I have been reading this thread with increasing anxiety. I am going on an Australian based cruise in a couple of weeks and I understood from the cruise line information I was given, that tips/gratuities are built in to the fare and I don't need to tip anyone at all - during or at the end of the cruise.
As a Kiwi, I feel very uncomfortable with the whole idea of tipping and would like to know if it's OK not to tip?
It was one of the reasons for choosing this cruise, to avoid (my) embarassment and discomfort at having to tip.