Yes, tipping is customary on Virgin cruises. Most cruise lines include crew gratuities automatically in the cost of a cruise to ensure that the crew gets paid for their hard work and dedication. However, passengers can choose to give additional tips if they received exemplary service.
On Virgin Voyages, passengers are recommended to tip based on the level of service they receive. Staff members such as the Cruise Director, experiences concierge, spa staff, room attendants, bartenders, and waitstaff are typically tipped.
Depending on the length of the voyage and level of service, passengers can opt to give tips in cash to on-board staff or alternatively leave a gratuity as part of their on-board bill.
Furthermore, any gratuities or tipping for off-shore experiences (tours and restaurants) are left to the discretion of the passenger, although it is customary to tip around 15- 20% of the fare. It is suggested to always check the on-board daily programme for core recommendations and etiquette for individual ports.
What happens if you don’t tip on a cruise?
If you don’t tip on a cruise, there can be a few different repercussions. Firstly, the service staff may be less likely to provide the same level of friendly and attentive service they would if they had been tipped.
Additionally, if you’re sailing on a cruise that automatically adds gratuity to your bill, you may be charged an additional fee as a penalty. Lastly, depending on the cruise line, you may be required to pre-pay gratuities before your trip so if you don’t tip it could potentially be deducted from your onboard credits.
Is it mandatory to tip on a cruise?
It is not mandatory to tip on a cruise. According to cruise industry standards, passengers are generally expected to offer tips as gratuity at the end of their voyage. However, most cruise lines give passengers the option to remove the service charge from their onboard account or to include them when paying the final cruise bill.
Some cruise lines allow passengers to adjust the amount given, while others automatically add a certain percentage of the fare to cover the tips. In addition to the base gratuities, discretionary tipping may be appropriate in certain contexts, such as at specialty restaurants or to thank outstanding service personnel.
However, though tipping is expected, any generous gratuity is always completely optional.
How do I opt out of gratuity on a cruise?
Depending on the cruise line you’re using, there are typically a few ways to opt out of gratuity on a cruise. Before you even embark on your journey, you should check the cruise line’s policies regarding gratuity and see if opting-out is an option.
If it is, then you can typically make any necessary arrangements directly with the cruise line.
For some cruise lines, you may be able to adjust the gratuity amount in your online booking before embarking. Alternatively, you can usually contact the cruise line’s customer service line to make any necessary changes or adjustments.
You may also be able to ask to opt out of gratuity when speaking to a representative from the cruise line.
In addition, you may also be able to manually adjust or request for the removal of gratuity fees during check-in when you arrive at the port. Speaking to the front desk attendant and informing them of your preference for opt-out should be sufficient in adjusting tipping arrangements.
However, depending on the cruise line’s policy, the gratuity may be automatically added to your bill at check-in.
Overall, it is best to look into the cruise line’s policies and procedures for tipping and gratuity adjustments before embarking on your cruise. You should also be prepared to make any necessary arrangements at check-in to ensure you’re not charged any gratuity fees.
Is it worth it to prepay gratuities on a cruise?
Ultimately, pre-paying gratuities on a cruise is a matter of personal preference, as there are both pros and cons to consider. Paying your gratuities upfront can provide peace of mind and eliminate the need to worry about budgeting for tips throughout the cruise.
Additionally, prepaying can be a cost-effective option as some cruise lines offer discounted gratuity rates for pre-payment. Furthermore, pre-paying also offers assurance that your tips will be administered as intended, and in the event of any issues, you may have more leverage in getting equitable compensation for services rendered.
On the flip side, pre-paying your gratuities may not be the best option if you engage in many onboard activities or services throughout the cruise (ie. spa visits, private dining, etc. ) that require extra gratuities.
Furthermore, although pre-paying can be a cost-saving measure, you will not get a refund if you didn’t receive satisfactory service. You also should consider that most tips are distributed to service staff at the end of the cruise, even when they are pre-paid, meaning they cannot be adjusted during the cruise if you are unhappy with the level of service you have received.
Given these, it is important to consider your individual circumstances and weigh the pros and cons of pre-paying gratuities, in order to decide if this strategy is the best choice for your particular experience.
Are Carnival gratuities optional?
Whether Carnival gratuities are optional or not largely depends on the type of Carnival cruise that you are taking and the type of room or cabin you are staying in. Generally, for standard staterooms, tips are optional.
However, for suites and super-economic cabins, gratuities are mandatory and you will be required to pay a portion of the gratuity before you embark on the cruise. Additionally, some specialty cruises may require you to pay gratuities in advance regardless of the type of stateroom you are booked in.
It is important to note that the majority of Carnival cruise staff and services rely heavily on tips from passengers as a form of income. This is why it is recommended to set aside a budget for tips, as the vast majority of ship employees provide high-quality customer service and deserve to be rewarded for their hard work.
How much do you tip on a 7 day cruise?
It is customary to tip your cabin steward and restaurant staff on a 7-day cruise. The recommended tipping amount is typically around $14-$15 per person, per day for a standard cabin, or $16-$18 per person, per day for a suite.
You should consider your personal budget and the level of service provided when deciding the final amount. Generally, if the staff exceeded your expectations, you may want to choose a higher amount.
Moreover, for single occupancy rooms, some cruise lines recommend a flat amount of around $70-$80 for your cabin steward and $60-$85 for your waitstaff. In addition, a daily tip of $10 may also be given to your room butler if one is assigned to your suite.
If you are happy with the service of your spa, casino, or bar staff, you may also consider tipping them as a way of expressing your appreciation. Again, the amount is up to your discretion and should account for the level of service they provided you with.
Overall, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation and is greatly appreciated by the staff. The suggested amounts are simply a guideline, but you are welcome to adjust the amounts based on your preferences and budget.
How much should I tip my cabin steward on a cruise?
The recommended amount to tip your cabin steward on a cruise varies based on a few factors such as the cruise line you are sailing with, the level of service that you received, and the amount you are comfortable leaving as a gratuity.
Generally speaking, the suggested amount for a cabin steward for a 7 night cruise ranges from $10 – $20 per person, per night. It is important to remember that tips should be given at the end of the cruise, not at the beginning as they are not expected upfront.
This allows you to assess the service that you have received throughout the duration of your stay and leave a tip based on your satisfaction. If you were particularly pleased with their service, you can always add an additional tip to show your gratitude.
How much does Carnival charge in tips?
Carnival does not have a set amount that they charge for tips. Instead, Carnival suggests that each traveler “tip based on their level of satisfaction” with the service they receive from staff members during the cruise.
The guidelines suggest that each passenger should plan to set aside $12-15 per day per person ($84-105 per person per week) to cover the cost of tips. This amount may be adjusted depending on the level of satisfaction you receive.
Additionally, the Cruise Director and Shore Excursion staff may receive additional gratuities at your discretion. Finally, you may also want to consider leaving gratuities for other staff members, such as room stewards, bartenders, and wait staff, whose services you may have used during your cruise.
