟 Key Highlights:

* Exploring the tipping norms of popular cruise lines, ensuring you're prepared before you even step onboard.

* Unveiling the unwritten rules of tipping for different onboard services – from dining and housekeeping to spa treatments and more.

* Insider tips and strategies to budget for gratuities and avoid common pitfalls.

* Real-life anecdotes and experiences shared by me, giving you a glimpse into various tipping scenarios.

* Expert advice on how to express appreciation to the crew beyond monetary tips, fostering a warm and friendly cruise atmosphere.

Embark on this educational and entertaining voyage with us, as we equip you with the knowledge and savvy to navigate the seas of tipping on cruise ships like a pro. Hit that "Like" button, share with your fellow cruisers, and don't forget to subscribe for more travel tips and cruise insights! Bon voyage! 🌊🛳️

👍 Like & Share this video with fellow travelers!
🗣️ Comment below and let us know your tipping etiquette

- Mastering Cruise Ship Tipping: Your Complete Guide to Gratuity Etiquette and Tips! -
0:00 Intro
2:06 Cruise Tipping 101. Standard Gratuities
5:24 Other areas where you will pay tips on board
7:53 Tipping off the cruise ship
8:57 Casino Tipping
9:18 Tipping Mistakes
10:15 What I Do
13:13 Wrap Up

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Cruise Line Luggage Tags:

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[CruiseSeakers]

A very sensitive topic and one with lots of opinions! But it needs to be understood and a personal decision must be made. Ad in the cultural aspect of tipping and it gets even more muddy!

[TerryeToombs]

Our first cruise on Royal, we had amazing service. The cabin steward went above and beyond. Our wait staff spoiled our non-verbal autistic son (we took him for his 10th birthday). They had a fruit plate sitting at the table waiting for him at dinner every night, they cut up his food, sang to him and the night of his birthday, they had as many staff as possible (at least 15), come over to sing him happy birthday and dance. My husband and I were so thankful that we paid them full amount of gratuities in cash even through we'd already pre-paid. Everyone made our son feel accepted which is hard to find on land. My husband went from a "I don't want to cruise" to "when is our next one?" :D Oh, and I just found your channel and thank you for all the information. Subscribed!

[kathryncashner]

Having recently tried an "almost all inclusive" line, that is totally the answer. Tips are included in the cruise fare. When we offered a tip at the spa, it was politely refused. Yes, on some lines ALL tips are included--that means there is no way to add extra for a drink at the bar, the spa, or anywhere else. And the crew told us they earn about three times as much as on their previous lines where tipping was expected. I wish all lines would have a policy of charging a real cruise fare that includes most things and quit the "nickel and dime" culture that so many have.

[Ed-plzv]

I’ve been over tipping for some time now even after prepaying $300 for all gratuities with 18% drink packages.

I have and decided if I have to stand in line or walk to the bar to get my drink then the prepaid gratuity is Enough! If I have to stand to order food and take my own tray no extra tip. I will be tipping on service from now on.

Room attendants extra $20. Drinks delivered $1 a drink extra. Porters $2 a bag. Bartenders if I’m sitting at the bar and only if they’re taking care of me then $1 extra a drink. If my drink is empty and I have to wait. No extra tip.
I believe this is fair.

[IdLikeKnow]

Put simply, we are paying the crews salary. IE: $37.00 a day for a suite d.o. x 8days =$296.00 x 12 cabins = $3552.00

[shameless]

Tipping is suppose to be for service above and beyond. My job isn’t to tip you because the cruise line refuses to give you a proper salary. I don’t tip the cook at a restaurant, I tip my server. I have that same mentality when cruising.

[carolgravius]

Good advice. I feel the same. The better the service, the more we tip.

[davexander]

First timer here, going on Wonder of the Seas in Oct, yes, Im setting the bar high with this ship... you've answered like 27 questions I had and had no where to look, subscribing and liked, you rock!

[LoveBoatCruising]

I would rather tip in person with cash. I have not been able to find proof how the daily fees are paid to crew. With the current changes at Princess, I need the fees to pay for items that are no longer included in my cruise fare.

[amylaracuenta]

Thank you for the awesome suggestions!! I will be doing what you do, I think it’s a great idea!!

[lynnewilliams]

tip what you want. the cruise lines recommended amount is usually too high for the service received

[papercitygamerjeff]

I tip $100 to the cabin attendant and $100 to the main dining room server that helped me all week. I just always bring xtra cash for the workers who make my cruise better. This is still only less than 10% of the total trip even with the $20 a day i prepay for

[VoiceEnFuego]

I'm just here for the comments on this one

[bobanderson]

Some people cannot afford to tip but they do pay there gratuity, and to be honest you do not even have to pay that (but I do think you should) But If your paying your gratuity, I see no problem if you cannot afford to pay extra tips, for some a cruise is a once in a lifetime experience I know many more people are in the lower income level then the higher. And any employee knows what there wage is and whats expected from there job as well as not eveytime will there be tips or bonuses, and they choose if they are going to work for that employer. I say tip what you can and enjoy your trip, and if you can tip more and want to please do, but do not judge others from your life view point because not everyones life view point is the same.And really what bussiness is it of anyones what another person is tipping or not tipping stay in your lane

[Steph.sMusic]

Thank you for the helpful video. I'm going on a cruise in May by myself and usually relied on other people I was with for tipping. I"m going on MSC and wasn't sure how they do their gratuities. I'm probably just going to do what you do with the cash, since I did not buy a drink package or any specialty dining. Seems to be the easier way for me. Thanks again.

[billkallas]

On NCL, if you have an excursion cancelled, you only get cruise credit, unless you haven't paid your $20 a day, service fee. Then it's taken off of that, to reduce your service fee charge.
PS. How much, per day, is your average cabin attendant tip, at the end of the cruise?

[robertk]

Auto gratuities just makes no sense at all. Why isn't this just added to the passenger fare if the cruise line needs our help in their employees general compensation? Cruisers either tip on the go or at the end of the cruise tip extra for any above and beyond service. We always remove the auto gratuities and tip in cash the positions suggested by the cruise line. In June 2024 we are trying a Princess cruise with Premier package that appears to do that very thing.

[jtc]

Around how much do you give to the tour coordinator and drivers?

[joannekelly]

What about suites in NCL's Haven? Are they included in the pre-pay gratuities?

[skeletor]

I typically pay gratuities in advance when booking. Then if the service is good, I will typically tip the cabin attendant and main dining room service waiter.