Taking a cruise with Holland America is an exciting and luxurious experience. However, when it comes to tipping, many passengers are unsure of how much is appropriate. Tipping is an important part of the cruise culture, and it’s essential to understand how it works on Holland America.
What is the tipping policy on a Holland America cruise?
Holland America has a recommended gratuity amount that varies based on the cabin type and length of the cruise. The recommended amount for standard cabins is $14.50 per person per day, while suite guests are expected to pay $16 per person per day. These amounts are automatically added to your onboard account on a daily basis.
If you’re not satisfied with the service provided during your cruise, you can adjust or remove gratuities by visiting Guest Services onboard.
Who should I tip?
On a Holland America cruise, you’ll encounter many staff members who work hard behind the scenes to ensure your trip is enjoyable and comfortable. These include cabin stewards, waiters, assistant waiters, and other service staff.
It’s customary to tip these individuals at the end of your cruise based on their service quality. You can provide cash tips directly or add them to your onboard account before disembarkation.
How much should I tip?
While there are recommended gratuity amounts provided by Holland America, they’re just a guideline. Ultimately, settling on an appropriate tip amount depends on your level of satisfaction with the service received.
If you had exceptional service from your cabin steward or waiter, consider tipping more than the recommended amount. On average, most passengers tend to tip around $20-$25 per day for exceptional service.
How can I make tipping easier?
Tipping can be stressful when trying to calculate totals for each staff member you interacted with during the trip. To simplify things and avoid any confusion or misunderstandings:
- Keep a small envelope with cash on hand to distribute tips at the end of the cruise
- Consider pre-paying gratuities upfront when booking your cruise to avoid having to calculate and distribute cash tips later
- Use Holland America’s automatic gratuity system, which adds the recommended amounts to your onboard account. You can adjust or remove these tips as necessary.
Conclusion
Tipping is a crucial part of the cruise experience on Holland America. While there are recommended amounts, tipping ultimately depends on your level of satisfaction with the service provided. By following these guidelines and tips, you’ll be able to navigate Holland America’s tipping policy with ease and ensure that everyone who made your trip enjoyable receives appropriate recognition.