How Does Tipping Work on a Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

Tipping on cruise ships has been a long-standing tradition, but many cruisers are still unsure of how it works. It’s important to understand the tipping process in order to ensure that your crew is properly compensated for their hard work and excellent service.

Cruise lines typically add an automatic gratuity fee to your onboard account when you purchase a cruise. This is usually about $12-$15 per day for each passenger, and is shared among the onboard staff members who provide services such as cleaning your room, serving meals, and bartending.

You can adjust the automatic gratuity amount at the front desk if you wish. If you feel that your cabin steward or waiter went above and beyond during your cruise, you can leave an additional tip at the end of your voyage. It’s also customary to tip for special services such as spa treatments or private shore excursions.

Tips are usually accepted in cash. It’s best to leave them in an envelope with a note of thanks on it so that each staff member knows exactly who it is from. You can also add tips to your onboard account, which will then be distributed among the staff members when you disembark.

At the end of your voyage, you may be asked to fill out a survey about your experience with particular staff members so that they can receive recognition for their outstanding service. This helps ensure that only those crew members who perform well are rewarded.

Tipping on a cruise ship is not mandatory but it is greatly appreciated by those who work hard to make your voyage special. With proper understanding of how it works, you can show your appreciation and make sure that everyone gets their fair share.

Conclusion: Tipping on a cruise ship is a great way to show appreciation for the hard-working crew. Cruise lines typically add an automatic gratuity fee to passengers’ accounts which covers basic services like cleaning and meal service. Passengers can also add additional tips in cash or on their account if they wish; these tips are usually shared among the staff members when passengers disembark from the ship.