Tipping on a cruise is a divisive topic. Some say you always should. Some say you shouldn’t. Then there’s the way individual cruise lines complicate the matter.
Some include auto-gratuities in your final bill at the end of the cruise, but some include auto-gratuities for some services and not others.
Some put auto-gratuities on your dinner or drinks bill. Others say they’re “gratuities included.” So how do you know if you’re on a gratuities-included cruise and should you tip on a gratuities-included cruise? Here’s what you need to know.
In This Article:
Should You Tip on a Gratuities-Included Cruise?
Generally, no. You should not tip on a gratuities-included cruise. However, there are specific instances where gratuities may not actually be included (like at the spa) and instances where some cruisers still may tip, even if it’s not expected.
For the most part, though, when a cruise is gratuities-included, it really is — you don’t have to worry about tipping. That said, there are differences between gratuities-included cruises and auto-gratuity cruises, and there can be some confusion, which is why we’re looking at this topic more in-depth.
Auto Gratuities: The Standard
Cruise Ship Gratuities on the Bed
First, let’s quickly define auto gratuities, so you can see the difference between auto gratuities and gratuities included.
On an auto-gratuities cruise, gratuities are automatically added into bills for “extra” purchases, like specialty dining, bar purchases and spa services — think of anything you can choose or choose not to purchase, and that’s not automatically included in your cruise fare.
Meanwhile, gratuities for the services everyone on the cruise enjoys by nature — such as the service of a cabin steward — are automatically added to your final bill, at the end of your cruise.
It is possible to choose not to pay auto-gratuities. However, you will have to ask for those gratuities to be removed from your bill, usually by going to guest services and providing a reason for why those gratuities shouldn’t be paid. Do note, though, that this practice is frowned upon in most circles.
The auto gratuities system is the standard for most mainstream cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
For example, on Carnival Cruise Line, service gratuities for stateroom attendants and dining and culinary service staff are automatically charged at a rate of $16 per person, per day, when staying in standard staterooms, and at a rate of $18 per person, per day, when staying in suite staterooms. Then, gratuities for dining and drinks are automatically added to your bill at the time of purchase, at a rate of 18%.
On Royal Caribbean, the process is very similar. Gratuities for on-board purchases like room service, specialty dining and alcoholic beverages are added automatically to your bill at the time, at a rate of 18%.
Meanwhile, an overall service gratuity for services like those offered by a stateroom attendant is automatically added to your final bill at the end of the cruise, at a rate of $18 per guest per day for those staying in standard staterooms, and at a rate of $20.50 per guest per day for those staying in suite staterooms.
Tipping on Auto-Gratuity Cruises
Cash Tipping on Carnival Cruise Line
On many of these cruise lines that employ an auto-gratuity process, you’re already technically tipping those around you that you would normally tip, so, so long as you don’t actively ask for the gratuities to be removed from your bills, you can rest assure that you’re doing your tipping duty.
However, this fact doesn’t stop some cruisers from going above and beyond and tipping individuals like a favorite bartender or butler a little extra at the beginning of the cruise, in hopes of getting better service (whether or not this actually works varies, according to whom you ask).
Included Gratuities: A Luxury Cruise Line Alternative
Seven Seas Grandeur Cruise Ship
While they might seem fairly similar, included gratuities is not the same thing as auto-gratuities.
When your cruise line offers included gratuities, it means that the gratuities are already all bundled into the cost of your cruise. There are no auto-gratuities that will be added at the end of your bill, and no gratuities that you need to worry about paying at all, except for in very special circumstances (which we’ll get into, with certain cruise lines where this is a concern).
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Instead, all you’re paying is your cruise fare. The cruise line itself ensures that crew members are being fairly paid, so there’s no need for you to supplement those wages with a tip.
In fact, some cruise lines will actively encourage you not to tip at all. Instead, they see amazing service as just part of your cruise experience, and you shouldn’t have to worry about when and how and how much to tip, in thanks for that amazing service.
Which Cruise Lines Include Gratuities?
Oceania Cruises’ Insignia (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
So, which cruise lines take this approach? And should you really not plan to tip at all when you’re on these cruise lines? These are some of the major cruise lines that include gratuities in the price of your cruise fare and what you should expect in regards to tipping.
Azamara
Azamara says that “all tips and gratuities are included in every cruise fare.” But does that mean you should really, as the cruise line instructs, “leave your wallet behind”?
According to cruisers, there’s really no need to ip, though it can be sometimes appreciated. However, if you’re just tipping in order to get special treatment, then don’t bother. You’ll pretty much get the same treatment whether or not you tip, and the crew certainly does not expect you to tip for anything.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises included certain gratuities in your cruise fare, but not all gratuities. Your cruise fare will cover gratuities for your butler, room steward, assistant steward and all bar and dining staff, including staff at specialty restaurants.
However, gratuities are not covered for other service personnel, such as those working in the spa or salon. There, you’ll want to tip at least the minimum suggested 18% of your bill total (though this gratuity charge may be automatically added to your spa or salon bill, so look out for that and don’t accidentally tip extra on top of it).
Additionally, while not expected, it is possible to add gratuity to other on-board purchases.
P&O Cruises
Prior to 2019, P&O Cruises had an auto-gratuity tipping policy similar to the ones discussed above, for both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. You would pay around $7 for each person per day, and that was your automatic gratuity fee.
However, after 2019, P&O Cruises did away with this practice and began bundling gratuities into the overall cruise fare.
That said, many cruisers on P&O Cruises still report saying that they tip crew members such as cabin stewards, waiters, bartenders, etc., at either the beginning of the cruise, in order to perhaps inspire better service, or at the end of the cruise, to reward exceptional service.
This is a personal choice, though, and it’s not at all expected or required.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
As an ultra-luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas bundles quite a lot into your cruise fare, so there’s as little for you to worry about as possible, once you’re onboard the ship. These inclusions include, of course, your gratuity, and there’s no automatic gratuity charge.
The one sole instance where your gratuities are not included in your cruise fare, are if you go purchase a service at the spa. In these cases, you do need to tip your service provider.
Silversea
Like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea is another gratuities-included luxury cruise line. There’s no tipping whatsoever required while you’re on this line’s ships, even for those crew members that seem to go above and beyond, like your butler.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages brands itself as an “almost” all-inclusive cruise line, with lots of inclusions ranging from free WiFi to ample dining. Among those inclusion is, of course, gratuities.
As such, there’s no expectation to tip anyone while you’re on these cruises. Even spa staff gratuities are covered on Virgin Voyages, which isn’t the case on a handful of other cruise lines that claim all gratuities are included.
In fact, Virgin Voyages as a brand is so anti-tipping that, if you fill out a feedback survey at the end of your cruise, you may be asked if anyone solicited a tip from you (something Virgin Voyages frowns heavily upon)!
If you want to tip on Virgin Voyages, the only way you can do so is via cash, as there’s no option to add gratuities to your cruise account.
Tipping on a Gratuities-Included Cruise: The Crew Welfare Fund
If you do really want to tip on a gratuities-included cruise, you may want to consider asking guest services if the cruise line has a crew welfare fund.
This is sometimes a fund that takes tips or, essentially donations, and then the cruise line distributes the funds among the crew and uses the funds to purchase things that the crew might need.
For example, these funds might go toward crewmember group meals or excursions, or giving them something “extra” they otherwise might not have access to.
It essentially improves the quality of life for all crew members on the ship, not just those in visible service roles. Think line cooks, laundry staff, maintenance staff and others who wouldn’t normally get any tips at all.
You might also choose to use the end-of-cruise feedback form to leave certain crew members particularly nice feedback. Be sure to mention them by name. This is often very appreciated and can sometimes even help lead to a bonus or promotion for that crew member!
Still feel bad about not tipping? Don’t. Many crew members report that, on cruise lines that include gratuities in their fares, they actually get paid more than they would on cruise lines where auto-gratuities are accepted or where tipping is the norm.
Which Option is Better: Gratuities-Included or Auto-Gratuities?
Viking Sun, now Viking Yi Dun (Photo Credit: Sam Davids)
It really depends on who you ask.
On one hand, if you really don’t want to pay gratuities for whatever reason (not recommended), you can really only remove gratuities from your cruise cost on auto-gratuity cruise lines, and then be prepared to go to guest services in order to do so.
On the other hand, if you do plan on tipping during your cruise, note that the auto-gratuity cruise lines may end up costing you more than you originally expected.
Read Also: When Should You Not Tip on a Cruise?
Since these cruise lines don’t include gratuity in their base fares, and only end up charging you gratuity at the very end of your cruise, you could find that you end up paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars more for your cruise experience, than you originally expected.
In contrast, the gratuities-included cruise lines offer fares that are much more up-front and transparent. There won’t be a surprise gratuity bill on your debarkation day. Additionally, it just makes the cruising experience easier when you don’t have to worry about tipping.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
