Should I pay cruise gratuities in advance?

You could be debating whether it's preferable to pay your tips in advance or after you board the ship regarding gratuities on cruise ships. Although there is no right or wrong response, prepaying gratuities has some benefits you should consider. However, both sides of the debate have some very valid arguments, and there are multiple things that you must consider.

Is it preferable to pay for tips in advance when cruising?

Here are the three sides of paying tips in advance while cruising. Choose accordingly!

• Convenience

Paying your gratuities in advance keeps your onboard expenses lower. Nobody enjoys receiving a large bill at the end of a trip, and you can prevent this by paying your gratuities in advance.

• Securing a lesser cost

The price of tips on cruises may occasionally increase. So, it might be beneficial to lock in the reduced rate and ward off possible price hikes by paying your gratuities in advance.

How should you pay the cruise gratuity?

There is no solid answer to this question, which largely depends on the traveler.

• Based on your cruise, gratuities may or may not be considered a part of your total fare. If they are not paid prior to your cruise then they will be added to your onboard account. This ensures that the crew members who serve you are paid a fair or higher rate than they would otherwise receive.
• Then, if someone provided exceptional service or went above and beyond what you would typically and reasonably anticipate, you might pay them more cash to show your appreciation.
• Nowadays, cruise passengers sometimes dine at different restaurants, and that’s why paying the gratuities through the central process is fruitful. Also, since multiple dining and specialty venues exist, passengers sometimes have different servers.
• Hence, by putting your gratuities in one pot, you can ensure that everyone who has served you during your cruise will be given some appreciation for their efforts.
• You can also tip those not part of the larger pot, such as people who work at the casino, tour guides, bus drivers, and porters. But their gratuity is included in the base fare on many ultra-luxury cruise lines.

Which cruise lines incorporate gratuities in the price?

The following cruise companies include gratuities in their rates. However you should always ask at the time of booking a cruise whether or not the gratuities are included in your fare.

• Celebrity Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Azamara
• Virgin Voyages
• Silversea
• Seabourn

How are gratuities paid in advance on a cruise?

When you plan your cruise, you can prepay your tips with your travel agency, or i prepay them during your cruise check-in process. Depending on the cruise line, you can prepay your gratuities up to 72 hours before boarding.

Can I waive any service fees or gratuities for the cruise line?

At the guest services desk on the cruise ship, you can increase or decrease gratuities. But, if you less them you'll probably be questioned about it, as the cruise company wants to address any service concerns and grievances onboard.

Final words

Typically, most travelers like to prepay their gratuities on a cruise simply because they prefer not having to worry about it onboard. Nevertheless, as the gratuities would be deducted automatically once on the ship, it is also okay to wait. However, at the end of the day, choosing to pay gratuities in advance is a matter of personal preference.