To tip or not to tip? Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or only have a cruise or two under your belt, you’ve probably asked this question at some point during your trip.
Cruise lines have taken some of the uncertainty out of this equation with the introduction of automatic gratuity. Most major cruise lines add a daily gratuity to your fare, ranging from $16 to $25 per passenger per day, which you can pay ahead of time or once you’re on board. These tips are given to staff members you won’t see during the cruise (room stewards, dining staff, bartenders, etc.), as well as crew (such as kitchen and laundry staff).
But this automatic gratuity does not cover every crew member or travel service provider you meet during your cruise vacation. Also, some passengers feel that some services tip more than expected.
Who should you tip (or tip extra) in cash on your next cruise? Here are seven people I say you should always tip on your cruise vacation.
porters
Have small bills ready if you plan to put large pieces of luggage through the terminal curb when you arrive at the port for disembarkation. Baggage porters will be on hand to collect your bags and carry them aboard, and they’ll expect a return. The amount you tip is up to you, but about $1 or $2 per bag should be enough.
Bartenders
This can be a divisive one, especially since “when to assimilate” is one of the 10 times we suggest you No need to tip on cruises. But hear me out.
Yes, cruise lines typically add a gratuity to your drink order at a bar, lounge or restaurant, and the gratuity is baked into the price of all-inclusive beverage packages. However, some passengers like to tip the bartenders a little more — and I’m one of them.
We almost always buy a drink package (no judgement, please) but add an extra dollar to every drink we order. Even if we don’t buy a drink package, we leave an extra tip for each drink. Maybe it’s because my husband and I have both worked in the food and beverage industry and know how challenging it can be, but it’s our standard practice on every cruise.
If you have a favorite watering hole, you can even tip your bartender a big extra at the start of the trip, which can level off the personal attention you receive. I have seen bartenders present a tip envelope on the last night of a cruise to thank passengers for their service.
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Room service wait staff
If you order a meal or snack in your cabin, consider tipping the waitstaff who delivered it a few dollars (per person). Special requests like arranging a (battery-operated) candlelit dinner on your balcony can warrant a big thank-you tip.
Related: Cruise Ship Room Service: A Line-by-Line Guide to In-Cabin Dining
Cabin steward
Why? Your cabin steward is the crew member you are most likely to encounter during your cruise and often the person who provides you with the most relevant one-on-one service. On almost every cruise I’ve taken on various lines, our cabin stewards have been friendly, efficient, personable and extremely helpful. They are away from home and working hard, so a little extra thanks goes a long way.
For me personally, I appreciate the extra effort to keep those small cruise cabins tidy and clean. Are there too many people in your cabin? Do you have children with you who may need extra cleaning afterwards? In those cases, consider offering your cabin attendant a bit more for the extra work required under those circumstances.
Crew members who made an impression
My daughter is a vegan, and while many cruise lines have greatly improved their plant-based offerings in recent years, that wasn’t always the case. On several cruises with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, our main dining room waitstaff went above and beyond to make sure she was well-fed, making special plant-based dishes just for her. We expressed our gratitude with a cash tip.
This is just one example of when you should tip crew members who make an impression during your cruise. Maybe the cruise ship photographer managed to entertain your fussy kid long enough to capture your family’s best vacation photo to date. Or maybe the ship’s magician won over your kids so much that they’ve asked for a magic kit for their next birthday. If a crew member went out of their way to make your cruise memorable, consider showing your appreciation financially.
Hotel cleaning staff
Planning a hotel stay before or after your cruise? Please leave a small tip for housekeeping (about $3 a night). Additionally, tip the bellhop or hotel staff member who helps carry your luggage to or from your hotel room. A standard tip is about $1 per bag.
Should I tip extra on a cruise?
Tipping over an additional gratuity is a personal choice. However, keep in mind that the staff members work extremely hard to ensure you have a memorable cruise vacation. They have long contracts requiring seven to 10-months on board and often work 12-14 hours a day.
If you’ve found staff members who have gone above and beyond to make your cruise experience truly special, I recommend a little extra to thank them for their exceptional service.
Be sure to bring small denomination bills if you feel you can tip during your cruise. Don’t worry if you boarded the ship without them. You can get change for larger bills at the guest service desk.
If you choose not to tip above the included service charge, be sure to complete the postcruise survey your cruise line provides and call crew members who left an impression on you. I have heard countless times from cruise employees how important positive feedback about their performance is to their compensation and bonuses.
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