Tipping on a cruise is a contentious issue, and one that affects both the crew and the passengers. While it’s not mandatory to tip on a cruise, it is considered good etiquette to show appreciation for the services rendered by the crew. By leaving a tip, passengers can reward hardworking staff who go above and beyond with extra cash, and show gratitude for their excellent service.
If you don’t tip on a cruise, there can be several potential consequences. Firstly, you may receive a poor level of service, as crew members may not be as motivated to go the extra mile for passengers who don’t tip. Even though it’s their job to be attentive, polite, and helpful, receiving a small financial reward, in addition to their salary, can often motivate them to provide better service.
Another consequence is the possibility of social exclusion. Fellow passengers may view you as rude or inconsiderate if you don’t tip, especially since the tipping rate is usually included in the cruise fare, and therefore, not tipping may put you in the minority. Plus, the service industry is a tightly knit community, and the crew members may talk to each other; if you stiff one person, other crew members may not go out of their way to help you, either.
There may also be financial repercussions of not tipping. Some cruise lines automatically add a gratuity charge to your account, which is then distributed to the crew members who serve you. If you don’t tip, you may be charged extra fees or find yourself in a dispute with the cruise line over what is considered reasonable levels of service. Some of the amenities you enjoy while on the cruise may not be available if you don’t tip the staff.
In fact, many crew members rely on tips to supplement their income, which is often already quite low. They work long hours in a demanding environment, leaving behind their families to cater for the needs of passengers. If you don’t tip, you may be effectively leaving them short-changed and making their already difficult job even harder.
Tipping is a personal choice, and there isn’t a hard and fast rule on how much or who to tip. However, if you do decide not to tip, you should be prepared to face the consequences, which can include a reduced level of service, a socially awkward situation, financial costs, and upsetting the hardworking crew.
Do you tip the captain and the waiter?
In some countries, tipping the captain may also be customary, especially for providing excellent service.
In general, tipping is a way to show appreciation to the service provider for their hard work. Waiters often rely on tips to supplement their income, especially in countries where the minimum wage for tipped employees is lower. In such cases, a tip of 15-20% of the total bill is considered standard. It’s worth noting that some restaurants may automatically add a service charge to the bill, in which case additional tipping may not be necessary.
On the other hand, tipping the captain may apply in some contexts, depending on the service provided. For instance, if the captain goes out of their way to make the cruise or sea voyage an enjoyable experience, a tip may be appropriate. It’s important to note that the amount of money to tip the captain varies depending on the type of vessel and the level of service provided.
Tipping is a choice that individuals make based on their satisfaction with the service received. It’s important to do some research ahead of time to understand the local customs and expectations before traveling to a new destination, and it’s better to err on the side of generosity rather than being stingy.
Is it worth it to prepay gratuities on a cruise?
Prepaying gratuities on a cruise can certainly have its advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately, whether it is worth it or not will depend on a variety of factors. One of the main benefits of prepaying gratuities is that it can make budgeting for your trip easier. By paying upfront, you can avoid having to worry about setting aside a portion of your vacation funds for gratuities later on. Additionally, prepaying allows you to know exactly how much you will be paying for gratuities and include it in the overall cost of your cruise.
Another advantage of prepaying gratuities is that it can help ensure that the staff on the cruise ship are rightfully compensated for their hard work. By prepaying, you can feel good knowing that you are supporting the individuals who work tirelessly to make your vacation enjoyable. This can also be a good way to encourage good service, as the staff is more likely to go above and beyond if they know they will be fairly compensated.
On the other hand, prepaying gratuities may not be worth it for everyone. For example, if you are someone who tends to tip more generously than the average amount recommended by the cruise line, you may prefer to wait until the end of your trip to tip the staff. This will allow you to control the amount of gratuity you pay, rather than being locked into a specific amount that was pre-determined by the cruise line.
Additionally, if you have a negative experience on the cruise and do not feel that the staff deserves their gratuities, prepaying may not be the best choice. In this scenario, you may prefer to wait until the end of the trip and only tip those who provided exceptional service.
Whether or not it is worth it to prepay gratuities on a cruise is a personal decision that depends on your preferences and priorities. It can be a good way to ensure that you are budgeting appropriately and supporting hardworking staff members, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.
Does Royal Caribbean main dining room menu change?
Yes, the Royal Caribbean main dining room menu does change. Royal Caribbean offers an extensive array of culinary experiences that cater to various tastes and preferences of their guests. One of the ways they achieve this is by featuring new and innovative menus in their main dining room for every cruise, usually on a daily basis.
The Royal Caribbean team of culinary experts, including experienced chefs and nutritionists, work tirelessly to develop unique, flavorful, and diverse menus that reflect different cultures, regions, and ingredients from around the world. This allows guests to explore different cuisines and tastes throughout the duration of their cruise.
To achieve this, Royal Caribbean constantly updates its main dining room menu, which showcases a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Guests will find options ranging from vegetarian, gluten-free to standard meat dishes.
The menu refresh often includes different cultural themes or featured chefs who bring their expertise to the culinary team on board. For example, on some of the Royal Caribbean cruises through the Mediterranean, the main dining room menu might feature regional specialties from Italy, Greece, Spain, or Morocco.
Moreover, Royal Caribbean offers a rotating menu featuring classic dishes that guests can enjoy every day, even as they experiment with new and exciting flavors during their vacation. The cruise line also has onboard specialty restaurants as well with their unique menus and cuisines, providing guests with a plethora of options to choose from for every meal.
The Royal Caribbean main dining room menu changes frequently, offering delicious and varied dishes every day during your cruise vacation. With the constant updates and inclusion of local, regional, and global flavors, guests will undoubtedly have an exciting culinary experience that caters to their preferences and dietary requirements.
