Tipping takes many forms on cruise lines.
First there are the daily automated gratuities that get split up between your room steward, the main dining room staff, and some other behind-the-scenes service workers.
In addition to those tips, there are also the 18% gratuities that attach when you buy a drink or any non-included food. It’s a little less clear how these are shared with crew members.
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Royal Caribbean has said in a statement to Come Cruise With Me, that all tips do end up with crew members. The cruise line does not take a cut or withhold any tips.
There are also, the tips that passengers hand out in cash. These generally go to favorite waiters, bartenders, or servers who make an impression. Many passengers tip one dollar or even more per drink, assuming that the worker gets to keep the money.
What has always been unclear is which bars and other locations on the ship pull their tips. That’s a situation where crew members working the same job essentially put their tips together and each take an equal share.
How tips are shared has been a closely guarded secret for every cruise line. Now, a Former Royal Caribbean employee has decided to spill the beans on everything he knows on tips and other ways to thank crew members.
He did that, in a video shared by the Royal Caribbean Blog.
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Royal Caribbean shares insider info on tipping
Most crew member won;ta talk very much about how tips gets shared, That’s becaxue the cruise lines don’t want passengers to know the full truth.
“Well, we’ve actually got our first really good look at what crew members think about based on a Reddit thread in which one crew member went and shared their thoughts on how you can show your appreciation to those working to make your time on board so memorable. Now, the crew member did not identify themselves just by their Reddit name, SolareaLivros, and they worked on many ships like Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas,” Royal Caribbean Blog owner Matt Hochberg shared.
The crew member made it clear that any amount of cash tips helped.
“We’re paid a livable wage and well, but every dollar is something extra we can bring back home for our families. But if you prefer not to tip, that’s completely okay,” he added.
There are, he shared some ways passengers can help crew without opening their wallets.
“Number one, post-cruise surveys,” he wrote. “…There is a reason why so many crew members talk to guests about those post-cruise surveys. Not only do they allow you to provide feedback on your vacation, but they also have the opportunity to shout out hardworking crew members.”
More ways to help crew without cash
The Reddit user shared that simply treating crew members as people goes a long way.
“Whether a bartender who made your drinks perfectly or a fun activity host taking a moment to show your appreciation with a handwritten note can make a huge difference. Quote, I have personally received small notes folded into fun shapes from guests, and I still have them in my wallet to this day. Reading these notes from guests at the end of a long day of work makes all the work feel worth it,” he posted.
Some even simpler efforts can be appreciated by crew members.
“Speaking of things that really make a difference to crew members, how about remembering their name?…I guess remembering us and calling us by our names makes us feel seen and appreciated,” he wrote.
A simple thank you helps too.
“As you all well know, we work on board without days off, and days can be really long. You have no idea how a simple thank you can make a crew’s day. So, for example, when you see your cabin steward in the hall, address them by their name and ask how they’re doing. Similarly, you can greet your main dining room staff each evening by their names,” he added.
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