How to Tip on a Cruise

Tipping should be considered an expected cost when taking a cruise, unless you opt for a cruise which doesn't allow tips. Most of the employees aboard the ship work for small hourly wages and depend on tips as the main source of income. There are many employees who work hard to make your trip enjoyable, so use these steps to determine how much to tip each one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine how much you'll need by reading the materials provided for you by the cruise line as a guide--usually they will have an outline of the tipping procedure aboard that vessel. Set this amount aside, so you won't accidentally spend it. In most cases, you can use credit cards to tip, but cash is more convenient for the workers.

2. Make sure you're aware of anything automatically added to your bill as a tip. The most common services where tipping is automatically added to the service are bar, salon and spa services.

3. Note who gives you good service as you enjoy your vacation and leave more than the minimum amount expected. The general guidelines, per person per day are $3.50 for the room steward, $3.50 for the waiter and $2.00 for the assistant waiter (bus boy). Multiply by the number of days you will be cruising and set aside more than enough based on these guidelines.

4. Leave money for all service staff before you leave the boat for anyone you did not tip at the point you received your service, or where you've prepaid via credit card. Many cruises have specific envelopes they'll give you for this, or choose to search out the individuals yourself to give them the money. Set out individual amounts ahead of time to eliminate the need of getting change. There is often a disembarkation meeting held where tip allocation is covered, so at least one member of your party should attend.

5. Tip anyone aboard the cruise whose service you'd like to acknowledge. However, it is considered rude to tip officers of the ship so if you would like to acknowledge them send a letter of praise to the cruise line's central office--this can do wonders for that person's career. If tips aren't automatically added, or you want to give someone more for doing a great job, do so the last day of the cruise. When you do not eat dinner in the dining room on the final night, make sure you stop by to recognize the service of the wait staff with your tip.

Tips & Warnings

• Setting expectations for employees such as your cabin steward when you first meet them (for example if you always want extra towels) can help you get better service, and allows the employee to earn the money they deserve.
• Guidelines for other cruise staff you may choose to tip (per person per day) are $0.50 for the maitre de' or head waiter, $1.00 for wine steward (if you frequently order wine) and $3.50 for a butler (available in higher-end rooms).
• Tips given at the point of service are $2.00 to $5.00 to the stevedore who takes your bags onto the ship from the pier, $1.00 to $3.00 (depending on the amount of food ordered) for servers of room service who are not your regular steward, $0.50 per drink served when you have a prepaid unlimited soda drink refill card, $5.00 for the week for the head waiter and 15 percent of the bill to a server at an a la carte restaurant.
• There is often a disembarkation meeting held where tip allocation is covered, so at least one member of your party should attend.
• When calculating your tip per person, make sure you count your children. You usually pay less for them to be on the cruise anyway, and they are usually the biggest cause of work for the service staff due to the amount of mess which can be made.

Resources

• Read more tips on taking a cruise.