What should you tip your cabin steward on a cruise?

Tipping your cruise cabin steward: A guide to showing your appreciation

A cruise vacation is a chance to unwind, explore new destinations, and enjoy unparalleled service. Integral to this experience is your cabin steward, the unsung hero who keeps your floating home tidy, stocked, and welcoming throughout your journey. But navigating the etiquette of tipping can be tricky. How much is enough? How much is too much? This guide will help you determine the appropriate gratuity for your cabin steward, ensuring you show your appreciation without breaking the bank.

The Baseline: Standard Recommendations

A generally accepted baseline for tipping your cabin steward is $3-$5 per person, per night, for a standard cabin. This means if youre sharing a standard cabin with one other person, you should budget between $6-$10 per night in total. For suites, the recommended range typically increases to $5-$7 per person, per night, reflecting the larger space and often enhanced services provided. If youre sharing a cabin with multiple roommates, a good starting point is $1-$2 per person, per night, though this can be adjusted upwards depending on the level of service and individual contributions to tidiness.

Factors Influencing the Tip

While these baselines provide a helpful framework, several factors can influence the final amount you choose to tip.

• Cruise Length: For longer cruises (7 nights or more), consider increasing your per-night tip slightly. Your steward will be attending to your needs for an extended period, and a slightly higher gratuity acknowledges their sustained effort.

• Cabin Size and Type: Suites and larger cabins inherently require more work to maintain. The recommended higher tip for suites reflects this increased workload. Similarly, if you have a particularly messy cabin (perhaps traveling with children), consider adding a little extra to acknowledge the extra effort involved in keeping it tidy.

• Level of Service: Exceptional service deserves exceptional recognition. Did your steward go above and beyond to fulfill a special request? Were they consistently cheerful, proactive, and attentive to your needs? If you received truly outstanding service, feel free to tip above the recommended range, perhaps even up to $10 per person, per night. This shows your genuine appreciation and provides direct positive feedback to the steward and the cruise line.

• Pre-Paid Gratuities: Some cruise lines include pre-paid gratuities in your fare. Check your booking details to confirm if this applies to you. If so, you can still offer additional cash tips if you feel the service warrants it, but the pre-paid amount often covers the standard expected gratuity.

How to Tip

The most common and appreciated way to tip your cabin steward is with cash in an envelope. This ensures the money goes directly to your steward and avoids any processing fees. Many cruise lines provide envelopes in your cabin specifically for this purpose. You can typically hand the envelope directly to your steward on the last night of the cruise or leave it on your bed on the final morning.

Alternatively, some cruise lines allow you to add gratuities to your onboard account. While convenient, this method doesnt always guarantee the full amount reaches your steward directly.

Tipping is a personal expression of gratitude. While guidelines are helpful, the ultimate amount you choose to tip is a reflection of your appreciation for the service you received. By considering the factors outlined above, you can confidently determine an appropriate and meaningful gratuity for your hardworking cabin steward.