But you should know, that the ship's service staff don't make a salary - your tips are their wages. The porters will assist with your luggage and its customary to tip for their service. Before that, in 2015 RCI upped its gratuities from USD 12 to USD 12,95 (standard cabins) and from USD 14,25 to USD 15,95 (suites). Royal Caribbean cruise ships have been sailing at nearly 100% capacity for the past few months. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a service charge. It has one large sink with two faucets and a large shower with a tub. Instead, passengers can tipor notat their own discretion. Royal Caribbeans daily automatic gratuities are set at $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $17.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. If you forgot to bring cash on your cruise, there are a few ways to get it once onboard. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. According to RCI's website, of the 2016-updated gratuities (US$13.50), nearly US$8.30 goes to dining / culinary services; suite attendants receive US$6,85; stateroom attendants get US$3,85, and housekeeping service staff - US$1.35. Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. To avoid currency confusion, especially if youre traveling to multiple countries on one cruise, we recommend using a credit or debit card to make purchases in port whenever possible. They will seldom steer you wrong. The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. Upload or insert images from URL. How to Pay: Paid in cruise fare at the time of purchase. Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips). Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. raahc and lovecruising!!! I guess I was looking for some kind of scale like we have atrestaurants on land. First is the ATM. They often work 7-10 months at a time and 12-14 hours per day for seven days straight before having a half or even a whole day off. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, its a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries youll be visiting before your cruise. You might want to reward your cabin steward, favorite bartender or MDR server, or any other crew member you think did a great job. You can choose to pay in local currency, too, but obtaining money in 3+ currencies before a cruise is not necessary. Bar, spa and in-room dining for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara have an 18 per cent gratuity charge. Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world. April Fools' Day - Wikipedia How much tip receive in cruise royal caribbean? They cheerfully attend to your requests, tidying your home away from home from the moment you leave in the morning to the last turn-down before bed. Theres no need to add an extra tip for each drink. That's a major contrast to the early days of the return to sailing after the cruise line's 15-month . The cruise line makes no recommendation for tipping room service. It was just the two of us. IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). Though cruise lines usually state up front that tipping is still at the discretion of the passenger, keep in mind: As with most employees in the service industry (at least in the U.S.), most of the wages cruise employees make come from these tips. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random timescar trip, etc. Cash is rarely required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as all payments onboard are made via your SeaPass account. cabin (not suite) recommended amount would be $39 pp times two equals $78 for a 4 night cruise. Royal Caribbean says it is raising its suggested crew gratuities by nearly $2 per passenger, per day. For example, you might give the guide $5 to $10 for a half-day excursion or $10 to $20 for a full-day tour. Plus, youre never required to make any extra purchases in the first place if you take advantage of the complimentary options available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. Say it ain't so: Royal Caribbean is latest cruise line to slash service There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. This fee ranges anywhere from $12.50 to upward of $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line -- usually on the higher end if you're staying in a suite. Iwas a waitress for yearslong ago and far away. Youll want to factor in the cruise line gratuity charge, sometimes called on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). If you order room service, its customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal. I choose to add the gratuities ahead, just to get them out of the way. Afrikaans; Alemannisch; ; ; Azrbaycanca; ; Banjar; ; () How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? Norwegian Cruise Line has onboard service charge will is charged automatically for guests 3 and up, and distributed among staff that serve you in various ways. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers. Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard? However, a few lines dont add autogratuities for babies and toddlers under age two or three. There are also usually comment cards available at the purser's desk or online for additional recognition -- or post a review on Cruise Critic. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. Often cruise lines provide additional envelopes to tuck a little extra cash at the end of the cruise just for this purpose. At some North American ports, youll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Im a little over a month out before my next cruise, and while its a little early to start packing (is it though? Because plasma accounts for approximately 90% of total fluid volume, drinking plenty of water after receiving a transplant is beneficial to your body. Holland Americas daily gratuity is $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $16.00 per person, per day for guests in suites. Ive been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. I believe since these are pooled between everybody, additional tipping should only be done if you feel somebody has gone above and beyond. I was thinking of giving ours a $20 at the beginning, not sure if this is about the "norm", or if I should give a little more. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Janet! How Much To Tip A Royal Genie (With Chart) - Cruise Mummy Credit: whmuc.blogspot.com. .WONDER OF THE SEAS. Up the tip to $20. One of the most luxurious aspects of cruising is the service of room stewards -- that team of people who often go unseen in their daily mission to keep your cruise cabin sparkling fresh and clean. A Guide for Tipping on a Cruise for Each Cruise Line We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. April 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Dining. on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line). Like what you see? A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew members supervisor about your concerns. Should you tip extra on a cruise? In some service industries where wages are substandard, customers are expected to pay a gratuity, typically 15 to 20% of the bill, to augment the workers low hourly wages. #1 Bring a bathing suit on embarkation day On embarkation day, the pools are open so be sure to pack a bathing suit in your carry-on luggage so that you can enjoy them with less crowds! What do you tip your royal genie? - Cruise Critic Community One Key Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Tip Cruisers Need to 40 BEST Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise, The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation, The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler, How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget, Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port. Prior to your cruise, youll connect your onboard account with a credit or debit card, and all payments will be charged to that card at the end of the cruise. Depending on your cruise ship, you may be able to use the Royal . A Guide to Cruise Gratuities: Has Cruise Tipping Gone Overboard? When we tip them individually, do they get to keep the entire amount for themselvesor do they have to share that too? Tipping on Ships: An Australian Culture Clash - Cruise Critic If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Heres what you should know about cash on a Royal Caribbean cruise. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',676,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day. The premium cruise line's fleet of 15 ships sail around the world, from the Galapagos to the Caribbean. Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. By Obviously, if you tip a room attendant, that money will go directly to him/her. Its a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. Giving service staff tips in a currency they cant easily use means theyll have to pay a fee to change your cash tip into another currency. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Your glowing review can help a hardworking crew member earn a promotion or raise. Additionally, shouldbecruising.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes receive a commission from purchases made through our links. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per. Why taking a weekend cruise is a great escape, 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, How to get to Royal Caribbean's cruise terminals and how much parking will cost, Top 16 things on a Royal Caribbean cruise everyone needs to do at least once. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. What is Royal Caribbean's gratuity price and policy? - Cruises Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. The items and service are provided free of charge (except midnight - 5am when there is a nominal delivery fee). Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. And while you dont need to visit a port with $1000 in your wallet, youll want to make sure you have enough money to account for expenses throughout the day. You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes youll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. For some of them, depending . Beyond that, consider writing a heartfelt note of thanks or a drawing from your child (many have children they do not see for months at a time). If youre new to cruising, you might be wondering who to tip on a cruise, how much to tip, and exactly how onboard gratuities work. Question for those who tip at beginning of cruise - Royal Caribbean The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person - approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. Just did 8 nights on Voyager. Not based on what we "should" give, more on the fact that they provided very good service. Although cash isnt required for onboard purchases, there are a few scenarios where youll want to have cash available. If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally dont have to leave a tipthe tour company takes care of the lunch bill. RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise! Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! So glad this was helpful. Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first weve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. I do think its a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure! Bond with your snorkel guide? There are different service charges for certain itineraries. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age. Having the articles in a printable format is a really interesting idea. Id give a much larger tip to a knowledgeable tour guide who led us on an intensive nine-hour experience compared to a guide who did a basic three-hour city walking tour. As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. If you dont prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. This fee ranges anywhere from $12.50 to upward of $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line -- usually on the higher end if you're staying in a suite. December 8, 2010. Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. In this post, Ill be going through the cruise tipping policies by cruise line and answer some of the most common questions people have about gratuities on a cruise. Many ships also have an abundance of kids' activities including kids clubs that . Tips are of course a personal decision. Don't be Held Back on Arrival Royal Caribbean requires you to do an online check-in, at least three days before your published sail date. We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage. Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companiesthe guides and drivers arent employees of the line. Ive got you covered! I agree with Kelli. Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. You could also tip based on the length of the tour. I think this depends on who it is and what their job is. In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, spa and salon services. Many passengers rave long after their hoilday is over about the service of stewards who go above and beyond. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment! By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Price: $14.50 per person/day in standard cabins, $17.50 per person/day in suites, and 18% on beverages and spa and salon services. If you havent notified your bank, they will usually send you a fraud alert or temporarily freeze your card. Please check MSCs website for details. There aren't any hard-and-fast guidelines for this type of tip since it's contingent on your experience, but 25 to 40 on behalf of a couple roughly works out to an extra 2 to 3 per person, per day, for a seven-night cruise. Western Caribbean Carnival Dream | Royal Holiday If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. If not, 15-20% of the bill (excluding any products that you buy) is customary. Is a Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It? Eat Sleep Cruise I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. There are 2 adults and 1 child in the room, if this. Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. The new RCI tips per day are added to each guest's SeaPass card (shipboard account) automatically. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional. How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. Tipping wait staff extra - how much? - Cruise Critic Community With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Knowing how much cash to bring on a cruise can help you plan your vacation budget and avoid pesky ATM fees along the way. We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it wont be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. This is a review of RCI-Royal Caribbean International's gratuities (paid for the crew services), tipping policy and tips (per day/reduced/removed). Get expert advice, insider tips and more. One Key Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package Tip Cruisers Need to Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide & Tips | Cruise.Blog I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise. Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? Based on the amount of the bill. The amount is very personal. I'm a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent Thanks so much for your input on this. So why dont cruise lines just increase the price of fares, and pay their crew a living wage with a decent hourly rate? In-suite parties are a huge amount of work for the Genie and room attendants. Later I learned that the porters outside of the cruise terminal are not cruise line employees at all! Required fields are marked *. When did royal mail stop delivering on christmas day? - JacAnswers Here are the top travel tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise from the experts themselves: At the AquaTheater, acrobats, high divers, slackliners and more put on shows that make a splash. how to get cheap hotel rooms last minute - aboutray16-eiga.com You cannot paste images directly. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. Please check Costas website for details. How Much Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost? What is Royal Caribbean's gratuity price and policy? - Cruises After combing through my notes, here's the best tips and tricks for taking a Royal Caribbean cruise. But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise. Posted March 5, 2007. A kind word or a drawing costs nothing and is always appreciated. The auto gratuity goes not only to your cabin steward but is also shared among the entire crew that works to make your cruise successful: the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurant wait staff, cooks, laundry staff and the general housekeeping staff that cleans the ship's common areas, for example. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service. The Smart Cruiser's Guide to Tipping on a Cruise | Cruisewatch The balcony is a good size with two chairs. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. Every stateroom has a room service menu. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. You can post now and register later. Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred. What Is The Average Amount of Cash to Bring on a Cruise? Royal Caribbean Drink Package: Ultimate Guide - High Seas Cruising Most cruise lines allow guests to remove automatic gratuities. While most people know it for being a cruise destination, shadowing the coastline to see the glaciers, there is so much You just cant help being extra nice or helpful when you know the people are going to be extra nice to you, ie the extra tips. Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time. Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that dont want to think about extra charges once onboard. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Please let me know in the comments below. Royal Caribbean Raises Cruise Tipping Guidelines - AOL You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. Before Your Royal Caribbean Cruise . The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kids club staff. (Youll often see a survey pop up in your email inbox a few days after your cruise.). The price increases during August to approximately $773 (619) per person, excluding taxes. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. In addition to the automatic daily gratuities, a tip or service fee of 15-20% is added to drinks and/or drink packages as well as spa services on a cruise. Clear editor. Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! Are very professional, what should a tip look like at the end of a 10 day cruise? Hi All, Im Ilana. Which family cruise can you book for $2000? separately, near the end of the cruise. Both beautiful cruise options! While planning a, The weekend is the perfect time to take a short break, so why not go on a cruise too? Maybe your cabin attendant delivered when you made a special request, or you loved how your steward always sweetly arranged your children's stuffed animals before bed every night -- or maybe you just want to show a little extra appreciation in the universal language of money. Norwegian Cruise Line charges a daily service fee of $15.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. Once you book your cruise, there are some things you'll need to do in advance to prepare. Top Cruise Tips | Royal Caribbean Blog As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking). What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation? This is for a good reason as it ensures that proper. Now, with automatic gratuities, the process is much simpler and you dont need to carry all that cash. It's all on the room service menu. In their case "tipping" doesn't mean "extra" - it means "salary". New York state residents who wish to purchase the product may visit https://travelcruisecare.com to enroll directly with . How much people tip a Royal Genie on their Royal Caribbean cruise tends to vary, although many American guests tend to fall at around the $75-$100 per day. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. What I can say, on a personal level, is that we have found that the majority of cabin stewards, waiters, assistant waiters and ship staff have given us amazing service. Royal Caribbean Gratuities: Everything You Need to Know - Cruise Mummy 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. 1) Get a Free Balcony Upgrade Promotion and How to Find Them Occasionally cruise lines will run special promotions on particular ships, itineraries, and/or destinations offering balcony staterooms at the same price as an outside or inside cabin. If you could use cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more, youll love the Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner. ATMs usually charge a $5-6 fee per transaction. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). The finishings are top notch, and the bathroom, in particular, is well-designed with a separate water closet. The amount you tip is up to youI generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. The one excursion we had a fifty dollar bill and three ones at the end of the (short) trip. Although gratuities arent mandatory, and in most cases you can go to guest services and have the amount adjusted, most cruise lines do tend to discourage it. Sometimes a shoddy tip was more insulting than no tip at all. It includes who to tip, who not to tip, and some tips to help as you plan your cruise vacation. We are a middle class, retirement age couple (63 and 62) who are not retired with no plans to in the near future.