Cruise Line Tipping Policies: Soft-Adventure Lines Home > Cruise Line Tipping Policies: Soft-Adventure Lines
American Safari Cruises The Process:American Safari Cruises recommends that passengers tip 5 to 10 percent of the full cruise fare. Gratuities are pooled and shared equally among the crewmembers.
Alternatives: Gratuities can be paid in cash, or by check or credit card.
Extra Charges: None.
Celebrity (Celebrity Xpedition Only) The Process: Unlike Celebrity's larger ships, all tips are included in the cruise fare for the much smaller Celebrity Xpedition, which operates exclusively in the Galapagos Islands.
Alternatives: If a passenger wants to reward someone for extraordinary service, they can do so by giving a cash tip to that person. The amount is up to each individual.
Extra Charges: None.
Hurtigruten The Process:Hurtigruten has two separate tipping policies. On its coastal voyages in Norway, there's a no-tipping policy. On expedition trips in Greenland, Antarctica and Spitsbergen, Hurtigruten recommends a gratuity of 50 NOK (approx $9) per passenger per day, but the actual amount is left up to each guest. Forms are left in the cabin for passengers to fill out and give to the purser before the end of the cruise. The amount will be charged to your onboard account.
Alternatives: If you do want to reward a particular crewmember for exceptional service, you may tip him or her individually.
Extra Charges: No gratuities are added to wine or cocktail purchases.
Lindblad Expeditions The Process: On Lindblad Expeditions, gratuities are recommended at $14 per day, though they are technically at the guest's discretion. Tips can be paid in cash or charged to your onboard account.
Alternatives: Passengers who wish to give an additional tip or gift to individual crewmembers may do so at their discretion.
Extra Charges: None. Bartenders are included in the general gratuity and do not need to be compensated separately.
Orion Expedition Cruises The Process: Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare on Orion Expedition Cruises, but tipping is neither required nor expected.
Alternatives: If you wish to express special thanks for excellent service, you may tip directly to individual crewmembers.
Extra Charges: Tipping is not expected for bar staff or tour guides, but again passengers may tip if they wish.
Star Clippers The Process:Star Clippers recommends tipping 8 euros per person, per day, deposited in a box at the Purser's Office. Of that, 3 euros are distributed to the cabin steward and 5 euros to the dining room waiters.
Alternatives: If you prefer, you may also charge tips to your shipboard account rather than tip in cash. Passengers are free to give additional cash gifts to other crewmembers who they feel deserve recognition for outstanding service, but it is not required.
Extra Charges: A 15 percent service charge is added to all bar bills.
Voyages of Discovery The Process:Voyages of Discovery suggests a gratuity of $7.50 per person, per day, which covers the cabin and dining room staff. The gratuity is automatically charged to your onboard account, but passengers can adjust the amount at the Reception Desk.
Alternatives: Guests typically present cash to any crewmembers who went above and beyond -- or they can leave an envelope at the Reception Desk for that specific crewmember.
Extra Charges: Tips are not added to bar or spa bills onboard. Passengers may tip tour leaders at their discretion.
