Cruise line gratuities, also known as service charges or automatic gratuities, are fees that are charged to passengers to compensate the onboard staff for their services. Here's a description of how cruise line gratuities typically work:
Automatic Gratuities: Most cruise lines have a policy of automatically adding gratuities to passengers' onboard accounts. These gratuities are usually charged on a per-person, per-day basis and are added to the final bill at the end of the cruise. The amount varies by cruise line and is typically divided among various crew members, including waitstaff, cabin stewards, and other service personnel.
Transparency and Clarity: Cruise lines aim to be transparent about their gratuity policies, and the charges are often clearly stated in the cruise fare or on the cruise line's website. It's important for passengers to review the cruise line's gratuity policy in advance to understand the amount and any specific guidelines.
Prepaid Gratuities: Some cruise lines offer the option of prepaying gratuities before the cruise. This allows passengers to include the gratuity amount in their total cruise payment, providing a clearer picture of the overall cruise cost and eliminating the need to settle the gratuities at the end of the voyage.
Adjusting or Modifying Gratuities: Passengers typically have the flexibility to adjust or modify the automatic gratuities if they feel the need to do so. Cruise lines may allow adjustments to be made at the guest services desk during the cruise. However, it's important to note that the onboard staff relies on gratuities as a significant part of their income, and any adjustments should be made based on the quality of service received.
Optional Additional Gratuities: In addition to the automatic gratuities, passengers may also choose to provide additional tips or gratuities to individual crew members who have provided exceptional service. This is purely at the discretion of the passengers and can be given directly to the staff members in cash or through the designated envelopes or tip boxes available on the ship.
It's worth noting that some luxury cruise lines include gratuities in the cruise fare, while others have a strict no-tipping policy. These cruise lines generally have higher base fares to compensate for the included gratuities.
The purpose of cruise line gratuities is to ensure that the onboard staff, who work tirelessly to make the passengers' cruise experience enjoyable, are fairly compensated for their efforts. It's important for passengers to be aware of the gratuity policy of the cruise line they are sailing with and to consider the value of the service received when determining the amount of gratuities.