If you buy a $5 souvenir with a $20 bill in Mexico, for example, youll receive change in Mexican pesos. You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. separately, near the end of the cruise. I think its pretty bad when thats the only night they make their presence be known. Payments on cruise ships have almost entirely gone digital, but there are still a few situations where cash comes in handy. Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. 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. 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. Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members earnings to a reasonable rate. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions. cost cruise much does caribbean royal excursions treatments fees consider drinks spa government 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. How much? Hi All, Im Ilana. While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising. Thats up to you! But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise. 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. According to Royal Caribbean, the last increase put the company "in line with its competitors in the industry and recognize the exceptional work that Royal Caribbean's staff and crew does to deliver unforgettable vacations every day.". Before that, in 2015 RCI upped its gratuities from USD 12 to USD 12,95 (standard cabins) and from USD 14,25 to USD 15,95 (suites). I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! After 50 cruises I know they really mean it! How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? They have the insider tips to match so that you can make the most of everything that'll be at your fingertips. The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? While you pay daily gratuities before your cruise ($16 per person, per day in most staterooms), many cruisers like to give something extra. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. 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. Thanks so much for your input on this. Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips). will be more appreciated than something they would have to store. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! Thanks so much! Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: 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. There may be cases where you'd like to tip your cabin steward more than what he or she will receive after your automated gratuity is pooled and shared out. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines. Although gratuities arent mandatory, and in most cases you can go to guest services and have the amount adjusted, most cruise lines do tend to discourage it. You cant choose how much each crew member gets. Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. 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. 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. 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether. I had prepaid my gratuities, and I assumed the porter was a cruise line employee, so I didnt tip him. If you want to give an additional tip to your cabin steward (or two), Im sure its very appreciated. In this post, Ill be going through the cruise tipping policies by cruise line and answer some of the most common questions people have about gratuities on a cruise. I purchased the package pre-cruise for $76, this equates to just over $25 per day. If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), its a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience. Depending on what you plan to do in port, you might need cash for the following: We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? Tipping extra is not necessary, and theres no right or wrong amount to give a crew member. Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. In addition to the automatic daily gratuities, a tip or service fee of 15-20% is added to drinks and/or drink packages as well as spa services on a cruise. We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) Like what you see? The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. Both beautiful cruise options! The amount is based on the service received of course. 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. Travelers in suites are. Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day. Its also a nice gesture to tip the matre d or head waiter in the main dining room, especially if they were helpful with special menus or seating arrangements. Most are experienced cruisers and, as a group, theyre very well-liked. There are instances of passengers who prefer not to tip, usually either because they disagree with tipping on principle or they've experienced unsatisfactory service. I was thinking of giving ours a $20 at the beginning, not sure if this is about the "norm", or if I should give a little more. Cruise Ship Engine Power, Propulsion, Fuel, Royal Caribbean Drinks Prices, Beverage Menus, Alcohol Policy, Carnival Cruise WiFi Internet Packages Prices. The time when youll need the most cash on a cruise vacation is when youre in port. Instead, passengers can tipor notat their own discretion. Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. Something you will need cash for on a Royal Caribbean cruise are any extra tips you give to crew members. Tips are of course a personal decision. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, its a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries youll be visiting before your cruise. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages. Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. Robinson said mainstream cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line charge gratuities on a per person, per day basis. Treasure Coast of Florida. But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. It includes who to tip, who not to tip, and some tips to help as you plan your cruise vacation. 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). Of course, as always, its at your discretion. I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know. Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. If you dont see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise? Gave them US 5 each three nights and US 10 each last night. How much to tip waiter and his assistant? Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. 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.

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