Should You Pay Cruise Gratuities? 6 Things You Need To Know Before You Do!

Editorial Summary

Gary Bembridge examines the controversial nature of cruise gratuities, noting that while they were originally intended as bonuses for exceptional service, they have increasingly become a standard part of the cruise fare. He outlines three primary approaches used by cruise lines: including them in the initial price, auto-adding them to the onboard account, or allowing passengers to tip crew members directly. The creator explains that many mainstream lines use auto-added gratuities to make base fares appear lower while effectively using the tips to supplement the wages of crew members recruited from regions with lower labor costs. Bembridge provides guidance on when to avoid extra tipping, such as when gratuities are already bundled into a fare, included in service charges for drinks and spa treatments, or when a service is already covered by standard duties. Conversely, he suggests paying through central systems to ensure various crew members receive fair wages or tipping individuals directly to recognize phenomenal service or to reach staff members like casino workers and porters who may not benefit from the general gratuity pool.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.