MSC Cruises to Include Gratuities

MSC recently announced that from the 25th of June 2019 they will now include the daily service charge in the cost of the cruise fare. The decision was made to simplify the booking process and ensure guests have the best possible experience once on board.

So is the way all cruise lines should go?

Or would you still prefer to know who you are tipping?

Or do you think you could up effectively tipping twice?

I wonder if you will still receive the envelope in your cabin on the last day or if this will now be stopped because its included. I think it would be interesting to know. With P&O introducing it from May this year perhaps all cruise lines should follow suit and do the same. I wonder by doing this will they increase the wages of the staff? As they said the gratuities use to be divided between. It’s shame that it can be a big issue and always has to be discussed when booking a cruise. It is a very American thing and they are use to it, where as we’re a little reserved. It actually makes me feel uncomfortable when you’re in a restaurant and when you pay by card they say on the handset if you want to opt in or out of paying them.

I would like to say for anyone booked before this date with MSC will have the gratuities automatically added to their on board account, however once they are on board they can visit guest services and opt out.