Tipping and Gratuities Information

• Budget for daily gratuities

  • Each cruise line allows you to pre-pay and has a select amount

  • Based number of nights and number of people in the party

• Server, head server, assistant server, stateroom host are the standard positions

• Not being aware of tips on extra services

  • Haircuts, massages,

  • Read receipt to see if it is included and please add it if not

• Drink packages/room service and tipping

  • You will get a receipt with a zero-dollar tab so you can add tip there

  • Or bring cash for tipping

• Bring enough small bills

  • Especially for room service

• Don’t forget to tip on tours and excursions

• Learn (just ask) if the tips go directly to the crew or are pooled therefore if you need to give an extra tip just for that crew member you know

• Tipping goes a long way for the crew and their happiness

• Tip the porters or the people you help you with your bags

  • Typically tip a few dollars per bag

• Caution double tipping because it is already included

  • Private shuttle, drinks, etc.

  • Always look at receipts

  • When on DCL the second tip only goes to that server, the first tip is split

• Tipping beyond the base or recommended amount

• Difference between gifts and tips

  • They really want the money

  • A gift is something small from your hometown

• Do not remove gratuities

  • They are still serving you and communicate with them if issues

  • Even if you eat at adult dining do not take away gratuities for rotational dining

• If concierge, please tip more or higher because of that service

  • Some cruise lines do not change the gratuities

  • Gratuities are an extra $1 per person plus server in lounge, $8 per person at least

• As of 2023 $14.50 per person per day split 4.5, 4.5, 3.5, 1 per night and recommend $15.50 for concierge staterooms and suites

• As of Fall 2024 Concierge gratuity recommended $23.50 (see below)

• 18% gratuity added to all drink ordered which are pooled if you want to add additional gratuity that goes to that server

• Bring cash for room service and cabana attendant tips as there is not always a receipt to sign and add it to

• Can ask if they have Venmo, PayPal or Zelle

• If you are fine with paying the $14.50 and don’t want to worry about physically giving Cast Members their tips, the suggested gratuity will be automatically charged to your stateroom bill.

  • You can also pre-pay gratuities online or with your travel agent and adjust this amount at guest services on board.

  • Pre-paid gratuities don’t cover extras added to meals (like alcoholic beverages) or dining venues outside of the three rotational dining restaurants.

  • If you want to give a bigger tip and/or physically hand over the gratuity while on board, you’ll have this opportunity on one of the final nights of your sailing. You will receive four envelopes and slips of paper with the names of each Cast Member in your stateroom. Feel free to add cash to these envelopes also.

  • You can then hand these over to your wait staff and stateroom host.

• Your gratuities are not just for the dinner staff, but for all other servers breakfast and lunch and quick service please remember

• Cruise lines suggest tipping separately for room service deliveries, a few dollars per person or per order. As most tips are cashless, just sign the receipt and add your tip amount on the line provided.

• Shoreside porters/helpers are not cruise line employees, and many ports have signage indicating it is not necessary to tip them. But of course, that is the passenger's decision and a few bucks per bag is customary.

• Are you considering decreasing/reducing the gratuity amounts? Please read as I do not recommended reducing the gratuity

  • Passengers should present their concerns early during the voyage to give the cruise line time to address their complaints

  • Consider that gratuities are pooled across several groups, so that deficiencies in one particular area may not warrant the complete elimination or significant reduction of the gratuities

  • Cruise lines have published detailed information on how the gratuities go toward

    • Compensation packages for their staff

    • Train their staff to provide excellent service