Generally speaking, mainstream, U.S.-based cruise lines automatically add gratuities of about $14 to $15 per person, per day, to your onboard bill. These tips are divided among the dining staff (waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters) and housekeeping staff (such as cabin attendants).
Is it mandatory to tip on a cruise?
The fee is not mandatory, though it is strongly encouraged to ensure quality, cruise lines say, because they supplement crew salaries. Originally, gratuities on cruise ships were optional, with envelopes left in passenger guest rooms for any cash tips they chose to leave.
Do you tip waiters on Carnival cruise?
Normally, we tip between $5 to $7 additionally per day for the two of us at the end of the cruise. The amount is based on the service received of course. Similarly, in the main dining room, we tip our waiter around $6 to $8 per day for the two of us, averaging around $50 for a 7-night cruise.
Do you tip at dinner on a cruise?
Second, any time that you purchase anything service related — such as dinner at a specialty restaurant or a service at the spa — expect there to be a tip added on to the cost. Again, this normally runs around 18%, but can range from 15% to 20%, depending on the cruise line.
Want to avoid paying a lot of extra charges on a cruise? One way to do it is to book a trip with a luxury line such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn or Crystal Cruises. Luxury lines generally include almost everything in their base fares, from drinks of all kinds to gratuities.
How much money should you save for a cruise?
So How Much Cash Should I Take on a Cruise? As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips.