Tipping is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to cruise lines, where gratuities are often pre-paid or automatically added to your bill. Instead of getting caught up on the monetary aspect, one crew member took to Reddit to share their thoughts on how you can show your appreciation to those working to make your time onboard so memorable.The crew member, known by their Reddit name SolAreiaLivros, explains how they’ve worked on ships like Adventure, Allure, and Wonder of the Seas. “Your cash tips, no matter how big or small help us (most especially [crew] from ‘developing’ countries like myself) tremendously. We are paid a livable wage, and well! But every dollar is something extra we can bring back home to our families,” they write in the post shared to the r/royalcaribbean thread. “But if you prefer not to tip, that is completely okay!! Here are some other ways you can show your appreciation to [the crew members who] made your cruise extra special.”Post-cruise surveysThere’s a reason so many crew members talk to guests about the post-cruise surveys. Not only do they allow you to provide feedback on your cruise vacation but you also have the opportunity to shout out hardworking crew members. The survey itself is short. In addition to a few brief questions about crew members, you’re also asked about the food’s quality, shore excursions, the ship’s overall maintenance, and entertainment. SolAreiaLivros shares that when they’re personally mentioned in surveys and reviews, they can earn a day off, a Very Important Crew (VIC) scratch card, a free specialty meal, or stay in a guest cabin for one sailing. The VIC card lets them scratch for perks like free internet and room service, a day off, discounts at the crew store, cash, and more. Surveys are especially important to crew members like waiters. When their ratings go down, they’re at risk of having fewer tables to wait on, resulting in fewer tips. For waiters in specialty restaurants, low ratings could even lead to them being reassigned to the Main Dining Room, which is typically much more stressful and demanding.”If mentioned enough times, we can get nominated to be [the] Employee of the Month. Winning Employee of the Month has quite a sum of cash prize,” they add. Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: What you should and shouldn’t doSmall notes and lettersDid one crew member go out of their way to deliver an exceptional experience? Don’t be afraid to write them a short thank you note before disembarking. Whether a bartender who made your drinks perfectly or a fun activity host, taking a moment to show your appreciation with a handwritten note can make a huge difference.SolAreiaLivros says, “I have personally received small notes folded into fun shapes from guests and I still have them in my wallet to this day. Reading these notes from guests at the end of a long day of work makes all the hard work feel worth it.”Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise shipRemembering the crew member’s nameSolAreiaLivros emphasizes how much a simple acknowledgment, like remembering a crew member’s name, can mean: “…a guest remembering us and calling us by our names makes us feel seen and appreciated.””As you all well know, we work onboard without [days off] and days can be really long. You have no idea how a simple thank you can make a crew’s day.”For example, when you see your cabin steward in the hall, address them by their name and ask how they’re doing. Similarly, you can greet your Main Dining Room staff each evening by their names.Collecting cruise ducksWhat started as a quirky activity for those who wanted to share their love of cruising has grown into a worldwide craze, with Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to duck hunting on cruise ships. However, passengers aren’t the only ones who love collecting ducks! “[Crew members who] have little kids back home LOVE collecting ducks,” says SolAreiaLivros, “My cousin whose dad also works for Royal [Caribbean] grew up looking forward to receiving new duckies from her dad after every contract.”That said, SolAreiaLivros added that she knew a fellow crew member who was fired because of collecting ducks. If you’re cruising and a crew member mentions they have young children at home, consider giving one directly to them. Read more: Why some people hate hiding ducks on a cruise ship fadBe careful with larger giftsWhile on the topic of giving gifts to crew members, be aware of things that could get them in trouble, like alcohol and items purchased from the shops onboard. “[We cannot] bring home any item from the shops unless we have the receipt,” explains SolAreiaLivros, “[If you want to gift something from the store,] find the manager of that department and let them know that you’re going to give this certain gift to (insert name of [the] crew [member]).”They add it’s best to be done in an area where CCTV is available. However, note that some crew members may reject gifts if they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble over it. Read more: 7 things you should never buy on a cruise shipThe best gift SolAreiaLivros received was a picture of themself and a few guests while working in 150 Central Park, a specialty restaurant on Oasis Class ships. “I did not expect [for them to] buy it and gift it to me. It was in that nice 150 [C]entral [P]ark folder with a keychain inside and a note from them wishing me blessed years ahead in my career.” In fact, they say they got a promotion two sailings after receiving that present! Another gift idea from SolAreiaLivros is laundry detergent. Crew members must buy their own in the crew grocery or in port, so gifting it helps save them money. Royal Caribbean gratuities Royal Caribbean automatically charges each guest’s SeaPass account a gratuity fee each day of the cruise to recognize the service provided by crew members including cabin stewards, head waiters, waiters, and assistant waiters. As of November 1, 2024, the daily gratuity amount is $18.50 per guest, per day for guests in standard staterooms (i.e., inside, ocean-view, and balcony cabins, as well as Junior Suites). Guests in Grand Suites and above will pay $21.00 per person, per day in gratuities. The daily gratuity amount is the same for all passengers, regardless of age. This means a family of four staying in a balcony stateroom will pay $518 in gratuities during a weeklong cruise, while the same family in a suite can expect to pay $588 for a 7-night cruise. Gratuities, or tips, aren’t included in Royal Caribbean’s base fare. Some passengers prefer to prepay them in advance, as it helps them appropriately budget for their vacation. Plus, guests who prepay their gratuities don’t have to worry about increases, as they’re grandfathered into the lower rate. These automatic gratuities are controversial because they can feel impersonal or mandatory to some passengers, taking away the choice of rewarding exceptional service.SolAreiaLivros concluded their post by saying they aren’t well versed about gratuities, asking respondents to refrain from asking questions about them to avoid misinforming people.Read more: Gratuities on Royal Caribbean: How tipping works
Source: Royalcaribbeanblog.com