princess cruise line gratuities

• Discover Exclusive Offers and Special Deals on 4th of July Cruise Deals
• Discover Exclusive and Special deals on MSC Kids Sail Free
• MSC Cruises June Deals & Add Drink & Wifi to Save More
• Get exclusive cruise deals on MSC Poesia Mediterranean Cruises for 2024
• Get exclusive cruise deals on MSC Sailings from New York
• Get exclusive cruise deals on MSC Euribia Northern Europe Cruises for 2024
• Get exclusive cruise deals on MSC Cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral
• Discover Exclusive Offers and Special Deals on MSC Cruise Deals
• +1 (866) 622-3344

• Top Cruise Destinations
• All Cruise Destinations
• Top Departure Ports
• All Departure Ports
•  Ocean Cruises
•  River Cruises
•  Cruise Length
•  2 to 3 nights
•  4 to 6 nights
•  7 to 9 nights
•  10 to 13 nights
•  14 and more nights
• All Cruise Lines
• Cruise Booking
• Cruise Articles
• Princess Cruise Tips

How much are gratuities on Princess?

Princess Cruise gratuity pricing: Your guide to understanding gratuities for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation on Princess Cruise.

Book Princess Cruises Now

One of the details that vacationers frequently ponder before leaving on a lavish cruise is gratuities. Princess Cruises has a clear gratuity policy that protects both the comfort of the paying customers and the welfare of the dedicated crew. Princess Cruises is known for its great service and enthralling ocean voyages. This thorough guide will delve into the nuances of gratuities on Princess Cruises , illuminating its justification, suggested amounts, method of distribution, and overall effect on the cruise experience.

Understanding gratuities

Gratuities, sometimes known as "tipping," are a traditional way to show appreciation for excellent service. They have been a crucial component of the hospitality sector for decades, recognizing service providers' efforts and confirming their commitment to giving visitors a great experience. In the case of Princess Cruises, tips are essential to upholding the excellent standards of service for which the company is known.

The gratuity policy of Princess Cruises

The gratuity policy for Princess Cruises is intended to give guests information about gratuity costs that is clear and transparent. Princess Cruises often adds a daily automatic gratuity charge to each guest's shipboard account. This fee pays the labor of the stateroom stewards, dining room servers, and other crew members, contributing to a relaxing and pleasurable cruise experience.

Automatic gratuities ensure that all deserving crew members, including those who perform unseen work, receive a fair share of gratuities. The process is also streamlined for visitors, thanks to this system, which removes the need to carry cash and tip individuals separately.

Recommended gratuity amounts

Different amounts of recommended gratuities may apply depending on the kind of stateroom you reserve on a Princess Cruise. The cruise line has always offered suggested daily gratuity amounts per passenger, subject to change. The dining room wait staff, the stateroom steward, and other service people are frequently included in these recommended amounts.

It's crucial to remember that while these suggested tip amounts are intended to serve as a general guideline, guests are free to modify the fees in accordance with their level of satisfaction with the provided service. Depending on their particular experiences, some people might decide to enhance or decrease the gratuity.

Distribution and impact

It takes meticulous planning and organization to distribute gratuities. Usually, the automatically charged tips from customers are combined and divided among the qualified staff. This distribution approach guarantees that the numerous teams and departments contributing to the overall visitor experience are acknowledged and paid.

Beyond monetary compensation, gratuities have an impact on Princess Cruises. Crew members are inspired to go above and beyond to meet guests' demands because it promotes a culture of great service. The cruise experience is improved for everyone when there is a symbiotic interaction between the staff and the passengers.

Navigating the gratuities process

Navigating the gratuities procedure can be intimidating for those who are new to Princess Cruises or cruising in general. The cruise line tries to make the journey as seamless as possible, though. Guests are informed of the Princess's proposed gratuity amounts and how they will be charged when making a reservation for a cruise.

Before setting sail, guests have the option to prepay their gratuities, giving them the chance to set aside money for this outlay in advance. A stress-free holiday can also result from prepaying gratuities because passengers won't have to worry about paying the bills onboard.

Princess Cruises also provides an onboard guest services desk where passengers can change their gratuity amounts as needed. Because of the flexibility, passengers can adjust their gratuities by their cruise experiences.

Gratuities and exceptional service

It's important to emphasize that aboard Princess Cruises, tips are about more than just receiving money. They serve as a concrete expression of appreciation for the commitment and effort made by the staff members who enhance the overall cruise experience. The coordinated efforts of numerous departments, including housekeeping, dining, and entertainment, result in the great service that guests experience.

Cruise crew frequently develop long-lasting relationships with passengers, making their voyage special and enjoyable. The gratuities system promotes an atmosphere of appreciation and recognition by reinforcing the crew's and guests' mutual respect.

Also Read:  What is the tipping policy on a cruise ship?

Final words

In conclusion, gratuities on Princess Cruises are a crucial part of the cruise experience since they ensure that the highest standards of service are preserved and that the crew is properly thanked for their contributions. To give visitors a seamless and pleasurable experience, every aspect of the suggested tipping amounts, automatic charges, and distribution method has been meticulously planned. After knowing the gratuity system on Princess Cruise, you must be thinking about planning a cruise. So, book a cruise through www.CruiseBooking.com to get the best deal.

What entertainment options does Princess Cruises offer?

Book Princess Cruises Now Exploring magnificent sites on a Princess Cruises voyage is also a trip into a world of great entertainment and relaxation. With a mission to offer exceptional [...]

May 20, 2024

What types of cabins are available, and what are the differences?

Book A Cruise Now Cruising has developed into a popular and affluent mode of transportation and vacation, allowing passengers to see various sites while enjoying top-notch amenities. One of the [...]

August 22, 2023

Do children need passports to get on cruise ships?

Book A Cruise Now Families frequently choose cruises as their holiday destination because they provide a special combination of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure. Cruises offer fantastic [...]

Are there family-friendly accommodations onboard Azamara Cruises?

Book Azamara Cruises Embarking on a cruise vacation with your family is exciting and full of shared adventures and unforgettable moments. You might be wondering if Azamara Cruises, a luxury [...]

August 21, 2023

Cruise Inquiry

Our cruise experts will help you to plan your perfect cruise vacation!

* I consent to receive communications by email or phone. I understand I may opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link provided in all communications. Please proceed to the Privacy Policy page or read our Terms & Conditions to understand how your data might be used.

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Privacy Policies

Can I remove prepaid gratuities on a cruise?

When it comes to cruise fees, prepaid gratuities might be the sneakiest extra charge that can mess with your vacation budget. If you've never booked a big-ship cruise before, you might not realize that cruise lines tack on automatic gratuities that can add hundreds of dollars to your final bill. Booking websites don't always announce those extra fees until you're asked if you want to prepay them in the final steps of the cruise booking process.

Cruisers do have options, albeit limited ones. You can prepay the gratuities when booking or wait to pay them as part of your onboard bill. You may also be able to remove the automatic gratuities — but is it a good idea?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here, we explore cruise prepaid gratuities and whether you should pay them or not.

What are prepaid gratuities?

Cruise lines use the term "prepaid gratuities" in multiple ways, which makes the concept even more confusing to newbies.

Most frequently, prepaid gratuities refer to the option for travelers to pay the automatically added tips when they book the cruise rather than paying them as part of their onboard bill at the end of the sailing.

However, prepaid gratuities can also refer to a promotion in which a cruise line or travel agent offers to pay your crew tips for you. You get a discount on your final cruise bill because you're not responsible for the gratuities.

Some luxury or more inclusive cruise lines always cover gratuities in their fare, so you never have to worry about a sneaky extra fee.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

What do prepaid gratuities cover on a cruise?

Prepaid gratuities cover tips for housekeeping and dining room staff members — waiters, room stewards , etc. They supplement the base salaries of the hotel services team members, some of whom you'll interact with on your cruise (like a waiter) and others you won't (like the crew members who wash your sheets).

The prepaid gratuities do not cover tips for bar service or spa treatments, or gratuities for local guides and drivers who lead your excursions in port. While tipping tour guides is left to your discretion, many cruise lines automatically tack a 15% to 20% tip onto bar and spa bills. Some also add automatic gratuities to your check at extra-fee restaurants on board.

Related: Are cruises all-inclusive? What's actually included in your cruise fare

Which cruises have free prepaid gratuities?

Not every line or every sailing requires prepaid gratuities.

Certain lines, usually higher-end ones, include crew gratuities in their cruise fares. Lines like Silversea , Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas Cruises do not charge extra for staff appreciation. Big-ship line Virgin Voyages also includes crew tips in its base prices.

Some lines give you the option to purchase an extra-inclusions package that may cover gratuities. Princess Cruises ' Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages and Windstar Cruises ' All-Inclusive fares bundle crew gratuities with other complimentary perks (such as drink packages and Wi-Fi access ) at a discounted price, compared to purchasing all the components separately.

Additionally, some travel sellers may occasionally offer to pay your gratuities for you on select cruise lines as part of a promotion.

Related: Best all-inclusive cruise lines

Should I prepay cruise gratuities or not?

As with any financial decision, there are pros and cons to choosing prepaid gratuities versus adding them to your onboard bill.

The benefit of prepaying gratuities is that you account for the cost in your initial booking, which might help you get a clearer picture of the actual total cost of the trip. You won't accidentally spend that money before your cruise, leaving you less for fun activities once you're on vacation.

The downside is you hand over more money to the cruise line early. If you wait to pay until your sailing, those dollars will continue to earn interest for you longer (if you keep your vacation funds in an interest-bearing account).

On the other hand, cruise lines report that cruisers who prepay for things like crew gratuities and shore excursions still spend money on board because those previous payments don't feel as immediate. These vacationers spend more on their total cruise vacation than folks who wait to purchase extras once on the ship. Prepaying the automatic gratuities might lead to a higher overall bill for your getaway.

Finally, prepaying gratuities also prevents you from changing the amount once on board if you're dissatisfied with the service.

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you bonkers — and what you can do about them

What happens if you don't prepay gratuities on a cruise?

If you do not prepay cruise gratuities before sailing, the cruise line will add them to your onboard bill. The cruise line will then charge your credit card for the gratuity amount at the end of the sailing — along with other purchases you made with your cruise card (drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments, tours, etc.).

The answer to this question is complicated, so bear with me.

If you have prepaid gratuities during the cruise booking process, you cannot remove them on board. The cruise line has had your money for months, and it won't give it back.

If you have not prepaid gratuities and the service charges show up on your onboard bill, you can go to guest services before the sailing ends and request to have the amounts altered or removed. You'll be asked to explain why you're unhappy with the service you received.

However, even if your room steward was sloppy and your waiter was rude (extremely rare occurrences) or if you come from a non-tipping culture, please reconsider removing the automatic gratuity charges. The tips are not merely goodwill gestures; they're a critical portion of crew members' pay.

Refuse to pay, and these hardworking cruise employees have less to send home to their families. You don't have to like the system, but given that it's the one the cruise companies have chosen, I encourage you not to penalize the crew for it.

You might consider asking to remove the prepaid gratuities so you can personally thank your room steward and dining room waiter with a card filled with cash. While this is a lovely sentiment, you're inadvertently taking away money from the behind-the-scenes crew members who receive tips from the gratuity pool. Instead of changing the automatic gratuities, I recommend that you give a little something extra to your favorite crew members.

Bottom line

If you're cruising on a big-ship line, understand that crew gratuities are an integral part of the cruise cost. You can prepay gratuities when you book or pay them as part of your onboard bill at the end of your sailing. You can look for a package that offers a discount on prepaid gratuities or a promotion offering free prepaid gratuities.

Whether prepaid gratuities are worth it is up to you and how you budget for travel. While you can find ways to avoid giving tips to the crew, you really shouldn't. The crew members work hard to make your vacation amazing in ways you see and in ways you don't, and they deserve that financial thank-you for their service.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise?

Not sure whether you should prepay your gratuities before your cruise or wait until you’re on the ship? It’s a common question. Paying early offers some benefits, but it also means more money out of your pocket before you even get on the ship. At the same time, it can seem strange to pay gratuities before you’ve actually received service.

Our opinion? We are fans of prepaying the gratuities just because it makes things simpler to have your charges taken care of before you board. It’s one less charge to worry about on the ship.

But there are some very good reasons on both sides of the issue. Here’s what you need to know…

What Are Gratuities? Why Do I Have to Pay Them?

If you’re a first-time cruiser, then the entire concept of gratuities may be a mystery. It used to be that when you took a cruise, you were left with envelopes in your cabin toward the end of the cruise. You’d put in money to give to the crew members that provided direct service during the trip.

These days things are done automatically. Cruise lines charge each passenger a set daily fee — usually around $16 per person, per day — that is then distributed to the staff. This money is given to people like the room steward who cleans the cabin, as well as the dining and waitstaff. So instead of having to worry about distributing the right amount of cash to everyone (and not leaving anyone out), it’s done for you.

Now, the timing of this charge can be strange as most of us are used to paying a tip after the service received and adjusting it based on the level of service. In addition, the gratuity charges are on top of your cruise fare, instead of being included in the price. Based on these two factors, gratuity charges can be a surprise to people that haven’t cruised before.

Some lines are moving toward having the charge simply included in the fare, but most of the major cruise lines still have the charge as extra.

So why do you have to pay them?

Well, technically you don’t. If you receive poor service or simply don’t want to pay, then you can have the charges removed by visiting Guest Services during the cruise. That said, this is definitely considered poor taste , similar to stiffing a waiter at a restaurant back home. Crew members go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience and the compensation from gratuities is appreciated.

The Mechanics of Automatic Gratuities

As mentioned, instead of the old days of depending on people to tip on their own with cash in envelopes, the process is now done automatically based on a set daily rate.

So with two people sailing a seven-day cruise where the gratuity amount is $16 per person, per day, they will see a total charge of $224. This amount can be prepaid, meaning that you elect to pay it when you purchase your cruise. If you want to forego that option, then you can wait and pay it on the ship. 

If you choose to not prepay, then either a daily amount will be charged to your account or it will be tacked on in full at the end of the cruise. When it’s time to settle your bill, the gratuity charge is paid for with the credit card on file.

Benefits of Prepaying Gratuities

So with the option of prepaying gratuities or paying them later, what are the benefits of paying early?

The biggest advantage is simply getting the charge out of the way. By paying the charge at the same time you pay your cruise, it’s one less cost that will hit your onboard account while you are cruising.

Another advantage is that cruise lines regularly raise gratuity amounts. So if you book a cruise for a year from now, the gratuity price may be higher when you sail. People that pay beforehand are grandfathered in under the rate they’ve already paid.

Compared to the price of your cruise as a whole, the extra charge is unlikely to make a big difference financially. That means you can have the cost all taken care of before you sail without experiencing a huge hit to your pocketbook. It’s also nice not to have a couple of extra hundred dollars to pay at the end of your cruise when settling your onboard account.

Drawbacks of Prepaying Gratuities

What about the drawbacks of prepaying?

The biggest issue would have to do with your view about paying a tip for service before you’ve even received that service. For many people this just feels backward. After all, what if you’ve already paid the gratuities and get lousy service? (In that case, you can still go to Guest Services to explain the situation.)

As well, some people like to hang onto their cash for as long as possible. If you prepay the tip charges when you buy the cruise, you are essentially giving the cruise line more of your money to hold, potentially months in advance of your trip.

Will the staff treat you differently if you don’t prepay the gratuities? Having sailed both paying the charges before sailing and paying them once on the ship, we can say that we’ve seen absolutely no difference in the service level on the cruise .

Bottom Line: In general, we opt to prepay gratuities on a cruise simply because we like not having to worry about them creating a higher bill once on the ship. That said, there’s no harm in opting to wait as the gratuities will be charged automatically once on the ship. It all comes down to personal preference.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, how alaskan cruises differ from caribbean cruises (hint: it’s not just colder), are you ready for the cruise muster drill here’s what to know…, what’s the earliest you should schedule a flight after a cruise, everything to know about interior cruise cabins (read before booking), here’s when new cruise ships are worth the higher fares, 8 things definitely worth it on a cruise…and 3 places to save your money.

I am totally against tipping ahead of a cruise makes not sense to me Tips are for service is it not ? plus i don’t trust the cruise lines who gets the $ i would rather give cash to the people who give us good service and we have been on 40 plus cruises around the world If i get lousy service in a restaurant, should i tip well Hech No!

there is no way that these people are not paid a decent wage already. tipping is based 100% on service. If I ask you for a steak and you burn it then have to make a new one and it take an hour. why would I tip?

$16 a day or whatever doesn’t seem bad but am I getting the service to justify it?

I despise the entitled society we live in where tips are automatic. We need to go like Europe and most of the world where this arcane practice is ended. Pay the workers whatever you deem a fair wage and they can choose to work or not.

As for cruise gratuities. Whether a hotel or a cruise cabin, I want no one going in my room. I am not that messy, so all I need is one towel per week (as long as it’s not muggy the whole time, your towel will be fine) and a garbage change or two. At a hotel, I just leave the bag out of my room and ask for one when I pass by a maid.

At restaurants, I tip well for very good service and I will “stiff” them for poor service. 10-12% for average service.

Omg u are my best friend! I agree 100%!

When speaking to cruise staff on ships they never receive additional monies other than their contractual rate they sign on for when excepting employment by the cruise companies. I prefer to give gratuities to the staff that serve me directly i.e. stewards, waiters, bar tenders accordingly. And, ironically pay out more than the the add-on “suggested” gratuities – cruise lines want to automatically add on to my bill. I would never “stiff” these hard working individuals.

Cruise ship tipping has many unanswered questions: – Which crew member categories on the ship receive money from these tips? – What percentage, if any, of our tips only make-up a crew member’s base salary? – When our tips are distributed to crew members which category of crew members receive what percentage of the tips?

Acccording to a recent article on CruiseCritic Excerpt from

If you’re wondering who gets these daily gratuities, it’s broken down between three positions in the rotational dining rooms — the head server, assistant server and server — along with the steward that cleans and services your room.

The article has no mention of anything else concerning this issue.

I have gotten into the habit of pre paying gratuities a few weeks before a cruise. It’s a good compromise: the cruise line isn’t holding my money for months and months, and I don’t have to deal with the cost while on the cruise.

And I’ve never minded increases in gratuities. Those folks work hard, so I’m happy to pay the few dollars more when I pay in the weeks leading up to the cruise.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

CocoCay: 21+ Tips & Things to Know for Royal Caribbean’s Island (Prices, What to Do, And More)

Price hike: ncl boosting soda & coffee package prices up to 27%, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Tips on Ships: Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

What to expect—and what to budget—when it comes to tipping on the high seas

By Tiffany Leigh

Updated February 24, 2023

Figuring out which service employees you should tip—and how much you should give—is a perennial head scratcher in travel. To help remove some of the guesswork, many cruise lines now automatically apply recommended “crew appreciation” amounts to your stateroom account.

But those amounts vary by ship, cruise line, stateroom, and other factors. What’s more, although the gratuity charges are automatically applied to your account in most cases, you can opt out of paying those fees, provided you haven’t purchased a prepaid gratuities package (those are nonrefundable). So confusion remains a possibility. 

To help you sort things out, the following guidelines will give you an idea of what to expect with tipping on cruises and provide some answers to frequently asked questions.  

How much am I expected to tip?

In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don’t try to tip once per couple or group.

So if you’re planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities. Don’t forget to factor those charges into your overall vacation budget. 

How do I tip?

For most cruises—including those operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line to name a few—service gratuities in the amounts mentioned above are automatically added to your stateroom account each day.

On top of the daily service rate, you may also see automatic gratuities (often an additional 15%–20%) for specialty services such as spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining (at restaurants not included in the overall cruise rate), and other extras you partake in.   

At the end of your cruise, you’ll be given a document (usually slipped under your door) that lists various charges, including gratuities, for your review. Once reviewed and approved with guest services, payment is completed with a credit card before you depart the ship on the final day. 

Do tipping amounts vary by cruise line?

Yup—and the range of your gratuity total depends on the stateroom category you’re staying in, too.

With Princess Cruises , for instance, the current tip amount for each passenger staying in interior, ocean-view, and balcony staterooms is $16 per day; for mini suites it’s $17 per day; and for suites it’s $18 per day.

The gratuities ranges with Celebrity Cruises , meanwhile, start at $17.50 per day for inside, ocean-view, and veranda units; $18 per day for Concierge Class and Aqua Class rooms; and $21 per day for suites in The Retreat area.

On the higher end of the spectrum, Oceania Cruises charges $18 per day in tips for passengers in regular staterooms, $23 per day for customers in suites.

Cruise lines frequently raise those amounts, too. 

How do I find out how much my ship charges for tips?

You should be able to find that info on the cruise line’s website. Below, we’ve linked to the web pages containing the prices and policies relating to service charges and gratuities for some of the most popular companies. 

• Royal Caribbean

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Celebrity Cruises

• Holland America Line

Do the daily tipping amounts apply to every single passenger? Even kids?

Depends on the cruise line. According to Disney Cruise Line, for instance, tipping applies to everyone—even infants.

But other ships do make exceptions for little ones. Passengers ages 2 and younger are exempt from tipping aboard Carnival cruises, for example, while Norwegian excuses kids ages 3 and younger, and Costa Cruises exempts kids ages 4 and younger.

Consult the cruise company’s online FAQ or your travel agent for more info, but, generally speaking, you shouldn’t expect any youngsters older than toddlerhood to get out of tipping. 

Service charges, gratuities, crew appreciation fees—what’s the difference?

The terminology gets confusing because it doesn’t seem to be consistent across cruise lines. Just know that there are usually two types of fees in this area: 1.) the flat daily fee charged to each passenger and then pooled among crew members (including room attendants and waitstaff at restaurants included in your cruise rate) and 2.) service tips (amounting to 15%–20% of the total) automatically added to your account when you opt for extras such as specialty dining, premium alcoholic beverages, spa or salon services, and so on. Obviously, you’ll only be charged the latter type of gratuity for extras you actually participate in.

How are tips divided among crew members?

If you agree to the automatic gratuities, the people who tend to you the most—your housekeeping and dining teams—get the largest share.

When my family of three (two adults and one 16-month-old baby) sailed with Disney Cruise Line in December 2022, we received the following breakdown of who would get what:

• Dining Room Server: $4.75 per person per day

• Assistant Dining Room Server: $3.75 per person per day

• Dining Room Head Server: $1.25 per person per day

• Stateroom Host: $4.75 per person per day

Note that because we didn’t opt for nonrefundable prepaid gratuities for the trip, we were free to visit guest services to change the amounts if we wanted to.

These amounts were also printed on perforated paper and we were supplied with envelopes in case we wanted to tip in cash or give gratuities to attendants in person as a gesture of appreciation.

What if I don’t want to pay the automatically generated tip amount?

If you'd rather have control over how much you tip, stop by the onboard guest services desk at the beginning of your voyage and inform the agents that you want to opt out of electronic gratuities and dole out tips on a case-by-case, à la carte basis. 

Also, if you find that you’re unsatisfied with the service you’re getting, you can ask guest services to modify the amount you’re being charged each day. Royal Caribbean lets you make changes up to the morning of your departure—but to avoid confusion, you should contact guest services as soon as possible to make these types of changes. 

The exception: passengers who purchased prepaid gratuities as part of a package. You can’t get a refund for tips you pay upfront. 

Can I tip in cash?

Cash tips are certainly still welcomed—especially if that’s what you’re more comfortable with or if you don't want to rely on the cruise line’s predetermined amounts.

It’s just important to remember that if you go this route, it's on you to opt out of the ship’s gratuities program by going to guest services at the beginning of your sailing. 

What if I want to tip some crew members more than the automatically generated amounts?

Cash is also a good option if you want to tip some workers extra for service that warrants it. If you’ve dined in mostly one spot every night of the cruise, you might want to give tips to especially attentive waitstaff on the last evening of the cruise. On a recent voyage with our baby, my family gave an additional in-person tip to our stateroom attendant for above-and-beyond service such as helping us set up the baby monitor—not to mention all the times the attendant whisked away potent diapers without so much as a grimace.

Are gratuities included in all prepaid packages for dining, drinks, and other services?

Not necessarily. 

More and more ships now offer passengers prepaid packages for a bundle of specialty dining, top-shelf drinks, Wi-Fi, and other perks (for an example, take a look at prepaid packages available from Princess Cruises ). The advantage here is that you lock in a discounted overall daily rate that throws in several extras that could otherwise add up—though you should calculate ahead of your trip whether you’ll actually use everything in the bundle to justify buying the package.

But don’t assume that gratuities are part of every prepaid package. Some companies, such as Disney, have stand-alone prepaid gratuities packages intended to make your trip relatively worry-free in the tip department because you’ve already paid for all gratuities in advance.

But with other packages, tips are only covered where specified. Royal Caribbean’s dining-and-drinks package, for instance, only covers tips for restaurant and bar staff, not housekeeping crew—so you’ll still have the automatic service charge added to your stateroom account each day unless you purchase a supplementary gratuities package.

Always make sure to review everything that’s included in the package—and what’s not—so you won’t get any unpleasant surprises. 

It’s also important to remember that gratuities included in prepaid packages are nonrefundable, so you won’t be able to modify tip amounts even if you get bad service during the cruise.

Should I tip a porter who helps me with my luggage?

Porters are contracted by the port, not the cruise line. They usually work independently of the ship, unless otherwise indicated. So if you solicit a porter for help toting your luggage from a vehicle to the ship’s check-in area, express your appreciation with $1–$3 per bag, depending on its weight.

Should I tip ship bartenders?

These days, you’ll rarely see a tip jar on the bar, and, as noted above, an automatic service charge of 15%–20% is already added to your account for alcoholic and specialty drinks. However, if you had a go-to bartender who learned your drink by heart or gave you stellar service throughout the voyage, consider expressing your gratitude with $1–$2 per drink. 

Should I tip guides for shore excursions?

The tipping advice we solicited from Princess provides some solid guidelines: For half-day tours, budget $3–$5 per person for guides, and for full-day tours plan on $6–$10 per person. Drivers should get $1–$2 per person.

Do I need to tip for onboard spa and salon treatments?

As previously noted, spa and salon staff members get a portion of the automatic service charge added to your stateroom bill for these treatments. You are free, however, to tip staff members extra if you’re especially impressed with their work.

Do I need to tip the ship's daycare workers and kids’ camp counselors?

There is no gratuity required but, again, you can offer a cash tip if staff members went out of their way to make your kiddo’s sailing extra special.

Are there crew members I shouldn’t tip?

It’s considered poor form to tip the ship’s professional sailing members, such as the cruise director, executive chef, and captain. Giving those folks gratuities would be like tipping your doctor or lawyer. 

Are predetermined tipping amounts calculated in U.S. dollars?

In most cases, though some Europe-based lines, such as MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises, charge in euros. Keep that in mind when calculating your budget.

Are there cruises where you’re not expected to tip?

Bundled package deals seem like a precursor to a future of tip-free cruising. As a matter of fact, many luxury and high-end lines such as Seabourn, Celestyal Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Paul Gaugin, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages have already implemented gratuity-free cruises with tips built into the total cost of all-inclusive sailings.

That might make the cruise’s base rate higher, but the practice helps eliminate confusion and awkwardness for passengers and ensures that crew members will get a full wage from their employers rather than relying on customers to make up the difference.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

• Work with Us
• Destinations

Another Cruise Line About to Increase Daily Gratuities

It was bound to happen. Following in the footsteps of Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian, Princess Cruises daily gratuities are about to increase.

New Princess gratuities charges

Beginning on May 1 and beyond, every passenger will see a $1 per day increase in their automatic gratuities, beginning on all cruises that depart on May 1 and beyond.

If you’ve reserved a standard cabin – interior, oceanview or balcony – your new charges will be $14.50 per person per day.

Those in mini-suites will pay $15.50 per person per day. If you’re lucky enough to book a suite, your new gratuity charge will be $16.50 per person per day.

How to avoid paying the additional cost

There is one way to avoid the additional automatic gratuity charge. If you are already booked, you can prepay your gratuities before May 14. That’s the only way to save a little bit extra.

Princess gratuities – the bigger picture

So how does this add up for an average cabin with double occupancy on a seven-night cruise? At first, the $1 a day doesn’t seem like a whole lot if you think of it like an additional $7 per person for the week. But when you add it all up, the total gratuities for two people now comes to $203!

On most cruises I hand my stateroom attendant or waiter (if I’ve used the main dining room) a bit of cash as a thank-you for excellent service. If the sommelier or bartender has provided exceptional service, same there. I see how this can add up to quite a bit of expense. I guess the solution is to simply budget enough to cover higher gratuities and the extra thank you cash well in advance to avoid stick shock at the end of your cruise. That’s partly the reason I try to always prepay gratuities well before my cruise. It’s one last thing to worry about at the end of a wonderful cruise.

What do you think of the across-the-board gratuity increases? Please leave your comment below.

FYI…The last time Princess raised their daily gratuities charge was in 2016.

Read Next: Complete and updated list of major cruise lines’ gratuities

You’ll also love.

This Week’s Cruise News from Carnival, MSC and More

Amawaterways amalotus maiden voyage is a “blessed” event.

Holland America Offers Longer Cruises to Hawai’i in 2018 – 2019

Princess Cruises Changes Dining Times and Updates Menu

Largest Cruise Ship to Transit the Panama Canal

Avalon Waterways adds “Avalon Choice” to personalize river cruises

One comment.

It’s reasonable, for example, look at the price of food. The staff on cruise lines are pathetically underpaid, unfortunately the gratuities are not distributed as advertised. We always give cash to those who have given us exceptional service at the end of the cruise.

Comments are closed.

What are you looking for?

Princess Cruises – What is Included? Food, Gratuities and More

If you are taking your first cruise with Princess you may be wondering what is included in the cruise fare.

I’ve cruised with Princess multiple times and during this post will be looking at everything that costs extra as well as included so that you can adequately budget for your cruise.

Princess are very keen to offer “Princess Plus” and “Princess Premier “ Fares. If you upgrade to these for an additional daily fee, you get things like included gratuities, drinks and Wi-Fi included.

If you pay the standard fare, none of these things are included.

You may find that your “bargain Cruise” doubles in price if you upgrade to “Princess Plus.”

What is Included In The Standard Fare on a Princess Cruise?

Cruises with Princess include your food, accommodation, and entertainment.

Daily gratuities are not included and are added to your onboard account each day. There are charges for drinks, excursions, speciality meals and some onboard activities. 

Many cruise lines are moving towards including things like gratuities. This hasn’t yet happened with Princess if you pay the standard cruise fare – but they are very keen for you to upgrade to Princess Plus with all the “added extras.”

What is Included on a Princess Cruise?

Is Food Included on a Princess Cruise?

Food is included on a Princess cruise.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the buffet and at a minimum breakfast and dinner will be served in the main dining room for no extra charge.

It is possible to cruise with Princess and not spend anything extra on dining. 

I’ve always found the quality of food on Princess Cruises to be high so I have never felt the need to pay extra for speciality options – although occasionally if I have “free” onboard credit, I might use that on a speciality meal.

Food in The Main Dining Room is Included

The main dining room is usually open for breakfast and dinner. It may also be open during lunch depending on the itinerary of the cruise ship.

The main dining room is often open for lunch on sea days but may not be on port days. This does vary by cruise ship.

Princess have both fixed and flexible dining within their main dining rooms. When booking you’ll be asked if you want to pick early seating, late seating or select ‘anytime’ dining.

I’m personally a big fan of the flexibility of any-time dining as this means you can eat when you’re hungry rather than when it’s your designated dinner time.

Eating in the main dining room on a cruise ship works very similarly to a restaurant on land. The difference is that you don’t have to pay at the end!

Food in The Buffet is Included

On all Princess cruise ships, you’ll find a buffet.

Everything in the buffet is free to eat and you can eat as much as you’d like!

I’d personally recommend the chocolate chip cookies, they’re brilliant.

In the buffet, you’ll find breakfast, lunch and dinner served as well as snacks in between.

The buffet is open from very early in the morning (around 5/6 am) until late at night, usually around 11 pm.

Some of the smaller older ships have relatively small buffets but I never found this to be a problem when finding a seat.

In the buffet, you’ll also find water, tea, and coffee.

These are free and you can come and make sure yourself a drink whenever you’d like. You’ll also find juices here at breakfast.

When I cruise I usually go to the buffet quite frequently to make myself a cup of tea! Tea is offered in the bars around the ship but then it is chargeable

The Bar/Grill/Pizzeria By The Pool is Included

On all Princess ships, you’ll find some sort of bar/grill area by the pool deck.*

Many Princess ships also have a Pizzeria where you can grab a slice of pizza. It’s a great option for lazy days by the pool! Any food here is included in your cruise fare.

There is also a bar here where you can grab a drink but drinks here do cost extra.

* It’s worth noting that Princess used to include meals at Alfredo’s and Gigi’s pizzerias within the standard cruise fare. Now, unless you have purchased the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, you will be charged extra.

This is around $15 for a set three-course menu, at the time of writing. (Additional items can be bought individually and are priced per item.)

Is Room Service Included on a Princess Cruise?

Sometimes – it depends on the cruise fare you choose.

If you have paid for the Princess Plus or Princess Premier cruise fare, then room service is free.

If you have paid the basic “Princess Standard” fare, you will have to pay a $5 delivery charge.

To maximize the stateroom experience, Princess Plus and Princess Premier participants will have the standard $5 per delivery room service charge waived. That means no extra charges for the ease and luxury of on-demand service anywhere, anyplace or anytime on a Princess ship for Plus and Premier Guests. Princess Cruise Lines

The majority of cruise lines do charge for room service, so if you have paid the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare, you may as well use it.

If you have a balcony stateroom it is amazing to have room service delivered to eat on your balcony – perhaps during a sail away or an early morning sail-in.

Princess Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Are Drinks Included on a Princess Cruise?

There are some drinks included on Princess cruises but as a general rule these are only available in the buffet or main dining room and the selection is limited to tea/coffee or water.

Drinks served in the bars have an extra charge. 

There are some drinks included on a Princess cruise but these are minimal and I’ve never met anybody who has cruised only drinking the included drinks.

Drinks which are included are:

• Tea and Coffee in the buffet (Whenever open)
• Juices in the buffet (Usually only with breakfast)
• Water in the buffet (Whenever open)
• Tap water with meals in the main dining room

Drinks that aren’t included are:

• Any beer, wine, or spirits.
• Any soft drink, energy drink, or mocktail.
• Tea or Coffee from the bars onboard.

Drinks on a Princess cruise are fairly priced.

They’re similar to that which you’d find in a bar or pub on land. It’s roughly $10 for a glass of wine, $7 for a beer and $3 for a soda.

If you are someone who drinks a lot, it may be worth paying the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare, as drinks are then included.

This doesn’t work out well for everybody though, so make sure you think about how much you’ll really drink before upgrading.

At the time of writing (Dec 2023) upgrading to Princess Plus is an extra £50 a day, and Princess Premier is £65 a day.

Is Entertainment Included on a Princess Cruise?

Princess cruises include a variety of entertainment on all cruises including theatre productions, live music, trivia, and gameshows.

The activities are varied and take place throughout the day. The entertainment will vary by destination and ship.

Princess Cruises are relatively busy compared to some other cruise lines. On the daily schedule, you may see things like the following:

• Trivia (My mum won Beatles trivia for our team on our Golden Princess cruise!)
• Live Music (A range of music from classical to pop and rock)
• Theatre Shows (Nightly shows, performed twice per night)
• Themed parties (Either on the top deck or inside, weather-dependent!)

Princess has invested heavily in “Ocean Medallion” wearable Technology. Find out more about that in the video below:

If you don’t want to use technology, they still deliver a daily schedule each night which will arrive in your cabin. This will give you all the information that you need about the next day’s activities.

Are Kids Clubs Included on a Princess Cruise?

Princess Cruises has kids clubs for children ranging from 6 months to 17 years.

The kid’s clubs are split into age groups and all have a wide range of activities in which children are invited to take part.

The kid’s clubs are based in their own area on the ship and have lots of amenities for children and teenagers to enjoy. 

Be warned though, if you do take your children on a cruise they might end up like me – writing about cruises on the internet and OBSESSED with cruising …!

I’ve been cruising since I was 11 years old and had so much fun in the Kids and Teen Clubs.

Are Exercise Classes And Use Of The Gym Included On Princess Cruises?

Select exercise classes are included on a Princess cruise but some do cost extra.

Our state-of-the-art fitness centres offer exercise and spinning courses, free and machine weights, treadmills with ocean views and more to energize yourself while on your cruise vacation. And if you like the outdoors, there’s a jogging track a few decks above the waves. Princess Cruises

Find out more about cruise ship Gyms here:

Cruise Ship Gyms: Cost, Opening Times, and Other Things You NEED to Know

Accommodation

As on every cruise, your accommodation is included in your cruise fare. There are a variety of cabins available for you to choose from, ranging from inside cabins to multi-level suites.

I personally am a BIG fan of the Princess cruise cabins. They often have a separate changing area by the wardrobes/closets and this layout gives the cabin lots of storage space.

My parents had an Aft cabin when we sailed on Emerald Princess. This was something they would have never considered, but it was recommended by my partner travel agent.

It had a really big balcony – but there was a slight catch. Find out whether they liked the cabin here:

What is Not Included on a Princess Cruise?:

There are some exercise classes that cost extra. These are usually Boot Camp/Yoga/Pilates workouts – but this does vary by cruise ship and destination.

Gratuities Are Not Included on Princess Cruises

Gratuities are not automatically included in cruises with Princess Cruises if you pay the “Standard” cruise fare.

Gratuities can be prepaid and currently stand at $16 to $18 per person per day, depending on the type of accommodation you book.

Recently many cruise lines have been moving towards a more inclusive pricing structure, but Princess has never included gratuities in their cruise fare.

Instead of including gratuities within the fare, Princess tries to encourage you to buy the more expensive Princess Plus or Princess Premier Fare. This does include gratuities, drinks, WI-Fi and some other perks.

The “Crew Appreciation” (Gratuities) is a daily amount for each guest that will be automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience, to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of all our guests.  The crewmembers eligible to receive these funds work in various departments, many of whom rotate among different ships, throughout our fleet of ships. The amount of the Crew Appreciation will be based on stateroom category, as set out below:

It is possible to remove gratuities by going to the Reception Desk, although I would strongly recommend you do not do this.

The automatic gratuities make sure that all crew members receive a share. Tipping only the staff you see leaves behind-the-scenes stuff such as the people who work in the laundry short.

To learn more about gratuities, including how they also affect drinks and spa treatments, check out this post so that you don’t have any nasty surprises on your cruise:

Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers

A lot of cruise lines are moving towards a more inclusive structure. To learn more about cruise lines that include gratuities as standard check out this post:

  Which Cruise Lines Include Gratuities? (Cruise Line Guide).

Princess Cruises Don’t Include Shore Excursions

Some luxury cruise lines do include excursions but generally speaking, cruise lines don’t.

When you get to port there are a couple of options available to you. Cruise line excursions are usually the easiest but are the most expensive.

I’m a big fan of doing my own thing when in port. It saves a LOT of money.

I took a British Isles Cruise, and only took one cruise line excursion. That was to see Loch Ness in Scotland, which is so far from anywhere else, it would be tricky – or impossible – to get there by public transport.

Find out about all the interesting sights I saw – without cruise line excursions, here:

Before You Go

Find out whether you should book via a trusted travel agent, or directly with the cruise line in the article below:

Is It Best To Use a Travel Agent or Book Directly With The Cruise Line? (Money-Saving Hints and Tips For Booking, and Much More…)

Find out what you need to think about when planning and packing for your cruise below:

Planning And Packing For Your Cruise, Things to Organise in Advance, Packing Essentials And More

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

Enter your email address below:

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Princess Cruises Is About to Get More Expensive — Here’s Why

The cruise line is increasing the price of its “Crew Appreciation” fee and daily Wi-Fi fee.

Princess Cruises has become the latest cruise line to increase the cost of service fees for ship crew as well as raise fees on board for other services.

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Starting in February, the cruise line will implement its new fee structure that will increase the daily "crew appreciation" charge to $16 per guest in interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms, a spokesperson for Princess confirmed to Travel + Leisure .

Currently, these guests are automatically charged $14.50 per person, according to the company’s website .

Passengers in mini-suite and Club Class staterooms will be charged $17 per guest, an increase from the current $15.50, and travelers in suites will be charged $18 per guest, an increase from the current $16.50.

“This daily charge recognizes our teammates for exceptional service they provide and is shared among many members of our hotel, dining and entertainment teams throughout the fleet,” the Princess spokesperson told T+L. 

In addition to increasing the automatic gratuities, Princess will charge more for Wi-Fi on board. Starting next year, travelers will have to pay $15 per day for one device, or $40 per day for four devices. Currently, Wi-Fi costs $9.99 when travelers purchase it pre-cruise, according to the company .

The increases will go into effect on Feb. 20, 2023, for bookings made on or after Dec.13.

Princess is the latest cruise line to increase its onboard fees. In September, Royal Caribbean increased its gratuities for guests in non-suite staterooms to $16 per person, per day.

Norwegian Cruise Line is also increasing its recommended gratuities, now charging $16 per person, per day for staterooms, according to the company . And for bookings made after Jan. 1, the cruise line will charge $20 per person, per day for travelers in Club Balcony Suites or below, and $25 for travelers in The Haven and Suites.

That is more than some other major cruise lines . Carnival Cruise Line, for example, recommends $14.50 per person for standard staterooms, while Holland America recommends $15.50 for those in standard staterooms.

Other luxury lines, like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, include onboard gratuities in the cost of the cruise fare.

Related Articles

Cruise Lines

Princess cruise line adjusts daily gratuity charges for enhanced experience.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Princess Cruise Line has announced an increase in daily gratuity charges ranging from 9.1% to 10.3% depending on the cabin type, starting from February 20, 2023.
• Passengers will have to pay more for their cruise experience due to the increase in daily gratuity charges, which can add up significantly for longer cruises or larger groups.
• The new gratuity charges by Princess Cruise Line are in line with other cruise lines, and some cruise lines charge even higher gratuity fees, making Princess’ increase relatively moderate.
• Princess Cruise Line offers all-inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier, which provide a more inclusive experience without the need to pay for extras. Passengers who prefer a hassle-free and comprehensive cruise experience may find these packages beneficial.

Impact of Increased Daily Gratuity Charges

Comparison of Princess Cruise Line’s Gratuity Charges With Other Cruise Lines

Exploring all-inclusive options for a comprehensive cruise experience.

Adjusting Crew Appreciation Charges: Flexibility for Passenger Satisfaction

Considerations for passengers: budget and planning.

Maximizing the Enhanced Experience: Suggestions and Tips

Frequently asked questions, can passengers opt out of paying the daily gratuity charges on princess cruise line, are there any discounts or promotions available for the increased daily gratuity charges, how does princess cruise line determine the amount of daily gratuity charges for each cabin type, can passengers adjust the daily gratuity charges after they have already paid for their cruise, are there any penalties or fees for adjusting the crew appreciation charges on princess cruise line.

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team.

From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

Tall-Ship Line Offers Amazon Gift Card for New Bookings

Princess Cruises 50th Anniversary: Nostalgic Fun and Exciting Celebrations

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team. From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

You may like

What is a folio number carnival cruise.

• A folio number on a Carnival cruise is used to manage and track expenses incurred during the cruise.
• It is different from a booking number, which is used to reserve and confirm a cabin on the cruise.
• Reviewing and understanding the folio statement is important to ensure accuracy of charges and to avoid any unexpected expenses.
• The folio number can be used to dispute incorrect charges and seek resolution for any billing discrepancies.

Definition of a Folio Number

Importance of a Folio Number on a Carnival Cruise

How to obtain your folio number.

• Visit the Carnival website and log into your account.
• Navigate to the ‘Manage My Booking’ section.
• Locate your booking details and find your folio number.

Linking Your Onboard Expenses to Your Folio Number

Tracking your spending with your folio number, settling your account with your folio number, benefits of having a folio number, tips for managing your folio number, common questions about folio numbers answered, final thoughts on the significance of a folio number on a carnival cruise, can i use my folio number for purchases made off the ship, what happens if i lose my folio number during the cruise, is it possible to change my folio number once it has been assigned, are there any fees associated with using a folio number on a carnival cruise, can i link multiple credit cards to my folio number for payment, what is the difference between a folio number carnival cruise and an ultra cruise on carnival.

Claire, a creative soul with an unquenchable thirst for storytelling, is an integral part of the Voyager Info team. As a dedicated writer, she weaves captivating narratives that transport readers to enchanting cruise destinations and beyond.

Claire’s love affair with writing began at an early age when she discovered the magic of words and their ability to craft worlds and emotions. Her innate curiosity led her to explore various literary genres, but it was travel writing that truly captured her heart. Drawing inspiration from her own globetrotting adventures and encounters with diverse cultures, Claire embarked on a journey to become a travel writer par excellence.

What Is Included On A Carnival Cruise

• Carnival Cruise Line offers a wide range of dining options, including casual buffets, elegant sit-down restaurants, and specialty dining experiences with exquisite dishes.
• The entertainment and activities on Carnival cruises are diverse and exciting, with Broadway-style shows, comedy clubs, live music performances, water parks with thrilling slides, and sports facilities for friendly games.
• The accommodations on Carnival cruises are cozy and luxurious, with soft beds, elegant decor, and breathtaking ocean views. There is a range of accommodation types to choose from, all equipped with amenities for comfort.
• Carnival cruises offer a variety of onboard amenities, such as spa and fitness centers for ultimate relaxation, casino and gaming areas for luck and thrill, and shops and boutiques for retail therapy. The spa and fitness center offer rejuvenating treatments, soothing massages, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and fitness classes led by experienced instructors. The casino and gaming areas provide a wide variety of exciting games and gambling options, including classic table games and slot machines.

Dining Options

Entertainment and activities, broadway-style shows, comedy clubs and live music, water park and sports facilities, accommodations, onboard amenities, spa and fitness center, casino and gaming areas, shops and boutiques, kids and family programs, excursions and ports of call, onboard activities, nightlife and bars, nightclubs and themed bars, live music and dj performances, spa and wellness, customer service and support, what are the safety protocols and measures in place on a carnival cruise, can i bring my own alcohol on board, are there any age restrictions for the different activities and amenities on the cruise, are there any special dining options available for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies, can i bring my pet onboard a carnival cruise, what are the main differences in what is included on a disney cruise compared to a carnival cruise, what is the average age of passengers by cruise line.

Setting out on an exploration across the immense sea of data, my objective is to reveal the age groups that favor cruising as their choice of holiday. This endeavor highlights the varied experiences provided by different cruise lines.

Like a tapestry woven with different threads, each line attracts a unique blend of passengers, creating a vibrant mosaic of age groups.

Carnival Cruise Line, with its playful spirit and lively atmosphere, appeals to a younger crowd, while Holland America Line exudes elegance and sophistication, drawing in a more mature clientele.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises cater to a wide range of ages, offering activities and entertainment for both the young and the young at heart.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, on the other hand, strike a balance between relaxation and adventure, attracting passengers from various age brackets.

Join me on this enchanting journey as we explore the average age of passengers across these renowned cruise lines, uncovering the hidden patterns within the data.

• The average age of passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line is around 45 years old, indicating a focus on attracting a younger crowd.
• Princess Cruises caters to a diverse range of travelers of all ages, offering family-friendly experiences and a romantic atmosphere for couples.
• Both cruise lines provide exceptional onboard entertainment, including Broadway-style shows, live music performances, cooking demonstrations, and art classes.
• The onboard amenities of both cruise lines include luxurious spas, swimming pools, fitness centers, and facilities for passenger pampering, catering to the enjoyment and relaxation of all passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line

The average age of passengers on Carnival Cruise Line is typically lower than other cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Line is known for its vibrant onboard entertainment and family-friendly activities, attracting a wide range of age groups.

With a focus on creating a fun and energetic atmosphere, Carnival offers a variety of entertainment options such as live shows, comedy clubs, and themed parties.

Families can enjoy activities like water parks, mini-golf, and age-specific kids’ clubs.

These offerings appeal to younger travelers, contributing to the lower average age on Carnival Cruise Line.

As we transition into the subsequent section about Holland America Line, it is important to note that while Carnival attracts a younger demographic, Holland America Line tends to appeal to a more mature audience.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line offers a sophisticated atmosphere and elegant dining experience that caters to guests seeking a refined cruise experience. With a focus on gourmet cuisine and top-notch service, passengers can indulge in a luxurious dining experience throughout their voyage.

Additionally, Holland America Line offers a wide range of enrichment programs and cultural activities, allowing guests to expand their knowledge and immerse themselves in the destinations they visit. From lectures by experts to cooking demonstrations and art classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Lastly, Holland America Line boasts relaxing spa and wellness facilities that provide the perfect retreat for guests looking to unwind and rejuvenate. With a variety of treatments and therapies available, passengers can pamper themselves and enhance their overall well-being while cruising.

Sophisticated Atmosphere and Elegant Dining

Indulge yourself in the sophisticated atmosphere and elegant dining of Holland America Line, where you’ll discover a world of refined cuisine and exquisite ambiance. This cruise line is renowned for its sophisticated ambiance, immersing passengers in a luxurious environment that exudes elegance. The fine dining options offered onboard are nothing short of exceptional, with a diverse selection of gourmet dishes prepared by talented chefs. From delectable seafood to succulent steaks, every meal is a culinary delight. To add a touch of sophistication to this description, let me present a table that showcases the variety of dining options available:

Now, let’s move on to the next section, where we will explore the enrichment programs and cultural activities offered by Holland America Line.

Enrichment Programs and Cultural Activities

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of cultural activities and enrichment programs that will captivate and inspire you throughout your Holland America Line experience. Here are four incredible offerings that showcase the line’s commitment to providing a diverse range of experiences:

By offering such a wide array of enrichment programs and cultural activities, Holland America Line caters to a diverse age demographic, ensuring that passengers of all ages can engage in activities that interest them.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about relaxing spa and wellness facilities, you’ll find an oasis of tranquility where you can rejuvenate and unwind.

Relaxing Spa and Wellness Facilities

Immerse yourself in a world of tranquility and rejuvenation with Holland America Line’s relaxing spa and wellness facilities.

With a wide array of spa treatments and wellness programs, Holland America Line ensures that passengers can unwind and revitalize their mind, body, and soul.

From luxurious massages to invigorating facials, their spa treatments are designed to pamper and provide ultimate relaxation.

In addition, meditation classes are offered to help passengers find inner peace and harmony amidst the hectic pace of cruising.

By incorporating these wellness facilities and programs, Holland America Line caters to passengers who seek a holistic experience during their cruise vacation.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about ‘Royal Caribbean International’, let’s explore another aspect of the cruise experience that focuses on entertainment and recreational activities.

Royal Caribbean International

Passengers on Royal Caribbean International cruises tend to be of a certain age, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall atmosphere. With a focus on providing a diverse range of experiences, Royal Caribbean attracts passengers from all walks of life, but the average age of their passengers tends to be slightly higher compared to other cruise lines.

This can be attributed to the cruise line’s reputation for offering a wide array of activities and amenities that cater to a more mature audience. From the luxurious spa and wellness facilities to the refined dining options and entertainment choices, Royal Caribbean ensures that its passengers have a sophisticated and enjoyable experience.

As we transition into the next section about Celebrity Cruises, it is interesting to note that this cruise line also appeals to a similar demographic, but with its own unique offerings.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises offers a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere that transports you to a world of luxury and refinement. With its dedication to providing exceptional service and unparalleled experiences, Celebrity Cruises attracts a diverse range of passengers.

When it comes to the average age of passengers, Celebrity Cruises appeals to a slightly older demographic compared to other cruise lines. The average age of passengers on Celebrity Cruises is around 55 years old, reflecting the brand’s focus on providing a more refined and upscale experience. This age range aligns with the cruise line’s emphasis on cultural enrichment, gourmet dining, and world-class entertainment.

Celebrity Cruises caters to sophisticated travelers who appreciate the finer things in life.

Moving forward to the subsequent section about Norwegian Cruise Line, we delve into a cruise line that offers a different experience for passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line

As you step aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, you are transported to a world of boundless freedom and exhilarating adventures, where every moment is a thrilling journey waiting to unfold. When it comes to the average age of passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line, the company caters to a diverse demographic. With a wide range of itineraries and activities, Norwegian Cruise Line attracts passengers of all ages, from families with children to older adults seeking relaxation and exploration. However, the cruise line is known for its vibrant and energetic atmosphere, appealing to a younger crowd. According to industry data, the average age of passengers on Norwegian Cruise Line is around 45 years old. This aligns with the cruise line’s focus on providing a dynamic and youthful experience for its guests. Moving on to the next cruise line, Princess Cruises offers a unique and captivating journey.

Princess Cruises

Embark on a majestic voyage with Princess Cruises and immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and discovery.

When it comes to the average age of passengers, Princess Cruises attracts a diverse range of travelers.

With a focus on providing exceptional onboard entertainment and amenities, Princess Cruises caters to passengers of all ages. From Broadway-style shows and live music performances to cooking demonstrations and art classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The onboard amenities are equally impressive, with luxurious spas, swimming pools, and fitness centers to keep passengers pampered and active during their voyage.

So whether you’re looking for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, Princess Cruises offers an unforgettable experience for passengers of all ages.

Can children and teenagers travel on these cruise lines?

Children and teenagers can travel on most cruise lines, but there are age restrictions and youth programs available. The industry recognizes the importance of catering to all age groups, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Are there any age restrictions or requirements for passengers on these cruise lines?

There are age restrictions and minimum age requirements for passengers on cruise lines. Each cruise line has its own policies, but typically children must be at least 6 months old to sail.

Are there any specific cruise itineraries or ships that cater to older passengers?

There are several cruise itineraries and ships that cater to older passengers. These ships offer specific onboard activities and amenities tailored to their needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for the older demographic.

Is there any information available about the average age of crew members on these cruise lines?

The average age of crew members varies across cruise lines, and it can have an impact on the passenger experience. Younger crew members may bring a more energetic vibe, while older crew members may offer a more experienced and refined service.

Are there any specific onboard activities or amenities that are popular among passengers of a certain age group?

Popular onboard activities and amenities vary by age group. Younger passengers tend to prefer high-energy activities like rock climbing and water slides, while older passengers often enjoy more relaxed options such as spa treatments and wine tastings.

After analyzing the data on the average age of passengers by cruise line, it is evident that each company caters to a distinct demographic.

Carnival Cruise Line, with its vibrant atmosphere and exciting activities, attracts a younger crowd, while Holland America Line appeals to a more mature audience seeking a refined and elegant experience.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises strike a balance between youth and sophistication, targeting a broad range of age groups.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises cater to individuals seeking relaxation and tranquility.

The cruise industry truly offers something for everyone, ensuring a delightful voyage for every traveler.

Affiliate disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

What Culinary Delights Await on Regent's New Seven Seas Explorer?

Discover Quito's Rich Heritage and Experiences: A How-to Guide

Cruising Capri: A Guide to the Island's Delights

5 Must-Visit Temples on a Japan Cruise

Regina Charboneau: Culinary Ambassador of American Queen Voyages

Azamara Onward: Origins, Renovation, and Future Plans

Anthony Bourdain: Unconventional Culinary Icon and Global Influencer

Authentic Tacos and Local Delights: A Culinary Adventure in Cabo San Lucas

Arctic Adventure: Uncharted Destinations With Le Commandant Charcot

Authentic Art, Exciting Auctions: The Ultimate Cruise Ship Experience!

Which Celebrity Cruise Ships Have Been Refurbished

What Drinks Can You Bring On Princess Cruise

How To Turn On Cruise Control Tesla Model 3

What Is The Weather Like On A Transatlantic Cruise In April

How To Set Cruise Control Tesla Model Y

How To Check Weather For A Cruise

How To Get From Venice To Chioggia Cruise Terminal

How to Contact Someone on a Carnival Cruise Ship

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Travel Codex

Your Resource for Better Travel

Princess Drink Package & Daily Gratuities Increases

Princess Packages New Pricing

Like most cruise lines, Princess offers discounts for bundling services. Cruise fares include the cost of the room and most services onboard, including meals, select beverages, entertainment, pool access, etc. For those who want more, you can upgrade your cruise by including the cost of other items in a package.  These packages tend to include items such as Wi-fi, specialty dining, alcohol, and more.

Currently, Princess Plus packages include the Plus Beverage Package, single-device Wi-Fi plan ($15 daily value) and daily crew appreciation. The cruise drink package ‘ Plus beverage plan’ includes most alcoholic drinks below $12. This includes wine by the glass, fountain sodas, fresh juices and more. Starting Dec 14, the price will increase by $10 to $60 per person, per day.

The new Princess Plus Package expands to include the following new items:

• Two Princess premium crafted desserts per day, as well as unlimited juices.
• Two fitness classes per cruise created under our new partnership with Xponential Fitness, Inc., the largest global franchisor of boutique premium fitness brands, that include Pure Barre, Yoga Six and Stretch Lab classes.
• Free shipping of Medallions to Princess guests (U.S. only) prior to their cruise.

Princess still sees the Princes Plus package as a fantastic deal. With the enhanced Princess Plus you can enjoy $140 of value each day for just $60  – a 57% savings. The current Princess Plus package is a value of $95 per day. These new features racks up the savings. Especially if you want more than just alcohol.

Princess Premier is also changing. The current Princess Premier package includes the Premier Beverage Package, four-device Wi-Fi plan ($40 dollar daily value), daily crew appreciation, two nights of specialty dining, one photo package and Princess Prizes. The premier beverage package cover drinks up to $18. It is truly designed for those who prefer top shelf alcohol.

What’s new:

• Unlimited premium crafted desserts, juices per cruise.
• Unlimited fitness classes created under our new partnership with Xponential Fitness, Inc.
• Reserved seating at the Princess Theater (for all guests in a stateroom)
• Complimentary Medallion accessory exclusively designed for Premier package guests (fulfilled onboard).
• Free shipping (U.S. only) of Medallions to your client’s door prior to their cruise.

Princess Premier’s new cost will be $80 per day per guest. This is an increase of $5, up from $75. The new enhanced Princess Premier can equate to $257 of value each day for just $80 – a 69% savings. 

Both packages include the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda.

What’s included in the Princess Cruises Drinks Package?

The Plus Beverage Package is prt of Princess Plus. This Princess Cruise drink package includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails up to $15 USD / $22 AUD. There is over 50 spirits, 40 wines by the glass and cocktails to choose from. Plus, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. Bar service charges are included in this package.

Cruises departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand will be charged in AUD vs USD.

Princess Cruises drinks package – Premier

The premier beverage package is part of princess premier. it’s the highest category of drinks. this leap grgich hills and cattier champagne or private woodford reserve bourbon selection created exclusively for princess. it includes a premium selection of beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $20 usd / $30 aud. this package will cover the cost of more than 75 spirits, 40 wines  by the glass and cocktails onboard. in addition, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new juice bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at coffee & cones, milkshakes (if available) and red bull energy drinks. bar service charges are included in this package. the package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and bottled juices. the package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.)..

If you want to enjoy top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass, and cocktails this Princess cruises drink package is ideal for you!

Princess Daily Gratuities Increasing

With the increase in costs of Princess Plus and Premium packages, Princess Cruise Line is also increasing the mandatory gratuities for staff. These gratuities are split between your room attendant, entertainment, and restaurant staff.

The daily crew appreciation charge is based on the stateroom category. Effective Dec 14, 2022 daily appreciation will increase by $2.50 for all guests in all cabins. The new daily charge will be:

• $16 per guest in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony
• $17 per guests in Mini-Suite and Club Class
• $18 per guest in Suites

Existing bookings have the opportunity to pre-pay the crew appreciation for their cruise at the current rate until Dec 13, 2022. Otherwise expect a 7-day cruise for two to cost $35 more in gratuities. For those who purchase Princess Plus or Princess Standard, there are no additional staff appreciation charges. The packages include pre-paid gratuities which further makes adding a Princess cruise package ideal. Saving you money and taking the stress out of worrying about running up additional charges while onboard. 

Bottom Line

Price increases are never easy to spin. The crew works hard and the additional daily gratuities go directly to the staff to perform the work they do. Some consider this wage subsidization and I understand that sentiment. The increased cost of Princess Plus and Princess Standard will make Princess Cruises more expensive, but at least they also are adding new additional  perks. Some of these new perks add very little value. Not everyone will indulge in a specialty dessert or take a gym class. Especially on port days. Thankfully though you can always opt for princess standard and pay separately for items such as drinks, Wi-fi, fresh juices and healthy smoothies juice bar and all the other items as you choose to utilize.

If you are going to take a Princess Cruise soon, or any cruise, please reach out to me at Scott & Thomas Travel and let me help book your next vacation. ust ask for Rocky! A travel agent can not only save you money , but we get free perks that we can pass on to you too! Contact me today and get your cruise on. ruise soon, please reach out to me at Scott & Thomas Travel and let me help book your next vacation. Just ask for Rocky!

Read this next.

About Rocky Horan

Rocky started blogging on his own website When Doublewides Fly to share information about flying around the world on a dime. By maximizing miles and points, cheap deals, sales, backpacking, and couchsurfing Rocky has traveled to 75 countries and still counting.

These major cruise lines are changing their displayed prices. Here's why.

• California Senate Bill 478 – also known as the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute” – will take effect Monday.
• The law bans businesses from listing or advertising “a price for a good or service that does not include all required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs.”

That is changing how many major cruise lines display their prices, and not just for travelers in the Golden State.

Cruise prices may look higher as of next week – but that doesn’t mean they are.

California Senate Bill 478 – also known as the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute” – will take effect Monday. The law bans businesses from listing or advertising “a price for a good or service that does not include all required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs,” according to an FAQ page from the state’s Office of the Attorney General.

“The statute does not change what price a business can charge or what may be included in that cost,” the attorney general's office said. “The law simply requires that the price listed include all mandatory charges.”

Which cruise lines will change how their pricing is listed?

◾ Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will update the way they display pricing in the U.S. Customers “will now see pricing that is inclusive of their selected cruise fare and all required taxes and fees,” a spokesperson for the brands’ parent company, Royal Caribbean Group , told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “We are also supporting our travel partners across the country ahead of this upcoming change.”

◾ Norwegian Cruise Line will do the same, incorporating “applicable taxes, fees and port expenses” into advertised prices in the U.S. and Canada by Monday.“This change will only impact the way we display our prices and will not affect the prices that our guests pay to enjoy a cruise with us or the portion of the cruise fare that is commissionable for our travel partners,” a spokesperson for the line said in an emailed statement. “We are committed to delivering exceptional vacation experiences at every step of the cruise journey and we hope this change will provide our guests with a more satisfying booking experience.”

◾ MSC Cruises added government fees and taxes to advertised overall prices for U.S. bookings on Wednesday. “These costs are now seamlessly integrated into the total advertised price, providing a simple and transparent booking experience that will not impact the overall price paid by our guests,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

What are junk fees?: Travelers are drowning in them during the summer of surcharges

◾ Disney Cruise Line plans to comply with the law.

◾ Carnival Corp., which operates major lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others, also made the change nationally to ensure consistency in advertised pricing, according to a spokesperson for the company.“The great news is that the final price paid hasn't changed, simply the way it is displayed,” they said in an emailed statement. “Our cruise lines still deliver the same great, affordable value and unforgettable cruise experiences vacationers love.”Several others already wrap those costs into their advertised prices, including the high-end Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises – also part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. – Viking and Explora Journeys , the luxury brand from the MSC Group.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

• Princess Cruises

Is this a new Gratuities policy?

By Kineticoh20 , May 29 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

14 minutes ago, rideev said: We don't know that our cabin Steward gets any part of it or not.    Great thing is though, we can all do whatever we like.  If one wants to remove CA at Guest Services they can (unless on Plus or Premier.). If one wants to increase them they can.   What difference does it make to you what your fellow passengers do in this case?    

Actually we do. If they are in the pool by contract they get a portion of the pool. If not Princess would be in violation of the employment contract.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Retired-N-Happy

14 hours ago, whitecap said: I believe that most cruisers believe that by paying the gratuities, they are tipping those crew members on their cruise who provided good or exceptional services.  They very well may not be.  The gratuities paid, as stated in the Princess paperwork, go into a pool, controlled by Princess and distributed by Princess  throughout the fleet!   Your room steward may never see a dime of the gratuities you paid and the same for those in the dining room who served you so well.   If I go to a restaurant and the wait staff does an excellent job, I don't hand the owner extra money to be put in his or her pocket, to be distributed,  throughout the year to all those who work at the restaurant.   Why should it be any different when cruising.  With the exception of our very first cruise (we are now over 50), we have always removed the gratuities, obtained small envelopes from Customer Service desk, and given tips directly to the persons who went above and beyond to see to it that we enjoyed our cruise.  

And the problem with doing it your way is what happens if you have your time dining and you have many different waiters serve you over the course of your cruise. Do you tip them all? And what happens to the small percentage of your 16.00 per day that goes to the crew cleaning up the tables in the buffet on a daily basis.  Or the small percentage that goes to people behind the scenes that you never directly deal with. Your monies that would go to these two groups of deserving people are shut out now since you took your percentage away and couldn't give them an envelope to make up for it.

In a private sector business it is not uncommon for salary bumps, promotions, and/or bonuses to be based on measurable performance factors.  Hopefully Princess has a good system in place to determine merit.  I can't imagine that customer satisfaction is not among the factors considered.   

2 cruises a year

I haven't read through this whole thread AGAIN.  This has been discussed ad infinitum.

First of all, in life tips don't go directly to who ever you are tipping.  This includes restaurants, bars coffee shops, what ever.  It always goes into a pool that includes who served you, the dishwasher, the buss boy, bar-back, the salad maker, who ever.  Princess is no different. They pool the Gratuities, and divy them out.  They tell you this, it isn't a secret.

But withholding Gratuities cheats everyone.  Divying them out as you see fit is bucking the system and doesn't accomplish anything.  They have to turn your tip in to the pool if you don't contribute to the pool with the daily Gratuities.  Don't try to tempt them to keep it for themselves, they will only get into trouble.  It is not worth it to them.  If you do pay the daily Gratuities and tip them, they can keep the extra above the daily Gratuity.

Maybe it is a shell game, but so what, the crew has to be paid, and you are going to pay them, one way or another.

AND LASTLY, the crew knows better than we do, what they signed up for.  It is none of our business how, or how much they get paid.  Do you sit down at the bar and ask the person next to you how much money they make?

7 hours ago, SCX22 said:   Not privy to what or how P&O compensate their crew.  As a US Citizen without a British or Australian post address, I can't book their cruises.  From what I have gathered from my friends across the pond who will NEVER cruise with P&O again, there are cuts made elsewhere.

Actually you can.  You book through their US authorized agent. Vacations to go.  We have taken several cruises with them though you can probably count the number of Americans on board on any given cruise on 1 hand.

7 hours ago, Interestedcruisefan said: I've cruised RCL, Carnival, P and O, Azamara and Princess   Princess the least impressive but I'm willing to give them another try   My parents have always cruised Princess and are highest tier. I will be warning them about the tips for next time   Quality of cruise is a whole different debate and nothing to do with this thread   With P and O the price you pay for the cruise is transparent. There's no tips/gratuities/crew appreciation expected nor added to your costs or taken from your card on top of your payment.    So there's no possibility of misleading customers about what any extra payments they take from you are being used for   Because they don't take any.    If you want to give any staff a tip you can choose to do so direct and it's theirs to keep   Very straightforward and simple and no flowery words or dark arts needed from anybody in the cruiseline to get you to give them more money before you leave the ship   Princess operating in the dark ages still compared to P and O    

If they are highest tier then one would expect they know. After all nothing new about tipping on Princess, has been in place for the last 10.years and more.

Very much the same approach as Celebrity, Royal, NCL, HAL, Carnival. All of the north America focused mass market lines.

13 hours ago, ldubs said: Would you be willing to replace the current system with an increase in cruise fares that will likely be more than the current fare + gratuity?  

Yes. Absolutely.

More than “current fare + gratuity”. Why would that be? Please elaborate. 

27 minutes ago, Bgwest said: Yes. Absolutely.   More than “current fare + gratuity”. Why would that be? Please elaborate. 

The current system generates some benefits that reduces cost for passengers, cruise line and crew.

For example with passengers if the gratuity is rolled into fares they would need to be paid in advance of the cruise and they would be included in the calculation for travel insurance. With travel insurance usually costing around 5% or more a a $16 dollar per day addition would increase the cost of travel insurance around 80 cents per day.

For crew the current system of salary  and gratuity has advantages depending upon country of residence. Gratuities are treated differently and get better tax treatment in some countries. For crew going through recruiters the fee is usually based upon salary, not gratuities so going to a salary only system may result in the crew keeping less money in their pocket requiring some adjustment (increase in compensation) to remain at current levels. Costs the cruise line might pass on if they have pricing power.

The current system provides the cruise line with risk management benefits. The gratuity pool and payouts adjust automatically to major drops in business, where as salaries remain fixed. This reduces cruise line risk in case of major, unexpected changes. Of it was all fixed as salary they would have to increase reserves in case of unexpected drops in business. Another factor that could get passed on.

The current system also gives the cruise line a better net margin, than it would have under a fully salaried system. 

35 minutes ago, Bgwest said: Yes. Absolutely.   More than “current fare + gratuity”. Why would that be? Please elaborate. 

I think I would too, if it included no further expectation of tipping. 

One reason it might is because a significant increase to the corporation's employee salary expense item would have a negative impact to financial results.  Prices would likely be increased to maintain margins and keep shareholders happy.  Of course this assumes the current voluntary gratuities are not counted on the books as an expense item.    

Edit: I think I hit send about the same time as TRLD.  TRLD covers even more potential reasons.  

6 hours ago, TRLD said: The current system provides the cruise line with risk management benefits.

There are also some hidden, perhaps unexpected ramifications from increasing payroll.  Often, insurance premiums for liability and workers comp insurance take payroll into account, (along with things like square footage of facilities.)  An insurance underwriter is almost always going to want to see payroll statements.  Higher payroll can mean higher insurance premiums.  And higher insurance premiums are going to be passed along to the consumer.  So the new fare with gratuities baked in is going to be greater than current fare + gratuities.  

7 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said: AND LASTLY, the crew knows better than we do, what they signed up for.

Barely mentioned in this discussion is the obvious inequity that would result if tips were doled out individually and crew members got to keep what they were handed, receiving nothing else.  Does anyone think that the bartenders working the Princess Live Bar do nearly as much business as the ones who staff Good Spirits At Sea?  The latter would probably earn 10 times as much in tips.  Does that mean that they are better employees, or did they just have the opportunity to interact with more guests?  When the location of the crew members' posting dictates income, and the decision as to where to post the crew members is somewhat arbitrary, crew morale would decrease and crew friction would increase.  The crew members would rather live without this stress and when a server is sent off to cruise ship Siberia instead of being posted in the highest trafficked area, they can go about their business secure in the knowledge that they will not suffer financially because of it.  I know this firsthand from working as an usher in a sporting venue.  One day I would be assigned to the lower box seats and showing people to their seats and wiping them down would earn me a fortune.  The next day I would be assigned to the upper deck and perform the same service and get tipped barely enough for a bus ride home.  Fortunately, the ushers agreed to pool and split tips, so everyone did well and no one had to grumble about being sent to the cheap seats.   

11 hours ago, ldubs said: In a private sector business it is not uncommon for salary bumps, promotions, and/or bonuses to be based on measurable performance factors.  Hopefully Princess has a good system in place to determine merit.  I can't imagine that customer satisfaction is not among the factors considered.   

Ive been told by various staff that the reviews Princess sends out at end of cruise are vital to their positions. They get read and acted on. Those reviews move them, to better ships, etc... Those reviews are VERY important to them

12 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said: And the problem with doing it your way is what happens if you have your time dining and you have many different waiters serve you over the course of your cruise. Do you tip them all? And what happens to the small percentage of your 16.00 per day that goes to the crew cleaning up the tables in the buffet on a daily basis.  Or the small percentage that goes to people behind the scenes that you never directly deal with. Your monies that would go to these two groups of deserving people are shut out now since you took your percentage away and couldn't give them an envelope to make up for it.

Since you will probably take all your meals in 1 MDR I would give the tip envelope to the MDR manager to distribute. That is what we do to tip out the servers in Sabatini’s for suite breakfast

Oceansaway17

19 hours ago, TRLD said: Let me put this a different way.   Would you penalize a member of the staff because they happened to be assigned to a less utilized area of the ship?  Doing so would impact moral because then someone's compensation could be negatively impacted just by assignment. Kind of like the pre fleet pool days when one could be impacted just by getting assigned to a ship sailing from one port vs another.   From what I have been told the majority is allocated by position fleet wide, with a percentage being allocated by performance bonuses.

never said to penalize any crew member but was wondering if the cruise lines do in the MDR when folks stop going.  Why do the need us to check in with room key?  

I know some waiters become hurt and or annoyed when folks stop going to MDR.  So how does that affect their tips?  that is all.

PescadoAmarillo

4 hours ago, JimmyVWine said: There are also some hidden, perhaps unexpected ramifications from increasing payroll.  Often, insurance premiums for liability and workers comp insurance take payroll into account, (along with things like square footage of facilities.)  An insurance underwriter is almost always going to want to see payroll statements.  Higher payroll can mean higher insurance premiums.  And higher insurance premiums are going to be passed along to the consumer.  So the new fare with gratuities baked in is going to be greater than current fare + gratuities.  

I have zero interest in chatting, discreetly or otherwise, with a crew member about how and how much they are paid. I assume they are there because they are satisfied with how things are done, or else they wouldn’t return. However, I would love to know the accounting for crew appreciation.  I mean, the actual entries showing where it appears (if it does) on the P&L and Balance Sheet. Because certainly the cruise lines are garnering some advantage in handling CA the way they do. And I do wonder which currency the crew is paid in. Because every change in the value of the USD means either the crew is making or losing money in their home currency or the cruise line is (which I doubt). 

LACruiser88

12 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said: And I do wonder which currency the crew is paid in

Crews are paid in USD.

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said: never said to penalize any crew member but was wondering if the cruise lines do in the MDR when folks stop going.  Why do the need us to check in with room key?   I know some waiters become hurt and or annoyed when folks stop going to MDR.  So how does that affect their tips?  that is all.

It does not impact their payout. 

Was this for a reservation or walk in?

We only do reservations for the mdr and have not been asked other thsn at check in.

I can think of a number of ways the information could be used, including confirming table assignments. A few months ago we checked in and was escorted to our table, only to find another couple there. Turns out they were assigned to a different table, but liked ours which was empty at the time so they just decided to move and take it.

They would also ask for it if any drinks or charged options are ordered.

A number of possible reasons, but do know not impacting payout. Have had chats about if different position assignments impact payouts and was told during a discussion at one of the most traveled luncheons how the system works.  Your comments and other metrics might impact future bonuses, promotions, contract offers, but not base payout.

26 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said: I have zero interest in chatting, discreetly or otherwise, with a crew member about how and how much they are paid. I assume they are there because they are satisfied with how things are done, or else they wouldn’t return. However, I would love to know the accounting for crew appreciation.  I mean, the actual entries showing where it appears (if it does) on the P&L and Balance Sheet. Because certainly the cruise lines are garnering some advantage in handling CA the way they do. And I do wonder which currency the crew is paid in. Because every change in the value of the USD means either the crew is making or losing money in their home currency or the cruise line is (which I doubt). 

It does not show on the P&L or balance sheets. Under US accounting rules, as long as certain criteria in met, the most important being that all monies received, except for actual credit card processing fees incurred in processing any paid by credit card, must be paid to employees that are part of the pool. Another is that they must be optional, can be adjusted or removed.

In those cases the money is not reflected in the companies books as either revenue when received or expense when paid. 

27 minutes ago, TRLD said: It does not show on the P&L or balance sheets. Under US accounting rules, as long as certain criteria in met, the most important being that all monies received, except for actual credit card processing fees incurred in processing any paid by credit card, must be paid to employees that are part of the pool. Another is that they must be optional, can be adjusted or removed.   In those cases the money is not reflected in the companies books as either revenue when received or expense when paid. 

I’m not convinced. It is (very roughly speaking) $1M per day, some of which is NOT optional (Premium and Plus), and which most likely is handled on an accrual basis, not a cash basis. I am skeptical that it is handled off the financial statements. And the reason I am curious about this is that every time tipping gets discussed on this board, there are comments about how if everyone cancelled their discretionary tips, the fund would run out of money. There is no way they are accounted for on a cash basis, and a payable and receivable has to exist somewhere, not to mention the fact that a portion of the Premium and Plus revenue actually isn’t revenue at all, but CA. 

Interestedcruisefan

16 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said: And the problem with doing it your way is what happens if you have your time dining and you have many different waiters serve you over the course of your cruise. Do you tip them all? And what happens to the small percentage of your 16.00 per day that goes to the crew cleaning up the tables in the buffet on a daily basis.  Or the small percentage that goes to people behind the scenes that you never directly deal with. Your monies that would go to these two groups of deserving people are shut out now since you took your percentage away and couldn't give them an envelope to make up for it.

I think we are giving far too much credit for how pooling and allocation of the money we give as "staff appreciation" is being used 

What's happening is Princess are quite simply bringing in a HUGE amount of extra  income without any costs at the end of each cruise which they use to pay wages and incentive staff

It's just the ultimate way of taking more money from passengers on a cruise

And they will keep taking it until the are no longer able to

Let's not overcomplicate what's happening here

They make more money here than they do charging the exorbitant fees for internet that cruise ships continue to charge that no longer happens on land

They take their opportunities to max out our spend with them

And this particular method is just the least transparent and at the same time the most profitable

Huge money involved every cruise

Fair play to them for getting away with it and taking advantage of the goodwill of so many passengers for so many years

34 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said: not to mention the fact that a portion of the Premium and Plus revenue actually isn’t revenue at all, but CA. 

Solid Point

Now the question is, how much of the $60 and $80 per day per person collected is allocated to payment of the crew appreciation?

47 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said: I’m not convinced. It is (very roughly speaking) $1M per day, some of which is NOT optional (Premium and Plus), and which most likely is handled on an accrual basis, not a cash basis. I am skeptical that it is handled off the financial statements. And the reason I am curious about this is that every time tipping gets discussed on this board, there are comments about how if everyone cancelled their discretionary tips, the fund would run out of money. There is no way they are accounted for on a cash basis, and a payable and receivable has to exist somewhere, not to mention the fact that a portion of the Premium and Plus revenue actually isn’t revenue at all, but CA. 

I think you miss the point. The fund can be managed using accural methods and other techniques necessary to manage the fund and smooth flows, but the funds are not on the companies books. You will not see it in the SEC filings. The funds are managed outside of the companies statements. They are part of the companies cash flow, assets or liabilities. They are not owned by the company, they are handled independently.

The rate of funds coming in will impact the rate at which it goes out. The goal of the company and the employees would be to manage it to keep the payouts pretty stable. I expect that fluctuations would mostly likely impact the money available for bonus payouts more so than base payouts.

As far as the money from packages just as the money from those fares where CA was included, the CA amounts would be subtracted prior to going into revenue. In the case of the packages, the money received minus the CA contribution would be reflected in onboard sales. But the CA contribution would not be in the onboard sales revenue in the 10k or 10q filings. It is the way the accounting rules are set up.

startedwithamouse

22 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said: I think we are giving far too much credit for how pooling and allocation of the money we give as "staff appreciation" is being used    What's happening is Princess are quite simply bringing in a HUGE amount of extra  income without any costs at the end of each cruise which they use to pay wages and incentive staff   It's just the ultimate way of taking more money from passengers on a cruise   And they will keep taking it until the are no longer able to   Let's not overcomplicate what's happening here   They make more money here than they do charging the exorbitant fees for internet that cruise ships continue to charge that no longer happens on land   They take their opportunities to max out our spend with them   And this particular method is just the least transparent and at the same time the most profitable   Huge money involved every cruise   Fair play to them for getting away with it and taking advantage of the goodwill of so many passengers for so many years  

You do realize Princess is in the business of making money?

5 minutes ago, TRLD said: I think you miss the point. The fund can be managed using accural methods and other techniques necessary to manage the fund and smooth flows, but the funds are not on the companies books. You will not see it in the SEC filings. The funds are managed outside of the companies statements. They are part of the companies cash flow, assets or liabilities. They are not owned by the company, they are handled independently.   The rate of funds coming in will impact the rate at which it goes out. The goal of the company and the employees would be to manage it to keep the payouts pretty stable. I expect that fluctuations would mostly likely impact the money available for bonus payouts more so than base payouts.   As far as the money from packages just as the money from those fares where CA was included, the CA amounts would be subtracted prior to going into revenue. In the case of the packages, the money received minus the CA contribution would be reflected in onboard sales. But the CA contribution would not be in the onboard sales revenue in the 10k or 10q filings. It is the way the accounting rules are set up.

how much of my $80 per person per day for Premier package is 'off the books' then?

1 minute ago, startedwithamouse said: You do realize Princess is in the business of making money?

I'm happy with about 80 per cent of the ways they do it. And the rest I believe they significantly take advantage of us passengers. 

Internet charges - I don't like the way they exploit the fact that so many passengers need internet daily (my wife and I do to keep in touch with our businesses in the UK daily) and charge fees that just dont exist exorbitant fees anywhere other than on cruise lines

These crew appreciation fees - total con trick. Simple as that. 

I won't mention a couple of other things as I don't want to divert the debate

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Special Event: Q&A with Laura Hodges Bethge, President Celebrity Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 12 hours ago

LauraS · Started 18 hours ago

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 06:50 PM

LauraS · Started June 27

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Princess Cruises Launches Cruise Industry’s Best Price Guarantee on 2025 & 2026 Cruises

The line’s new “better than best price guarantee" lets smart shoppers book early with absolute confidence.

By downloading this image you agree to the Princess asset use terms and conditions

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 27, 2024) – Smart shoppers looking for the very best price on their 2025 or 2026 cruise vacation will appreciate the new “Better than Best Price Guarantee” from Princess Cruises. From July 1-September 2, 2024, guests can book their dream Princess vacation with the added confidence of knowing they are securing the absolute best price available.

With the “Better than Best Price Guarantee” guests are assured that if they find a better price for the same Princess cruise, stateroom category, and sail date at any time before their final payment, Princess will honor the lower rate and provide 120% of the difference in the form of an onboard credit.

“Our new guarantee underscores the Princess commitment to offering unparalleled value and exceptional service to guests…value that is unmatched by land-based vacations,” said Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises chief commercial officer. “With our booking volume for 2025 voyages already nearly 30% higher than it has ever been at this point in the typical booking cycle, securing your spot early has never been more important and this offer not only guarantees the best rates, but also ensures guests can choose their preferred dates and destinations. This way, guests can enjoy the best selection of Princess worldwide destinations and accommodations, knowing they have the best rate available for their cruise.”

How it Works

If a guest who books a cruise between July 1 and September 2, 2024, for any 2025 or 2026 departure, finds an active, publicly available lower price for the identical verified booking on princess.com prior to the final payment of the cruise, guests can submit a Guarantee Claim Form and Princess will give the guest an onboard credit (OBC) with a value of 120% of the difference between what the guest actually paid for the original booking and the located fare (or other mutually agreed makegood). Full terms and conditions can be found here:  https://www.princess.com/en-us/plan/best-price-guarantee/terms-and-conditions .

All 16 ships in the Princess fleet offer well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities.

No matter the cruise, Princess delivers a premium vacation with the line’s award-winning, signature Princess MedallionClass experience which offers unparalleled service and personalization. Guests booking can take advantage of inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier which add popular amenities like WiFi, beverages, desserts, fitness classes, crew appreciation and more at an even greater savings of up 65% when the inclusive package amenities are purchased separately. 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com .

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

Not a member of the media? 

Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

More contact information is available on our Contact Us page