Are you new to cruising and trying to understand the lingo? Not to worry. We’ve got you. To put it simply, gratuities is a form of tipping on a cruise ship. When cruising, major cruise lines typically automatically include a service or gratuity fee on passenger bills, akin to tipping a server in a restaurant. This fee is seamlessly added to your room charges since cruise lines operate on a “cashless” system where all expenses and service charges are associated with your room. If you’re planning your first time cruise, this is something you should definitely prepare for!
It’s been said that the money collected from service charges goes directly to the shipboard crew. This distribution includes both front-of-house staff, such as room attendants and waitstaff, as well as behind-the-scenes workers. According to cruise lines, this approach ensures a more equitable distribution compared to the previous system of cash tipping, which tended to favour specific workers.
Interestingly, before embarking on your cruise, many cruise lines provide promotions allowing passengers to prepay gratuities at a discounted rate. The key advantage of this is that it locks in the current rate, protecting you from potential rate increases between payment and the actual sailing. Some individuals also opt for this option as a way of simplifying their budget, eliminating one less item on the final bill at the end of the cruise.
Are gratuities mandatory?
No, it is not obligatory. For those accustomed to the UK, where tipping is not mandatory, the prospect of being told to pay $/£300 at the end of a cruise might be surprising. However, you can request the removal of these charges by discussing it with guest services. Alternatively, if you prefer to tip in cash, that is also permissible.
Do all cruise lines adopt this system?
No, not all of them. Many cruise lines now incorporate gratuities into the booking, either as ongoing promotions or as part of their brand values. Below is a list of cruise lines where tipping is either not expected or is already included in the overall price.
- Azamara (With the exception of spa services)
- Celestyal Cruises
- Lindblad Expeditions
- MSC Cruises (If you’re booking in the UK, US/World may differ)
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Seabourn
- SeaDream Yacht Club
- Silversea (With the exception for salon and spa services)
- Virgin Voyages
So, what are the prices?
Prices differ per cruise, per day, per sailing, per service, and even per destination. So it would be too complex to list them, and as you know, we try to keep our posts extremely digestible, so best to contact your local travel agent or the cruise line directly!
What are your thoughts?
Tipping/Gratuities is a sensitive topic for a lot of cruisers, and many feel very passionately about it. But what are your thoughts? Let me know if the comments.
