10 times you do not need to tip on a cruise
Like it or not, tipping culture is alive and well on cruise ships.
When you book a cruise, you also agree to tip the crew. Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity or service charge to your fare, either prepaid in advance of your sailing or once you are on board. They also add auto-gratuities to many onboard purchases. Independently, you're also expected to tip tour guides, porters and the room service delivery person.
Once you're in this tipping mindset, you might be tempted to hand out extra cash every time you interact with a crew member. Thankfully, that's not necessary. Here are 10 times you do not need to tip on your cruise (though you might want to anyway).
When sailing luxury lines
Luxury cruise lines — such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises — include crew gratuities in the cruise fare. You are not expected to tip on these sailings at all.
However, slipping your butler or favorite waiter or bartender some cash is welcome; good service should be rewarded. You might also want to express your thanks by donating to the crew fund, which provides treats and entertainment options to the hard-working crew.
When you buy an all-inclusive package
Certain upscale lines sell inclusive packages that cover drinks, Wi-Fi and, sometimes, crew tips. Book one of these packages on lines such as Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises, and you won't have to pay an automatic gratuity charge. Do not feel that you need to give additional tips to your waiter or room steward.
When imbibing, with an asterisk
When you order a drink in a bar, restaurant or lounge on a cruise ship, it's typical for the cruise line to include a 15% to 20% gratuity on your bill, so that $6 beer may actually cost you $7.20. If you have a drink package, tips are included.
Additional tipping is not required, even if there's a blank line for an "additional gratuity" on your check. However, some cruisers swear they get much better service (as in, their name and favorite drink order are remembered, and maybe they even get some complimentary tastes) if they slip the bartender 20 bucks or more at the beginning of the cruise.
The asterisk is this: If you have a favorite bar staff member who's gone above and beyond to take care of your adult beverage needs, by all means, show them your appreciation.
Of course, it comes down to personal choice. Rewarding your favorite server at the end of the cruise is a nice thing to do but not mandatory at all.
Related: Best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package
At the spa and beauty salon
Onboard spas and salons also include a tip of about 18% on top of the cost of your soothing massage or perfect blowout. Again, you'll find a space on your receipt to add a tip if you want to go beyond that, but it's not expected.
Many cruisers have added an extra gratuity, not realizing one was already added to the treatment price, and effectively tipped double on an already expensive splurge. Don't fall into that trap.
At specialty restaurants
Gratuities are typically included in the extra $10 to $100 per person you'll pay for the steakhouse, sushi bar and other specialty restaurants on board your ship. A tip may be included in the set fee for the restaurant or automatically added at the end of your meal.
You are not expected to add more if the tip is already included. However, if the waiter sneaked you an extra order of escargot or otherwise made the meal a truly memorable experience, you may want to add a few bucks to your bill.
Related: Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The best meals you can have at sea
When crew members handle special requests
During your cruise, you may have special requests, such as extra towels or pillows. You may need help opening your cabin safe or need someone to fix a wonky shower or toilet. Tips are not expected for these services. Handling these requests is part of the basic duties of the ship's room stewards (covered by the ship's auto-gratuity) and maintenance staff.
At the kids club or youth program
Most kids programming is complimentary, and the youth staff does not expect gratuities. If your child falls in love with a particular counselor, it's OK to slip them a cash bonus at the end of the cruise to say thanks. A heartfelt note and drawing by your child is also a lovely way to express appreciation.
Related: The best cruise lines for families
When you see a show
You are not expected to tip the magician doing sleight of hand, the costumed Disney character posing with your child, the musicians performing on the pool deck or the guy running the trivia contests. The onboard entertainers are paid to make your cruise more enjoyable, and they expect no additional compensation beyond your applause.
One exception is the piano bar player, who may put out a bowl for song requests and tips. (The bigger the tip, the sooner he'll play your song.)
When you purchase an ice cream or coffee
When you order an ice cream cone or gelato at the ice cream parlor or cappuccino at the coffee shop, you won't see a tip jar as you would on land. No tipping is required — though you may find an automatic gratuity added to your check, just as in the bars.
When you meet an officer
It is considered an insult to try and tip the captain, officers and the ship's senior team, including the cruise director, hotel director and executive chef. These men and women receive good salaries commensurate with their years of training. Besides, slipping the captain a $20 bill won't get you to the Bahamas any faster.
Bottom line
Cruise ship crew members work hard at the goal of delivering your dream vacation. They spend months at a time away from their homelands and are often supporting families on the other side of the world. A few bucks might not break your bank but can make a significant difference in their lives.
Even if you dislike tipping culture, always pay the automatically added tips because it makes a difference to the onboard staff. Consider rewarding your favorite crew member or the most helpful staff with a little something extra — but don't feel that you need to constantly hand out cash to everyone you meet on board.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.