To tip or not to tip???

There is probably no topic more discussed and debated among novice and seasoned cruisers alike than tipping. How to tip, when to tip, how much to tip and whom to tip and sometimes even why you need to tip at all.

Tipping varies between cruises therefore can indeed be baffling. So here’s some tips on tipping, so you won’t be lost at sea when it comes to showing your appreciation for the cruise crew.

Most mainstream companies place automatic service charge on passengers shipboard account, or offer the option to pre pay for tips on the booking as nowadays most ships have multiple dinning options and venues therefore may encounter a number of servers rather than the same waiter each night. Automated tips are typically dispersed across the entire service staff and usually contribute to there wage.

The charges, applied per passenger, per day are usually applied to your on board account if not paid at the time of booking. Because tips are technically voluntary, most cruise lines do allow passengers to opt out of automatic service charge and let them tip in cash. Also to mark particular good service generally the rule is to hand out cash on the last day of the cruise, except for cabin stewards or in port baggage handlers which would be tipped on the spot.

Tips usually average around $12 per person per day, however this does differ per cruise line and sometimes cabin type and for the more luxury and boutique cruise lines (like Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal among others) have a no tipping policy in place.

Personally i would prefer to pre pay my tips at the time of booking so that i am not left with a hefty bill at the end of the cruise and don’t have to consider this into my spending money!

Whats your thoughts on tipping, do you like to pre pay like me??

Trudy x