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Also, laughing at this one.

“No gratuities are collected for passengers under age of 4. Children (ages 4 to 14) pay 50% of the adult rate. “

Updated March 22, 2018

 

Alaskan Dream Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare and are at the discretion of travelers. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Azamara Club Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Carnival Cruise Line

Daily gratuity charge: $12.95

Note: Passengers in suites pay $13.95. No gratuities are collected for passengers under the age of 2. Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

See also: Carnival raises gratuity charge

Celebrity Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $14.50

Note: Passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins pay $15; passengers in suites, $18. Company policy.

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills.

See also: Celebrity Cruises hikes service charge (again!)

Celestyal Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew and bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Costa Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $12.50

Note: For ships operating in U.S. dollars; ships operating in euro have a 10 euro charge. On the Costa Serena, Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria, Costa Fortuna and Costa neoRomantica, the charge is $13.50 for most cabins and $16.50 for suites. No gratuities are collected for passengers under age of 4. Children (ages 4 to 14) pay 50% of the adult rate. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Crystal Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Cunard Line

Daily gratuity charge: $11.50

Note: Passengers in Grill Class cabins pay $13.50. Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

Disney Cruise Line

Daily gratuity charge: $12

Note: Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills; an 18% charge is added to bills for spa services.

Holland America Line

Daily gratuity charge: $13.50

Note: Passengers in suites pay $15. Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

See also: Holland America plans hefty hike to gratuity charges

Lindblad Expeditions

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew are included in the fare for passengers on the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion but not other ships. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

MSC Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $12.50

Note: For Caribbean cruises and some grand voyages. Gratuity charges vary for MSC's other itineraries. Children pay half the adult rate.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Daily gratuity charge: $14.50

Note: Passengers in suites pay $17.50. Passengers on the line's two all-inclusive ships, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun, pay higher rates ($19.99 for standard cabins; $22.99 for suites). Company policy.

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, the bills at extra-charge specialty restaurants and for services at ship spas.

See also: Norwegian joins Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean in hiking service charges

Oceania Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $16

Note: Passengers staying in top suites with butler service pay $23. Company policy.

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, the bill for extra-charge eatery La Reserve and for services at ship spas.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Ponant Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare. Ponant says tipping is "entirely up to you, and you are under no obligation" to tip. Passengers who want to leave a gratuity for crew are encouraged to put it in an urn at the Reception desk at the end of the voyage. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Princess Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $13.50

Notes: Passengers in mini-suites and suites pay $14.50 and $15.50, respectively. Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

See also: Princess raises amount of suggested gratuities

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Royal Caribbean

Daily gratuity charge: $14.50

Note: Passengers staying in suites pay $17.50

Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills as well as services at ship spas and salons. Company policy.

See also: Royal Caribbean hikes gratuity fees

Seabourn Cruise Line

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

SeaDream Yacht Club

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Silversea Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Star Clippers

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for the crew are not included in the fare. Star Clippers suggests passengers leave crew a gratuity of $10 per day.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

UnCruise Adventures

Daily gratuity charge: None

Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare. UnCruise says gratuities "are a personal matter and are entirely at the discretion of the traveler." Company policy.

Additional charges: None

Viking Ocean Cruises

Daily gratuity charge: $15

Note: Company policy.

Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

Thank you!

So yea, looks like they rccl and ncl are tied for highest. Not sure I can count Oceania since it looks like they are more, but they are including the butlers fees, whereas ncl does not.

If people feel "pressured" to tip based on an internet forum post, imagine how "pressured" they'd feel if NCL put a guideline in writing. :')

 

Then, people would calculate how many people were in the Haven, how many butlers there were, how much the concierge makes, how much the butler makes,....(people do that already for some unknown reason).

Cruise critic does have a suggested amount. https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=132

Appears to $3-5 pr day per person for the butler. Which is comparable to a different article I read in the past.

I found this, although it was from a year ago. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/04/03/cruise-ship-gratuities-service-charges/99820420/

But, yea. It looks like Oceania, rccl, and ncl are the three highest. And some have done away with tipping.

Ncl is pretty high comparatively. And also charges more for their drink fees. I don’t think it’s right. They ARE getting away with paying their employees less. It makes me think less of their cruise line.

Then I frankly have more respect for a crystal cruise where you are paying the same for a suite as ncl, maybe less who knows, and has no tipping. That means they actually pay their employees. Then you can give extra, which I would do.

The automatic gratuity is $14.50 USD, or $17.50 USD for suite guests, applied to each guest’s SeaPass account on a daily basis - Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL).

 

LINK

I’ve never cruised with rccl. Would love to see a gratuity cost comparison though. That would be interesting.

Obviously there are exceptions, but I suspect that stewards need to do a lot more window fingerprint/smudge/spills cleanup and vacuuming in rooms that have 3 year olds in them than 10 year olds. In the dining rooms fetching special chairs, boosters, cleanup, etc.

Well my son was messier at two than three, so maybe you should call ncl and clue them in.

Anyways, you made my point. The reapportionment would be allocated to those that had extra work specifically because of my son...ie, the steward and butler.

Oh wait, I already said that. Hmmmm, maybe reading skills?

Why should the staff be stuffed because you spent too much on vacation? Would you go out for an expensive dinner and tip 10% because you spent too much on the meal? I spend about $700 in DSC for two steerage balconies, plus tip other staff, such as the steward, bartenders, kids club staff...It’s part of the cost of cruising. Our first NCL cruise was about 15 years ago, no envelopes back then either, just DSC.

I would never, I mean never, expect the cruise staff to be stuffed. Only the passengers. :')

I think you meant stiffed. And I don’t consider it stiffing them to descrease one person’s daily service charge by a small amount, and then tip over generously to others that helped. How you came up with stiffing anyone is beyond me.

Second, I’ve been cruising for 40 years. 15 years ago seems like yesterday to me, so whatever. In general, this is new to the cruise industry.

Also, If you tip that much much, or that little, for ‘steerage balconies’, good for you. Be my guest. You tip what you see fit and I will tip what I see fit.

And ftr, I typically tip about 25% or more at restaurants because I used to work in one. But I wouldn’t come on here judging others for not leaving as much. It’s not my business what others leave. Just like it’s not the judgey pants business here, even though I probably end up tipping more than most here. And will probably do so on this cruise, even if I choose to reapportion.

Is your three year old using towels? Sheets? Eating food? Using the kids area under supervision?

 

I used to take my tips off. Then I befriended (and became very close to, so much as to be invited to his wedding) with an employee on another cruise line. When he opened my eyes to the actual importance of tipping I learned a lot.

 

First, you can take your tips off. But you aren't hurting NCL. You are hurting the people who work on the ship to support your trip, who you do not interact with. The people who do the laundry, clean the dishes, etc etc etc. You doing this to make a statement also isn't going to change the fact that tips are an important part of the salary of the workers.

 

You're paying for a three year old to go on a cruise, so paying for the three year old's tips shouldn't even be an issue.

Are two years olds not doing the same?! Because ncl for some reason doesn’t charge for two year olds. Some of these comments are ridiculous. Ncl charges $17.50 per day per person. To my knowledge, that’s far more than any other cruise line. Certainly more than princess charges for their suites (15.50 a day). And this practice is relatively new as tipping used to be discretionary on cruise lines and left up to the passenger.

In my particular case. One, I do think it’s ridiculous that I am paying an arm and leg for a full price haven suite (not some bull**** upgrade....but full price which is way more by about 20x than a normal nice hotel room nightly). And yet, they then expect to pass on the cost of extras, like the people that wash the sheets. Well, I guess regular hotels better start charging a daily service charge too then. Lmao. No.

Listen, I don’t mind tipping one iota. In fact, I tend to be an extremely generous tipper. But to some degree, it should be discretionary. And in my discretion, if I’m going to mostly be using room service to feed my young child and then get him off to the kids club, that’s where the tips should go. It should go to the butler that is bringing the food to the room, the steward who has the extra work, and the kids club staff. So if I want to reapportion it, I DO think I have every right to do so.

Let’s see. According to all of you I should be paying the $20,000 for my suite for one week, of which they apparently pass none of that on to the staff?!

Then, 17.50 per day per person for room.

Tip the steward extra of $100-200

Butler by peoples suggestions here $210-$250

Concierge 50-100

Not to mention the haven staff

And of course a dollar to the people who bring the drinks, or they won’t come back around. Lol.

Ok, so by your alls suggestions after the high cost of paying for this luxury, I’m also supposed to leave tips totalling about $1000.

Honestly, maybe I shouldn’t cruise. Maybe I should just stay in a nice suite in a nice hotel that doesn’t than suggest I also pay for their employees salary they are refusing to pay themselves.

Again, I don’t mind the tipping, and am generous. But I certainly have some right to decide how that is apportioned and who it goes to.

I would rather have it as part of the cost. Makes it easier beforehand.

I just looked and saw the kids staff is not included in dsc. I’m definitely thinking of adjusting my son’s dsc downward and giving it to them. Plus extra to steward. That seems more fair as he will spend a lot of time there.

People in the UK used to think that way.....NCL did something about it.

What did they do?

You have a choice. Don’t cruise.

 

At home, don’t go to a restaurant if you want to stiff the server because they are already being paid to serve you.

 

Don’t go and get a haircut if you don’t want to tip the stylist because they are being paid to cut hair.

 

Don’t take a cab if you don’t want to tip someone who is being paid to drive.

 

Don’t tip your housekeeper in a hotel because they are being paid to clean your room.

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She did say she tips accordingly for her, just prefers to do it herself.

Honestly, I think she has a point. I never considered it until now, but I do think I’m going to adjust downward. I don’t think it’s right to charge for each guest in a stateroom when one is three years old. I would rather delete the three year olds daily charge, and give extra to the staff directly that helped with him, such as our room steward and the kids club area. That seems more appropriate.

But why should I pay for a three year olds charges that aren’t really being used? Or maybe I’m wrong? I’m interested.

Love them. In a high end restaurant as an amuse bouche. On cruise ships, usually no. Unless of course I’ve been drinking and I’m starving. But if that’s the case, I also ate a street taco once in Tijuana that tasted pretty good to me, so......

Only been Mexico, Caribbean ( exhausted all of it) , Alaska, Panama & Cartegena, and Bermuda coming in June. Europe 2019 booked. Want to do

Greece/Croatia. Once the kids are out of the house I have big plans. For now as a family of 4, our budget is limited

Cruise ships go to the Bermuda?

Order of preference:

1. Alaska. Everyone should do this. Balcony cabin is a must.

2. Baltic sea. Ports were interesting and the scenery, especially norway and finland and their islands, was beautiful.

3. Panama canal. Historic and interesting.

4. Mediterranean. Especially since this one hit Sicily and the volcano there. And also coming into Venice. Actually, this may be tied with Panama. Might even flip flop.

5. Mexico

6. Pacific coastal.

Last two are more of fun getaways.

I haven’t done South America, but would love to. Would also love some river cruises either in europe or on the Mississippi.

Haven’t done the greek islands on a cruise ship, but did spend a lot of time there. That would be a nice cruise. Greece and turkey. I would like that.

Eta: oops. I completely forgot Hawaii. I really love sea days, but the Pacific ocean was rocky!!!! Everyone got sea sick on the way there from LA. I wouldn’t repeat that cruise. I’d just fly there instead.

No only my girl friend does those things, but not my wife!

Fine by me. Is she for sale? I’m not picky. :p

Want to buy one? $0 down, take over payments!

Yes, I’m quite interested! Does she also do all the cleaning, cooking, shopping, errands and child care? Cause frankly, I’m exhausted and would like to hire a new wife for both my husband and myself. :cool:

I have them tuck me in at night and read a bedtime story to me.;p

I fricking wish!!!! And also stay with my three year old so I can stay out like a grown up. Lol.

I liked your comparisons and agree with many of them; we have cruised with Princess a lot more than Norwegian.

 

I would like to say though that there was no need to eat in the buffet on Princess 'formal' nights. Unless you just wanted to wear sweats or gym wear you would be fine with normal nice clothes.

 

On Princess, some people really dress up, with long gowns and tuxes, by far the most dress up somewhat; nice casual would be ok, or step it up a bit with a sports coat for guys and a nice dress or slacks and sparkly top for women.

 

We haven't taken true formal wear on Princess for quite a while, although we try to look nice, not sloppy or like we are eating fast food.

 

Some nights we do go to the buffet, but usually because we just don't want to spend the time the dining room takes or the menu is kind of 'meh'.

I agree. This also has changed over the years. I remember in our 1991 cruise they had three types of nights. Formal, semi formal, and smart casual. Everyone dressed accordingly.

Honestly, I dislike how casual everyone is nowadays. I think I belonged in the 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. Lol.

I belong to a local club that requires all women to wear cocktail dresses and men in full suits. You’re not allowed to enter without appropriate attire. I love that place.

We typically sail princess. I just booked ncl instead because we have a three year old, and I think they win for entertaining children. If we didn’t have a child, we’d probably be back on princess. Or upgrading to oceania, viking, or seaborn.

I find princess slightly more classy than ncl. BUT, my first cruise on princess was in 1976, as a young child. Next one was in 1991. After that 2000. Subsequently, princess has continued to steadily decline over the years in service, food quality, entertainment, and frankly, fellow passengers. It’s not as good as it used to be.

Just to keep everyone up to date...

NCL Daily Service Charge in now $14.50 per person per day on mini suites and lower and

$17.50 per person per day on Suites and Higher.

Those booked before March 2018 can prepay grats at rate of booking reservation. Also, gratuities added to drink, dining and spa packages (all onboard purchases) is now 20% .

And that includes children age three and up! So for the three of us we will be paying $52.50 a day. Which does not include the extra gratuities for bar and restaurant. Yea, it’s unlikely I’m tipping extra for regular staff. Well, except the person that brings my drinks to me poolside. Definitely want him to keep coming around. Lol.

As far as the butler and concierge, I’ll wait to see what they do for us. But I’m hoping things go well, and then they will get a nice tip. Definitely not $30 a day though (for the three of us). Probably more like $100-150. And $25-50 for the concierge. More if they are really good and less if not really used.

Honestly, cruise ship tipping is out of hand. This is just another way they cut costs and pass things on to the patrons.

We've been lucky and have had good service from all but one. He was the concierge on the first cruise we ever booked a suite on. He never knew who we were, never mentioned our names, lied and told us there were no reservations available when we asked to change a dinner time- we knew there were as we had seen the monitor displaying green for the time we wanted. We'd tried the reservation desk, but it didn't open until 8 am and we were headed to breakfast at Cagney's and figured we'd ask him. He didn't even check the computer, just flat out said there were no openings. Needless to say, we were able to make the change ourselves at the restaurant desk in the Atrium once it opened. He also told me early entry into Chocolate Buffet was only for suite guests - this guy had seen us every morning. Since it was our first suite, I had the letter with me and pulled it out, he just walked off. This happened on the Star and we didn't know what to expect. Funny thing is, he's one everyone raves about.

 

We've sailed with Elvina, Hanno, Patrick, Omar, Adrian - some of them more than once and they always know our names by the end of the cruise. Luckily, the one we were less than thrilled with didn't bother to show up for early disembarkation on the last day (he sent his assistant) and we didn't end up leaving a tip. Maybe he was unhappy, or maybe he already knew he was moving on to a bigger ship. I guess everyone can have an off week.

I sailed on the star in an aft facing penthouse suite. I didn’t even know they had a concierge. Lol.

Our butler on that trip was awful too. Really bad.

As reported here, most choose to tip $10 per person, per day for butler and $5 pp/day for concierge.

So, $20 a day for Butler and $10 a day for concierge.

Now, this goes up if you request dinner served in Suite or ask for breakfast room service.also, if special requests of concierge, such as reservations for dinner etc this goes into the equation. In the end, do what feels right.

Special requests of the concierge would be booking dinner?!

everything i read on here is about dressing casually. What about dressing up? I enjoy dressing up on vacation. Does anyone on ncl dress up, or will I feel out of place?

I’m not talking about formal attire, but nice dresses or jumpsuits that I would wear to a night club or something.

Didn’t take you long to get back to the Etiquette BS.

It’s a family oriented cruise ship not an Opera house in Rome. This includes children and people from all walks of life.

There are many different activities all over the ship for the passengers enjoyment.

You don’t enjoy a show or lounge or activity you make a polite exit, done, end, somebody doesn’t like the 5 second interruption, tough they will get over it.

Nobody needs a rule or Etiquette or a busy body trying to impose her nonsense on others.

Yea. Not to mention those of us that are polite enough to leave our child in the child care area so as not to disturb other guests watching the show, and then we may get an emergency call from them that we are needed for potty assistance, or whatever.

Frankly, I find the judgement here by op really over the top. You don’t know why someone is leaving the show, and too bad. It’s not your business and it’s kind of appalling for it to upset you.

You have restored my faith in humanity

Personally, I find people’s dressing habits and eating habits much more horrific. I usually keep that to myself cause I figure it makes me sound like an *******. Shrug.

If someone wants to walk out on some bad talent, meh. They’re probably walking out cause they have good taste.