Looking at carnival cruises... not understanding the tipping stuff?

Question

I've been looking at carnival cruises and I read somewhere that it's customary to tip $10 per day for the waiter, cleaning person, etc for the cruise. I'm trying to understand how this works. Do you just give the tip ahead of time and then just not worry about spending anything on the boat other than spa or alcohol the rest of the time? I've never been on a cruise before so I'm trying to figure this out. Thanks.

Answer 1

By the way - Congratulations on taking your First Cruise!!!

If I remember correctly when I took mine they (waiters, bartenders, maid service, etc) left individual envelopes in our cabin on the final day of the cruise and we left  an appropriate tip in each envelope.

I have only taken one (In 1999 & I won it) so maybe things have changed since then.

It was the best vacation I've ever had.  ENJOY!!!!

Answer 2

first dont call it a boat they will throw you off.. lol jk but they  dont like it..

you can  now pre pay your tips for the ship. Otherwise on your last day you can leave the tip in evelops for all the proper people... they normally gived you a tipping chart for the ship. it is something around 10 dollars a day per person in cabin.

you should alway tip your bartenders when and waiter when they get you drinks in the casino bars or pool side there tips are not usually included in the cruise lines suggestive tips,

it can add up pretty quick, so honestly get your moneys worth out of them, I have had trouble with the room housekeeping...

Answer 3

No its kind of traditional for you to tip everyone that supplies a service to you on a cruise,it helps with their salary, like at dinner you are to tip the waiter/ress for serving you, its just kind of being polite its optional but they would like you to tip their crew members.

Answer 4

I don't understand it well either. I guess it's a way of thanking the person for the service. Although now a days people are taking it for granted and sometimes demand for tip, like what you read. I just wish people would stop being so money hungry.

Answer 5

The tip is included in your fees, the only things you pay for on the ship are drinks as far as food is concerned. I think they do have an upscale restaurant somewhere on the ship where they do actually charge you, and I'd imagine you'd tip there as you would at any other restaurant. But for the large part, food is already paid for and the gratuities have already been included.

Answer 6

Yes, it's customary to tip this much. Usually people will tip individuals like their waiter & housekeeper at the very end of the cruise, right before you leave, for instance the waiter & assistant you would give them the tip (usually in an envelope) at your last dinner the night before your cruise ends. A lot of people don't tip at all, which is rude, but on occassion its understandable, just like a tip for a waitress/waiter on land, if the service is lousy then you can skip the tip, or just give them bare minimum, or if they do a great job, you can give them even more then the "norm". Some cruises also will take the tips totals out of your bill or tab, at the end & they will give the tips to your servers later, if you want to adjust this, talk to the cruise staff (receptionist desk on the ship) & they can adjust for you, (they can even NOT tip certain individuals if you request). But these people usually give fantastic service & work so hard & long rediculous hours and are worth the tips. We save up beforehand so it's not so much of a hardship tipping at the end. (You can also tip others individually throughout the cruise as well, ones you wont see on a regular basis like bartenders or pool cooks, etc. Have fun, you're going to LOVE cruising!

Answer 7

I believe you tip near the end of the cruise, and you put the funds into an envelope for each person you are tipping, showing a bit of discretion.  In the past we have tipped the waiter, the maid service etc tips that would equal about $10 per day, but others like bartenders, and the like on an indivdual basis.  hope this helps.

Answer 8

You tip at the end of teh cruise.  It is customary to put the tip in an envelope (bring enough envelopes, there are a lot of folks totip) and hand it to the person - let's see, matre'd, waiter, waiter's assistant, cabin boy come to mind...Bar tenders and waiters/waitresses you tip as normal...I thought there were one or two more, but I can't remember off hand.

Answer 9

on royal Caribbean you have a choice tipping individuals or on your sea-pass acct or if your stingy not tipping they make it clear what suggested tip amounts are

Answer 10

I was on a cruise years ago and what they did then is at the end of the cruise, you are given some envelopes and you put the tips in there. There was one for the cleaning person, waiter, head waiter, busboy and I can't remember who else.

We are looking at taking a Nick Cruise with our son next year and I was reading on their site and they have you pay 200 bucks per person to cover port charges, taxes and pre-paid gratuity. So I am assuming we won't have to worry about the tip thing if we go on that one.

Answer 11

Most of the cruise lines today, including Carnival, add the charges for tips to your on-board account, at a rate of $10/passenger/day.  You may adjust this if you wish by going to the purser's office.  However, $10/day is a very modest amount for the service you get.  

Tips for drinks [15%] are automatically added to the charge for the drink.  Spa service tips are extra, too.

Answer 12

You are required to pay the $10 per day per person gratuities. If you're going on a 4 night it $40, a 5 night it's $50 and so on. I usually pay this the same time I pay off my cruise so I don't have to worry about it later. You can pay it way before the cruise date, the day of check-in or after the cruise. If you chose to pay it the day of check out, make sure you have the funds. Other tipping is up to you, but is appreciated. There's a small envelope that is sent to your room. If you chose to put money in it, it up to you. You can check out Carnival's website at http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Gratuit...  to get all the info you need. You can also call them at 1888CARNIVAL.  Hope you found this useful.

Answer 13

If I were to take a cruise, tipping would be included in the price of the ticket.

Answer 14

Generally, what you do is give the tip at the end of the cruise in appreciation of their service. I put the tips in a white enevelope to each person .... at the beginning of the trip ... and place it in a safe place .... that way the money issue is taken care of .... i dont have to worry about it again .... and if i want to give more ... I do ... for those who go beyond and above service

Answer 15

What is the tipping policy onboard?



Service Gratuities

For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our recommended guideline) as follows:

$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services              

$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services          

$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff

For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $10 per guest, per day must be prepaid.

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Purser’s Information desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.