Do I have to tip or pay gratuities onboard?
Tipping onboard, also known as 'Gratuities', is different for all cruise lines.
Some cruise lines, such as MSC Cruises and Celebrity cruises, include the tips in the upfront price, so you don't have to worry about tipping onboard unless you feel you've had exceptional service.
Other cruise lines might include the cost of your gratuities in the price when booking, but these are an optional extra, giving you the choice to remove them and then tip who you want, when you want, once onboard.
On other cruises, tips might be an optional extra for you to consider onboard and do not feature in the price when booking.
And some cruise lines, such as Seabourn and Azamara, simply say that tips are neither required, nor expected.
It’s worth considering that when you pre-pay your gratuities, all the staff throughout the ship, behind the scenes as well as those front of house will benefit from your gesture. From the chefs and kitchen staff through to housekeeping, cabin attendants and the rest of the crew, all are dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable as possible from the minute you step on board and in this way all of the crew are rewarded for their hard work.
If there is an option to pre-pay, this will appear when you book, with an option to accept or decline.
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More FAQs
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What's included when I book a cruise holiday?
What's included on a cruise ship holiday? Is food included? Are drinks included? Are shore excursions included? Are trips included?
Can I choose what time I eat at night, table size and who I am dining with?
The choice of dining times, restaurants and even the size of your table may be available for you to choose at the time of booking.
What's a Cabin Category?
Like booking a hotel, a cruise ship has lots of different types of room types- Inside, Window or Porthole, Balcony, Suite. These are cabin categories.
What is a 'Guarantee Cabin'?
Guarantee cabins GTY are a great idea if you're travelling on a budget, don't need cabin number and you're hoping for a free upgrade
Oceanview, Seaview or Outside Cabin- What's the Difference?
Oceanview, Seaview or Outside Cabin- What's the Difference? All have natural light through a window, porthole or floor to ceiling glass.
I've booked, what happens next?
Now you've booked, all you need to do is register with your cruise line so you can see what's happening on your cruise, get all the updates
What are shore excursions?
Shore excursions are organised day trips and tours ashore in each port you visit. Organised trips mean you are fully protected against mishaps
How do I know which cruise terminal I am sailing from?
All the details for reaching your ship, port and terminal will be sent in your final documents, which will be emailed 7-14 days before departure
