What are the top tips on cruise ship etiquette?

Note: All of the examples used in this post are things we've actually seen!
  • Cruise ship etiquette says to treat the crew with respect. ...
  • Consider your complaints. ...
  • Good cruise ship etiquette means waiting your turn. ...
  • Give up your deck chair when you're not there. ...
  • PIN FOR LATER. ...
  • Don't share your drink package. ...
  • Drink responsibly.




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In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities.

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Average extra tips vary, with most cruisers averaging $1-2 for drinks or room service, and $10-20 per day for cabin stewards. It's up to you if you decide to tip extra, but your automatic gratuity charge covers all the essentials.

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If you plan to remove tips from your onboard bill, you will need to plan in advance to bring enough cash for personal tipping, then wait in a potentially long line at the guest services desk to remove the auto-gratuities and chase down all the crew members you wish to thank on the last evening.

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If you decide to tip your butler, there is no set amount, and it is entirely up to your discretion. Some guests choose to give a cash tip at the end of their cruise, while others may choose to give a gift such as a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates.

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If you do not prepay cruise gratuities before sailing, the cruise line will add them to your onboard bill. The cruise line will then charge your credit card for the gratuity amount at the end of the sailing – along with other purchases you made with your cruise card (drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments, tours, etc.).

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  • “Support Staff” Cruise Ship Jobs. Depending on the cruise line, length of cruise, and itinerary there will sometimes be Support Staff or Supplemental Staff onboard a cruise ship. ...
  • Tailors. ...
  • Carpenters. ...
  • Printer. ...
  • Fire Safety Attendant. ...
  • Wiper.


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As of Aug 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.

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A majority of cruise ship lines offer their employees free food throughout the duration of their contracts. There's typically a special kitchen on the boat that prepares food for staff members. Employees may eat in separate dining areas, depending on their classifications.

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Do I Need to Tip at an All-Inclusive Resort? While tipping is a discretionary and optional gesture, at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others, it is certainly encouraged.

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For bartenders and housekeepers, you may also want to offer a generous tip at the beginning of the cruise (again, $20 or more, depending on your needs) to ensure great service while on board. As for daily housekeeping gratuity, $2 to $5 per person per day is a good rule of thumb.

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As of Sep 24, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Cruise Waiter in the United States is $14.94 an hour.

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