Fares & tipping Princess Australia

[Korimako]

Hello all

 

I am thinking of doing a Princess cruise from Australia. Are the fares on the website AUD or USD? What happens about tipping? Is it included in the price? Do I have to have envelopes of cash to hand over?

We've only ever cruised once before - 10 years ago - and gratuities were included in the fare, so we avoided that uncomfortable, Antipodean feeling of having to do something that felt very awkward. 

Tipping etiquette in the US seemed to be such a minefield that I have decided against taking a cruise which started from a US port. 

 

Thanks in advance.

[possum52]

9 minutes ago, Korimako said:

Hello all

 

I am thinking of doing a Princess cruise from Australia. Are the fares on the website AUD or USD? What happens about tipping? Is it included in the price? Do I have to have envelopes of cash to hand over?

We've only ever cruised once before - 10 years ago - and gratuities were included in the fare, so we avoided that uncomfortable, Antipodean feeling of having to do something that felt very awkward. 

Tipping etiquette in the US seemed to be such a minefield that I have decided against taking a cruise which started from a US port. 

 

Thanks in advance.

The fares on the Princess website are in AUD. Yes, the fares from ports in Australia and NZ include tips/gratutities. 

[Korimako]

Thank you!

So am I correct in thinking that from the moment I get on until the moment I get off I don't need to pay anything to anyone who does any sort of service for me - serving food, drinks or tidying my cabin? It's just that on another website I asked about tipping in the US, there was a fairly extensive list of recipients as well as what percentages they should be paid! Made me decide NOT to set sail from the US after all.

My only onboard expenditure would be if I went to speciality restaurants or ordered drinks? Or have I got that wrong?

[possum52]

22 minutes ago, Korimako said:

Thank you!

So am I correct in thinking that from the moment I get on until the moment I get off I don't need to pay anything to anyone who does any sort of service for me - serving food, drinks or tidying my cabin? It's just that on another website I asked about tipping in the US, there was a fairly extensive list of recipients as well as what percentages they should be paid! Made me decide NOT to set sail from the US after all.

My only onboard expenditure would be if I went to speciality restaurants or ordered drinks? Or have I got that wrong?

No, you will not have to pay anyone for service unless you want to. The price of drinks will include tips/gratutities as will specialty restaurant charges. Gratutities are not included in fares for US passengers, it only applies in Australia and NZ.