HAL (Nieuw Amsterdam) July 2025, from Vancouver. Clarification needed on Gratuities, Crew Appreciation, HIA, Drinks

[RetiredTravelered]

Hi. We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam, July 2025, going from Vancouver thru Denali (D6C) Cruise. We were lucky enough, with the timing of our Booking to get the Early Booking HIA package (Wifi, Elite Beverage, Shore Excursion credit, Specialty Dining credit, Refundable Deposit, Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation, 7-day Hia Promo).  We have a couple of questions. 

 

First, permit us to voice one area of confusion (with our traveling and gratuities). We tend to error on the side of Tipping too much. Not way over the top, but typically beyond the suggested. In Europe, we struggled because some countries (per the travel forums) advised NOT to tip (either at all, or not above some very low amount; one or two Euros). The locals (I think Prague was one of the cities) expressed frustration because Americans, Brits, and others were not adhering to local practice. It was causing the service employees to start to expect tips, or higher tips. The locals indicated that for decades, it has been an accepted practice (no tips, or low tips, a euro or two). And that we (Americans) had no right to disrespect the customs of another country. We struggled, and tried to tip lower (for the sake of the locals, who were quite adamant). At times, we felt guilty. We expressed this in the travel forum, and the locals replied that it is our problem, not theirs, and please to continue with their local customs. 

 

With the background set, we will be going on the HAL Cruise, that (per our package) includes the Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation dollars. 

 

You can surely imagine our concerns. Someone carries our bags, someone brings something to our cabin as a special request, we eat a delicious meal, etc. etc. 

 

I guess one specific question. How does anyone who is WORKING on the ship know that we have Pre-Paid -vs- those who do not have pre-paid?

 

We worry for two reasons. 

 

First, we like to show our gratitude - when someone does something for us. And leaving them empty handed feels awkward. 

 

Second, if we do not Tip, because it is included, will the Service Staff be resentful (because every other passenger takes out a few dollars). We realize that somehow the Staff must know, because we are surely a very small percent of people who obtain packages. 

 

One more specific.  The HIA package includes the Elite Drink package. We are not huge drinkers, but for the availability for water, coffee, and an occasional beer or wine, we are glad that we have the package.  We understand that the package includes UP to 15 drinks/day, with a Max Value on any drink of $15.00. That seems nice. However, we have read that there is an automatic 18% Gratuity on each drink (we may have the amount wrong). Does that HIA cover the 18% Gratuity on Drinks, or will that simply be charged to our room? Or do we pay that Gratuity in person, when we get the drink?   

 

Lastly, since this is our first cruise, it is a new thing for us. We assume that it works like most Hotels that keep a credit card on file - and when you check out, you pay whatever is on your tab. Seems like Gratuities, must be handled like most gratuities, in cash, right?  Our apologies if these questions and issues are a bit naïve for most travelers. We just want to get it right, the first time. 

 

Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

The crew, particularly those who are targeted by the hotel service charge, know when someone removes their auto gratuities. That is because they are required to report any tips given by those who have removed auto grats.

 

However...if you receive rooms service food, those tips are not included in the auto grats. 

 

If you have a drink package, the tips are included. Not an HIA rule, a drink package rule.

 

Yes, you will have a credit card on file, for ANYTHING charged to your room.

 

Additional tips if paid, can easily be in cash.

[Cruise Suzy]

20 minutes ago, RetiredTravelered said:

Hi. We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam, July 2025, going from Vancouver thru Denali (D6C) Cruise. We were lucky enough, with the timing of our Booking to get the Early Booking HIA package (Wifi, Elite Beverage, Shore Excursion credit, Specialty Dining credit, Refundable Deposit, Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation, 7-day Hia Promo).  We have a couple of questions. 

 

First, permit us to voice one area of confusion (with our traveling and gratuities). We tend to error on the side of Tipping too much. Not way over the top, but typically beyond the suggested. In Europe, we struggled because some countries (per the travel forums) advised NOT to tip (either at all, or not above some very low amount; one or two Euros). The locals (I think Prague was one of the cities) expressed frustration because Americans, Brits, and others were not adhering to local practice. It was causing the service employees to start to expect tips, or higher tips. The locals indicated that for decades, it has been an accepted practice (no tips, or low tips, a euro or two). And that we (Americans) had no right to disrespect the customs of another country. We struggled, and tried to tip lower (for the sake of the locals, who were quite adamant). At times, we felt guilty. We expressed this in the travel forum, and the locals replied that it is our problem, not theirs, and please to continue with their local customs. 

 

With the background set, we will be going on the HAL Cruise, that (per our package) includes the Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation dollars. 

 

You can surely imagine our concerns. Someone carries our bags, someone brings something to our cabin as a special request, we eat a delicious meal, etc. etc. 

 

I guess one specific question. How does anyone who is WORKING on the ship know that we have Pre-Paid -vs- those who do not have pre-paid?

 

IF you REMOVE or LESSEN the automatic Crew Appreciation, that info will be on a list posted for crew to see.

We worry for two reasons. 

 

First, we like to show our gratitude - when someone does something for us. And leaving them empty handed feels awkward. As long as your name is not on the list, crew members can keep any tips you may give them. Otherwise, they must share. You can tip in cash those who bring your room service order (but be quick - they move fast) or drinks in a bar or waiters in the MDR (at the end if you have fixed dining) At the end of the cruise, you may want to tip in cash your room stewards.

 

Second, if we do not Tip, because it is included, will the Service Staff be resentful (because every other passenger takes out a few dollars). We realize that somehow the Staff must know, because we are surely a very small percent of people who obtain packages. 

 

One more specific.  The HIA package includes the Elite Drink package. We are not huge drinkers, but for the availability for water, coffee, and an occasional beer or wine, we are glad that we have the package.  We understand that the package includes UP to 15 drinks/day, with a Max Value on any drink of $15.00. That seems nice. However, we have read that there is an automatic 18% Gratuity on each drink (we may have the amount wrong). Does that HIA cover the 18% Gratuity on Drinks, or will that simply be charged to our room? Or do we pay that Gratuity in person, when we get the drink? 

Your included beverage package and specialty dining includes the 18% gratuity. You may of course, leave an additional tip if you like.

 

Lastly, since this is our first cruise, it is a new thing for us. We assume that it works like most Hotels that keep a credit card on file - and when you check out, you pay whatever is on your tab. Seems like Gratuities, must be handled like most gratuities, in cash, right?  Our apologies if these questions and issues are a bit naïve for most travelers. We just want to get it right, the first time. 

If you tip in cash, it does not show on your account. However, in some bars, you will be given a slip on which you can add a tip. This amount will go on your account. The Crew Appreciation is added and then deducted from your account each day. 

 

Thanks

 

[wdw1972]

The 18% drink gratuity is already included in your package - you won't be charged extra. If you order any drinks costing more than $15 then you'll be charged that difference plus 18% on the difference. In other words, if you order a drink with a $16 price you'll be charged $1.18 for that drink.

 

In all my decades of cruising on HAL I've never seen passengers taking out a few dollars for crew/staff for meals, drinks, etc. It's more likely to be done discretely near the end of the cruise rather than every meal or drink order. HAL has never been a line where they act like they're waiting for you to give them an expected tip - except for the spa perhaps, lol. Most of them you encounter will be sharing in the crew incentive or the 18% covered by your beverage package. There's no need to tip someone for "doing their job" when they're already being tipped. That said, if someone takes especially great care of you, and goes above & beyond the normal expectation, then a cash gratuity seems appropriate and will be very much appreciated. How much is up to you.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[0106]

I put myself through college working in the service industry so I tend to “overtip”  My cabin steward usually gets $20 at the end of the week.  Same with my dining room waiter. (We have fixed dining.). I tend to frequent the same 2 bars. At the beginning of the week, I find 2 servers I like and tip them $5.  Throughout the rest of the cruise, I receive excellent service and tip them again, usually $20 at the end of the cruise.  I tip hard workers when I see them going above and beyond.  In August, it rained almost everyday in Norway. There was a young man who squeegeed the deck constantly.  One day, I handed him a five.  His eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning.  I can afford it and I reward those who make my cruise more enjoyable.  I also submit a “LetUsKnow” on the Navigator App every evening recognizing at least one staff who made my cruise extraordinary.  I have been told that these type of comments earn them extra “shore leave”. I have been thanked many times by staff who have received my praise.

[LetItSnow]

Aside from tipping, use the "Let Us Know" feature of the HAL app (in the "Connect" menu).  If you get exceptional service, send a note to let HAL know and name that staff person.  I've done that a few times and on my last cruise, one of the staff I wrote a positive not about, thanked me the next day.  He said he got an extra hour break for that.  I'm pretty sure he appreciated that as much, or maybe more, than a cash tip.

 

Edit to add: I see 0106 posted the same as I was typing this!

 

Edited Friday at 08:21 PM by LetItSnow

[RetiredTravelered]

12 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

As long as your name is not on the list, crew members can keep any tips you may give them. Otherwise, they must share. You can tip in cash those who bring your room service order (but be quick - they move fast) or drinks in a bar or waiters in the MDR (at the end if you have fixed dining) At the end of the cruise, you may want to tip in cash your room stewards.

 

Hi. We are not sure what you meant - when you said "as long as your name is not on the list. 

 

Also, we may have confused a few who have responded. We never meant that we would REMOVE the Auto Tip.  Our question was more : How does the Crew/Staff know that we HAVE Pre-Paid. (as compared to passengeres who did not receive or pay for, the Pre Paid Crew Appreciation?

 

Also, it sounds like we are mixing two different situations. 

(1) The first being that All passengers are expected/required to pay the Crew the "Crew Appreciation" fees. This is what we were credited for.

(2) The second scenario, is if some crew member does something special (or above and beyond required duties) than it is fine to pay them directly. And this is above and beyond the Required Crew Appreciate Percent. 

 

Does that sound accurate? 

[CruiserBruce]

3 minutes ago, RetiredTravelered said:

 

Hi. We are not sure what you meant - when you said "as long as your name is not on the list. 

 

Also, we may have confused a few who have responded. We never meant that we would REMOVE the Auto Tip.  Our question was more : How does the Crew/Staff know that we HAVE Pre-Paid. (as compared to passengeres who did not receive or pay for, the Pre Paid Crew Appreciation?

 

Also, it sounds like we are mixing two different situations. 

(1) The first being that All passengers are expected/required to pay the Crew the "Crew Appreciation" fees. This is what we were credited for.

(2) The second scenario, is if some crew member does something special (or above and beyond required duties) than it is fine to pay them directly. And this is above and beyond the Required Crew Appreciate Percent. 

 

Does that sound accurate? 

They assume you are paying tips or have the auto grats, unless your name appears on the list of people who have removed the auto grats.

[0106]

1. The staff know you have paid your crew appreciation.

2. If a crew member does something  special, tip them directly.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[RetiredTravelered]

We thank you all, very much. Very helpful answers. 
Yes, we are looking forward to an enjoyable Cruise (our first). 

[Roz]

I think you're overthinking and needlessly stressing about the onboard tips. The cruise lines have made it easy for us with auto tipping. 

[RetiredTravelered]

We are simply communicating our thoughts and emotions. I appreciate your post, however, we are NEW to the Cruise experience.  Maybe you can allow for our personal thoughts? I have no doubt that you are correct. Maybe, you can allow for our for how we feel.  

[REOVA]

Unless a passenger ops out of gratuities (name on a list), everyone pays a daily gratuity depending on the cabin type (suites are higher). Or they can prepay at the beginning of the cruise (same cost). The HIA gratuities are just a prepay also, the same cost but it's packaged with other benefits that may make it worth it if you use the other benefits (drinks, wifi, excursion, etc). I usually break out each cost per day ($19 suite gratuity, Bev $59, wifi $35, exc $xx, dining $xx) compared to cost of HIA and if it's worth me drinking $15 can water, coffee, or occasional beverage of choice for the net of the difference, I buy HIA. (We generally don't drink much or do HAL tours so that $300 is already wasted for us as well.)

 

The daily gratuities get deducted/charged on your statement every day (if prepaid its debited and credited each day for accounting). At the end of your cruise your credit card is charged for everything that you paid for on the ship which is tallied on your statement balance. Check your statement daily to reconcile charges as there may be mistakes that you should correct with guest services sooner than later (especially the last day before final disembarking). 

 

Additional tipping is not expected by crew but is usually done like you would on land (cabin/room stewards, bar tenders, servers, etc) either during the cruise or at the end (personal choice). I've seen people tipping the crew that clean the stairrails. Most of them are working long and hard to send money home while living "below deck".  Some people's opinion is you get better service with daily additional tips as opposed to bulk at the end (and is true sometimes) but the crew doesn't expect anything other than good comments and feedback and pleasant conversation.