What Is the Protocol for Tipping on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Tipping is an important component of a cruise ship experience. It is customary to offer gratuities to crew members for their outstanding service, as well as to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Cruise lines have different policies for tipping, so it is important to understand the protocol before embarking on a cruise.

The majority of cruise lines have an automatic gratuity policy, in which a pre-determined amount per person per day is added to each passenger’s account. This amount is typically around $12-$15 per person per day, depending on the cruise line and type of cabin booked. This policy saves passengers the hassle of calculating appropriate tips and allows them to appreciate the hard work of crew members without having to worry about individual tipping decisions.

If passengers wish to leave additional tips or give more generous gratuities, they can do so by adding cash or extra charges to their onboard accounts.

For passengers who prefer not to add gratuities to their accounts, cash payments are also accepted directly by crew members. Tips can be given in US dollars or in local currency depending on the destination of the cruise.

It is also important to understand which crew members should be tipped and how much should be given for each type of service. The most common crew members who receive gratuities are housekeepers, waiters, bartenders and cabin stewards. The suggested gratuity amount for these individuals typically range from $2-$5 per person per day depending on the level of service received. It is also customary to leave additional tips at the end of a meal or at the end of a bar tab.

In conclusion, understanding protocol for tipping on a cruise ship will help ensure that passengers show their appreciation in an appropriate manner while providing fair compensation for outstanding service from crew members. Cruise lines generally have an automatic gratuity policy in place but passengers can choose to leave additional tips if desired.