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Tipping is supposed to be a voluntary act of appreciation for good service, however, on most cruise ships tips are expected from all passengers and form an essential part of the crew's remuneration. Some lines even automatically add tips to your shipboard account at a fixed rate.

You will not lack guidance on this subject while onboard. On the day before you are due to leave the ship, you will receive advice on the tipping procedure - in the daily bulletin, in the disembarkation presentation and on the cabin video system. Your disembarkation documentation may well include envelopes to be used for tipping. However to help you prepare financially for your cruise you should note the following:

• We include a summary of the tipping policy of each ship on our Ship Details page.
• The traditional way of tipping is cash in envelopes at the end of the cruise based on recommendations on how much to give and to whom. You would normally give your tips the night before you leave the ship but some leave the cabin steward until the morning of diembarkation.
• Some lines automatically add tips to your shipboard account at a fixed rate although you can adjust the amount up or down based on the service you receive, but you have to go to the purser's office to do so. This method of tipping is becoming more appropriate with flexible dining where you may have different restaurant staff each evening.
• Some ships allow you to charge tips to your shipboard account - you give crew members envelopes with a receipt inside.
• Some lines say tipping is not required, or fares include standard tips - be advised tips will still be expected, cash in hand - but maybe at a lesser rate.
• On luxury lines Silversea and Regent and tips are included in the cruise fare and are neither required or expected.
• Typical daily tipping rates per person recommended are £2 for your dining room waiter, £1 for his assistant, £2 for your cabin attendant and if you have a personal butler, about £2 per day. Some lines suggest you also tip the headwaiter or restaurant manager 50p per day.
• Of course, you may vary these rates depending on the quality of service.
• If you have children sharing your cabin, it is acceptable to tip at half the adult rate.
• On some small ships, passengers put a lump sum into an envelope and the crew splits it.

Other Tipping

• All drinks from the bar (including wine at dinner) have a service charge automatically added. Most American ships add 15% and European ships 10%.
• Spa or beauty treatments may have tips automatically added to your shipboard account but you may have to tip personally.
• Guides on shore excursions are usually tipped 5% of the excursion cost.
• The luggage porters at the cruise terminal usually expect a tip - a dollar or Euro per bag.