tipping

[grammy2978]

My husband wants to know what a fair tip is. Thanks, grammy kat

[Dave]

It depends on the type of service. Which cruise line are you going on? Most mainstream lines have gone to automatically adding a fixed amount per day to your onboard account which covers your cabin and dining staffs. All bar purchases have 15% automatically added. Room service is typically tipped in person $2-$3 when they make a delivery.

Generally the guidelines are $3.50 per person/per day for the waiter and cabin attendant (each get $3.50 per day), and $2 per person per day for the assistant waiter. Thus for a couple going on a 7-night cruise the total tip tab for these crew members would be $126. Most people like to give more since the service is so wonderful. If you have a suite, some lines up the suggestion for your cabin attendant to $5.75 per person per day.

[Dwayne]

Welcome to Cruise-Chat!

I go by the tipping guidelines that the cruise line has suggested like Dave noted. For example Carnival's are;

$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services.

$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services.

$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff.

These are per person. I always give extra the last evening of the cruise to those that went above and beyond average service. Which is usually most of them. For room service I tip according to the size of the order and promptness, with $2.00 (2-$1.00 bills) usually being the minimum.

For porter service, the customary tip is $1 per bag or piece of luggage. I usually stick to that when dropping off luggage at a port. Now when disembarking and I use a porter it goes up. Especially if they get me to the Customs line quicker or have to go a long way to my car.

Welcome aboard,

Dwayne

[Cruise Fanatic]

NCL's service charges are slightly higher.

[papa60]

We tip our waiters and cabin people extra. They work so hard and make you feel so special. We usually give an extra $20 to each. I shake their hand and slip the cash. I hope this is fair.
Papa