Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the price of an Azamara cruise, so there is no need to tip individual crew members. However, additional tipping is always welcome for exceptional service.

Gratuities & Service Recognition

It is customary for guests to show appreciation for our hardworking crew by extending gratuities. 100% of gratuities go directly to the shipboard team members who enhance your cruise experience, including stateroom attendants, dining and culinary staff, and other crew members working behind the scenes. To streamline this process and ensure fair distribution, gratuities are automatically applied to each guest’s account.

Recommended Gratuity Guidelines

• Standard Staterooms: $16.00 USD per person, per day
• Suite Staterooms: $18.00 USD per person, per day

How to Pay Gratuities

Pre-Paid Gratuities

• Can be added at the time of booking or any time before the sail date.
• Guests who booked directly with Carnival can add gratuities through Carnival.com.
• Guests who booked through a travel agent should contact their travel professional to add gratuities.
• Prepaid gratuities appear under the ‘Miscellaneous Charge’ field on the booking confirmation and guest e-documents.

Sail & Sign® Account

• If gratuities are not pre-paid, the recommended amount will be automatically posted to the guest’s Sail & Sign account on the second-to-last day of the cruise.
• Guests who have concerns about service may visit Guest Services while onboard to address them promptly.
• Gratuities can be adjusted at the guest’s discretion while still onboard. After disembarkation, gratuities will be considered final, and no changes can be made.

Additional Gratuity Information

• Gratuities apply to all guests except children under 2 years old.
• Gratuities apply regardless of dining preferences, including casual dining and open seating options.
• Beverage purchases include an 18% service charge.
• An 18% service charge applies to specialty dining reservations at Chef’s Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki as well as à la carte dining at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and Seafood Shack. Additional gratuities may be added at the guest’s discretion.
• Room service staff may be tipped at the guest’s discretion as service is provided.

For your convenience, Celebrity automatically add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion:

• $18.00 per person, per day in Inside, Oceanview, and Veranda staterooms
• $18.50 per person, per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms
• $23.00 per person, per day in The Retreat Suites

This gratuity is shared by your stateroom attendant, dining services staff, and housekeeping staff members who help enhance your vacation experience. At your discretion, the gratuity payments may be adjusted onboard at Guest Relations, in which case they will not automatically be added to your onboard SeaPass® account. An 18% gratuity will be automatically added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, spa and salon services. Additional gratuities may be added at your discretion.

Gratuities are automatically charged to the customer's account and are distributed equally among the crew members. This includes the services provided by the cabin stewards, dining room staff, and maitre d'hotel. Therefore, we recommend that customers do not give individual gratuities to staff members.

A daily service charge will be applied to the guest's onboard account for all hotel services provided. This charge is pooled and distributed to the various team members across our fleet who contribute to enhancing the guest experience. If a guest is not satisfied with the service they receive, they can visit the Guest Services Desk while onboard, allowing us to address any concerns promptly. Guests may adjust the service charges at their discretion after they have been posted to their account. However, once the service charges have been posted to the onboard account, they are considered final upon disembarkation, and no changes will be made after the cruise.

For bookings confirmed before September 15, 2021, with a departure date after May 1, 2022, the suggested daily service charge of $12 USD per person, per night will apply to guests 15 years and older.

For bookings confirmed after September 15, 2021, the suggested daily charge of $12 USD per person, per night will also apply to guests aged 15 and older.

Children aged 4 to 14 will be charged a suggested daily amount of $6 USD per person, per night. No charge will apply for children under the age of 4.

Costa Cruises reserves the right to modify, amend, or update these service charges at any time, with or without notice.

The “hotel and dining service charge” is a daily fee per guest that will automatically be added to your onboard account for your convenience. This charge recognizes the hard work of a variety of crew members who contribute to the White Star service experience for all guests. The eligible crew members work across different departments and may rotate among various ships within our fleet. The amount of the hotel and dining service charge is determined by your stateroom category and is charged daily to your account, as outlined below.

For voyages departing until April 25, 2024 for Queen Elizabeth, and April 27, 2024 for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria:

• Inside, Oceanview, and Balcony: $14.50 USD
• Grill Suite: $16.50 USD

For voyages departing on or after April 26, 2024 for Queen Elizabeth, and April 28, 2024 for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria:

• Inside, Oceanview, and Balcony: $16 USD
• Grill Suite: $18 USD

We are committed to guest satisfaction, and our Purser’s Office onboard is available to address any concerns you may have. In the rare case that you remain dissatisfied, the hotel and dining service charge may be adjusted at your discretion anytime during the cruise, up until you settle your onboard account before disembarkation. If no adjustments are made onboard, the payment becomes final and nonrefundable.

No additional “tipping” is required for hotel and dining staff. However, if you would like to personally reward any other crew members for exceptional service, you are welcome to do so. You also have the option to pre-pay these charges before boarding the ship by contacting Cunard at 1-800-728-6273.

Additionally, other service charges apply to products and services not included in the voyage fare. A 15% service charge is automatically added to bar and wine purchases that are not part of the fare, which is shared among the beverage staff. A 12.5% salon service charge is given directly to the crew member providing the service.

Other optional services such as Alternative Dining, Specialty Food Items, Drinks not covered by the Drinks Package, Corkage Fee, Private Group Functions, and Spa Services may also have a separate service charge, which will be automatically added to your onboard account and distributed to the respective crew members.

A gratuity of $16.00 USD per night for each guest in a stateroom, including infants and children is recommend. For guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites, we suggest a gratuity of $27.25 USD per night for each guest. This amount includes gratuity for the assistant stateroom host who services the Concierge accommodations, as well as the Concierge Lounge team.

An 18% gratuity charge for the bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs for your convenience. All gratuities can be charged to your onboard account.

Gratuities/Tips. Gratuities and tips are included on tours and cruises operated by Emerald and that are listed on your itinerary. All other gratuities and tips are the customer’s responsibility.

Crew appreciation charges are daily tips and gratuities added to your onboard account to recognize the team members on board. It is a daily (adjustable at your discretion) amount added to your onboard account and pooled in order to recognize the many team members throughout our fleet who contribute to the guest experience.

For all sailings departing prior to February 14, 2024 as well as the 2024 Grand World Voyage and the 2024 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, the daily Crew Appreciation is $16.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.50* per guest per day for suite guests.

For sailings departing on or after February 14, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation is $17.00 USD* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $19.00 USD* per guest per day for suite guests.

The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. An 18% service charge is automatically applied to all beverage purchases, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, all for-purchase a la carte menu items, and all Spa & Salon services. Local sales taxes are applied where required.

*The charges are subject to change without notice.

While tipping is not required on our ships, we greatly appreciate any recognition of exceptional service. For guests who wish to express their gratitude, tip boxes and envelopes are available in the restaurant for your convenience.

At the end of the cruise it is international custom to pay service charges to restaurant and cabin staff in recognition of good service. Passengers will receive written communication regarding this in their cabin. For your convenience and as an indicative suggestion we have arranged for an all inclusive daily service charge of 12 Euros per adult and 6 Euros per child (2-11 years) for cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe; 16 US dollars per person (2 years old and over) for cruises in the Caribbean and North America; 15 US dollars per adult and 8 dollars per child per night for cruises in South America; 10 US dollars per adult and 5 US dollars per child per night for cruises in South Africa; 18 US dollars per person per night (2 years old or over) for cruises in Asia. This sign of appreciation, valid on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet is of course optional. Therefore, passengers may freely decide whether to increase or decrease it, communicating their decision to the Accounting Office before 22.00 of the last day. This Office is at your disposal for further information. For your convenience, should you give no indication to change the amount; the sum will automatically be debited to your final extras account.

Unlike most cruise lines, there is no mandatory or recommended tipping for general service on our ships. While gratuities are not required, our staff is encouraged to go above and beyond, and they are welcome to accept cash tips for exceptional service if you choose to offer them. Certain staff members, such as those in concierge, butler, youth programs, and beverage services, provide personalized service to specific guests and do not share in the overall service charge. We encourage guests to show their appreciation for these individual staff members with appropriate tips. Additionally, a 20% gratuity and service charge will be added to all spa and salon services, beverage purchases, and specialty dining or entertainment-based dining.

Tipping is a personal choice and entirely up to you. For your convenience, the following gratuities will be automatically added to your shipboard account:

• Gratuities of $18.00 per guest, per day will be added for guests occupying staterooms.
• Gratuities of $23.00 per guest, per day will be added for guests staying in Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, or Owner's Suites where Butler Service is provided.
• A 20% service gratuity will be automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa services, and dining at La Reserve.

Of course, you are welcome to adjust these gratuities while on board at your discretion.

All shipboard gratuities for room stewards, bar staff, and dining staff are included in your cruise fare. However, gratuities for services such as the spa and beauty shop are not included and may be added at the guest’s discretion.

Tips are usual practice on cruise ships and are left to your discretion. We suggest an amount of 10 to 12 euros per day/per passenger that will be distributed among the Crew. You will find an envelope for this purpose in your cabin at the end of the cruise. You may deposit this envelope in the receptacle provided at the Reception Desk.

The “Crew Appreciation” is a daily fee per guest, automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience, to acknowledge the hard work of various crewmembers who enhance the guest experience. These crew members, who rotate across different ships in our fleet, are eligible to receive these funds. The daily amount for Crew Appreciation varies based on the stateroom category as follows:

The amounts above are in USD. For ships operating in AUD, guests will be charged the equivalent of the USD amount.

Guests have full discretion to adjust the crew appreciation while onboard, but adjustments must be made prior to disembarkation and are not refundable after the cruise. 

Crew appreciation can also be prepaid via Manage Booking.

Gratuities are included in the cruise fare for all RSSC vessels except for services from Serene Spa & Wellness. If guests feel strongly about expressing their gratitude to the crew, they should be encouraged to make a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund at the Purser Office. This money is utilized for crew parties and events.

Guests who do not prepay gratuities at the time of booking will have a daily service gratuity automatically charged to their SeaPass® account as follows:*

• $21.00 per guest, per day for those staying in suites
• $18.50 per guest, per day for all other stateroom categories

Gratuities collected are distributed among crew members, including dining, bar, and culinary staff, stateroom attendants, hotel services teams, and others who contribute to enhancing the overall cruise experience.

Additionally:

• An 18% gratuity will be automatically added to all pre-cruise and onboard purchases of beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, specialty dining packages, room service, and mini bar items.
• A 20% gratuity will be automatically applied to all pre-cruise and onboard spa and salon purchases.

Guests may adjust gratuities at their discretion by visiting the Guest Services desk onboard at any time before the morning of disembarkation. Those sailing in group reservations should consult their group leader or travel agent for further details.

*Not applicable where prohibited by law.

Tipping and gratuities are not included in the fare price.

Tipping is neither required nor expected. Prices do not include gratuities for local shore excursion guides, drivers, and related service staff. Independent, subcontracted ground operator companies employ all ground staff and these entities do not participate in Seabourn Cruises' on board "no tipping" practice. Tipping of guides, drivers and other independent ground staff is at the individual guest's discretion, anticipated and appreciated.

SeaDream's European style, award-winning service is provided by a very professional and meticulous international service staff. Guests aboard our yachts do not have to carry cash or sign tabs. Tipping is included in the fare and not expected.

All gratuities aboard ship are included in your cruise fare; none are expected.

Gratuities on board the ship are not included in the cruise fare and are left to the discretion of each guest, based on the level of service received. Many guests often seek guidance on this matter, so we recommend a gratuity of 8 euros per guest per day.

Our onboard staff is committed to providing you with an exceptional experience, and gratuities are a customary way to recognize their service. The amount you choose to tip is entirely up to you. To simplify this process, a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $17 USD per guest, per day is automatically added to your shipboard account and reflected on your final invoice. This charge is distributed among the onboard staff who contribute to your experience, including waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff, and others.

Additionally, if you wish to tip your local excursion guides or drivers, we suggest $3 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) per person, per day for guides and $2 USD per person, per day for drivers, given at the end of each tour.

Should you prefer to adjust the gratuity amount or pay in cash, you can visit Guest Services at any time. 

For added convenience, gratuities can also be pre-purchased at our standard recommended rate through My Viking Journey. If your package includes prepaid gratuities, the discretionary $17 USD per guest, per day charge will not appear on your final invoice.

Tipping is not required

HOTEL SERVICE CHARGE

Our dedicated crew strives to ensure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes the team members who directly serve you, such as wait staff, beverage servers, and the stewards who maintain your stateroom or suite. There are also many others behind the scenes, such as the galley and laundry staff, whose efforts you may not see but are essential to your experience. To recognize and reward the contributions of all our crew members, a Hotel Service Charge of $16 per guest, per day is automatically added to each onboard account. If our service meets or exceeds your expectations, or if it falls short, you are welcome to adjust this amount at the end of your cruise.