‘Tipping Ridiculous!’ – Another major cruise line increases daily service charge.

One aspect of cruising that can be a bit intimidating, particularly to first-time travellers is tipping. How much should you tip? Do you have to leave anything at all? No one wants to come across as stingy or unappreciative but it’s easy to feel a little unsure about the whole matter.

In order to ‘assist’ guests with the tipping issue, cruise lines have come up with a way to simplify the process, they just automatically add a suggested amount directly to your on board account which you clear at the end of your cruise – simples!

This may well take the hassle out of tipping but do you actually know how much you will be paying? Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises recently increased their daily service charge from July 1st this year, Norwegian Cruise Lines have increased their daily service charge twice already this year and it’s just been announced that Holland America Line will follow suit with an increase from December the 1st.

This means additional charges for your sailing (assuming you don’t attempt to get them removed on board) with some of the major players are as follows, these rates are based on ‘standard’ cabins, guests travelling in a suite usually have to pay an increased rate.

Holland America Line (from 1st December) – $12.50 per person per day.

Royal Caribbean International – $12.95 per person per day.

Celebrity Cruises – $12.95 per person per day.

Norwegian Cruise Lines – $13.50 per person per day.

This means a family of 4 sailing on a 14 night NCL itinerary would be expected (sorry, recommended) to pay $756 in tips – what do you think of that?

I know the whole concept of tipping is a devisive issue, with some thinking staff should be paid a decent wage in the first place therefore negating the need for tips, but as it stands tipping is still a part of cruising with many of the major cruise lines.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, does tipping put you off cruising? Are the ‘suggested’ amounts automatically added to your on board account simply too much? Would you only cruise with a company whose tips are neither expected or required (Thomson Cruises for example).

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Bye for now.