Here’s a tip

Right where do I start, tipping, a swear word to most of us Brits, more and more cruise lines are now expecting tips to be paid up front when booking a cruise and this is very much a bone of contention. As a former crew member I can understand why us Brits find this system absolutely ridiculous, paying tips before we have even received the service! This system is found mainly on the American products as our friendly neighbours love to tip everyone, it makes them feel all good inside.

Stop right there, we are not American and we don’t want or need to tip everyone we meet.

So what can we do?

Well too be honest, if you are lucky or unlucky enough to be heading off on a cruise soon and it is with an American product, here is a little tip myself that will help, and I don’t want or expect any money for this 🙂

When you join your cruise, one of the first areas I want you to visit (once you have unpacked) is to head to the front desk, there might be a queue but it will be worth the wait, explain to the nice young lady or man that you do not wish to have the tips added to your onboard account, but you will instead tip crew members as you go, making sure anyone that goes above and beyond their duty gets something they deserve. Now at this point, expect to have a few excuses thrown at you, to try and put you off doing this, hold your ground and continue to explain that you do not wish to have your tips added to your onboard account. Remember stand your ground, there will be a stand off. Finally and begrudgingly they will honour your request. BOSH…….

Just one important point, make sure you do not leave it any later than the first day of the cruise to do this, becasue if you leave it any later they will refuse to honour your request.

Click the link below to find out all the cruise lines tipping policies

http://www.cruise.co.uk/guides/cruise-information-gratuities/