Can you decline gratuity on cruise?

Declining Gratuities on a Cruise

Cruise lines often include gratuities, also known as service charges, in the overall cost of the cruise fare. However, passengers have the option to decline this pre-assigned charge.

Why Decline Gratuities?

• Personal Preference: Some passengers may prefer to tip crew members directly based on their individual service and satisfaction.
• Budget Constraints: For travelers on a tight budget, declining gratuities can save a significant amount of money.
• Past Experience: If a passenger has had a negative experience with the crew or service on a previous cruise, they may choose to forgo gratuities.

How to Decline Gratuities

To decline gratuities on a cruise, you can follow these steps:

1. Notify the Reception Desk: Before disembarking the ship, visit the reception desk and inform them that you wish to decline the automated gratuity.
2. Provide Your Information: You will need to provide your cabin number, name, and sailing date.
3. Confirm Removal: The staff at the reception desk will remove the gratuity charge from your account.

Note:

• Declining gratuities must be done prior to disembarkation.
• Some cruise lines may have a minimum gratuities policy or charge a fee for declining gratuities.
• It is recommended to check with the cruise line’s policy before making a decision.

Tipping Crew Members Directly

If you choose to decline gratuities, you can still tip individual crew members directly. This can be done in cash or through a credit card at the designated tipping locations throughout the ship.

When tipping directly, consider the following guidelines:

• Waiters and Waitresses: $5-10 per person per day
• Cabin Steward: $5-10 per day
• Bartenders: $2-5 per drink
• Porters: $2-5 per bag

Conclusion

Declining gratuities on a cruise is a personal choice. While cruise lines typically include gratuities in the fare, passengers have the option to forgo the pre-assigned charge and tip crew members directly based on their individual experience. By notifying the reception desk prior to disembarkation, passengers can ensure that the automated gratuity is removed from their account.