How do you tip on a cruise ship? leave an envelope on the table on the last day? Hand it to someone?

Answer 1

Theoretically all tipping is done at the end of the cruise for your cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter and Matre D. BUT, the actual process can vary by cruise line. Whenever you order drinks on ship a gratuity or 15% is automatically added to the tab, so there is no need to tip unless you want to give more.

On most ships these days the cruise line will automatically add a fee of about $10. per day per person to your on board cruise bill/tab. On some lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity on the last day of your cruise the cruise line will provide you a voucher showing the gratuity amount for each (waiter, assistant waiter, steward, MatreD) and your room steward will provide you envelopes for the vouchers so that you can present them to the staff. You can add more if you wish and if you have had a real problem with a staff person you can tip less. If you do not want the gratuities to be added to your on board tab you can arrange to pay in cash.

You should not just leave the envelope on the table; present it to the waiter and to the assistant waiter in person and thank then for their service. Same with the Matre D and your cabin steward.

On NCL cruises they add the gratuity but neither give you a voucher or envelope to present to the staff. Since they have freestyle cruising you do not have the same wait staff all cruise long. NCL charges the $10. per day and distributes it for you (at least that's what they tell us).

On the very high end cruise lines, like Crystal, all gratuities are included in your cruise fare. No need to even worry about tipping.

One final point, there is no cash money used on ships, except you should tip in cash if you order room service ($at least $2.00). All other expenses go on your cruise account.

Answer 2

A few years ago, you were supplied with envelopes in your cabin for each person you were expected to tip. State Room steward, dining room waiter, bus boy, and the head waiter. These envelopes were passed out on the last night of the cruise.
Tips are expected because the waiting staff wages are so low. Bar staff tips are covered by a 15% surcharge on your drink bill.
Now, most cruselines add $10+ a day to each cabin members shipboard account.
Spa and beauty treatments are added to your shipboard account with the 15% surcharge.
You can have the $10+ removed from your account if you wish to reward those who have served you personnally.
Have a look at http://boards.cruisecritic.com for answers and comments on all cruise topics.

Answer 3

On some lines you can have the tips charged to your room account. On other lines you tip in cash.

If the tips are charged to your room account, then some lines will give you a voucher to give to the person being tipped. If there is no voucher, then there is nothing to hand out.

If you have cash, vouchers, or both (sometimes I add a little extra cash in addition to the voucher) then you will be given envelopes. For the dining room staff I like to give the envelopes to them personally. I will give the envelope to the room steward personally if I see him or her. If not, I tape the envelope to the mirror.

Answer 4

Since you're leaving the tip at the end of the cruise, it's better to leave it on the table. It's more convenient for you and the room service people

Answer 5

this site has good info for your cruise questions
http://allcruiselines.info