Hey there, fellow cruisers!
If you are like me, you will have been eagerly anticipating your next trip for months.
Perhaps you even studied a few words in the local language, have researched the best excursions, and read about every port of call.
However, one concern frequently arises, particularly for those who are cruising for the first time: “How much extra should I tip the cruise staff?“.
I know it might be confusing at times, especially if you’re from a nation where tipping is not common (most countries in Europe for example).
No worries, I’ll help you explore the somewhat perplexing world of tipping on a cruise, so relax and take a drink (after all, we are on vacation!).
My First Cruise Tipping
I had no clue about tips on my first-ever cruise. As you probably know I’m from Italy, a country where tipping is not that common.
Therefore, I assumed that the fare I paid covered everything, including gratuities.
It was more or less like that, but after a few days, I noticed all the friendly smiles I was getting seemed a bit strained.
So I quickly realized that while some gratuities are included, it’s often customary to give a little extra. Especially if you particularly enjoyed the service!
Understanding Cruise Gratuities
Before we delve into the actual figures, we need to understand what cruise gratuities are all about.
Cruise gratuities refer to automatic charges that are added to your cruise bill. Normally those services cover housekeeping, room attendants, and other background staff.
They ensure that everyone who has contributed towards making your trip remarkable gets their equal share.
They also represent a good portion of their salary.
However, please note that gratuities can differ depending on the specific line or the country where the ship sets sail. You may then have to adjust the tipping according to different conditions.
Why Tip Extra?
So, if your gratuities are already covered, why consider tipping extra?
Good question! A little extra tip might be left to express gratitude for really good service.
Keep in mind that cruise employees put in a lot of effort and can spend months away from their families. To make their day a little bit better, a little extra tip will do the trick.
Types of Tips You Might Consider
Alright, let’s break it down by different services.
Cabin Stewards
These are your go-to people for anything you need in your cabin. They make sure your room is spotless, refill your toiletries, and sometimes even create those adorable towel animals.
On average, cruisers tip cabin stewards an extra $5 to $20 per day, though some prefer to give a lump sum at the beginning or the end of the trip.
I personally give a little on the first day and the rest at the end, just to ensure top-notch service throughout.
Waiters and Dining Staff
The wait crew is a vital component of the overall dining experience on a cruise ship.
It’s customary to tip a server a few additional dollars for each meal, whether you’re dining in the main dining area or at a specialist restaurant.
Typically, $5 to $20 per meal is common, but if you’ve had an exceptional experience, feel free to give more. Also consider that passengers tend to give more at dinner than at lunch.
Bartenders
Here’s where I often see a wide range of tipping.
For each drink, $1 to $5 is the norm. I recall this one bartender who remembered my favorite cocktail after just one night – now that’s service! Needless to say, he got a bit more from me.
Spa Services
Most people forget that spa services often come with their own gratuity charges that can be between 15% and 20%.
I once had a heavenly massage during a sea day. The service was top-notch, so I added a little extra on top of the automatic gratuity.
As I said in the article on the mistakes that even seasoned cruise passengers make, just remember to book in advance because during the busiest days some services can sell out.
Room Service
I can’t count the number of times I’ve had breakfast in bed or a late-night snack delivered right to my cabin door.
I love it, especially if I have a balcony cabin and can enjoy some food with that amazing view.
A tip $2 to $5 per delivery is customary, and believe me, those room service attendants will appreciate it.
Which currency should I use?
Most cruise lines prefer tips to be in US dollars even when they do not start their voyage from USA.
However, workers will probably be fine with any currency, especially if they are very popular, for example Euro.
It will then be easy to change the money to another currency as soon as they arrive at a port.
So, In General, How Much Extra Should You Tip?
Here it is, the moment you’ve been waiting for – the “magic number.”
While there’s no set rule, a good guideline is to budget around 10$ to 30$ per day in extra tips. Which is roughly the amount I gave you in the article where we looked at how much cash to bring on a cruise.
This amount can cover various services from your cabin steward to dining and bar services. Think of this as your way of saying a little extra “thank you” to the hardworking crew who make your vacation unforgettable.
For instance, on a seven-day cruise, setting aside an extra $140 can cover most of your extra tipping needs. You may distribute this amount according to the quality and degree of service as well as personal preferences.
When someone has gone out of their way for you, don’t feel shy in showing gratitude.
What About Excursions?
Shore excursions are another area where tipping can enhance your experience. It is customary for people to give little something to those who lead them around during the visits.
A typical range is about $5 to $10 for shorter tours, and $10 to $20 for longer, more involved excursions. If there’s a driver involved, $5 is generally enough and appreciated.
During a snorkeling tour in the Caribbean (if I remember correctly booked with RC), I had a memorable experience with an amazing guide who was very passionate and told us super interesting facts about marine life.
Of course, I left him a generous tip. This is to make you understand that it’s a personal choice, if you are happy and if you have a very good experience it is fair to reward.
Special Mentions: Butlers and Concierge
A while ago we talked about the things you can find in a cruise suite that will make you feel poor. Of course, among those things was the butler.
These people often make sure that all your requirements are fulfilled, and the tips they get are usually very generous.
Butlers tips usually range between $200 to $300+ for a week’s cruise. It might seem like a lot, but these team members often make the experience exceptionally personalized.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, as we just saw, extra tipping is not compulsory on cruise ships yet it is definitely one of the best ways for recognizing exceptional services given onboard.
The crew works hard, we already saw how much waiters earn on a aruise and even small gratuities can add up to something significant over time.
Just remember, my advice is not to stress about tipping excessively. Instead, let it be a natural way to express your appreciation.
