Norwegian Cruise Lines has raised the gratuity on its drinks and speciality dining packages, effective this month.
Until now, passengers have paid an automatic gratuity of 18% on the Ultimate Beverage and Specialty Dining packages.
The new gratuity is 20% and became effective on the 1st December; these gratuities are added automatically to your bill even if the package is a value-added perk.
The raise in gratuity comes after Norwegian raised its Ultimate Beverage Package price in October by nearly 13%.
The cost of drinks is now well over $100 per person per day, at $106.800- the package includes unlimited fountain soda, spirits, draft and bottled beer, wines by the glass and cocktails up to $15, plus a 20% discount on bottles of wine (bottled water and speciality coffee drinks are not included).
The Specialty Dining package allows diners to eat outside the main dining room for free on a varying amount of nights during a week-long cruise.
With the gratuity increase, a three-meal package will work out to $82.80 per person if bought online in advance; prices can vary and increase when bought onboard.
NCL are not the only cruise line to have increased their gratuities this year as P&O raised the daily service charge onboard from £5 to £6 in March.
All passengers aged 12 and above has to pay this charge, per person per day, unless they opt to remove their gratuities at the end of their cruise.
In the same month, Holland America increased their tipping charge by 8%; from $12.50 to $13.50 a day whilst the recommended rate for suite guests rose from $13.50 to $15 (an 11% increase).
What do you think of the news today? Do you think gratuity increases are inevitable and the crew deserve the rise? Or are you someone who queues at the end of their cruise to get the grats removed? Leave us your comments!
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