Gratuities

Gratuities

One of the most frequent questions that my clients ask me about is tipping.  Gratuities are the crews majority income on most cruise lines and they work hard to earn them, but like all gratuities, it is your choice to tip or not.

You will receive information onboard the ship about tipping, but it is generally suggested that you tip as follows:

$3.50 per person / per day – Room Steward

$3.50 per person / per day – Waiter

$2.00 per person / per day – Assistant Waiter

$1.00 per person / per day – Maitre d’

A 15% gratuities fee is usually charged to your bar or beverage bills at the time of service.

Most cruise lines charge $10.00 per person / per day to your shipboard account, but if you feel this amount needs to be adjusted, whether increased or decreased, arrangements can be made with the purser, usually at the end of the cruise. 

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