Issue Raised On Cash Gratuities To Cabin Stewards

Carnival Cruise Line’s popular brand ambassador John Heald addressed a rumor about cash gratuities that guests often give to their room stewards who go above and beyond on their cruise.

The rumor that has been circulating around the internet is that when a guest gives an additional cash gratuity to their room steward, the room steward has to turn that money into a tip pool.

The question was asked and John Heald posted the following response to the question “What is Carnival’s policy if I personally hand my room steward an additional cash gratuity in addition to the ones I have already paid?”.

“This seems to be the question of the day as many are asking me in reaction to a post made by someone on another page that states that there is a tip pool for state room stewards.

Please ignore any rumour that you may have read as it is false.

Any cash you give our crew is kept by the state room steward 100%. It is not pooled. He or she may give some to their assistant that helped clean your cabin but again, it is not pooled.

And a massive thank you to everyone who does tip our crew, you are very kind and I know our brilliant crew will continue to strive to exceed your expectations.”

This is good news, as I always though it should and did go to them. It does beg the questions that are all cruise lines the same? Does any of the cabin stewards on any cruise have a different policy?

When I was on Royal Caribbean last year, my waiter in the dining room asked me to tip directly and not via anyone, or left in my cabin with his name on, as suggested.

Maybe because he knew where it might end up? What are your thoughts on Gratuities? Do you pay before departure if possible? Or remove once on-board?

Take a look at the “Guide to Gratuities” and which cruise lines, charge what, click HERE

 

 

 


About Me

I have been in the travel industry for over 18 years and became a cruise specialist 8 years ago. I have a wide range of knowledge of all the cruise lines from River cruising with APT to 6* cruising with Silversea. I have sailed on-board with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise…

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