Are tips included when booking a cruise online?
June 2nd, 2010 | 
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I’m looking to buy a cruise through a discount website like cruises.com or vacationoutlet.com. Their price says it includes the cost of the cruise and taxes. Does that include tips as well? I know that Carnival Cruises usually charges you an extra gratuity per person per day. Is that included in the cost or will the cruiseline charge me extra for that?
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Wow, the percentage of correct answers on this question is embarassingly low.
NO, tips are not included. Your first instinct was right. Although some lines allow you to pre-pay tips (an interest free loan to the cruise line), if you buy a trip through cruises.com or another travel agent, you will still need to pay your tips onboard.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
I doubt it.
Its included in the cost of the cruise I work for NCL.
Usually gratuity is included in any kind of resort or cruise excursion.
That’s extra, charged to you shipboard account along with drinks, on board shopping, specialty restaurants, shore excursions etc.
Some lines will let you prepay gratuities or service charges but they are separate from the cuise price.
I say to just go with the flow on that. My parents had been on cruises before and I don’t believe it’s necessary to tip a whole bunch…actually I believe that the employees are strictly advised to not accept tips, so, do not worry about shoveling money out to strangers!
No, the tips are not included in the cost of the cruise.
You are right about the tip that Carnival Cruises and probably most if not all the cruise lines have a recommended amount to give. But now, here is where is gets a little costly, the state room attendant normally gets a tip from you, and the maître d’ in the dining room, and your waiter if you decide the formal dining instead of the buffet’s. The cruise line will not just automatically charge your credit card, only until you authorize it.
They normally leave the tipping up to you, but for all the services that are provided for you, by the different personnel, you would want to tip according to the services rendered to you.
I hope this helps.
No way!
Parkwoo said it all.Give him 10 points.
I’ve been on many cruises, and I’ve never heard of tips being included in the price. When you board the ship, you will get a list of recommended gratuities. The staff count on this money. To not give it would be the same as you going to a restaurant and not leaving a tip.
I would shop around, if you have a Costco membership I would go through them. (we got $375 of to spend onboard my booking through them) if there is one close it might be worth buying a membership because you would save more by booking through them. They were the best deal we found and we looked on cruises.com also. Hope it all works out!
By all means you need to tip. Staff on a cruise ship gets paid very little compared to the work they do. Since cruise ships normally are not subject to US wage and labor laws, they hire a lot of foreign nationals who can work for low wages. How would you like to work 12-14 hour days seven days a week for several hundred dollars a month? Your waiters, cabin stewards, etc depend on tips as their primary source of income. Follow the Golden Rule and tip as you would want to be tipped. That’s my advice.
No, it does not include tips. It includes only what it says. If it doesn’t say it includes port charges, they will also be extra and they run an average of $159.00 per person.
The ONLY time I have ever had the tips waived/paid for by the cruise company is when I booked a full World Cruise — 94 days.
You can opt to pre-pay gratuities at the cruise lines recommended rate. It is reasonable and I do pre-pay.
I am always prepared to tip extra for excellence, especially for the cabin steward. I usually take 7 day cruises in a balcony stateroom. On the morning of the first full day, I chat with my cabin steward about how I appreciate all they do to make my vacation so memorable and thank them. Then I slip them a $20, and ask if I might get an ashtray for the balcony (I enjoy a good cigar in the evening before bed!) and have the ice bucket checked regularly. (I bring my own soda, and sneak a bottle of rum!) If they meet my expectations during the cruise, I give them another $20 on the last night. I’ve never been disappointed with my cabin steward!
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