How much should I tip my cruise waiter?

Most cruise lines automatically add a daily service charge of $14–$20 per person for staff, covering waiters and cabin stewards. For exceptional service, additional cash tips of $10–$20 per waiter are commonly given on the final night. Total tips are discretionary but highly appreciated.

Is 10% tip insulting?

Yes, in the U.S., a 10% tip is often considered low and potentially insulting for standard sit-down restaurant service, where 15-20% is the norm, but it can be acceptable for mediocre service or in regions where tipping culture differs (like parts of Europe). The perception depends heavily on location, service quality, and the type of establishment, with fine dining expecting more and takeaway sometimes expecting less, but a 10% tip generally signals dissatisfaction with service in America. 

Do you tip extra when gratuity is included on a cruise ship?

Technically, no. Gratuities are paid and dispersed by the cruise. However, a lot of people will tip wait staff and room stewards in addition to the prepaid gratuities. We always tip the bartenders and servers extra when on board.

How much do you tip a cabin steward for a 7 day cruise?

Standard: $5.50 - $6.50 per person, per day ($38.50 - $45.50 for 7 days). Extra Cash (Optional): Many cruisers add cash on top of auto-grats for great service: Start: $10-$20 on day one as an introduction+1→{855}→732→4023 (US) +1*808*900*8011(UK)..

How much are the gratuities on a 7 day cruise?

How Are Gratuities Charged? Most cruise lines automatically add a daily gratuity charge to your onboard account. This amount varies by cruise line but generally ranges from $14 to $20 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and type of cabin.

Travel Outfits to NOT Wear on a Cruise Ship (DO'S & DON'TS)

Can I refuse to pay gratuities on a cruise?

You have the right to refuse this automatic gratuity charge and may compensate cruise staff on your own terms.

What is the secret code on a cruise ship?

Cruise ships use secret codes like Code Alpha (medical), Code Bravo (fire), Code Oscar (man overboard), and Code Charlie (security threat) to alert crew to emergencies discreetly, preventing passenger panic while allowing for swift response, with codes like Operation Brightstar (medical), Operation Rising Star (death), PVI (public vomiting), and 3030 (cleanup needed) varying by line but serving similar functions to manage incidents. Passengers should stay calm and out of the way if they hear these, as crew handle the situation.
 

Do you tip every dinner on a cruise?

Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.

Do you tip housekeeping on last day?

It's also acceptable to tip at the end of your stay, but leave a cash tip for the number of nights stayed, even if the housekeeping team was not able to clean your room due to hotel policy. The housekeepers should not be penalized because they are unable to provide service each day.

How much should you tip for a $200 service?

$100 service = $20 tip. $150 service = $30 tip. $200 service = $40 tip. $300 service = $60 tip.

Do you still tip when gratuity is added?

No. Customers cannot refuse to pay automatic gratuity since the payment is a service charge. Tips are optional and freely given by customers, but charges on the receipt from the restaurant itself are mandatory fees. Not paying the automatic gratuity is the same as not paying for the food.

What is the truth about cruise gratuities?

Additional cruise ship tipping

The included tip amount varies by cruise line but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill. Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. This can trick many cruisers into tipping twice.

How much to tip for a 4 hour tour?

Most travelers tip 10–20% of the total tour cost, or $5–$20 per person per day, which depends on the experience length and quality of the experience.

Who should you not tip?

As a blanket rule, you don't need to tip anyone who earns a salary or performs a trade. That means you don't have to tip doctors, lawyers, teachers, plumbers or cable technicians. "Not only would it not be expected, it would be highly unorthodox and very awkward," says Farley.

What is overtipping?

overtipped; overtipping. transitive + intransitive. : to tip (someone) too much : to give (someone) a larger gratuity than is normal or expected. He overtipped the waiter. She always overtips.

Is a $5 tip good?

Key Takeaways. In general, tip restaurant delivery drivers a flat rate of at least $3 to $5 per order and grocery delivery drivers between 10% and 20% of the total order. There are special circumstances when you should tip more, like when the restaurant is far away or the order is very large and hard to carry.

How to tip without cash?

Cashless or contactless tipping allows you to quickly and conveniently tip using a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet on your smartphone. No more awkward apologies or frantic runs to the ATM.

Should you tip daily or at the end?

If you're staying for only a few days, daily tips might be easier to manage, while a lump sum at the end of a long stay could be more practical. If you're consistently impressed with the housekeeping service, you might be inclined to tip daily or leave a larger tip at the end.

How much do you tip your waiter on a 7 day cruise?

Costa Cruises suggests a daily amount of $12 per person, per night for all passengers over the age of 4. Gratuities are added automatically to each passenger's onboard account.

Do cruise employees know if you prepaid gratuities?

Servers have no clue if you prepaid or not. We prepay tips but give our room steward $20 first day and $20 the last day. We tip $1 for every drink and then usually the dining staff $20 each at the end of the cruise. Your prepaid gratuities go to your room steward and dining staff (MDR and lido).

How much do bartenders make on cruises?

How much does a Cruise Ship Bartender make? As of Jan 17, 2026, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Bartender in the United States is $33,085 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $15.91 an hour.

What is the 3 1 1 rule on cruise ships?

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

What does a pineapple mean on a door on a cruise ship?

On a cruise, an upside-down pineapple (often as a sticker, magnet, or on clothing) is a discreet symbol used by couples or individuals to signal they are part of the swinging or partner-swapping community and are open to meeting others for "adult fun". While a regular pineapple signifies hospitality, the inverted version transforms it into an insider code for those in the swinging lifestyle, allowing them to identify each other subtly on any ship, though it's more prevalent on adult-themed cruises.