how much to tip on cruise royal caribbean

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. raahc and lovecruising!!! In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. So glad this was helpful. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. The items and service are provided free of charge (except midnight - 5am when there is a nominal delivery fee). Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking). There is a lot of included dining location so how do you know which ones to che. When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean's sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. If mainstream cruise lines decided to abolish tipping and pay all crew members a reasonable rate per hour, they would have to significantly raise the cost of cruise fares. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. The automatic service gratuity is $14.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $17.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. Though automated gratuities are the easiest and most common way to tip, some passengers prefer to instead tip their attendants in cash, either in addition to the automated gratuity or in place of it. Upload or insert images from URL. 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. Robinson said mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line charge gratuities on a per person, per day basis. Given that most , all ? This is a personal decision and Im not sure if theres a tipping etiquette for it. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. On a 7 day cruise we usually give $50 to the waiter and $30 to the asst. This fee ranges anywhere from $12.50 to upward of $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line -- usually on the higher end if you're staying in a suite. Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. Unless they are below average and that has happened only one time. If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isnt usually included. 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. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities! There was only one cruise where my sons special request was denied. Just like with the Carnival's tipping policy, under the new Royal Caribbean tipping policy guests who believe they've been serviced poorly while onboard their "Of The Seas" ship has the right to ask Guest Services personnel to reduce or even to remove their automatic gratuities. Our last few cruises on Celebrity and Princess, we actually had lots of interaction from the Maitred and we did appreciate the work they did. These feedback cards mean a lot and sometimes lead to a stellar crew member getting a raise or even a promotion! A As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Suites, will be applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. Having the articles in a printable format is a really interesting idea. Like what you see? Happy cruising :). A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. This is a good question. Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. You could also tip based on the length of the tour. However, if you prefer to pay off your account and daily gratuities in cash, you can do so by going to guest services. In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, spa and salon services. Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in its Always Included cruise fare. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Thats a funny thing that weve experienced in the past as well. Youre welcome to use a credit or debit card to make purchases in ports of call whenever possible. However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. Each person you tip gets their own envelope. 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. Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise? 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. Posted September 17, 2021. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. Since most cruise passengers follow the tipping guidelines, that amounts to an increase $13.30 . There's a wide variety of services that you will receive during your cruise. (Learn more about when and when not to pay auto-gratuities.). 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. If you found this helpful, please dont keep it to yourself ;-). Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. will be more appreciated than something they would have to store. Bar, spa and in-room dining for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara have an 18 per cent gratuity charge. We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it wont be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. Children under 4 are not charged. Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. Most cruisers tip anywhere from $2-$10 per person (or the equivalent in the local currency) to the tour guide, and hand a couple of dollars to the driver. 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). A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. What currency should you use to tip on a cruise? Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, youre not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond whats normally expected. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. 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). The worst thing you can do is wait until you are home from your cruise to address it. You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise? The best advice I can give Americans and Canadians, if they are tipping questions arise either on the ship or ashore, follow the lead of Aussies and ask their advice. The cruise director will also remind passengers about how much and whom the cruise . In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. 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. The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. And just like with the Carnival case, this will reflect directly on the ship's serving staff (cabin stewards, Room Service, and Main Dining Room wait staff, as well as kitchen, entertainment, passenger services and other hotel personnel). If you go on a tour or shore excursion, its nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if youve appreciated their service. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. Below are just some of the people you may want to tip in this way, and some rough guidelines regarding how much - though know this is very subjective, and of course should be commensurate with the level of service that a given person provided. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Now if someone goes over and above a little extra is due. Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. Thanks so much for your input on this. The Dream pioneered the innovative and fun cruise ships that are standard today from Carnival Cruise Lines. While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. Any chance of that? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-leader-2-0');Since you cant remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. We rarely do the parties anymore. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. I almost alwaysgive my dining staff a bit extra, my kids generally have some special requests that take extra time and effort for the wait staff. Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. Royal Caribbean Cruises Tipping Policy As of September 7th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Suites, will be applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise! cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government Tipped crew on many cruise lines include housekeeping, dining, and laundry workers. Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture. Credit: Royal Caribbean Show-Stopping Entertainment However, your cruise vacation expenses wont end there. Here's a guide to help you navigate ways to show your appreciation for these hard workers. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? The price increases during August to approximately $773 (619) per person, excluding taxes. Technically your are not obliged to tip any more than the daily gratuities that have been charged to your room. Bond with your snorkel guide? 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! Tips are of course a personal decision. Do you prefer to prepay your gratuitiesor to pay in cash? Thank you, Carrie Ann. 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. There are a couple of exceptions, though. You also shouldnt tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! 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. In fact, I think most would agree that cruise line staff make a huge difference in the cruise experience. 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. Beyond that, consider writing a heartfelt note of thanks or a drawing from your child (many have children they do not see for months at a time). Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise? I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but thats just my preference. Could you possibly make your articles printable? If youre booked with Celebritys Always Included, the gratuities are included. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. Most US lines that base ships in the UK over the summer -- Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, for example -- offer automated gratuity options that charge a standard daily gratuity fee to the credit card you've placed on file for each day of your cruise. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. If you feel that you wish to give an extra amount to anyone who you feel has done a great job, they will be appreciative. Those can range from about $15 to upwards of $20 for each . Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). 1 1 Quote Cindi Members 12 Author Posted April 16, 2019 Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. We have also taken a few of the ship's "backstage" tours and could see where the crew members reside, dine, kick back to relax, etc. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. Please check Costas website for details. Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. With a beverage package, youve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $20 per passenger per day, are published either in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line web page. In their case "tipping" doesn't mean "extra" - it means "salary". Your email address will not be published. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -Whats Included, What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (with packing list), 7 Cruises to Avoid and What to Do Instead, Cruise Line Stocks Shareholder Benefits for Cruisers (FREE onboard credit). There are different service charges for certain itineraries. Ive got you covered! Tips are either covered by the autogratuities or theres a service fee tacked on, so you dont need to tip again. For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise. The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. W. Its a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? One of these differences is that cruise gratuities are included. All rights reserved. If you dont see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. Still confused . US$13,50 (increased from US$12,95) for standard cabins and US$16,50 (increased from US$15.95) for upper-tier suites. Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? Heres what you should know about cash on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. However, you might end up paying a similar total price on a mainstream line when you factor in gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and the like. Don't be Held Back on Arrival Royal Caribbean requires you to do an online check-in, at least three days before your published sail date. If you buy a $5 souvenir with a $20 bill in Mexico, for example, youll receive change in Mexican pesos. Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. How Much Does A Cruise Cost? Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. In the wake of the increase, a family of four in a . Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. When youre tipping in cash on a cruise, its always best to use the official currency on the ship. On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. During your cruise vacation, youll probably receive services from other people who arent cruise line employeesbut you might not realize it! Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether. 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. Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise? Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). There are some exceptions. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. Hi Janet! Carnivals daily gratuities are $13.99 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Love this! Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). Whether $2 to a bartender, $20 to your waiter, or $50 to your stateroom attendant, its common to tip crew members extra for excellent service. In the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and other dining venues, your tip is included in the automatic gratuities. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. balyasny aum TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM. But lets say you have a negative experience with your server in the dining room, or you feel that the cabin steward isnt doing their job. Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. For more info, please read myDisclosure Policy. Ill definitely look into it and see how I can best do that on this site. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew. 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. Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above). The article also reviews major changes in the RCI's gratuities policy implemented fleetwide/on all liners. While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. 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. What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation? There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 service fee and room service is available 24-hours a day. IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. The time when youll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when youre in port. Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. 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. I agree with Kelli. A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew members supervisor about your concerns. In addition, weve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. The porters will assist with your luggage and its customary to tip for their service. 40 Ocean Quotes for Everyone Who Loves The Sea, 15 Delicious Foods in the Bahamas You Need to Try. Related: Cruise Line. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour. Even though cruise gratuities technically arent mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines. There is a lot to know before you even step foot on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? 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. Royal Caribbean's VOOM service has two different levels of service with two different prices. If theres a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. HomeBlogCruise Tips Cruise News Cruise DestinationsAboutContactResourcesFeatured PressPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclosure PolicyTerms of Use. I guess I was looking for some kind of scale like we have atrestaurants on land. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. Cunards daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Treasure Coast of Florida. It is best to drink 9 to 13 cups of water before donating money in the 24 hours preceding the event. 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. 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. Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers. How much cash should you bring on a cruise? Youre right an 18% gratuity is added each time you purchase a drink. Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. 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. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. The amount is based on the service received of course. How much tip receive in cruise royal caribbean? I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. cruise. Every stateroom has a room service menu. flipped into Ren de Lambert. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . They did a really good job and I would like to tip them. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. Note that we are Australian, so therefore not inclined to tip unless the service warrants it. a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. I also tip constantly while on the cruise. Want to give something beyond cash? Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Its customary to tip the waiters generously at specialty restaurants. #4. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. If you are one to give your room attendant a little extra (on top of auto gratuities), how much do you typically give. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. Most cruisers wouldnt dream of removing the automatic gratuities. I think this depends on who it is and what their job is. Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Deals 2020 & 2021 - Cruise Nation www.cruisenation.com. Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! The onboard price of this package varies from $63 to $89 a day, plus an 18% gratuity. On top of that, there's an 18% gratuity fee. If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise. On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. Which currency you should bring with you on a cruise depends on your departure port and itinerary. If youre new to cruising, you might be wondering who to tip on a cruise, how much to tip, and exactly how onboard gratuities work. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. Tips are added automatically to the onboard account (SeaPass) on a daily basis.

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how much to tip on cruise royal caribbean