Because a cruise with Royal Caribbean involves so many free things, some people have the misconception that tipping, otherwise called gratuity is included. In truth, tipping while on a Royal Caribbean cruise is not included so now, the key is to learn whom to tip, when to tip, and what to tip so the right people are being offered the right amount of money. With this information, you would avoid simply handing out hard-earned money to someone who should not be on the tip list while making sure the people who should be tipped are.
With the following information, giving tips while taking a Royal Caribbean cruise does not have to be a complicated matter. Keep in mind that the information is to be used as a guideline so if you had exceptional service, you can always tip more as a way of showing your appreciation for a job well done. Now, before we get into actual tip guidelines, we wanted to provide information about the onboard expense account associated with a Royal Caribbean cruise so tipping makes more sense.
Once you arrive on the ship, you would set up an expense account. From there, you would be provided a card that looks like a standard credit card to use throughout the ship. That way, the entire ship is cashless, making the system easier but also creating a safer cruise environment for passengers and crew members. To put money into the expense account, you can use actual cash or a regular credit card.
As purchases are made onboard the ship, a receipt would be provided each time although once you check out after the cruise has ended a final account statement would be slid under your stateroom door. If you had set the expense account using cash, prior to debarking the ship you would need to visit the office to settle up on the account, whether money due back to you that was unused or any overage. If the account had been set up with a credit card, all purchases are billed to the card directly but upon receiving the final statement, you would have the chance to compare charges.
Now, once the expense account has been set up, the next thing for your Royal Caribbean cruise is to understand proper tipping. Keep in mind that all tips listed in this article are in United States dollars. Additionally, when tips say “per guest”, it does not matter the age of the guest. In other words, a child age two or an adult age 60 would both be a part of the tipping equation.
Another important thing to understand is that in addition to the tips recommended below, when taking a Royal Caribbean cruise a 15% gratuity is added automatically to any wine check or bill bar. Because of this, you can leave that as the tip or add a little more if preferred. Remember that when you tip someone, that money is generally shared with one or more crew members. For instance, if you tip a bartender, that person would share with the cocktail waitress.
After checking into your Royal Caribbean cruise, you would find several envelops in your stateroom or suite specifically for tips. If wanted, you could have tips prepaid by your booking agent, they could be added onto the SeaPass expense account after arriving on the ship, or simply pay in cash at the conclusion of the cruise. Again, this keeps the cruise cashless.
• Suite Attendant – If you chose to pay for a suite instead of a stateroom, tipping would be a little more for services provided by the attendant. In this case, plan tipping this crew member at minimum $5.75 a day for each guest in the suite.
• Stateroom Attendant – For tipping the attendant of a standard stateroom, the minimum tipping recommendation would be $3.50 a day for each person in the stateroom.
• Dining Room Waiter – For your actual sit down meals in the evening, you would receive exceptional service by highly trained waiters. In addition to serving food and drink, many waiters also entertain. Therefore, the suggested tip for this crew member aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise would be $3.50 a day for each guest.
• Assistant Waiter – The primary waiter who serves you while onboard the ship would have an assistant to help fill water glasses, keep coffee cups filled, etc. Because the level of service provided by the assistant waiter is somewhat less, tipping is suggested at $2.00 a day per guest.
• Headwaiter – The lower level waiter that would take care of you and other guests in the dining room is the headwaiter. Tipping for this person’s service is also lower, recommended at just .75 a day for each guest.
