When it comes to cruising, one of the most commonly asked questions is “how much should I tip?” This can be especially confusing when traveling with Norwegian Cruise Line. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of tipping on a Norwegian Cruise and provide some guidelines to help you navigate this aspect of your vacation.
Understanding Tipping on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line operates under a “Freestyle Cruising” concept, which means that guests have more flexibility and choice in how they spend their time and money while onboard. This includes tipping. Unlike some other cruise lines that automatically add gratuities to your bill, Norwegian Cruise Line leaves it up to you to decide how much to tip.
The Recommended Tipping Guidelines
While Norwegian Cruise Line allows you to choose how much to tip, they do offer some recommended guidelines. According to their website, the suggested gratuity for most passengers is $15 per person per day for all guests in standard staterooms and $18 per person per day for guests staying in suites or The Haven.
It’s important to note that these are just recommendations. If you receive exceptional service from your cabin steward or dining room staff, you may want to consider tipping more than the suggested amount. Likewise, if you are unhappy with the service you receive, you may choose to tip less or not at all.
How Tips Are Distributed
Another important thing to understand about tipping on a Norwegian Cruise is how tips are distributed. When you tip, your money goes into a pool that is distributed among various crew members who provide service during your trip. This includes housekeeping staff, servers in the dining room and bar staff.
While this may seem like a fair system, it’s important to remember that not all crew members receive an equal share of the tips. Cabin stewards and dining room servers typically receive the largest portion of the tips. Other crew members, such as those working in the laundry or kitchen areas, may receive a smaller share.
How to Tip on Norwegian Cruise Line
Now that you understand the recommended tipping guidelines and how tips are distributed, you may be wondering how to actually tip while onboard.
Norwegian Cruise Line suggests that you use their pre-paid gratuity system. This allows you to pay your tips in advance, so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or remembering to tip at the end of your trip. You can add pre-paid gratuities when you book your cruise or anytime up until 24 hours before your ship sails.
If you prefer to tip in cash, Norwegian Cruise Line suggests placing your gratuity in an envelope and giving it directly to your cabin steward or dining room server on the last day of your trip. You can also leave cash tips on the bar if you frequent a certain one often enough.
Other Considerations
While tipping is an important part of cruising etiquette, it’s not the only way to show appreciation for good service. If you receive exceptional service from a crew member, consider leaving a positive review on Norwegian Cruise Line’s website or social media pages. You can also fill out comment cards onboard that praise specific staff members.
It’s also worth noting that some onboard services already include gratuities. For example, if you order room service, there may be a service charge added to your bill that includes gratuities for those who prepare and deliver your food.
In Conclusion
Tipping on a Norwegian Cruise can be confusing at first, but with these guidelines and recommendations, you should feel more prepared to navigate this aspect of your vacation. Remember that tipping is just one way to show appreciation for good service and consider leaving positive reviews and feedback for exceptional crew members as well.