Norwegian Sun - Gratuities

[boleynkid]

Can someone clarify this for me please.

 

Someone on the forum mentioned that gratuities are down to individuals to decide what they want to do. However, unless I have totally misunderstood, there seems to be a daily charge of $12 per person so for my wife and I that will be $240 in gratuities alone which does seem a bit expensive. We are first timers so I am probably just being naive in these matters.

[valleyvillage]

Both are really correct in that the DSC of $12 pp pd is not really a gratuity, but a service charge for most of the people who provide services to you on the ship, even folks you never see like people in the kitchen, laundry, engine room, etc.

The way NCL sets it up, you don't really need to leave a gratuity to individual people.

A lot of passengers do decide to leave little extras to people like the room steward for going above and beyond, but that is totally up to you!

Bon Voyage!

[RetiredArmyCruiser]

We usually leave a little note and an extra $20 for the room steward with some requests like ice in the afternoons, mini-fridge cleared out, etc. It always gets done :) We usually sail in an inside cabin, so no butler or anyone extra like that for us in steerage. Drinks are charged a separate gratuity.

 

Oh yeah - always bring a small thing of post-it notes to leave notes for the steward.

[Love my butler]

DSC, tips, gratuities. Same exact thing, different wording. It is $12/day/person. If you wish to tip on your own, you can elect to cancel the $12/day at the service desk and tip as you go.

[boleynkid]

Both are really correct in that the DSC of $12 pp pd is not really a gratuity, but a service charge for most of the people who provide services to you on the ship, even folks you never see like people in the kitchen, laundry, engine room, etc.

The way NCL sets it up, you don't really need to leave a gratuity to individual people.

A lot of passengers do decide to leave little extras to people like the room steward for going above and beyond, but that is totally up to you!

Bon Voyage!

 

Thanks valleyvillage most helpful. I guess it helps to view it as a service charge rather than a gratuity and I am sure it has been the subject of much debate as to whether the "service charge" should be included in the price of the vacation (will be with plenty of our American friends for 10 days so will have to get used to not calling it a "holiday").

[rbrugler]

Our upcoming ten day cruise is costing $2200 for my wife and I in an accessible cabin, which is a balcony. The $240 DSC is 11%. That's less than a tip would be!!!

[bugspost]

Our upcoming ten day cruise is costing $2200 for my wife and I in an accessible cabin, which is a balcony. The $240 DSC is 11%. That's less than a tip would be!!!

 

absolutely and if you were on vacation for 10 days anywhere else....I am sure you would easily tip more than $240.......hotels, cabs, restaurants, etc.

In addition to the service charge, I always tip room service, cabin steward, casino & anyone else that gives exceptional service...........:)

The bars automatically add 15% and I would add additional till I noticed on my bill........it caused them to charge i.e. $8........void $8.......charge $9 so when I would get drink it already was charged & when I added tip...they would have to void & rering...........I stopped adding tip & just tipped cash from then on..

[cabincop]

The amountof the dsc is still around the same as tips were recommend in the 80's:eek: that is no cost of living to me the crew work hard on the cruise