Tipping question

[Heleftherakiss]

I'm going on my first cruise in a couple weeks and I want to be sure I understand the tipping expectations. I've tried to read up a fair amount and understand that NCL charges a $12 per person gratuity per day. What I'm not entirely clear on is what this covers. Am I expected to tip over and above this for anyone? At this point I think I am only doing an official excursion in Freeport, and I would expect to tip the people who run that. Not planning on using any spa services but going to spend a little time at the casino. I'm also planning on renting snorkeling equipment for the snorkeling "excursion" on Great Stirrup Cay, but is there really a need to tip for that? Anyone else that I should expect to tip separately?

 

Thanks!

[paul929207]

The autotip covers your cabin steward, the wait staff, the laundry personnel, cooks and dishwashers. You are not expected to tip any of these people extra. If you feel that one or more have really gone out of their way for you, then you can give extra.

[sparks1093]

I'm going on my first cruise in a couple weeks and I want to be sure I understand the tipping expectations. I've tried to read up a fair amount and understand that NCL charges a $12 per person gratuity per day. What I'm not entirely clear on is what this covers. Am I expected to tip over and above this for anyone? At this point I think I am only doing an official excursion in Freeport, and I would expect to tip the people who run that. Not planning on using any spa services but going to spend a little time at the casino. I'm also planning on renting snorkeling equipment for the snorkeling "excursion" on Great Stirrup Cay, but is there really a need to tip for that? Anyone else that I should expect to tip separately?

 

Thanks!

 

Howdy, neighbor, are you dug out yet? The service charge covers just about everyone, the exceptions are:

bar service- 15% gratuity added to each order;

spa services- 18% added to each order;

Kid's crew staff- tip as you wish;

butler/concierge (suites)- tip commensurate with service provided;

room service- most people tip anywhere from $1 to $5 depending on the size of the order.

 

If you want to tip someone in the casino it would be at the same level as you would in a casino on land. Excursions vary, some make it plan that tips are expected, some don't, but these are run by private operators even if you get it through NCL so none of them would be included in the service charge. I don't believe that it's expected to tip when renting equipment on GSC.

[cb at sea]

You are not expected to tip anything additionally, unless you use room service...a small cash tip is nice, depending on what they have to carry to you!

 

In the casino, if you need to be "hand-payed" because of a big win, a tip is common. If you're playing a table game, tipping the dealer is sort of standard,...I only tip if I'm winning....but that's up to you!

 

We tip on excursions if we feel we've gotten MORE than what we paid for. You don't need to tip the person who hands you your snorkel equipment!

[SavvySarah]

I read somewhere between $1 and $3 per bag for porters (to take your luggage) at disembarkation. Obviously, use the higher end for one or two pieces or luggage and the lower end for several pieces. May want to take some extra to tip those cleaning your room or in the dining room for service that goes above and beyond what you feel that $12 per day covers. Have a blast!

 

:)

[Heleftherakiss]

Howdy, neighbor, are you dug out yet?

 

Nope! And I couldn't be happier about getting away from all this snow!

 

Thanks for the tips! (No pun intended...)

[sparks1093]

Nope! And I couldn't be happier about getting away from all this snow!

 

Thanks for the tips! (No pun intended...)

 

Yep, I wish we were going sooner than May, but at least we have it to look forward to. The Sky is a great ship for a first cruise, have a great time!