Finding a snack is always easy on a cruise. Figuring out how to tip the workers who serve you that snack, however, can be complicated. Every cruise line has its own gratuities policies, so it's helpful to consult your paperwork before boarding. Ultimately, who to tip and how much to give should always be your decision to make.
Many cruise lines have instituted automatic gratuities in recent years. If you're traveling on one of these cruise lines, you'll be charged a set amount per day per passenger. This amount should then be divided up among the service staff. Stop by the guest relations desk when you first board to ask about automatic tipping and which employees are covered. For instance, your dining room waiters should receive these automatic tips, but you may need to tip room service waiters each time they serve you.
Hand tips out personally if they're not automatically charged. You may ask at guest services to opt out of automatic tips if you prefer to handle them yourself. You may tip many workers, such as dining room waiters and your housekeeping crew, on the last night or last morning of the trip. Your bill at the bar or spa may already have gratuities added to it, so check before tipping these workers. Tip porters, child care workers and other staff members only if they've served you personally. Choose your own tip amounts, or ask at guest services for recommended amounts.
