What’s the tipping policy on a cruise ship?
Tipping policies vary by cruise line:
NCL
A fixed service charge of $10 per person per cruise day ($5 for children aged 3-12) is added to onboard accounts. Standard gratuity of 15% added to bar service and other optional services. General policy regarding further tips is that ‘guests should not feel obliged to offer a gratuity for service that is generally rendered to all guests.’
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises add a $10 dining charge per person per cruise day to onboard accounts. 15% is automatically added to bar and dining room wine bills.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s gratuity guidelines are as follows:
- Suite attendant 5.75/day/guest
- Stateroom attendant 3.75/day/guest
- Dining room waiter 3.50/day/guest
- Assistant waiter – 2.00/day/guest
- Headwaiter – 0.75/day/guest
These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. Gratuity envelopes are left in staterooms on the final night of the cruise.
Porters
Porters at ports of call are not cruise line employees. It is customary to tip $1.50 per bag in New York and $1 elsewhere.