Tips - First Time Cruiser

[LuckyAshley]

We are cruising for the first time this April on Allure of the Seas! We plan to do the prepaid tips/automatic tips. What else should we plan to tip for and what amounts do you generally tip? As a first time cruiser I am not very familiar with tipping etiquette and how it works now with the automatic tips.

[Clarea]

As far as tipping on the ship, you should be covered. The automatic tips cover stateroom attendant and dining room services. Any drink you purchase will have tips added automatically. Anything else is at your discretion.

[cb at sea]

If you use room service, a tip to the deliver person is sort of expected...$1-5, depending on how much they have to carry to you.

 

That's really all, if you've pre-paid your tips.

[Cigar King]

Personally I carry some small bills, (1's and 5's) and when ever somebody does a service for me, I tip them. I know with the prepaid tips it's already done, but, I feel better doing it, and the crew, IMO, deserves the extra money.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[mdjohn5]

Anyone that moves your bags before you get on or after you get off the ship will also expect a tip...bus drivers, porters, etc.

[CaribbeanCrush]

If your itinerary includes a private port, i.e. Labadee, we always tip the gentlemen that help us with our lounge chair on the beach.

[Guest maddycat]

When we go on excursions we tip the guide. If the cabin attendant has provided "extras" for us in a timely manner and with a good attitude, we'll give him/her an extra tip at the end of the cruise. If the dining room staff provide exceptional service, they too will get an extra tip at the end of the cruise. We also tip the servers in the diamond event/diamond lounge.

[sleepless]

If you are on the Boardwalk, there are a couple of extra places that you can tip. There is someone, occasionally who makes balloon animals and flowers. The balloon creations are free, but their is a "tip jar" for the balloon artist. I (even though I am 60+ years of age) still like the balloons, so will tip a dollar or two. There is also someone on occasion who does face painting. You may want to tip there also.

[Jimnbigd]

You might want to tip the driver who takes you to and from the ship -- Taxi, bus, shuttle, etc.

If you play in the casino with a dealer, the dealer usually should get a tip -- often in chips.

Drinks purchased have an automatic 15% tip added, but some like to tip more. This can be added onto the bill the give you ("additional tip"), or with cash.

We usually tip our waiters and cabin attendant an additional amount -- maybe another $10 or so per person, depending on service.

And the Captain expects his usual 15% of the total price of the cruise.

(Just kidding about the Captain -- I wanted to see if you were really reading this. ;))

Edited January 7, 2014 by Jimnbigd

[Sat1]

Love your sense of humor.:)

[Pickels]

I know that there are pre-paid gratuities added and we never take them off. We consider the pre-paid a starting/ending point. If we get outstanding service from any of the crew/staff, the pre-paid is the starting point because we will provide extra tips in a thank you envelop. If the service is not there, or if there's "attitude", (not that often), the pre-paid is the ending point.

[MrsMiggins]

As a first timer, and being from the UK where tipping culture (on land) is very different, I've found this thread very helpful, thank you! :)

[LuckyAshley]

Thank you all! This was very helpful. Especially the advice on tipping while off the ship.

[roysmith99]

Whilst the approach to tipping in the UK is different to ascertain degree all you,need to do is tip if and when you feel the service you get deserves it. Yes, all gratuities are included and 15% is included in drinks charges but we always assume these are just extra profit for the cruise line. So, tip extra for service.