Overview of Cruise Ship Worker Tips and Earnings
Cruise ship workers, often referred to as crew, are compensated through a combination of salary, tips, and gratuities. Understanding the nuances of tipping practices is crucial for both crew and passengers. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to how much cruise ship workers make in tips, with a focus on general guidelines, average earnings, and how automatic gratuities and passenger contributions impact the total income.
General Guidelines for Tips
Tips for cruise ship workers vary widely based on their role and the specific cruise line. Here’s a breakdown of the typical tips received by different staff members:
Housekeeping Staff: Housekeepers often receive 3 to 5 per guest per day, contributing substantially to their income over a longer cruise.Dining Staff: Waiters and restaurant staff can earn between 5 to 10 per guest per day, with some higher-paying positions like waiters potentially earning more due to table tips and additional gratuities.Bartenders: Tips for bartenders can range from 1 to 2 per drink served, plus additional tips from guests, which can make a significant difference in their earnings.These tips, combined with salaries and automatic gratuities, can significantly enhance a crew member’s income, often making up a substantial portion of their total earnings.
Total Earnings for Crew Members
A typical crew member might earn anywhere from $1000 to $2500 in tips over a 7-day cruise, depending on the number of guests and the level of service provided. This can be supplemented by mandatory automatic gratuities that are added to passengers’ bills and distributed to the crew. These automatic gratuities can range from $14 to $20 per day per guest, which can add a significant amount to the crew’s earnings.
Important to note is that the breakdown of these tips is often fairly equitable, but not everyone onboard will receive the same amount. A typical crew member might see their tips distributed among the housekeeping, dining room, and other relevant departments, such as entertainment and laundry.
Mandatory Tip Fees and Passenger Contributions
In addition to the tips received, many cruise lines have a mandatory minimum tip fee that is added to other charges such as bar bills before passengers disembark. These fees vary by cruise line and ship, with some ships having fixed rates while others allow passengers to exceed the minimum. For instance, the mandatory tip fee on Celebrity ships varies based on cabin type, ranging from $14.95 to $18 per night per person.
How these mandatory fees are distributed among the crew can vary. These tip amounts are often divided in a fairly equitable way, with the cabin steward, dining room staff (except Maitre D.), and other relevant departments sharing the funds. However, crew members such as those responsible for cleaning railings, elevators, or pool loungers may not receive these tips, as they are paid a regular salary.
Variation in Tips Based on Factors
The amount of tips a crew member receives can vary based on several factors, including the type of cabin occupied, the length of the cruise, and the number of passengers in the cabin. For inside and outside double cabins, the tip rate is typically $14.95 per night per person. Concierge or Aqua class balconies can increase this to $15.95 per night per person due to the larger cabin size and the nature of the service provided by the cabin steward, who may also act as a butler. Suites generally have the highest tip rates, at $18 per night per person, reflecting the larger cabin size and the enhanced level of service provided.
It is important for crew members to be aware of these variations and to understand the equitable distribution of these tips to ensure fair compensation across all positions.