Cruise 8-9 14/12/09 16:50 Page 43
ttglive.com
cruise knowledge
Gratuities
Be a good tip adviser
Tipping is one of the most contentious and confusing
bills for drinks and spa treatments, and
there’s even a space on the receipt for an
aspects of cruising. Sara Macefield looks at this tricky
extra tip as well.
issue and the different policies operated by cruise lines
The issue of tipping was thrown into the
spotlight at this year’s Travel Convention in
Barcelona when Royal Caribbean said it
would be reviewing its policy because British
customers were becoming reluctant to pay.
UK managing director Robin Shaw
admitted that while about 50% of Britons
paid the $9.75 daily charge in advance, up to
one-third decided not to pay it all.
It has been reported that such a large
proportion of non-payers has created
difficulties as tips are traditionally used by
crew to bolster their wages, but Shaw said
he was not aware of any problems.
Royal Caribbean’s UK team is now looking
into the issue and the company hopes to
make a decision early next year. MSC Cruises
is also reviewing its tipping policy.
Royal Caribbean’s sales staff are asking
agents and trade partners to stress the high
levels of service that guests can expect
onboard and highlight the option of paying
for gratuities in advance or on the ship.
P&O Cruises managing director Carol
Marlow said the line recommended a
daily rate of £3.10 but left tipping to the
passenger’s discretion.
“We talk about gratuities in training and
it’s mentioned in the brochures and in the
cabin portfolio,” she added. “We are very
open about it.”
Here is a round-up of the different policies
and which cruise lines operate them.
Higher-end cruise lines do not generally incorporate gratuties in their prices
CRUISE LINES THAT DO NOT.
G
ratuities can add hundreds of The biggest difference is between British CHARGE GRATUITIES.
pounds to the basic cost of a cruise lines, which expect minimal tips or Hebridean Island Cruises
two-week cruise, and passengers none at all, and US-orientated lines where a Hurtigruten – on its Norwegian
in higher-grade accommodation daily rate of around $10 per person is coastal voyages
such as suites or penthouses are expected to usually added to the onboard account. Island Cruises
pay even more. As children are generally included, Ocean Village
In most cases, the charge is discretionary, families can find themselves paying an extra Regent Seven Seas Cruises
but it tends to be added to onboard accounts. $40 a day, which over the course of a two- Scenic Tours
This means that passengers have to week cruise translates into an extra $600 on SeaDream Yacht Club
specifically ask for it to be removed if they the cost of the holiday for a family of four. Silversea Cruises
don’t want to pay it. On US lines such as Royal Caribbean Swan Hellenic
The issue of tipping is something of a International, Princess Cruises and Thomson Cruises
maze, as each cruise line operates its own Norwegian Cruise Line, additional gratuities Voyages of Discovery
policy, which agents need to be aware of. of around 15% are automatically added to Yachts of Seabourn
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