What You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

I thought I had planned for everything. My Ecuadorian cruise had been smooth sailing, and it was time to close out my account. I was suddenly confronted with something that I had overlooked about the voyage: cruise gratuities had to be paid in cash.

Oops. I’d forgotten a crucial rule of cruising: Always check the gratuity policy before you set sail. On this particular cruise, unlike others where gratuities could be conveniently charged to your onboard account, there was no such option. So, I was stuck making a last-minute dash to a nearby ATM, desperate to withdraw cash and reward the talented crew who’d taken such good care of me.

Don’t forget cruise gratuities when budgeting

My mistake is more common than you might think. Tipping on cruise ships is often-overlooked when travelers plan their vacation budgets. After you’ve chosen your cruise line, itinerary, and travel dates, you’ll select a cabin class and decide whether to add drink packages or book excursions. You also should factor in the costs of getting to and from your departure port.

Beyond these expenses, many cruise lines follow a tipping culture in which guests are expected to reward crew members for their service. Tipping guidelines can vary by cruise line, region, and even individual ship, so it’s essential to understand the rules for your specific cruise. Before you book, be sure to review your cruise line’s tipping guide—or ask your AAA Travel Advisor for guidance if you’re unsure.

Know that tipping norms differ

Tipping on cruise ships varies widely by destination, bu cruise lines and even by ship. For example, consider the weekly tipping guidelines from AmaWaterways for a seven-night cruise:

• Europe: $130 per guest
• Asia: $110 per guest
• Africa: $140 to $175 per guest
• Egypt: $120 per guest

AmaWaterways leaves tipping to guest discretion, and tips can be paid in cash or by credit card at the end of the cruise. Viking follows similar policies. Cruise lines also typically offer the option to tip additional amounts for exceptional service to specific crew members, such as your cabin steward or waiter.

Understand automatic gratuities

On many cruise lines, cruise gratuities are automatically added to guest accounts. This is the norm for many large cruise lines—such as Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Celebrity, and others. Fees typically range from $14 to $25 per person per day, depending on the cabin class you’ve booked. These cruise gratuities are usually shared among the crew.

For example, Princess Cruises adds a “crew appreciation” charge to passenger accounts as follows:

• Suites: $19 per person, per day
• Mini suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection: $18 per person, per day
• All other stateroom categories: $17 per person, per day

Princess Cruises guests can make adjustments to these tipping rates, but they must do so at the purser’s office before the the cruise concludes.

Remember to budget for additional tips

Some specialty services—such as onboard spa services and specialty dining—warrant additional tips. It’s also customary to tip bartenders, bar staff, and attendants who deliver room service. Some cruise lines add this automatically, so ask about this in advance to avoid over-tipping.

If you book shore excursions, keep cash in local currency on hand for tipping your guides and drivers. Tipping amounts vary by destination, so review your cruise line’s guidelines. As a rule of thumb, tip $5 to $10 per person for the guide and $2 to $5 for the driver, but adjust the amount based on the level of service and local customs.

All-inclusive cruises

Many luxury cruise lines offer an all-inclusive experience in which gratuities are included in the price of the cruise. While this may result in a higher upfront cost, it eliminates worry about additional tipping throughout your voyage.

Ocean cruise lines such as Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Seabourn include gratuities in their pricing. For river cruises, lines such as Tauck operate with a similar all-inclusive pricing that includes gratuities.

. . . . .

When I look back on all the cruises I’ve taken, I often recall specific crew members and how they enhanced the experience. Showing appreciation through tipping—along with a heartfelt thank-you—seems only fitting to reward for those who help make these journey unforgettable.