When planning your cruise with P&O Cruises, it's essential to consider gratuities as part of your travel budget. This guide explains P&O Cruises' tipping policy, including daily gratuity rates per person and advice on tipping extra for exceptional service.
P&O Cruises has a no-tipping policy, meaning gratuities are included in the cruise fare and additional tipping is not required or expected. This policy applies to all services on board P&O Cruises.
Exploring the world on a P&O cruise is an experience that comes with its own set of gratuity guidelines. It's helpful for you to know about the gratuities you might encounter during your journey.
Gratuities are a way for you to say thank you for the service you receive on board a P&O cruise. They are also known as tips or service charges and are given to the crew for their assistance and hard work during your trip.
| Per Day | Amount |
|---|---|
| GBP | £7.00 |
P&O Cruises has a set daily service charge for guests aged 12 years and above. You should note that the rate can change, so it's a good idea to check with P&O Cruises for the most current rate.
P&O Cruises adds an automatic gratuity to your onboard account, ensuring seamless service throughout your journey. However, if you prefer, you have the option to adjust these gratuities to better reflect the service you feel you've received. Discretionary tips are additional amounts that you can give at your discretion, separate from the standard gratuity charge, to directly reward exceptional service.
Understanding these terms and rates can help ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience, with all budgeting for gratuities taken care of in advance.
When planning your cruise with P&O, it's important to budget for service charges which are applied to various aspects of your experience, such as drinks packages and spa treatments.
P&O applies service charges to drinks packages, which are automatically added to the price of your package. When you opt for a drinks package, the following apply:
For spa treatments, service fees are also a part of the cruise fare:
Tipping on a P&O cruise can feel a bit like navigating uncharted waters. To ensure you show your appreciation appropriately, here's what you need to know about the tipping etiquette and guidelines onboard.
Cruise staff work tirelessly to ensure your vacation is enjoyable, so it's common practice to reward their efforts. Typically, the crew members like your room stewards, dining room waiters, and assistant waiters are eligible for tips. It's important to note that not all staff, such as those behind the scenes, appear on the tipping rosters, but they often receive a portion of the tips through shared schemes.
Understanding the tipping culture on cruises is crucial. It's a symbol of your gratitude towards the staff for their excellent service and attention. Each cruise line suggests its own tipping guidelines, but for P&O cruises, gratuities are generally not mandatory as they aim to include this in your overall cruise experience. However, if you feel inclined to offer a tip for exceptional service, it's always welcomed by the staff.
When planning your cruise with P&O, it's important to factor in the daily discretionary amount for gratuities to your overall budget.
When planning your cruise vacation, it's important to consider the gratuity policies of different cruise lines as they can impact your overall budget.
P&O Cruises have included gratuities in their cruise fare. This means you won't have to worry about additional tipping costs post-booking or during your cruise. In contrast, Royal Caribbean charges separate gratuities which are usually added to your account on a per person, per day basis. These daily rates can vary depending on your stateroom category.
P&O Cruises
Royal Caribbean
(Note: These rates are subject to change; confirm with the cruise line for current rates)
Comparing gratuities among luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and MSC Cruises shows a variety of approaches. Luxury Lines often include gratuities in their fare, positioning it as part of the all-inclusive luxury experience, whereas more mainstream offerings, such as Carnival Cruise Line, have additional daily gratuity charges.
Luxury Cruise Lines (e.g., Regent Seven Seas, Silversea)
MSC Cruises (as a mainstream luxury hybrid)
Carnival Cruise Line
Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions and manage your budget effectively for a stress-free cruise experience.
When planning your cruise with P&O, understanding the tipping policy is essential to ensure a seamless experience. Let's tackle some of the specific tipping concerns you might have.
If you're wondering about tipping for special services on board, such as those by the Cabin Steward or for Room Service, it's interesting to note that P&O incorporates tips into their service charge. You'll find a daily discretionary amount added to your onboard account, typically £7.00 per person for guests aged 12 and over. This eliminates the need for tipping on an individual basis for standard services.
As your cruise comes to an end, you might have questions about handling extra tips. If you feel that someone has provided exemplary service and wish to offer an additional tip, you're welcome to do so directly. Your Final Bill will reflect the daily service charges, but any additional tips are at your discretion and can be given directly to the individual who went above and beyond during your cruise.
