Tipping Policy
 

Royal Caribbean Cruises "gratuity policy" calls for about $20.00/day/traveler. I am taking myself and three family members (two cabisn) on a seven night cruise, so this works out to $560.00 in gratuities for the week. Seems like a lot, but its a bit hard to judge because most things are prepaid. Is this common on the cruise lines?

I think I would be considered a considerate tipper but when I look at a lump sum of nearly $600, it makes me think.

It is more or less standard for most cruise-lines to charge $ 10.- per person per day.
Apart from that your special drinks will have a seperate 15% service charge.
The tips mentioned will be divided among your cabinsteward and assistant, table-waiter and assistant, maitre d' etc., who all work hard to make your cruise unforgetable.

RCI is more on the order of 11.00 per day, not $20 and I have been aboard twice in the last 6 months.

I generally do not use autotip as I like to give cash and hand it over directly.

Most lines are in the area of 10 per day.

Thanks, $10.00day/traveler seems much more reasonable.

RCCL has a recommened amount but you can leave anything that you feel is appropriate.
You must also remember that most of the people working on these ships, primarly work for tips.
Drinks/wine etc. already have a gratuity included.
If you have a Chops or Portofino restaurant and have dinner there the up charge includes a gratuity.
They will leave individual envelopes on the final day of your voyage. Just put in what you feel is fair for there service.
I have always had great service. Think of what tips you would leave if you ate out beakfast/lunch/dinner/midnight buffet/snacks etc. and where eating the same food.
Most of the people are far away from home and sign on for a 6 month contract, many are married and leave spouses and children at home to earn above average wages compared to where they come from. It may look like a fun job, but it is a job.
I am sure you will have a great cruise!

Thank you, my friend has her heart set on shipping it home either smoked or fresh.

oops sorry, wrong topic, my apologies.

Each fishing operation has their own company they use to clean and ship. She probably will not be able to get exact costs til she gets there.

It is 2 day Fed Ex (we just shipped fresh smoked salmon home from Juneau) and it is not cheap but is totally based on weight, of course.

On the subject of tips, Princess charges $10/pp per day. I'm glad of the policy - I fear that a lot of travelers overspend on their trips and dump more cash than they can afford in the casino and on souveniers, and then shortchange the hardworking staff on the last night at sea, knowing they will never have to see them again.

Another point is that when you choose Anytime Dining, as you can on Princess, you have different waiters every night and can't logistically tip them all at the end of the cruise. I would hope that the autotipping makes things more fair for all. I've rarely had better service than I receive on a cruise.

Are you sure you read their post properly? Should be $20 per pair if there are 2 people in your party.

On the RC cruise in January, the guidlines were $10 per person per day, with the total of $39 cash or charge.

It was a 4-night cruise. They don't even count by day, but by night, so here is one day off tipping.

So, if it's a 7-night for 2 people, should be around $140 (not $560)

I agree with the $10 a day per person. I always put it on my room charge which goes on my credit card tally at the end of the cruise. That way I don't have to pay for it for 30-45 days, depending on when my credit card cycles. Then, I add a few $$$ extra in the envelopes depending who I feel is deserving. ((b))