Planning your vacation on a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel brings with it the joy of exploring new destinations and the luxury of onboard amenities. This article provides a complete Norwegian cruise tipping guide so you can appropriately show your appreciation.
Norwegian Cruise Line automatically charges gratuities, with amounts varying by stateroom type: $15.50 per person, per day for standard cabins, and $18.50 per person, per day for suites and The Haven. Additional tipping for exceptional service is at the guest's discretion.
When sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), it's important to understand their specific guidelines regarding tipping.
NCL incorporates automatic gratuities that cover most of the service staff. These are a set amount charged to your onboard account. It's $15.50 per person per day for staterooms and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. You don’t need to tip individually for most services, but you're welcome to provide an additional tip if you experience exceptional service.
| Service Category | NCL Gratuity Charge | Comparison with Other Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Staterooms | $15.50 per person per day | Carnival: $13.99-$15.99, Royal Caribbean: $14.50-$17.50, Princess: $14.50-$16.50 |
| Suites & The Haven | $18.50 per person per day | N/A - Specific to NCL's service tiers |
Remember, these automatic gratuities ensure that the staff providing the service you enjoy, such as room stewards and dining room waitstaff, are fairly compensated for their efforts.
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line also have automatic gratuity policies. However, the rates can vary:
When looking at NCL’s rates, you might notice they are comparatively higher, which aligns with their freestyle cruising philosophy, emphasizing flexibility and a wide array of services.
When you set sail with Norwegian Cruise Line, understanding gratuities is essential. This section breaks down the basics and daily service charges to ensure you're prepared for your journey at sea.
Tipping on cruises is a way to reward the crew for their hard work and exceptional service. For many crew members, gratuities form a significant part of their income. Unlike some service industries on land, tipping on a cruise is not purely discretionary. These tips are often shared among various staff members, ensuring that even those who work behind the scenes are compensated for their part in your cruise experience.
Norwegian Cruise Line implements a daily service charge system to streamline the tipping process. This charge is automatically added to your on-board account, covering most of the service personnel you'll encounter. The service charges are based on the type of stateroom you choose:
Remember, these automatic gratuities can be adjusted to reflect your satisfaction with the service received, and any changes can be made at the guest services desk. Knowing these charges in advance helps you budget accordingly and appreciate the seamless service you'll enjoy onboard.
When cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line, you're likely to receive exceptional service from the dedicated staff and crew. Familiarizing yourself with the gratuity guidelines will ensure you are prepared to reward their hard work appropriately.
Norwegian Cruise Line has a recommended gratuity for crew members that reflects the attentive service you receive during your cruise. These tips are shared among the ship's staff, including:
For your convenience, Norwegian Cruise Line automatically adds a daily service charge per guest to your onboard account. This charge varies but is typically around $15.00 - $20.00 per person, per day.
For services beyond the basics, like those at specialty restaurants or the spa and salon, it's customary to tip extra:
Spa and salon services: An additional 20% gratuity is typically added to your bill for services in these areas, so check your receipts to confirm if gratuity has been included.
Specialty dining: While your daily service charge covers standard dining service, specialty restaurants may warrant extra recognition for their premium service.
Remember, any beverage purchases also include an automatic gratuity, usually 20%, that goes directly to the service staff. Your generosity is always appreciated and contributes to the overall great service culture on board.
When sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), it's important to understand not just the standard tipping policies, but also how they relate specifically to families and the management of your cruising budget.
Norwegian Cruise Line's approach to tipping for children and family cruising is straightforward. Children are considered as individual guests, and the recommended daily service charge applies to them as well. You should expect to see a gratuity amount of $15 per child, per day for standard staterooms, and $18 per child, per day for suite stays, similar to adults.
To effectively manage tipping expenses, plan for the daily service charge as an integral part of your cruise budget. Norwegian Cruise Line typically adds the service charges to your final bill automatically, simplifying the process for you.
At the end of your cruise, review your final bill for accuracy, ensuring that the service charges align with the number of days you cruised and the number of guests in your party. Remember, while gratuities are auto-included, you always have the option to recognize exceptional service with additional tips at your discretion.
