Thread: Tipping

How much and who on your cruise should be tipped? When and how should tips be given? The whole custom can be the source of considerable anxiety. Generally, you should plan to tip your room steward $3.00 to $3.50 per person, per day, and plan an equal amount for your dining room waiter, and half of that for the busboy.

On most ships, tip the maitre d' or dining room captain only if you ask for special favors or table-side service; $5 to $10 is normal. Bartenders and wine stewards are tipped 10 to 15 percent, but many cruise lines will automatically add this gratuity to your bar or beverage bill. Check the bill to see how it is handled. Also, tips for special services such as salon & spa treatments and room service are left to the discretion of the guest, depending on services rendered.

Individual ship profiles found under the "Ships & Ratings" heading above will provide precise guidelines for tipping on any ship. Guidelines will be repeated onboard, probably by your ship's cruise director. Gratuities are placed in envelopes from your cabin's stationery supply. Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.

As part of a new trend that seems likely to grow, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess and Cunard now charge gratuities to your account automatically. Norwegian, for example, charges $10 per day, per guest, to cover service in the various dining rooms and your room steward. If you feel this amount needs to be adjusted, whether increased or decreased, arrangements can be made onboard the ship, generally at the end of your cruise.

A few lines do not encourage tipping, including Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar. Crew members are reportedly higher paid and not tip dependent. Many passengers tip anyway for outstanding service or special favors.



Tips on Tipping Cabin steward
$3.00 to $3.50 per person per day

Waiter
$3.00 to $3.50 per person per day

Assistant waiter
$1.50 to $2.00 per person per day

Bartender, wine and deck stewards
10-15% of the bill

Maitre d'
$5.00 to $10.00 tip for each special service

I tend to tip what I think the service is worth which can be alot more than the general tipping. But can also be alot less.

Service has to be received first I think.

Otherwise this is good info here. It gives a general rule

We too tip by service, thats what tips are for in my opinion!

Normally cruise line requests $70.00 per/passenger, per/week. Is common to pre-paid it to the travel agency but, when you see the service during the cruise, you can feel how good is the service and personally, I tip them some extra. How much do you want to pay for a 24 hrs good service?

Also when you request special things from your cabin steward it is nice to leave a dollar or so when you leave a note.

I know you tip at the end if he was great and did what was needed but tipping along the way can come in handy too. Better service all along the way.

We tip during and at the end, but if they arent good we tip less for sure!

I always tip my steward right away, and then again at the end. Because I usually ask for an egg-crate mattress topper right away!

Tipping is such a personal thing.. for us its the way the cruise lines get us to pay part of their employee's saleries. We normally add the expected amounts to our onboard account half way thru and then get envelopes to ADD to if someone has been eceptional in their duties.

Here is a link that helps you figure out tipping for your next cruise.. although all lines are not represented most are.

http://www.cruisetip.tpkeller.com

Actually while this is very good GENERAL INFORMATION.........check with your cruiseline when booking............

Royal Caribbean now charges you MORE for tips if you have a suite.........they started this 2 years ago........you will pay more........I believe it is $4.50 per day for a Grand Suite or higher. I will see if I can find from our old documents the exact amount.

I just wish the basic tips were included in the fare as it would be paid before you go. We keep the basic tip and tip extra on the last day.