Cruise lines vary in how gratuities are handled. A few cruise lines include tipping in the total cruise price or have a “no tipping” policy, and will inform you. Others will automatically charge your tip daily to your onboard account (you can usually arrange to have the amount adjusted), while other cruise lines have you tip in cash at the end of the cruise via envelopes provided by your cabin steward. Here are some general guidelines as to who usually gets a tip, and how much:
In addition to the amounts listed below a 15% gratuity will be added to any bar purchases. A good rule of thumb is that you will tip about $10 per person in your cabin per day of your cruise. For example, if you are on a three-day cruise and have two people in your cabin you would pay $20 per day, or $60 total in tips.
Here is a general breakdown: Wait Staff / Restaurant: about $5.50 per day (Head waiter $3.00, Bus Boy $2.50). Cabin Staff (Cabin Steward): about $3.00 per day. Other: about $1.00 for the following - Alternative Dining Charge, Restaurant Manager, Maitre d', Chief Housekeeper.
Plan for about $2.50 to $3.00 per person per day for your room steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your busboy. Other ship personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion.
Some recommendations include $1.50 per person in your party to your assistant waiter, and a total of $2.50 per person for your headwaiter on three- and four-night cruises. For seven-night and longer cruises, headwaiter gratuities are at your discretion. Double-check that bill. Many lines add a 15% gratuity automatically to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.
If you wish you can also have all the tips remove as the Purser's Desk at any time during your cruise and have tip each person personally
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 at 2:15AM
Phyllis Keith-Young
