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The Cruise Gratuity Scam! How to Really Get Better Service.

Optimal Cruising
Optimal Cruising
✨Casual
👁️ 1K views📅 2 months ago⏱️ 11:40
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice✨Casual Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I've learned a few tricks over the years and in this video, I'm going to share with you five hacks that you can use on your next cruise in order to get great service without overpaying for it.

I remove my onboard gratuitities and I pay everybody their tips in cash.

Cabin stewards are always very thankful to receive this from you and extremely attentive to you from that moment on.

I have been cruising for decades and when I first started all gratuitities were paid in cash.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Give cash tips directly to staff for better service.
✓Remove onboard gratuities and pay in cash.
✓Give upfront tips to cabin stewards and bartenders.
✓Be kind to staff members to get more attention.
✓Stick with the same staff members throughout the cruise.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Confusion about tipping process at bars. — Realize automatic gratuities are already included; no need to add more on receipt.
Uncertainty about how gratuities are distributed. — Pay in cash to ensure staff receive direct rewards.

Questions This Creator Answers

QHow can I get better service on a cruise without overpaying?
QWhy do cruise line gratuities seem like a scam?
QHow do cash tips improve service compared to automatic gratuities?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing3 Sad BaconService Crew2 Happy BaconDining Bars Drinks1½ Happy BaconEmbarkation2½ Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

YouTube Video Description↓

Cruise Line Service is on the decline, but you can still get premium service if you know these 5 hacks. You don't need to overpay and book a premium cruise line either. You just need to know how to work the system. I'll tell you how the experts do it in this video. 🌴 Plan Your Cruise Like a Pro: 🧭 Book with My Recommended Cruise Travel Agent ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11926423 🛳️ Shore Excursions Cheaper and Better with Viator ➡️ http://vi.me/xqeDJ 🛳️ Shore Excursions Group GUARANTEES You Won't Miss Your Ship ➡️ http://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1806165&data=garynancyward@gmail.com 🛡️ Travel Insurance I Personally Recommend ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11454010 ⚠️ These are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I’ve used or truly believe in! 👍 SUBSCRIBE for weekly cruise vlogs, tips, secrets, savings, and reviews from our cruising family. 🎥 Watch more videos from @OptimalCruising — we’re here to help you cruise smarter, save money, and have more fun at sea! ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Double Tipping 02:30 - Cash Tips 04:30 - Upfront Tips 06:29 - Be Kind 07:17 - Staff Consistency 08:36 - Shocking Bonus 🔍 Hashtags: #FirstCruise #CruiseVlog #CruiseTips #CruiseShipLife #DayInTheLife #CruisingForBeginners #CruiseVacation #CruiseLife2025 #CruiseHacks #CruiseNews 🎶 Music Credit: Music by Gary Ward @GaryWardMusic 📢 Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!