From self-checkout machines to drive-thrus, you're now expected to tip everywhere. But do you have to continue this tipping culture on your next cruise? Some say yes, some say no.
Others believe you don’t have much choice when it comes to tipping on a cruise ship.
Automatic tipping: yes or no?
Many cruise lines will automatically add a tip to your bill – whether it’s a standard amount per person per day, a spa treatment, or even just a soft drink at the bar. But is this a good move? perhaps.
Cruise lines that include tips
Some cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages and Azamara Cruises, include gratuity in the base fare to provide passengers with a more seamless experience. This means no extra tips at the end of your cruise; everything is already covered.
However, most lines, e.g. Carnival Cruise LineDisney, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line, and royal caribbeanthe tip is still added separately to the bill, which catches some cruisers off guard.
Advantages of tipping on a cruise ship
- No Tipping Cruise Experience: Prepaid tips mean you don’t have to think about tipping while on vacation.
- No guesswork required: Automatic tipping takes the guesswork out of tipping. You don’t have to do the math every time you want to leave a tip.
Disadvantages of tipping on a cruise ship
One of the biggest debates in cruise culture is whether these automatic gratuities should be optional. Some cruise passengers feel forced to tip, while others appreciate the convenience.
Read more: The Big Lie About Cruise Tipping
Many people believe that tipping should be at the guest's discretion based on the quality of service they receive.
Instead, proponents of automatic tipping argue that it ensures that crew members who often rely on tips for income are fairly compensated.
Service charges and tips
One cruise line has started referring to these fees as “service charge” instead of tipping, which is a more accurate description.
Norwegian Cruise Line made this switch a few years ago, and they even detailed where the money was going to ensure transparency.
These are not so much “tips” as built-in service fees that cruise lines use to compensate crew members.
Some passengers believe that building these fees into the cruise fare from the beginning can eliminate confusion and frustration.
misplaced burden
Automatic tips are often seen as a convenient alternative to cash tips. Still, many feel they shift the responsibility of paying crew wages to customers, much like the tipping culture in the U.S. food industry.
Crew members on cruise ships are often paid very little, supplemented by tips, which can be a point of contention on some cruise lines.
Not always “optional”
Some cruise lines make it difficult to opt out of tipping, requiring passengers to go through the process with customer service. In these cases, calling the extra per person a “tip” doesn't feel accurate – it's more like a service charge.
Take control out of your hands
When people tip, it's usually to ensure good service or to thank someone for going above and beyond. With automatic tipping, you agree to the charge before you even step foot on the boat and have no idea what the service will be like.
read: Navigation tips and service fees
It also removes the option to reward specific crew members. Cruise lines pool tips and decide who gets what.
Traditional cash tips still give you the power to reward specific crew members for their hard work.
To tip or not to tip
Maybe you keep automatic tips. Or maybe you’ll opt out the hard way. Regardless, the issue of extra cash tips remains. Should you issue additional bills?
Reasons to tip on a cruise ship
If you plan to stay in one place for a long time, it might be helpful to tip the waiter or waiter there so they remember you and look after you during the cruise.
You might also like to tip a specific crew member who did a great job.
And don't forget workers who are not covered by automatic tips, such as porters. Usually $5 per bag is enough.
Pro tip: A discreet handshake is the best gesture for a cash tip, or you can leave a thank-you card for the housekeeper with some extra cash.
Summarize
Some cruisers feel they've paid enough for their trip (including automatic gratuity), so why add extras? Others believe that tips should be earned, not mandatory.
Simply put, people need to stop judging others on how they handle automatic tips.
While they're often thought of as helping the crew, the reality is they may just be offsetting the cruise line's dues.
Even Carnival's brand ambassador John Heald gave the standard response that tips would be paid to crew members, but did not clarify whether this was in addition to their guaranteed wages or just in lieu of them.
To recap, here are your options:
- Pay the automatic tip and keep it the same.
- Pay tips and give cash tips for extra service.
- Choose not to tip, but tip cash when you see fit.
- Pay for your cruise and never spend a penny more.
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