Princess Cruises increase tips – yet again!

When you cruise, are you one that chooses to pre-pay their Gratuities or would you rather tip as you go? Gratuities are probably one of the most controversial topics when it comes to cruising.

Are the Luxury Cruises lines doing everyone a favour by including the tips in the base price that you pay, and saying that Thomson even include them for you, so there is no, to or not to tip? That is the Question!

I must admit I am a big fan of tipping as I go, I prefer to see the reactions of the staff when I hand over a tip, plus I know that, my whole tip is going to that member of staff. However, you have to be careful, cruise lines such as P&O charge just £5.00pp per day so in 7 nights you could easily tip more than £35.00.

 Princess however had announced that they are now Upping the daily gratuity for the second time this year! Yes, that’s right, twice in 2016! However, many are arguing that the service they are receiving is not as good as it used to be, but yes they are putting the tips up?

 So what’s changing? The new rate will come in from December 15^th, and will increase from $12.95 to $13.50 per person per day for all Interior, Oceanview and Balcony guests. Mini Suites and Suites used to pay the same amount, however this is also changing from $13.95 to $14.50 per person per day for Mini suites and $15.50 per person per day for the suites.

 However, Princess have indicated that guests can prepay at the current rate up till November and those that have the gratuities as part of the promotion would not be affected.

 What do you think? Is it unfair to put them up twice or even at all, or do you think this is a sign of the times?