Hidden Cruise Payments You May Not Know About

Tipping and service charges in the world of cruise shipments have always been controversial.

Фото: Depositphotos

Many of the largest cruise lines, including Carnival, Princess and Norwegian, automatically replenish passenger accounts, stating that the money will be transferred to crew members in recognition of their service, writes USA Today.

The fee, which is taken into account in the account, can be up to 23 dollars per person per day, and some lines recommend charging more tips.

Although monetary reward is a personal matter for everyone. But when it is automatically included in the account, it means that it is mandatory.

Charlie Sylvia, vice president of the International Association of Cruise Lines for Membership and Trade Relations, said cruise lines do have a lot of control over their fees.

On the subject: Personal experience: 10 tips for those who are going on a cruise

The fee is charged regardless of whether the passenger felt a high level of service.

“As far as tips are concerned, many cruise lines allow you to talk with guest services and opt out of pre-paid tips. That's because many people like to pay cash directly to those who serve them throughout the cruise, ”Sylvia explained.

The idea is that it’s easier for cruisers to pay automatic tips than to tip crew members individually. Cruise lines also indicate that money is shared between crew members who play an important role in passenger relaxation. Otherwise, they may be left without remuneration, because they work “behind the scenes”.

Critics of the allegations say that tipping is a private matter that should be left to passengers. Some people see this practice as a disguised method for cruise lines so that guests pay salaries to employees.

Cruise industry supervisor CruiseCritic reported that some lines now pay employees of household and restaurant departments on ships only 2 US dollars per day, paying basic wages, relying on automatic gratuities to provide most of their compensation. According to CruiseCritic, up to 95% of the salary of some cruise ship employees is now paid automatically.

Automatic tips, sometimes called service charges, have grown at some levels in recent years. This practice also appears on some river cruise lines. For example, Uniworld and Tauck and Scenic Cruises already include tips for crew members in their base rates.

On the subject: 15 cruise myths that stop you from having a great vacation

USA Today indicates the amounts that are currently charged to passengers automatically.

Prices of daily payments are indicated per person per day.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

Daily Tips: None.

Note: crew tips are not included in the fare and are at the discretion of travelers.

Additional costs: no.

Note: Crew benefits are included in the price, including bar staff.

Extra charges: 18% tip is added to spa bills.

Carnival cruise line

Daily fees: 13,99-15,99 dollars.

Note: passengers in standard cabins pay 13,99 dollars, in suites - 15,99 dollars;

passengers under the age of 2 do not pay any tip.

Additional costs: 18% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Celebrity Cruises

Daily Tips: 14,50-18 dollars.

Note: passengers in standard cabins pay 14,50 dollars, in luxury cabins 15 dollars.

Extra charge: 20% of tip will be added to bar bills, minibar purchases and spa services.

Celestyal Cruises

Daily allowances: no.

Note: the price includes benefits for the crew and bar staff.

Additional costs: no.

Costa Cruises

Daily fees: 12,50 – 17,50 dollars.

Note: for ships where the calculation is made in dollars, the maintenance fee is 12,50 dollars;

on ships working with euros, the fee is indicated in 10 euros (about 11 dollars);

cruises departing from Japan cost $ 13,50 for most cabins and $ 16,50 for suites;

on cruises sailing from Singapore and China, the service charge is 14,50 dollars for cabins and 17,50 dollars for apartments;

passengers under the age of 4 years do not pay any tip;

children aged 4 to 12 years old pay 50% of adult fare;

15% tip is added to beverage purchases.

Additional costs: no.

Crystal Cruises

Daily fees: no.

Note: the price includes crew tips, including bar staff.

Extra charges: 18% tip is added to spa bills.

Cunard line

Daily Tips: 11,50 – 13,50 Dollars

Note: passengers in regular cabins pay 11,50 dollars, in cabins of a higher class - 13,50 dollars.

Additional costs: 15% of tip is added to the bills per bar. Any further tips at the bar are at the discretion of the guest.

Disney Cruise Line

Daily fee: no.

Note: the line offers tips for staff, but guests can use them as they wish;

if desired, passengers can add the proposed tip to their accounts in advance or during the cruise.

Additional costs: 15% of tip is added to the bills per bar;

a spa fee of 18% is added to spa bills.

Holland America Line

Daily Tips: 14,50-16 dollars.

Note: passengers in cabins pay 14,50 dollars, in suites - 16 dollars.

Additional costs: 15% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Lindblad Expeditions

Daily Tips: None.

Note: crew fees are included in the fare for passengers on National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion, but not on other vessels.

Additional costs: no.

MSC Cruises

Daily Tips: 8-14,50 Dollar

Note: tip size varies depending on the MSC route;

children of 2-11 years pay half the cost of an adult on most cruises;

in the summer of 2021, fees will increase;

MSC does not recommend tipping staff individually.

Additional costs: no.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Daily fees: 14,50-18 dollars

Note: passengers in cabins pay 14,50-15 dollars, in suites - 17,50-18 dollars (depending on when the cruise was ordered).

Extra charges: 20% of tip will be added to bar bills, bills in specialized restaurants for an additional fee, and for services in spas.

Oceania Cruises

Daily tips: from 16 to 23 dollars.

Note: passengers living in cabins pay 16 dollars, in top suites with butler services - 23 dollars.

Additional fees: 18% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Ponant Cruises

Daily fees: no.

Note: tips are included in the rate;

any additional tip is at the discretion of the guest.

Additional costs: no.

Princess Cruises

Daily Tips: 14,50-16,50 dollars.

Note: passengers in the cabin, ocean view cabin and balcony pay 14,50 dollars;

passengers in mini-suites pay 15,50 dollars, in suites - 16,50 dollars.

Additional costs: 18% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Daily fee: no.

Note: the price includes crew tips, including bar staff.

Additional costs: no.

Royal Caribbean

Daily Tips: 14,50-17,50 dollars.

Note: passengers living in junior suites and a class lower pay 14,50 dollars, in suites and higher - 17,50 dollars.

Additional costs: 18% of the tip is added to the bills for the bar, as well as services in ship spas and regular salons.

Silversea cruises

Daily fee: no.

Note: the price includes crew tips, including bar staff.

Additional costs: for a beauty salon and spa tips are not included.

Star Clippers

Daily fee: no.

Note: tips for the crew are not included in the tariff and remain at the discretion of the guest - the company recommends about 8,80 dollars per day.

Additional costs: no.

UnCruise Adventures

Daily fee: no.

Note: crew tips are not included in the fare - UnCruise recommends 35 dollars per day, which must be paid at the end of the cruise.

Additional costs: no.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Daily fee: 15 dollars.

Additional costs: 15% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Windstar Cruises

Daily Tips: 12 dollars.

Additional costs: 15% of tip is added to the bills per bar.

Read also on ForumDaily:

10 of spectacular tourist spots that are forbidden to photograph

Immersion into the Past: Amazing American Museums of 'Live' History

15 cruise myths that stop you from having a great vacation

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.