Should You Actually Remove Your Auto Gratuities?
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
I have a take on this one, and I'll warn you now, it's probably not the take you're going to expect from either side.
The automatic gratuity, it is not a tip for your room steward, but is a pooled amount of money that gets split across a long list of crew.
So, when someone tells me that they're removing their auto gratuities because they're tired of being guilted into subsidizing a multi-billion dollar company's payroll, I don't think they're a villain.
So, yes, tip culture, it's out of control. Yes, the cruise lines, they're running a genuinely exploitative game.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
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About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Should you keep automatic cruise gratuities on your bill, remove them at guest services, or tip crew members directly in cash? Cruise tipping has become one of the most debated topics at sea as daily gratuities, drink service charges, and add-on costs keep rising across major cruise lines. In this video, we discuss what automatic gratuities actually cover, why the cruise gratuity system feels frustrating for passengers, how behind-the-scenes crew members are affected, and why the real issue may be less about individual cruisers and more about how cruise lines structure crew pay. Whether you sail Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Margaritaville at Sea, Virgin Voyages, Carnival, MSC, or another cruise line, this is a practical look at cruise tipping, service charges, and what to consider before making your choice. **CHAPTERS** (0:00) Why are cruise gratuities becoming such a big debate? (1:07) How much are cruise lines charging for daily gratuities? (3:31) Who actually receives automatic cruise gratuities? (4:32) What happens when you remove cruise gratuities? (5:38) Why do some cruisers feel justified removing tips? (7:40) What tipping system do we personally use on cruises? (9:11) What changed with Virgin Voyages gratuities? ----------------------------------------------- PODCAST Want this video in audio form? Stream my podcast: Spotify: https://profmel.com/spotify Apple: https://profmel.com/apple ----------------------------------------------- LINKS 🛳️ Get my Travel Insurance Guide for Cruisers: https://profmel.com/insurance 🛳️ Shop my favorite cruise outfits and essentials: https://profmel.com/shop 🛳️ Want to become a travel agent? https://www.profmelissa.com/travelagent 🛳️ Get my top recommended travel card: http://www.profmel.com/card 🛳️ Want to book a cruise or take a cruise with me? https://profmel.com/book 🛳️ Grab my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planner: https://profmel.com/subscribe 🛳️ Want to book my favorite private drivers? http://www.profmel.com/drivers ------------------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH ME TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@professormelissa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfMelissaCruises/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professormelissa ------------------------------------------------- Please note that sometimes, my posts contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a commission through purchases, but this does not affect you as a consumer or cost you more in any way. I appreciate your use of my links, as this helps support my channel. ♥️