Demystifying Norwegian Cruise's Gratuity Policy: What You Need to Know

Table Of Content

• Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies
• How Can Visitors Purchase Tickets to Attend the DJ Performances at the Beach Club at Bimini?
• I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
• Silversea Cruises
• Sailing Alaskan Itineraries
• Norwegian Cruise Line to hike service charges to levels never before seen in cruising — see how much you'll pay
• Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

Other than that, your gratuity charges cover the housekeeping and dining staff. So when you leave the room you don’t have to put down any extra cash (unless you want to). And when you leave the dining room, no need to drop down any money on the table. For some cruise lines (usually luxury lines), gratuities actually are included in the fare — you don’t pay anything extra apart from your cruise fare. If you want to pay extra, we suggest simply handing cash directly to the people you want to recognize for their service. This happens regularly for passengers feeling generous or thankful for the staff’s work during their trip.

Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies

With improved connectivity and digital services through MedallionNet, passengers’ satisfaction is greatly increased, allowing for a more seamless and enjoyable cruise. In the latest news, Princess Cruises has made headlines with its groundbreaking partnership for enhanced connectivity at sea. As part of their commitment to providing unparalleled Wi-Fi service levels, Princess Cruises has announced early access to global satellite internet through their partnership with SES. This exciting development means that passengers can now enjoy improved connectivity and enhanced digital services while on board Princess MedallionClass ships.

How Can Visitors Purchase Tickets to Attend the DJ Performances at the Beach Club at Bimini?

Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. And, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room.

I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

With enhanced connectivity and the power of MedallionNet, guests can stay connected, stream their ceremony live, and capture every precious moment. This partnership truly enhances the Princess MedallionClass experience, providing passengers with an exceptional digital experience while sailing with Princess Cruises. As the Omicron variant continues to impact the COVID-19 landscape, it is crucial that we take every precaution to safeguard the health and well-being of our crewmembers. By providing booster shots, we are taking proactive measures to ensure their protection and maintain a safe environment onboard our ships.

Although technically gratuity fees/service charges are discretionary, in practice passengers must pay these fees; the only exceptions being reductions if you receive horrible service. Asking to have the fees waived just to save yourself money is unfair since gratuities pay hardworking staff members. A 20% gratuity will still be automatically added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, spa and salon services.

19 Tips and Tricks About Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package (2024) - Cruise Blog

19 Tips and Tricks About Norwegian Cruise Line Drink Package ( .

Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Yes, passengers can prepay gratuities for exceptional service on Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. They are often expressed as the rate for a single person (despite having to pay for double occupancy) and don’t include port fees or taxes.

However, the booking promotion does not include an automatic 20% bar gratuity on the theoretical cost of the packages. As the cost of Norwegian's drinks packages rises, the cost of its automatic bar gratuity fees rises, too. The world's fourth largest cruise line on Tuesday announced it would hike the daily service charge it levies on customers by an unprecedented 25% for most cabins, effective Jan. 1. You might be wondering how you can get out of paying these cruise service charges.

Norwegian Cruise Line to hike service charges to levels never before seen in cruising — see how much you'll pay

When it comes to paying gratuities on a cruise, it’s important to understand the potential consequences if you choose not to pay. While cruise ships typically have an automatic gratuity charge that’s added to your bill, you do have the right to refuse this charge and compensate the cruise staff on your own terms. However, it’s essential that you notify the front desk of your desire not to pay the automatic gratuity. Failure to do so will result in the charge appearing on your final bill and being charged to the credit card on file. In conclusion, Royal Caribbean Group is committed to safety amid the impact of the Omicron variant.

Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

While inflation is hitting everyone hard, it is remarkable that cruise lines are making these changes at nearly the same time, making a cruise a costly vacation option for many. The launch event coverage promises to be a spectacular affair, highlighting the incredible transformation of the ship and the impact it will have on passenger experience. With MedallionNet, passengers can expect improved connectivity and enhanced digital services, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable cruise experience. In conclusion, Virgin Voyages has truly raised the bar with its epic DJ lineup for the Beach Club in Bimini. The inclusion of artists like Mark Ronson, Diplo, DJ MK, and Sofi Tukker showcases the brand’s commitment to providing a remarkable vacation experience. By combining the hypnotic soundscape of the day with beach bonfire soirees at night, Virgin Voyages aims to rival the world-famous beach clubs of Ibiza, St. Tropez, and Mykonos.

At Virgin Voyages, they have taken this to heart, ensuring that music is a central part of the vacation experience. The On Deck DJ schedule guarantees a stunning beach club experience, with a lineup of talented artists such as Mark Ronson, Diplo, DJ MK, and Sofi Tukker. During the day, guests can indulge in a hypnotic soundscape immersion, where the music transports them to another world. And when night falls, the celebration continues with beach bonfire soirees, creating an atmosphere that rivals the legendary beach clubs of Ibiza, St. Tropez, and Mykonos. It’s all about creating unforgettable moments through the power of music and sound.

Cruise News Update: New Ship, Gratuity Increase, Dining Changes - Cruise Hive

Cruise News Update: New Ship, Gratuity Increase, Dining Changes.

Posted: Sat, 04 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Piano bar regulars know that a cash tip will increase the chances of the pianist choosing and performing your song request. If you don’t wish to pay for gratuities, you’ll have to personally request for them to be taken off your account. In September, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a price hike for its beverage packages.

Navigating through the challenges posed by Omicron, our operational adjustments have resulted in minimal positive cases and a low positivity rate among our passengers. Welcoming scrutiny and regulation, I am committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety onboard our ships. Looking at the positive cases and hospitalizations, the majority of individuals who tested positive had no or mild symptoms. Since June 2021, over 1.1 million passengers have sailed with Royal Caribbean Group.

Having to add in gratuity costs to these advertised rates could make them less attractive to potential cruisers. While the cruise lines might say differently, we think that gratuities aren’t included in the headline price for marketing purposes. To begin, it is important to understand what gratuities are and why they are significant on a cruise. Gratuity is a customary tip given to service staff in recognition of their outstanding service. On a cruise, this typically includes the hardworking crew members who ensure guests have a memorable experience on board.

With Virgin Voyages, the vacation experience is truly a symphony of sights, sounds, and unforgettable moments. Norwegian Cruise Line has informed guests and travel agents that it will increase gratuities starting from April 2022. It will be the first hike for the service charge since before the global pandemic and the industry-wide suspension, which began in Spring 2020. You would think that paying a hefty daily tip would cover everyone on the ship. In fact, there are a couple of instances where paying additional gratuity is recommended or automatic. One perk of pre-paying gratuities is that if you pre-pay and the rate later increases, you aren’t charged the higher rate.

NCL offers passengers the option to prepay service charges up to 24 hours in advance of sailing. This means you can pay when you book your cruise and have the charge already budgeted into your vacation spending. You can also book your cruise and then prepay later, but before your trip departs. If you would prefer to pay ahead of time, most cruise lines allow guests to pre-pay their gratuities at the time of booking or anytime prior to sailing. These fees will then be added into your total cruise fare and covered with your final payment. P&O Cruises Australia does not automatically add gratuities onto passengers' accounts or spa or bar bills.

This includes a strict vaccination policy and enhanced cleaning protocols to minimize the risk of transmission onboard. It’s important to consider these factors when planning a Norwegian Cruise Line vacation, as they can impact the overall cost and budgeting for gratuity charges. In January 2023, NCL increased their gratuity fees, leaving couples on a week-long cruise with a total of $280 in charges. While these fees are discretionary, they are mandatory unless service is abysmal. First, any time that you buy a drink from the bar, you will be charged an extra tip, usually 18%-20% of the menu price, depending on the cruise line. With the introduction of automatic gratuities, it’s much more difficult to avoid paying tips on your cruise.