To tip or not to tip? Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or have only one or two trips under your belt, chances are you’ve asked this question at some point during your cruise.
Cruise lines have taken the uncertainty out of the equation by introducing automatic gratuity. Most major cruise lines add a daily fee to your fare, ranging from $16 to $25 per passenger per day, which you can pay in advance or while on board. These tips go to staff who provide services that face guests during the trip (room managers, restaurant staff, salespeople, etc.), as well as staff you may not see (such as kitchen and laundry staff).
But these automatic gifts do not include all the crew members or travel service providers you will meet throughout your trip. Also, some passengers find that certain services require an additional tip beyond what is expected.
Who do you need to tip (or tip extra) for money on your next trip? Here are seven people I think you should always tell on your cruise vacation.
Carriers
Have small bills ready if you plan to leave your large pieces of luggage near the edge of the terminal when you arrive at the port to board. The porters will be there to collect your bags and take them to the ship, and they will expect compensation. The amount you tip is up to you, but about $1 or $2 per bag should be enough.
Bartenders
This can be divisive, especially since “when imbibing” is among the 10 times we suggest you don’t need to get rich on the trip. But I heard.
Yes, cruise lines often add fees to your drink order at the bar, lounge or restaurant, and fees are baked into the cost of all-inclusive beverage packages. However, some riders like to give the dealers a bit more – and I’m one of them.
We almost always buy a drink package (no judgement, please) but add an extra dollar to each drink we order. If we don’t buy a drink package, we still give an extra tip for each drink. Maybe it’s because my husband and I have worked in the food and beverage industry and we know how challenging it can be, but it’s our normal practice on every cruise.
If you have a favorite watering hole, you can also give your bartender an extra tip at the start of the cruise, which can increase the personal attention you receive. I’ve even seen passengers present a tip envelope to bartenders on the last night of the cruise to thank them for their service.
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Tour guides
Whether you have booked a cruise or planned a private tour, you should advise your tour guides and bus drivers. The price is up to you, but a good rule of thumb is $3 (per person) for a half-day tour and $6 (per person) for a full-day guided tour. Consider tipping the bus driver $1 to $2.
Room service staff
If you order food or snacks to your house, consider tipping the delivery waiter a few dollars (per person). Special requests such as setting up a (battery-operated) dining table on your porch may warrant a larger thank-you tip.
Related: Cruise ship room service: A line-by-line guide to in-cabin dining
Cabinet manager
Your cabin manager takes a summary of the daily, per-person service charges added to your cruise fare. However, I strongly believe that you should give your room attendant something extra at the end of your cruise.
Why? Your cabin manager is the member of the crew you are likely to meet the most during your trip and is often the person who provides the most consistent one-on-one service. On almost every cruise I’ve taken with various lines, our cabin crew have been friendly, efficient, personable and extremely helpful. They are far from home and they work hard, so an extra thank you goes a long way.
Personally, I appreciate the extra effort it takes to keep those small cruise cabins tidy and clean. Do you have a lot of people in your closet? Are there any children traveling with you who may need extra cleaning afterwards? In those cases, consider giving your cabin crew a little extra to get the extra work that those situations require.
Team members made an impression
My daughter is vegan, and while many cruise lines have developed more plant-based offerings in recent years, it wasn’t always the case. On several cruises with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, our main dining room waitstaff went above and beyond to make sure he was well-fed, creating special plant-based dishes for him. We expressed our gratitude for the tip.
This is just one example of when you should recommend impressive team members during your trip. Maybe the cruise ship photographer was able to entertain your little one long enough to get your best family vacation photo to date. Or maybe the ship’s mentor won your kids over so much that they asked for a magic kit for their next birthday. If a crew member went out of their way to make your cruise memorable, consider showing your appreciation with money.
Hotel cleaning staff
Planning to stay at a hotel before or after your cruise? Please leave a small tip for housekeeping (approximately $3 per night). Additionally, ask a bellhop or hotel staff member to assist with transporting your luggage to or from your hotel room. A typical tip is about $1 per bag.
Should I tip more on a cruise?
Tipping over extra benefits is a personal decision. However, remember that the crew works very hard to ensure you have a memorable cruise vacation. They have long contracts that require seven to 10 months on board and usually work 12-14 hours a day.
If you’ve met the staff who went above and beyond to make your cruise experience truly special, I recommend giving a little extra to thank them for their exceptional service.
Be sure to bring small denomination bills if you think you might make tips during your trip. Don’t worry if you board the ship without them. You can get change for major bills at the guest services desk.
If you choose not to ask for more than the included service charge, be sure to complete the postcruise survey provided by the cruise line and call crew members to leave feedback for you. I have heard many times from tourism workers that the best feedback about their performance is their compensation and bonuses.
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