Tipping on a cruise

[Krteczech]

We prepay gratuity before our cruise and tip our cabin steward(s) $50 each.

 

[Timeshare Von]

I'm still learning this cruising vacation lifestyle . . . and have heard & seen enough to know how polarizing the discussions about tipping can be. On Royal Caribbean, guests have the option of prepaying their tips when they book . . . or having them added daily to your onboard account. If you want, you can also have the "auto gratuities" not added daily and just handle it 1-on-1 with those who have provided you service. I know some folks (because they've told me so) will remove the auto gratuities and then NOT tip anyone on the ship. That's pretty $hitty in my book, so I wouldn't suggest doing it.

I generally always pay the daily add-on for tips, plus tip extra to those in the main dining room who took care of me/us during our trip, plus extra to the room steward (if they did extra work for me/us) . . . plus ALWAYS a $2 bill for every drink I received regardless of where/when or if there was an upcharge when it was ordered.

 

[Ken555]

I'm still learning this cruising vacation lifestyle . . . and have heard & seen enough to know how polarizing the discussions about tipping can be. On Royal Caribbean, guests have the option of prepaying their tips when they book . . . or having them added daily to your onboard account. If you want, you can also have the "auto gratuities" not added daily and just handle it 1-on-1 with those who have provided you service. I know some folks (because they've told me so) will remove the auto gratuities and then NOT tip anyone on the ship. That's pretty $hitty in my book, so I wouldn't suggest doing it.

I generally always pay the daily add-on for tips, plus tip extra to those in the main dining room who took care of me/us during our trip, plus extra to the room steward (if they did extra work for me/us) . . . plus ALWAYS a $2 bill for every drink I received regardless of where/when or if there was an upcharge when it was ordered.

I really dislike having to keep cash handy for tipping on a cruise, and I'm particularly annoyed by Royal's practice of printing out receipts for every single purchase. I much prefer all-inclusive cruises, but that's not what Royal offers.

 

[Timeshare Von]

I really dislike having to keep cash handy for tipping on a cruise, and I'm particularly annoyed by Royal's practice of printing out receipts for every single purchase. I much prefer all-inclusive cruises, but that's not what Royal offers.

I guess I don't recall receiving receipts . . . but then again, I don't buy/pay for much that isn't included.

 

[Ken555]

I guess I don't recall receiving receipts . . . but then again, I don't buy/pay for much that isn't included.

I get free drinks on Royal, and I try to tip each time I receive one. It's annoying, because I often forget to carry cash, and then I feel guilty for not tipping and then try to find that same server later on to give them some cash, or the next time. Usually, it's the same crew and not an issue. But I shouldn't feel this way on a cruise, and I 100% blame Royal (and the industry) for creating a system, due to their marketing requirement for advertising the lowest possible prices, for not including a livable wage in the cruise fare.

 

[pedro47]

I really dislike having to keep cash handy for tipping on a cruise, and I'm particularly annoyed by Royal's practice of printing out receipts for every single purchase. I much prefer all-inclusive cruises, but that's not what Royal offers.

Receipts are good when you have a dispute with your final cruise bill. Sometime a cruise person will charge a purchase to the wrong cabin stateroom.
We always check our account daily on the cruise ship account app.

 

[Ken555]

Receipts are good when you have a dispute with your final cruise bill. Sometime a cruise person will charge a purchase to the wrong cabin stateroom.
We always check our account daily on the cruise ship account app.

Yes, but that's *work*! I rarely buy stuff, yet even the free drinks require a signed receipt (for their inventory management, and it does provide an option to tip..tho I know cash is best).

 

[Timeshare Von]

Yes, but that's *work*! I rarely buy stuff, yet even the free drinks require a signed receipt (for their inventory management, and it does provide an option to tip..tho I know cash is best).

I'm prime in the RC casino, so my beverages are all free . . . no receipts and a $2 bill tip is all that happens so no pesky paper/receipts.

 

[rapmarks]

I'm prime in the RC casino, so my beverages are all free . . . no receipts and a $2 bill tip is all that happens so no pesky paper/receipts.

My friend is going on a 51 day cruise, last year it was 41 day, with former husband. He likes the casino and gets so many perks she said her cost, which includes tips, excursions, laundry, drinks, the specialty dining, etc is $8000 total.

 

[pedro47]

I think the only time we received a paper receipt were when we purchased something from their gift shop or their liquor store. This was on the Celebrity Cruise Line.

 

[Ken555]

I'm prime in the RC casino, so my beverages are all free . . . no receipts and a $2 bill tip is all that happens so no pesky paper/receipts.

Those drinks are only included while in the casino, correct? I'm D+ so I receive five drinks at any bar anytime, and each time it requires a receipt.

 

[Snazzylass]

I'm prime in the RC casino, so my beverages are all free . . . no receipts and a $2 bill tip is all that happens so no pesky paper/receipts.

So, do you order a sleeve of $2 bills from your bank before your trip?

 

[Timeshare Von]

Those drinks are only included while in the casino, correct? I'm D+ so I receive five drinks at any bar anytime, and each time it requires a receipt.

Actually, any time the casino (and bar) is open, you can stop in a get a drink. Lots of folks will cruise through the casino on the way to dinner or the show to pick up a freebie. My sister is also D+ so those plus our Primes are enough for us because we're lightweights when it comes to booze/wine. She does enjoy using her D+ for specialty coffee each morning as well.

 

[Timeshare Von]

So, do you order a sleeve of $2 bills from your bank before your trip?

Yes, plus I save them for future trips if I don't spend them all.

 

[Ken555]

Actually, any time the casino (and bar) is open, you can stop in a get a drink. Lots of folks will cruise through the casino on the way to dinner or the show to pick up a freebie. My sister is also D+ so those plus our Primes are enough for us because we're lightweights when it comes to booze/wine. She does enjoy using her D+ for specialty coffee each morning as well.

Ok, thanks for confirming they're only available in the casino. As far as lightweight goes…I usually spend my free drinks on coffee in the morning and soda to give to my room steward, with perhaps a beer now and then.

 

[bizaro86]

Ok, thanks for confirming they're only available in the casino. As far as lightweight goes…I usually spend my free drinks on coffee in the morning and soda to give to my room steward, with perhaps a beer now and then.

Interesting that they print a ticket for those. We are not diamond and drink soda, so always get the soda package. We just got off an RCL cruise yesterday and the only time I signed for anything was when I got the refillable soda cup on the first day. Any time I asked for a soda other times (eg dining room) I wasn't given a slip to sign.

 

[tschwa2]

Usually on RC/celebrity, in my experience, they don't give receipts for things with $0 charge/covered by packages. The exception for me has been specialty dining. Even if prepaid or covered by a package, they give often give a receipt that you have to sign. Perhaps it is to make it easier to use something other than cash to give an additional gratuity.

 

[Ken555]

Interesting that they print a ticket for those. We are not diamond and drink soda, so always get the soda package. We just got off an RCL cruise yesterday and the only time I signed for anything was when I got the refillable soda cup on the first day. Any time I asked for a soda other times (eg dining room) I wasn't given a slip to sign.

They print a receipt and require a signature for all the "free" drinks included with D, D+, Pinnacle status, etc. They've moved to digital signatures on some ships (perhaps all by now). The drink packages are handled differently.

 

[Pennytx]

I would love advise
I’m conserving going on a world cruise
133 days total
What would you do tip wise?
Have it removed and tip people individually
Or leave it?
Tip in addition to it?
It’s on Holland America and they charge $19 per person per day in a suite for gratuities fyi

 

[Passepartout]

I would love advise
I’m conserving going on a world cruise
133 days total
What would you do tip wise?
Have it removed and tip people individually
Or leave it?
Tip in addition to it?
It’s on Holland America and they charge $19 per person per day in a suite for gratuities fyi

Penny, I'm no expert, and haven't gone on a single cruise for that duration. I'd probably just go for the automatic deduction and live with it. Probably tip individual crew members that go 'above and beyond' the minimum. The waiter(s) who remember your favorites, the cabin steward that knows you don't care for towel animals, the Maitre 'd that gets you a favored table (if it isn't assigned- if you're suite class you won't have assigned table/seats.

Jim

 

[rapmarks]

They print a receipt and require a signature for all the "free" drinks included with D, D+, Pinnacle status, etc. They've moved to digital signatures on some ships (perhaps all by now). The drink packages are handled differently.

Yes they do. My friend uses her five free drinks for bottles of water