How do gratuities work on Polar Latitudes cruises (3 week; ARG, Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica, ARG)

[SteveLisa]

We are very familiar with liveaboard diveboats around the world, and have done 2 weeks on a 16 passenger boat in the Galapagos, but this is our first overnight on a big ship (over 100 passengers).  I do not see a forum dedicated to this small cruise line, and we are soon leaving for the preliminary part of this trip prior to receiving the final paperwork from the cruise line.

 

Thus, my question--what is the practice with respect to gratuities on such a trip?  I see other discussions about 12-15 USD per day, but that seems to involve mega-Caribbean ships.  I hope that tips aren't expected based on a percentage of the cost of the trip, but that is typically the case on diveboats.

 

It does seem from other discussions that the gratuities would be payable via credit card, which simplifies matters somewhat.

 

 

[njhorseman]

32 minutes ago, SteveLisa said:

We are very familiar with liveaboard diveboats around the world, and have done 2 weeks on a 16 passenger boat in the Galapagos, but this is our first overnight on a big ship (over 100 passengers).  I do not see a forum dedicated to this small cruise line, and we are soon leaving for the preliminary part of this trip prior to receiving the final paperwork from the cruise line.

 

Thus, my question--what is the practice with respect to gratuities on such a trip?  I see other discussions about 12-15 USD per day, but that seems to involve mega-Caribbean ships.  I hope that tips aren't expected based on a percentage of the cost of the trip, but that is typically the case on diveboats.

 

It does seem from other discussions that the gratuities would be payable via credit card, which simplifies matters somewhat.

 

 

The cruise line has a website, and on that website is a page of FAQs with answers to many questions including tipping.

https://polar-latitudes.com/faq/

 

SHOULD I TIP THE SHIP STAFF?

 

Any tipping is at your discretion and entirely optional. Should you choose to tip, the standard amount for recognition of service is USD $14 per person per day. This can be added to your shipboard account and paid by credit card – you do not need to tip in cash. The gratuity is divided among the front of house hotel team, and cabin and dining room stewards. Other crew members are compensated for gratuities in salary.

The Expedition Team does not solicit gratuities and we encourage passengers to be generous with the hotel team first. If you personally wish to leave a thank you for the team you may do so at reception and the amount is completely at your discretion.

 

 

Edited October 18, 2022 by njhorseman

[SteveLisa]

Thanks!  We booked this trip, on another boat, in Feb of 2019.  Hadn't gotten around to the website until today when I was seeking clarification on the exact details of required covid testing for boarding....!  

 

Should have gone there first.  😂