Auto gratuities

[rainyLady]

How does auto gratuities work?

[klfrodo]

Not sure what you mean by how do they work.

From the guest point of view, once on board the ship, the ship bills your on board account the total amount of the suggested gratuities. You do nothing from there. 

[CDNPolar]

3 hours ago, rainyLady said:

How does auto gratuities work?

 

What ship are you on?  What cruise line?

 

As klfrodo indicated, the cruise ship will bill your onboard account the daily gratuity amount per person and you pay it at the end of your cruise when you settle your final bill - usually the day before disembarkation.

 

As well, if they are adding gratuities to your account and the gratuities are not included in your cruise fare, then you have the option (with most cruise lines) to pay the amount charged, pay more, pay less, or have the charge completely removed from your account.  

[ontheweb]

Many of us like them because you no longer have to have to have all the bills you need to put in the envelopes. 

 

You either pay them in advance or they add it on every day.

[shipgeeks]

And, assuming you have registered a credit card when you checked in, there is nothing more you need to do.

[leaveitallbehind]

With most cruise lines the gratuities are charged on a daily basis to your stateroom account in the amount recommended by the cruise line as the daily total for all standard gratuities.  The cumulative total is then shown on your final statement for the week as the net due when settling your stateroom account.

 

If you do not elect to prepay your gratuities with your booking prior to boarding the auto gratuity payment method typically becomes the default method for paying them on board.

Edited October 13, 2023 by leaveitallbehind

[donaldsc]

I do not understand your question.  Auto Gratuities mean that the tips are paid automatically w/o you doing anything.

 

DON

[Szt]

You can tip individuals more in cash if you feel they went above and beyond for you. 
As for drinks and food: I know if you get a drink or dining package gratuities are added to that cost automatically. If you pay for drinks as you go (you can’t use cash for this. They scan your sea pass or whatever they call it) it’s all added to your bill. I never thought to ask if they add gratuities to the individual drinks but I know you can write a tip in for the server on the receipt you sign, just like a restaurant. 
even when we get a drink package, my husband always tips extra. I think we should only tip extra if the server did something extra. 
But you don’t do anything onboard in cash, except for the casino and maybe the stores. 

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, Szt said:

But you don’t do anything onboard in cash, except for the casino and maybe the stores. 

In our experience many of the casinos also use your stateroom account for table stakes and none of the stores are cash - they, too, use your stateroom account for purchases.  (Large purchases - jewelry for example - can go on a separate credit card).

Edited October 13, 2023 by leaveitallbehind

[Host Kat]

17 hours ago, rainyLady said:

How does auto gratuities work?

 

Hello @rainyLady and welcome back to the message boards! I see it has been a while since you have posted.

 

Here is an oldie but goodie Cruise Critic article last updated August 09, 2022. Please note information may have changed since then. Perhaps something in the article will be helpful.

 

Tipping on a Cruise: Your Complete Big-Ship Tip Guide (cruisecritic.com)

 

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Happy sails,

 

Host Kat