All About Automatic Gratuities

By -




A cruise passenger’s “last night on board” routine used to include stuffing small envelopes with cash tips to give to crew members who made the journey enjoyable. In our increasingly cashless society, many cruise lines – including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises – now automatically add a fee for crew gratuities to passengers’ bills. Some other popular cruise lines – such as Oceania, Azamara and Virgin Voyages – simply include gratuities for the crew in their cruise fares.

Automatic fees for crew gratuities are convenient for passengers – you don’t have to bring a bunch of cash on board with you to tip the crew. And when gratuities are automatic, no further tipping is expected. Plus, prepaying for crew gratuities makes budgeting for your onboard expenses easier.

If your next cruise doesn’t offer an automatic gratuities fee, you might still be able to take care of them in advance by purchasing a bundle of extras that includes crew gratuities. These bundles put popular add-ons into a convenient and often discounted package. In addition to gratuities, they may include a beverage package, laundry services, Wi-Fi access, and more.

Another advantage of automatic crew gratuities is that the cruise line will distribute the gratuities among all crew members. This way, tips reach crew members you may never see, such as mechanics and galley workers. Although they work behind the scenes, they have just as much responsibility for providing a great cruise experience as the crew members who manage your cabin and serve your food.

Of course, some cruise passengers still prefer to hand out cash tips to the crew members who serve them. If that’s your preference, it is possible to have any automatic gratuities removed from your cruise fare or onboard account. But don’t forget to hand out the cash – crew members truly depend on tips as part of their income.

Note that the bills for special services you receive on the ship, such as spa services, often include an automatic tip. In these cases, you should not feel obligated to provide a cash tip.

Finally, there are a few people involved in your cruise that you could choose tip with a small amount of cash. These include porters who receive your luggage at the dock and take it onto the ship, as well as guides and drivers on your shore excursions.

For more tips about cruise tipping, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Popular posts from this blog

Window or No Window?

By -
Planning your next cruise involves making some important choices, including whether to choose a cabin with a window or without a window. Here are some considerations that can help you decide. Cabins without windows (called interior or inside cabins) don’t have exterior walls, so there’s no opportunity for a sea view. But that doesn’t mean these cabins are always dark; cruise ship designers use lighting to make the inside cabins bright and welcoming. If you expect to use it just for sleeping and showering, an inside cabin can be a good choice: they are usually the lowest-priced cabins on the ship. Amazingly, some ships use technology to equip inside cabins with exterior views. Inside cabins on some Disney Cruise Line ships have “magic portholes,” which are small screens built into the walls and linked to exterior cameras. Inside cabins on some Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships have “virtual balconies,” which are floor-to-ceiling LED screens that also show real-time views from outsi...
Read more

Late Nights and Overnights in Port

By -
If you love cruising but sometimes wish you could stay longer in port, talk with your professional travel advisor – he or she can help you find cruises with late-night departures, or even overnight stays, in selected ports. A late-night departure means you can spend more time on shore, with less of a rush to get back to the ship. You can enjoy the sunset, relax over a dinner of local cuisine, and even get a taste of the port’s nightlife. An overnight stay might even give you the chance to enjoy a morning stroll or bike ride on shore before departure. To find itineraries with late departures or overnights, look to cruise lines that emphasize on-shore experiences – including, but not limited to, those mentioned here. Azamara Cruises ’ Destination Immersion program includes late departures and overnight stays in a variety of ports. Some itineraries feature double-overnight stays in ports like Seville, Spain ; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ; or Hamilton, Bermuda . Azamara also offers special n...
Read more

Letter from Cruise Holidays

By -
At Cruise Holidays, the health and safety of our clients is always top of mind. As the coronavirus situation evolves, we want you to know that we are working hard to stay up-to-date on all the facts so that we can help address any of your travel concerns. We’re here to help you travel smarter. We are also in constant contact with our suppliers (i.e. airlines, hotels, tour operators and cruise lines) to understand their latest policies and terms to benefit all of our clients whose travel has been impacted. Here is some information that may be helpful. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resources: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are monitoring the situation in real-time. Both organizations have issued guidance for preventing exposure to respiratory illnesses. Older adults or those with chronic medical conditions may want to seek the advice of a medical professional. Travel warnings and advisories: Both the U.S. State Department ...
Read more