Setting the tone for other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean announced a 19 per cent increase in its suggested gratuity rates for July 1, 2011.
While some may consider the increase to be excessive, the company stated it was the first increase in 13 years.
After a one week cruise, travellers will be asked to pay a $81.55 U.S tip instead of $68.25; that’s 11.65 per person per day, up from $9.75.
Tipping is handled differently on various cruise lines. While Americans are used to tipping in cash, Europeans are accustomed to having 15 per cent automatically added to their bill. In Australia, tipping isn’t part of the culture as consumers expect employees to be properly compensated by their employer with the cost reflected in the price.
Many cruise lines have incorporated the European-style mandatory tipping – usually in the range of $10 to 12 per person per day – to help augment low monthly wages that typically range from $50 to $100.