shore excursion tip

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Shore Excursion Tips You Want to Know Before You Cruise (Booking, Tipping, & More)

Take a cruise and you’re likely looking forward to the port of calls. To be honest, however, the amount of time spent in port is relatively little compared to what is spent on the ship. That means you want to be able to make the most of the time in port you do have.

Enter shore excursions . These are pre-planned tours that you can purchase before your day in port. With one convenient purchase, everything is planned for you, and you get the opportunity to have an experience you just can’t do back home. At the end of your cruise, your excursions very well could be what you remember most about your vacation.

Before you book — especially if you’re a first-time cruiser — there are some things you’ll want to know about these excursions that you may not be familiar with. The following tips can give you a better idea of how to make the most of your adventure.

Not Sure What to Book? Talk to the Professionals

Any cruise line you sail will have a shore excursion desk. This is where you can meet with staff to purchase tickets, but you can also ask them any questions you might have. The staff members here specialize in excursions , and have often done many of them personally. They can speak to exactly what to expect.

If you have questions about a specific excursion or simply want to talk to someone about your options and figure out which is best for you, then be sure to take advantage. You’ll find the open hours for the shore excursion desk in the daily planner for your cruise or just stop by when you pass it walking around the ship.

Book Early for the Most Options

Like anything popular, there can be sell-outs for some of the most interesting shore excursions. If there is something that you have your heart set on doing, then don’t wait to book. The last thing you want is to be excited about a tour and then see that all the spots are filled.

The good news is that if something is sold out early enough then the cruise line can sometimes work with the tour company to add more capacity. Even so, we wouldn’t count on it. Book as early as you can to ensure your spot.

Book Early for Discounts

Another reason to book early? Sometimes you can get a deal on the excursion as well. Cruise lines love to offer discounts on everything from excursions to drink packages if you book them before you get on the ship. The reason is that passengers who book ahead of time usually end up spending more overall on their cruise as the money spent weeks or months before the vacation is “forgotten” by the time they board.

Even so, it’s hard to pass up a deal when you see it. Discounts will vary, but many times it’s easy to save 10% just by booking before the cruise instead of onboard.

Keep an Eye on What’s Available up to the Last Minute

So say that you have your heart set on one excursion and it’s sold out. You might be out of luck, but we’d suggest based on personal experience to keep checking regularly if there is an opening… right up until the tour’s start time.

Cruise lines offer apps where you can explore and book excursions. If they are booked up, they will show as unavailable. We’ve noticed that sometimes you can check and spots will open up, whether due to cancellations or more capacity being added. In fact, on one trip we were able to snag an open spot on a previously sold-out excursion just 45 minutes before the start time.

Tip Your Tour Guide

Tips and gratuities are common in the tourism industry and that’s no different on a cruise. You’re expected to pay a daily gratuity charge on the ship , you’ll see an extra charge for any drinks you buy onboard or spa packages, and yes, you should also tip your tour guide on the excursion.

At the end of the tour as you’re arriving back at the ship, there will usually be a little “wrap up ” speech from the guide. They will thank you for coming, ask you to review them positively if you enjoyed the day, and also mention that tips are appreciated. In general we like to tip between $10-20, depending on how many people are in our group.

Factor in Price Per Hour

How do you know if you’re getting a good deal on an excursion? One way is to consider the price per hour on the trip. When exploring excursions, you’ll see the price but also the approximate time of the tour. That means you can see how much you’re paying per hour.

It’s not the end-all, be-all of what’s a deal. After all, a one hour jet-boat ride is likely to be more expensive than a three-hour trip to a beach. Still, if you want to get the most value, then figuring out how long of a tour you’ll get compared to what you’ll pay is a good metric. Just be sure you’re factoring in the uniqueness and any other extras (food, drinks, etc.) and don’t just pick solely based on this metric.

Limit to One Port to Save

If money were no object, then having a shore excursion booked for every port would be ideal. But the prices can quickly add up. Consider two people booking a $100 per person excursion in three different ports on the cruise. That’s $600 in tours. For some people, that’s no problem. For others, it’s a bit rich.

Our advice? We always suggest booking at least one excursion on a cruise as they are definite highlights of the trip. But more than that should be at your discretion. Don’t want to spend the money? Then it’s fine to do something else in port. Don’t mind the extra cost? Then by all means book more tours.

Consider Ages and Exertion Levels

Each shore excursion description will mention some things like age suggestions (or sometimes age requirements) and exertion levels.

If you have mobility issues or are traveling with small kids, you want to pay attention to these notices, which sometimes can be harder to find depending on where you look. The last thing you want to do is book an excursion that you’re excited about only to find that it’s something more than you — or someone you’re traveling with — can handle.

If you have any doubt, it’s a good idea to check with the shore excursion desk. They can give you an opinion on how strenuous or age appropriate specific tours will be.

Look For Things You Can’t Do in Other Ports

One of our favorite things about excursions is that they give you the ability to do things you just can’t do back home. While you can swim in cenotes in Mexico, you can’t do that in Missouri. Take advantage.

This includes things that you might do somewhere else on your cruise. For example, if you’re sailing to a cruise line’s private island where you can spend all day on the beach for free, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to book a beach-focused excursion the day before for a charge.

Factor in Transportation, Food, and Drink

All excursions will include your transportation to and from the cruise ship. Some — especially beach-focused trips in the Caribbean — will also include things like food and free drinks during the trip.

When you gauge the value of these tours, you definitely want to factor in these costs to compare the tour versus a day on your own. For instance, if you’re paying $70 for an excursion that includes a trip to the beach with food and drink, it could be that you’re paying only a fraction of that for the actual tour portion given the costs you’d have to pay anyway to eat and get back and forth.

You Can Switch or Refund Tours

If worries about changing your mind are keeping you from snagging a spot on a tour, don’t let that hinder you. Cruise lines are actually fairly lenient on switching or canceling excursions.

If you decide you change your mind on a particular tour, then just cancel it or you can talk to the excursion desk to switch things over to another excursion.

For example, Royal Caribbean says on its website that “ excursions can be modified or canceled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty.”  There is the same timeline for exchanging one excursion for another.

Carnival says “in the event of a cruise booking cancellation within the cut-off window, a full refund will automatically be posted to the form of payment used to pay for the order.”

Just don’t wait until the last minute to make changes.

More on Shore Excursions:

• Worth It? 15 Shore Excursion Questions & Answers

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Shore excursions: What new cruisers need to know

The fun of a cruise is equal parts what you do on board and what you do on shore. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. However, the process of choosing and booking tours can be overwhelming for new cruisers.

I've taken shore excursions around the world, both ship-run and independent, and spent many days in port wandering on my own. Allow me to take you through the basics of cruise shore excursions, so you can learn to have the most fun no matter what your budget is.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What is a cruise shore excursion?

A shore excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who can only spend a limited time in each port they're visiting on their itinerary.

A shore excursion could be a sightseeing bus tour, a guided visit to a museum or historic site, an athletic activity (like a hike, bike ride or snorkel outing), a day at the beach or a cooking or dance class. Shore excursions typically highlight the marquee attractions or culture of the destination you're visiting. Sometimes an excursion will take you to sites within walking distance of your cruise; on other occasions, they might take you on a day trip to a nearby city.

Some shore excursions are targeted at families or can easily accommodate children. Some can accommodate passengers with mobility issues or other disabilities . Others may require a minimum level of fitness and are not suitable for everyone.

Shore excursions may be sold by your cruise line and organized with a partner provider. They can also be purchased through independent operators or third-party tour sellers.

Do you have to buy shore excursions on a cruise?

In most cases, you don't need to book a shore excursion to explore a port of call. You can simply walk off the ship and stroll into town or catch a cab to take you wherever you want to go.

However, in some destinations, a shore excursion, or independently operated guided tour, is highly encouraged. This could be in places where it's difficult to navigate as a foreigner who can't speak the language or understand street signs or where the tourism infrastructure is not yet fully developed.

Can I book a shore excursion on my own instead of through my cruise line?

Yes. I use many factors to decide whether to take a ship's tour, book an independent excursion or explore on my own in port. However, if you're a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because they're the simplest, easiest and most convenient options.

The benefits to a cruise line's shore excursions are that they depart from and return to the ship; you don't need to figure out where to meet a guide in a port you've never visited. Better still, should an unexpected problem (traffic, a medical emergency) occur during your outing, the ship will not leave port until all of its own tours have returned.

Independent tours, on the other hand, can be cheaper than cruise ship tours. I once saved hundreds of dollars organizing a group to go on an overnight, independently operated excursion to see Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza from Port Said, Egypt; the ship's tours were incredibly marked up. Also, if you have a particular interest, the ship might not offer a tour for the activity or attraction you're excited about.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Some third-party operators will customize a tour for you or your group, so you can spend more time at the places you most want to see. Sometimes these tour groups are also smaller than the large cruise ship tours — which can carry 30 to 60 people in a bus — so you will spend less time waiting for everyone.

Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will. I've skipped tours in places like Key West, Florida; Tallinn, Estonia; Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas; Skagway, Alaska; Geiranger, Norway; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. A map and a guidebook got me where I wanted to go.

How much are shore excursions on a cruise?

Cruise shore excursion prices vary widely depending on the cost of living in the cruise destination, what type of activity is involved and whether it's a full- or half-day tour. Young children often pay a reduced rate for tours.

Looking at Princess Cruises ' shore excursions in Grand Cayman, a 2.5-hour stingray swim costs $70 per person, a 5-hour scenic island drive costs $100, and a 4-hour, two-tank scuba dive costs $180. In Juneau, Alaska, a 3-hour tour to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center costs $50 per person. A 3-hour gold panning activity and salmon bake costs $125, while a 2.25-hour tour to take a helicopter ride to the top of the glacier, where you can walk around on the ice for half an hour, costs $420.

Some cruise lines, such as Viking and Regent Seven Seas Cruises , include the cost of basic shore excursions in their cruise fares. If you don't care to do any specialty tours, you might be able to get all your port activities for free. Other lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line , offer discounted tours or shore excursion credit as booking promotions .

Related: 8 tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money

What's the best way to book shore excursions?

If you plan to book shore excursions through your cruise line, you have a couple of options of how to book them.

You can book your tours online in advance, or have your travel agent do it for you. This is the best route if there's a ship's tour you absolutely want to take and you don't want to risk its selling out. Book your tours the minute they open for reservations. When my parents traveled on a luxury Regent Seven Seas cruise, they said that waiting until the next morning to book tours meant that some of their choices were sold out.

The downside to booking tours in advance is that some cruise lines require that you pay for the tours in full, rather than putting them on your final cruise bill. It means you're out the money in advance and it can be difficult to use onboard credit to cover the cost of excursions booked online.

Related: Avoid these mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Alternatively, you can wait until you're on the ship and book your excursion in person at the shore excursions desk. You'll be able to ask the staff questions about the tours, and the charges will be added to your final cruise bill. However, you do run the risk that a popular tour might be sold out by the time you're ready to book.

The same is true with independent tours. Most people organize these ahead of time through a tour operator or travel agent. However, in popular cruise ports, there are often representatives waiting at the port or at a tourist office who can book you on same-day tours if space is available.

Is it cheaper to book shore excursions on the ship?

No. Most cruise lines either charge the same prices for shore excursions booked online and on board or offer a discount for tours purchased in advance. For example, Royal Caribbean often advertises up to 30% off select tours reserved ahead of the sailing.

Do I need to tip on shore excursions?

Whether you're on a cruise line sponsored or independent shore excursion, a best practice is to tip your tour guides at the end of the tour. Exceptions are if tips are included in the price or if you're visiting a country with a non-tipping culture, where offering cash would be awkward.

Related: Ultimate guide to tipping on cruise ships

Tipping is a personal matter, and there are no hard and fast rules. I canvassed TPG's cruise team and we agreed that we give roughly $5 to $10 per person for half-day tours and $10 to $20 per person for full-day excursions, adjusted for service and quality. Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party.

You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours — consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour.

How do I get the most from my cruise shore excursion?

The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations. I find that the more I cruise, the less I take ship-sponsored shore excursions because they don't offer exactly what I want.

For example, if you're considering a bus tour, make sure you understand how much time will be spent sitting on the bus and how much time will be at the destination or attraction, whether you will be looking at or going inside key attractions and whether there's free time to explore. If it's an activity, like snorkeling or a helicopter tour, read up on how much time is spent in transit and prep and how much time you will spend actually doing the activity.

Be sure to note the fitness level required and don't try to take on more than you're able to do. If you struggle with mobility, check to see if there's a lot of walking on uneven ground like cobblestones.

Related: 11 cruise ship excursions to avoid

If the tour takes place over lunchtime, check to see if a meal is included or if you have time to pick up something to eat.

Personally, I find that organized tours are best when the excursion is an activity I can't do on my own (such as kayaking, zip lining or a winery tour); when long distances are involved where I don't want to bother with public transportation or renting a car on a one-day visit; or when the culture is foreign enough that independent exploration would be tricky. Sometimes you also need an expert guide, such as in Pompeii, to know what you're seeing.

Bottom line

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but you might get the most value out of a mix of guided tours and independent exploration. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and remember to look at both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. And if you feel like staying on board one day while your ship is docked in a port that doesn't interest you, that's okay, too.

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The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Tipping

Should you be ready to tip left and right can you just provide one lump gratuity at the end of your sailing afar’s special cruise correspondent weighs in on the dos and don’ts of tipping on a cruise..

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Seabourn is among the select luxury cruise lines that includes all gratuities in its cruise fares.

Courtesy of Seabourn

Cruise lines are very upfront about their tipping policies. Unless you are on an all-inclusive ship that covers gratuities in the cruise fare, such as luxury cruise lines Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, it is recommended that you tip the crew.

How much to tip on a cruise is actually easier to figure out than you may think, with major cruise lines providing precise tipping guidelines and even automatically adding a suggested gratuity amount to passengers’ onboard account. Some cruise lines even allow passengers to prepay gratuities before they board. Thus, there’s usually no need to determine how much to tip each individual crew member, such as the waiter or the housekeeper—you can often do it all in one lump sum at the start or end of the cruise.

Why are tips expected? The gratuities are supplemental income for the international crew, who often work for low base wages knowing that tips will help augment the amount they are paid—in a similar manner to the tips waiters at your local restaurant receive. While not technically required, tips are generally expected when noted by the cruise line.

No matter the suggested amount, you are free to visit the purser’s desk on your ship to adjust based on the service you were provided. Passengers who are impressed by the service they received might add more, if they make any adjustment at all.

Here’s what to know about tipping on cruise ships.

How much are the suggested gratuities on a cruise?

The total daily tipping rates for cruise waitstaff, cabin stewards, and other shipboard personnel are typically outlined both on the cruise line’s website and on passengers’ cruise documents that they receive prior to their cruise.

The average suggestions for cruise tips amount to between $12 and $16 per passenger, per day—which for a standard seven-night cruise comes to between $84 and $112 extra per person, or $336 to $448 extra for a family of four. There may be an additional suggested amount (typically another $4 per day) for those staying in a suite with a personal butler. Some cruise lines (but not all) will suggest waiving gratuities for children under the age of three.

Many river cruise lines include the gratuities, but for those that don’t, the suggested range is between $10 and $20 per passenger, per day. Similarly, some expedition cruise lines include gratuities while those that don’t recommend a gratuity of around $10 to $15 per person, per day.

The money collected for tips is divided up between the dining service team (servers and assistant servers, for instance) and the cabin steward team (the people responsible for tidying accommodations). In the past, passengers had an assigned table and the same waitstaff throughout the entirety of their cruise. But now, on most cruise lines, guests can choose to dine wherever and whenever they like—a tipping pool ensures that everyone who takes care of passengers receives a tip.

It’s not necessary, but a small tip can be offered for in-room dining.

Photo by Shutterstock

Personally, when I have a great housekeeper, even on a ship that includes gratuities, I will leave a small cash bonus (maybe $20 per passenger) at the end of the cruise. The same goes for waiters. It’s also a nice gesture to hand a small tip ($1 to $2) to room service attendants, especially if they come to your cabin with heavily laden trays when you, for instance, order breakfast in bed.

While the bulk of tips may be made by credit card at the end of the cruise, having some small bills on hand during your cruise vacation is never a bad idea for some of the added gratuities you may want to provide. For these smaller tips, U.S. dollars are typically fine, though it doesn’t hurt to offer it in the local currency if you have some available.

Bar, spa, and specialty dining tipping

Tips for bar personnel are usually included in the bar bill at a rate of 15 to 20 percent of the total bill. The same automatic tipping applies in shipboard coffee bars and ice cream shops. Note that there may be a space on the bill for a tip, which passengers can use to add anything extra on top of the included gratuity, but it’s not necessary.

Some cruisers like to give a bartender a tip of around $20 at the start of a sailing hoping that they will get extra attention, but of course this strategy is completely at each passenger’s own discretion. At the end of a cruise, some may also hand off a few dollars to a favorite bar waiter.

Whether or not to tip a cruise ship bartender is at each passenger’s discretion.

Big ships will automatically add a gratuity of about 18 percent to your massage at the spa or to a blowout in the salon. There may also be a space for an extra tip if you want to add one. Small ships might not automatically add a tip, so be sure to check the bill and leave around 15 to 20 percent if a gratuity wasn’t included and you feel the service warrants it. Also, the spa is one service for which a tip often isn’t included even on luxury cruises that cover all other gratuities. So again, be sure to take a close look at the line’s policy regarding tipping.

At specialty restaurants where meals costs extra, gratuities are typically (but not always) included in the added fee, so be sure to ask about whether or not they are. Even if included, you are free to add more for service that goes above and beyond.

Additional gratuities off the ship

On shore excursions, it’s expected that passengers tip tour guides and bus drivers. How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. Bond with your snorkel guide? Up the tip to $20.

Also expecting tips of around $1 to $2 per bag are the porters who collect bags at the pier. If a cruise includes a pre- or post-cruise hotel night, consider leaving a gratuity for the housekeeping staff at the hotel—I typically leave $2 to $5 per day.

Don’t tip everyone on a cruise

While cruisers can get overwhelmed by the extraordinary service and generous amount of tipping that can take place on any given sailing, there are some circumstances under which reaching into your wallet is neither expected nor customary—for instance, it is generally considered bad form to try to tip the captain, officers, and the rest of the management team, such as the hotel director, cruise director, and executive chef.

Cruise ship entertainers—such as these performers on Royal Caribbean’s “Symphony of the Seas"—don’t expect a gratuity.

Photo by Roy Riley/RCCL

The same is true with the entertainment team, with the exception of a piano player performing at a bar who may have a bowl for both tips and song requests.

No tipping is expected for the youth counselors who watch children at onboard kids’ clubs, though passengers can offer a gratuity to them if they would like.

Cruise Maven

Cruising the World One Port at a Time

Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Gratuities for 2024

By: Sherry Laskin · Updated On: January 12, 2024

Whether your cruise line calls them daily service fees, cruise ship gratuities or crew appreciation, it’s simply tipping on a cruise. Nearly every cruise line has a name for these automatically-added service fees. 

Most cruise lines add daily gratuity fees directly to your onboard account throughout your cruise. Plus, different onboard experiences, from using your stateroom mini-bar to dining in a specialty restaurant , have an added fee.

We’ve listed each cruise line’s per-person daily gratuity. We break down tipping on a cruise to what you’ll pay depending on your stateroom category, plus any additional service fees. 

What are Daily Cruise Ship Gratuities?

Every cruise line has a recommended amount that each guest should pay to the crew. Holland America calls it a “Daily Service Fee.” Princess calls it “Crew Appreciation.” Basically, it’s a gratuity fee; how much you’ll pay for tips on a cruise ship. 

Some cruise lines may call this a “Guest Services Fee” on your onboard account statement. While others simply add “Gratuity” to your onboard account. 

Tipping on a Cruise Begins Before Sailaway

Savvy cruisers know that gratuities begin before you board your ship. Why? If you plan to drop off your larger pieces of luggage, be prepared to give the portside luggage handler a $2- $5 tip per bag. The amount can depend upon size, weight and amount of luggage.

If you’re a solo traveler and only have one large bag to check, a $5 tip is appropriate.

Consider this tip as baggage delivery insurance.

Should I Pre-Pay Cruise Gratuities?

If you want to get the daily cruise tipping fees out of the way before your cruise and avoid last-night sticker shock, I always suggest that you pre-pay gratuities.

Also, if you pre-pay your gratuities, and should the cruise line raise the cruise tip amount before you sail, you are “grandfathered-in” at the previous lower rate. 

Don’t pre-pay gratuities and if there’s an increase, you’ll pay a bit more at the end of your cruise. For one person, it’s not too bad. If you’re paying for a family, it could be a very costly added expense.

Average Daily Cruise Line Gratuity

Roughly speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $11.50 – $20.00 per passenger per day for onboard gratuities. As mentioned, cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. 

Luxury lines like Azamara, Ponant, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Sea Dream, Virgin Voyages include gratuities in the cruise fare.

On cruise lines where gratuities are not included, you can monitor the charges on your shipboard bill either from the Front Desk or on your stateroom TV.

Sometimes cruise gratuities are only added at the very end of your cruise, too. Talk about sticker shock!

Cruise Line Gratuities for 2024

Here’s what you will pay per person per day for cruise ship gratuities/service fees/crew appreciation as of this writing. 

CARNIVAL:  $14.50 for Standard Staterooms; $16.50 for Suites. An 18% automatic charge is added to beverages at the bars, plus at Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Chef’s Table restaurants.

On April 1, 2023, Carnival raised its services fees to $16.00 per person per day for those in standard staterooms. Suite passengers now pay $18.00, an increase of $1.50 per day.

CELEBRITY:   $17.50 for Standard Staterooms; $18.00 in Concierge and Aqua Class staterooms. Those booked in the Retreat do not pay a daily gratuity fee. If you purchase Celebrity’s All Included plan, the gratuity is included. But you’ll pay 20% fee if you order a drink that’s not in your beverage package (Classic or Premium). There’s an 18% charge for the spa and salon services.

COSTA:   An automatic $12.50 service fee is added onto all U.S. departures. There’s €11 on Europe departures. 15% beverage charge. Kids 4-14yrs 50% less. Under 4, no charge.

CUNARD:   With a name change from “gratuities” to “hotel and dining service charge”, you’ll pay $11.50 for Britannia Class staterooms (inside, oceanview and balcony). Then, $13.50 for those in the Grill Suites. Pay a 15% beverage charge and 12.5% for a visit to the salon or spa.

DISNEY:  $14.50 is the suggested amount for those in standard staterooms. If you’re in a suite or concierge stateroom, Disney recommends a $15.50 gratuity fee. Disney doesn’t automatically post the fees to your account, however. 15% beverage charge and 18% for spa services

HOLLAND AMERICA:   $16.00 for those in standard staterooms. Suite guests will pay an automatic $17.00 per person per day fee. Gratuity charges for beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, and other non-included service fee amenities is 18%.

HURTIGRUTEN:   $12.00 – Suggested amount on expedition cruises. Norwegian coastal cruises there is no gratuity fee.

MSC CRUISES:  Valid until summer 2024:  $14.00 for adults 12 years and older. $7.00 for children ages 2 – 11 years. Under 2 years old, no charge. This applies to Caribbean, Canada and USA cruise departures. Cruises abroad, gratuities are in euros and at a comparable exchange rate. MSC website also states they do not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE:   Book a Club Balcony Suite and below and pay $20.00 per person per day. Reside in The Haven or above Suites and it’s $25.00 pppd. For children under three years, there’s no daily fee. There’s also a 20% beverage charge with each non-included drink you order. On Hawai’i sailings, there’s a 4.275% pre-paid service charge GET tax.

OCEANIA:  $16.00 for guests occupying standard staterooms. For Penthouse, Oceania, Vista or Owner’s Suites with Butler Service, gratuities of $23.00 per guest, per day will be added. An 18% service gratuity is automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa services and dinner at La Reserve.

PRINCESS: Now called “Crew Appreciation” the daily fee is as follows:  inside, oceanview or balcony staterooms are $16.00. Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection staterooms are $17.00. Book a suite and you’ll pay $18.00 pppd. There’s also a “service charge” of 17% for specialty dining that’s included in the cover charge. You’ll pay 18% for individual drinks and drink packages, corkage fee and spa services. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:   Royal Caribbean automatic gratuity rates are $16.00 per person, per day for guests in non-suite staterooms. Book a suite and pay $18.50. Gratuities will be applied to each guest’s SeaPass account on a daily basis. There’s also an 18% charge for beverages, mini-bar items, and salon and salon purchases.

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES :  Simple here. $15.00 per day for all staterooms and a 15% beverage charge.

Should You Tip the Room Service Delivery Person?

Here’s another category that needs addressing; room service delivery fees.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian automatically add a room service delivery fee . Sometimes it depends on what you order. 

You can still directly offer a tip to your delivery person. He or she will appreciate it.

I always suggest to bring $1 and $5 bills from home. This way, you’re ready to personally hand it to the room service delivery person. 

Having several small bills is very handy, especially for early morning breakfast delivery. You don’t have to fumble around to find a tip. $2.00 to $5.00 is appropriate, depending on the food or how many meals ordered.

Who Gets a Share of the Gratuities?

Depending upon your cruise line and accommodation category, the amounts of who gets what may vary by a few dollars. But this should give you an idea as to where the cruise ship tips go and how it’s divvied up at the end. 

For this example, the amounts listed below are for standard (non-suite) staterooms, may vary by a dollar or so and subject to change every couple of years.

Also, these amounts will differ because the cruise lines stress that a portion of the service fees also goes to many crew members who work behind the scenes and/or towards a shared crew incidentals/emergency fund.

The top tier of crew recipients, however, are the waiters and stateroom attendants. Next, are the assistant waiters and staterooms attendants. The head waiter may or may not receive a cut in the share. 

Those hard-working crew members behind the scenes that you never see will get a small piece of the pie, too. 

Cruise Tips for Those Not on the Automatic Gratuity List

Some onboard services aren’t subject to automatically-included gratuities. Since these are people that you may interact with on a daily basis, it’s nice to add them to your gratuity list.

• Childcare provider: At your discretion, similar to your babysitter at home.
• Bartender: Plan to frequent the same bar throughout your cruise? Give your new favorite bartender a $10 – $20 upfront tip. If you’ve had excellent service, another tip at the end of the cruise is also appreciated.
• Wine sommelier: Based on their involvement, $10 or $20 at the end of the cruise is appropriate. Some cruise lines have done away with a sommelier and your waiter is responsible for keeping track of your wine bottles. Tip accordingly.
• Shore excursion guide: $2.00 – $5.00. Some passengers base their shore excursion tip on 10%-20% per person based on the cost of the tour.
• Shore excursion motor coach driver: $1.00 – $2.00, especially in Europe.
• Spa and Salon services: The spa will automatically add a 15% – 20% gratuity. Is there a need to tip your service provider? It’s up to you.

Read more:  Seven Stateroom Locations to Avoid

Personalize your tip-giving experience.

Many cruise passengers from Britain and a few European countries where tipping isn’t a common practice, prefer to have the automatically-added tips removed from their account. This can be requested at the Reception (Purser’s) Desk.

Hopefully, these folks will then hand out cash to those who have worked hard for them during the cruise. Others simply refuse to tip. And it’s not just non-Americans, either. 

Conversely, some guests who are familiar with and follow the tipping guidelines, prefer to hand out cash-filled envelopes to crew members.

Bring a stack of small bills from home and keep separate from your other cash, to avoid the last night panic line at the Purser’s Desk.

You can also visit the casino cashier to break your larger bills. Bring envelopes (and thank you notes) from home in case the ship’s front desk doesn’t have any to give for tips.

When in Europe, Euros are the preferred currency for tipping on both ocean and river cruises . Or you can usually put the gratuities directly onto your onboard account and credit card.

I always leave the automatic gratuities on my account. Then on the last night, if service was very good, at dinner I’ll bring envelopes with a little extra cash for my waiter, assistant waiter and sommelier.

Whether or not to tip the Maître d’ is up to you, depending on if you’ve actually communicated with this person. 

On the last night or on the morning of departure, I always give an extra tip to my room steward when I say goodbye.

Tipping After Your Cruise

After the cruise, if you ask a porter to load your luggage and wheel it to the outdoors or motor coach, you’ll need to dip into your wallet one more time.

In many ports or after a transatlantic crossing, you’ll get through the customs and immigration line quicker if you ask a porter to help with your luggage. 

If this was helpful, please PIN for others!

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I'm the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world without flying. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath...stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.

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May 28, 2022 at 10:05 am

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your comment. I agree 100%!

May 28, 2022 at 2:30 am

Tipping is absolutely necessary on cruises. These people work for peanuts, and they work very hard with no days off for months. TIPS stands for To Insure Proper Service. When on land you tip at bars and restaurants, then why on the cruise ships should people question it and cheap out. When we get on the ship, we leave extra tip money in the safe. On the last night, we give the envelopes with cash in it to all the people that took such good care of us on our cruise. Be a good cruiser.

April 26, 2022 at 9:38 am

Hi Crissy, thank you for reading my article and for your question. Are you referring to the concierge that, for example, is in charge of a loyalty club lounge like the Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club? On cruises where I’ve used the concierge’s services (for show or dinner reservations or help with shore excursions), I’ll usually give the concierge $20-$30 at the end of a seven-night cruise. On a luxury line, I would tip more, depending on how involved the person was with assisting me with reservations etc.

If you’re referring to your stateroom butler, the gratuity prices are set by the cruise line and of course you can always add to it for exemplary service.

I hope this is helpful info. Thank you again for reading the article and taking the time to ask your question. Happy cruising!

April 24, 2022 at 5:58 pm

How much do you suggest tipping the suite concierges?

November 30, 2019 at 1:04 pm

Hi Nick, That’s a great question and thank you for writing. Since this is your first time handling the financial ends of a cruise, I would suggest leaving the automatic gratuities on your accounts. It will make the cruise more seamless and you won’t have that last-minute scramble finding small bills to put into envelopes and then locating the people for whom the envelopes are intended. If someone goes above and beyond regular service, it’s perfectly fine to simply hand him or her an extra gratuity. This could be your room steward or bartender or waiter. Have a wonderful cruise and thank you again for writing. Sherry

November 29, 2019 at 5:45 pm

I’m about to go on my first cruise with my girlfriend and not with my family. Prior to this cruise, I was never responsible for any of the “stateroom “ accounts since my father always took care of the monetary issues of the vacation. After reading the article and the responses I am confused as to whether or not to take the automatic gratuities taken off my account when I go on my cruise and just gave out envelopes at the end of my vacation. What do you think

July 14, 2019 at 3:28 pm

Coworker used to work for Celebrity – they get NO SALARY from the cruise line, they rely on the gratuities. Removing the automatic gratuity and then not actually tipping at least that amount in cash is akin to participating in modern-day slavery ie expecting people to contentedly serve you for free.

Echoing Jeff’s comment about folk who stingily resent a few hundred dollars to the ones who need it most.

May 8, 2019 at 10:29 am

Hi Rachel, Very well written. Thank you for your comment. Sherry

May 5, 2019 at 10:17 am

Mandatory gratuities. I don’t know whether to characterize this as the third world corruption tax in action (being forced to pay civil servants, hospital nurses, etc. a bribe before they will do the job that they are hired and paid to do); or first world predatory capitalism in action. Pretty clearly the cruise lines have offloaded the responsibility for paying their employees a living wage (or any wage) directly onto passengers via mandatory gratuities. Why don’t they just call it “bribes” or “employee salaries” on the invoice instead of “mandatory gratuities.” It is ridiculous that on top of paying for a horrendously expensive cruise and shore excursions, you have to pay bribes/employee salaries in the form of mandatory gratuities. And in some cases you have to pay extra bribes in addition to, on top of, the mandatory gratuities. It all adds up to making a cruise a “once in a lifetime” experience rather than a repeat experience.

May 3, 2019 at 11:45 pm

Hi Shannon, Congrats on your first cruise! For tipping, the amount may depend upon the cruise line and your stateroom category. After your automatic gratuities have been charged to your onboard account, you could hand your room steward $20-$30 (two people) in recognition for good service. I hope this helps. Happy cruising! Sherry

May 3, 2019 at 12:16 am

Hi Sherry, I’m going on my first cruise this summer. What’s an appropriate tip range for the room steward on a 7 day cruise?

December 24, 2018 at 8:45 am

Hi Jeff, Nicely said. I would like to think that a lot of the non-tippers or those who queue at the front desk on the last night to remove the service fee are from countries where tipping isn’t part of their culture. But not always so. Thanks for your comment. Sherry

December 21, 2018 at 11:14 am

I always wonder how someone can pay thousands for a cruise, airfare, and shore excursions and then be resentful of a few hundred dollars in tips for the lowest paid of those who make the trip enjoyable. The desire to stick it to the little people reminds me of the great quote from tax cheat, Leona Helmsley, who once said that, “Only the little people pay taxes”. The jury of” little people” had little trouble convicting her. The people who are put out with tips should find other ways to vacation.

January 26, 2018 at 10:24 am

I have my doubt where the cruise gratuities go to. You can never find out what a crew member earns or how much they actually receive out of gratuities paid and so that end I refuse to have gratuities added to my state room account. However the crew get do get paid to do a job and they knew the pay before they started, they get free food and board plus flights home and we as paying public have already paid for the service they provide. Assuming that all the gratuities are passed on. The ratio of crew member to passenger after removing the staff that are not part of the gratuity pot is about 4 or 5 to 1. On a 14 day cruise at $12.75 per person that adds up to $178.50 per person x 4 and the sum per fortnights holiday gives a bonus of $714 each. That for a 9 month contract would give them a bonus of around $13500 plus pay….Think about it

August 1, 2015 at 7:18 am

Found out that the cruise line does not give the gratuities to the crew , those tips are kept by the cruise line -ask a crew member, lies and rip off .

July 31, 2015 at 9:06 pm

Hi Lisa, Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the article and I hope it was helpful.

April 25, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Thanks, Scott!

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Tipping on a Cruise Ship: What You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 26, 2021  - Last updated: June 3, 2022

If you’re new to cruising, or it’s been a while since your last cruise, it’s important to know about cruise tipping guidelines before you sail. Tipping on a cruise ship isn’t mandatory, but it is customary, and many crew members rely on tips as a large part of their income.

I’ll explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuities—from who you should tip, how much you should tip, and who you should never tip on a cruise ship.

Why is tipping on a cruise even a thing?

The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. In some service industries where wages are substandard, customers are expected to pay a gratuity, typically 15 to 20% of the bill, to augment the workers’ low hourly wages.

Tipping is supposed to encourage excellent customer service from workers, because (in theory at least) customers will tip generously for friendly, prompt service.

Most mainstream cruise lines have their headquarters in the US. So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. Tipped crew on many cruise lines include housekeeping, dining, and laundry workers.

Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members’ earnings to a reasonable rate.

So why don’t cruise lines just increase the price of fares, and pay their crew a living wage with a decent hourly rate?

Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour.

If mainstream cruise lines decided to abolish tipping and pay all crew members a reasonable rate per hour, they would have to significantly raise the cost of cruise fares.

Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a “tips neither expected nor required” policy. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. However, you might end up paying a similar total price on a mainstream line when you factor in gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and the like.

For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isn’t part of the culture, automatic gratuities aren’t added on to passenger bills. Instead, passengers can tip—or not—at their own discretion.

What are automatic gratuities?

Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a “service charge”.

Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. Cruisers would have to tip each of their service personnel (the cabin steward, restaurant servers, bartenders, etc.) separately, near the end of the cruise.

Now, with automatic gratuities, the process is much simpler and you don’t need to carry all that cash. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew.

With the autograt system, many crew members who rarely received tips before now get a share—like the laundry or kitchen staff on some cruise lines.

On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. You can’t choose how much each crew member gets.

You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know

How much are automatic gratuities on a cruise?

Most mainstream cruise lines will charge you about $14 to $15 per person per day for automatic gratuities. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. However, a few lines don’t add autogratuities for babies and toddlers under age two or three.

Here are some daily automatic gratuity costs for several popular ocean cruise lines in USD (prices accurate as of summer 2021):

• Carnival:  $13.99 per person, per day ($15.99 for suite guests). Gratuities waived for kids under 2.
• Celebrity: now includes gratuities in the fare. (guests who booked prior to November 17, 2020 will pay $15.50 per person, per day ($16.00 for Concierge Class and AquaClass guests, and $19.00 for The Retreat).
• Disney: $40.50 per person for 3-day cruises. $54.00 per person for 4-day cruises. $94.50 per person for 7-day cruises. (This equates to $13.50 per person, per day)
• Holland America:  $14.50 per person, per day ($16.00 for suite guests).
• MSC Cruises:  $12.50 per person, per day. Kids 2-11 pay $6.25 per day. Gratuities waived for kids under 2.
• Norwegian: $15.50 per person, per day ($18.50 for guests in suites, Concierge, and The Haven). Gratuities waived for kids under 3.
• Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests).
• Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above).
• Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day
• Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare.

Should you prepay automatic gratuities?

Unlike with the deals you can get for prepaying for drink packages and some other add-ons, you won’t get a discount for prepaying your automatic gratuities. But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise.

I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage.

But if you don’t want to prepay, that’s fine too. The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then they’ll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise.

Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise?

On most cruise lines that collect automatic gratuities, you’re able to remove or adjust the charges by visiting the passenger services desk. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line . On NCL, passengers who don’t want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise.

For other cruise lines, you’ll be able to adjust your autogratuities at the Passenger Services desk. You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether.

What you can’t do is adjust or remove automatic gratuities for a specific crew member.

You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About

Why you shouldn’t remove autogratuities

Most cruisers wouldn’t dream of removing the automatic gratuities. It’s a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities!

But let’s say you have a negative experience with your server in the dining room, or you feel that the cabin steward isn’t doing their job. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service.

Since you can’t remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew member’s supervisor about your concerns. You’ll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip!

Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip.

However, cruisers don’t always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities.

If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise.

Who else should you tip on a cruise ship?

Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. There are a couple of exceptions, though. If you order room service, it’s customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal.

If your kids had a great time at the kids’ club on board, giving a tip at the end of the cruise to their favorite staff members is always appreciated.

It’s also a nice gesture to tip the maître d’ or head waiter in the main dining room, especially if they were helpful with special menus or seating arrangements.

Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise?

Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that aren’t complimentary. If you don’t have a drink package, they’ll add the price of each drink plus the service fee to your onboard tab. There’s no need to add an extra tip for each drink.

With a beverage package, you’ve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included.

In the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and other dining venues, your tip is included in the automatic gratuities.

Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isn’t included in the tipping pool. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service.

In for-a-fee specialty dining restaurants, you might see a spot on your bill (if you get one) to add a tip. Tips are either covered by the autogratuities or there’s a service fee tacked on, so you don’t need to tip again. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! Just remember that a cash tip goes to your server, and a charged tip gets added to the tip pool.

If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), it’s a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience.

Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise?

Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. If not, 15-20% of the bill (excluding any products that you buy) is customary.

Should you tip extra on a cruise? How much?

Many cruisers opt to give extra cash tips to crew members who made their vacation that much more enjoyable. You might want to reward your cabin steward, favorite bartender or MDR server, or any other crew member you think did a great job.

The amount you tip is up to you—I generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise.

Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. That’s up to you! I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but that’s just my preference.

You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes you’ll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. It’s a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. On disembarkation day, you probably won’t find your fave crew members in their usual spots!

What currency should you use to tip on a cruise?

When you’re tipping in cash on a cruise, it’s always best to use the official currency on the ship. Giving service staff tips in a currency they can’t easily use means they’ll have to pay a fee to change your cash tip into another currency.

Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay.

Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier.

Who should you never tip on a cruise?

When you’re on a cruise, you shouldn’t tip the captain or the officers. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isn’t necessary. Even if you try, they’ll likely graciously turn down your offer.

You also shouldn’t tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. One exception is the piano player in the lounge—most accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music.

What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation?

If there’s a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way.

Near the end of your cruise, you’ll probably receive some comment cards in your stateroom that you can use to leave feedback about a member of the crew. You don’t need to write a novel—just a few sentences about how the crew member made your cruise even better will do.

These feedback cards mean a lot and sometimes lead to a stellar crew member getting a raise or even a promotion!

If you don’t see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. (You’ll often see a survey pop up in your email inbox a few days after your cruise.)

You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) will be more appreciated than something they would have to store.

But honestly, they’d prefer cash over a gift basket—no matter how yummy your treats are!

Other people you should tip during your cruise

During your cruise vacation, you’ll probably receive services from other people who aren’t cruise line employees—but you might not realize it! Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise.

1. Luggage porters

On embarkation day of my very first cruise, a porter came up to my taxi and whisked my luggage away, seconds after I got out of the car. I had prepaid my gratuities, and I assumed the porter was a cruise line employee, so I didn’t tip him.

Later I learned that the porters outside of the cruise terminal are not cruise line employees at all! In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. At some North American ports, you’ll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service.

About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine.

You may also like: Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers

2. Shore excursion guides and drivers

Even if you prepay for your shore excursions directly through the cruise line, it’s customary to tip your tour guides and drivers in cash after each excursion. Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companies—the guides and drivers aren’t employees of the line.

Most cruisers tip anywhere from $2-$10 per person (or the equivalent in the local currency) to the tour guide, and hand a couple of dollars to the driver. You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. I’d give a much larger tip to a knowledgeable tour guide who led us on an intensive nine-hour experience compared to a guide who did a basic three-hour city walking tour.

If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally don’t have to leave a tip—the tour company takes care of the lunch bill.

But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, it’s a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries you’ll be visiting before your cruise.

You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise?

What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? Do you tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities? Or do you remove them altogether? Let me know in the comments below!

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Alex Quenault

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Thank you, Carrie Ann. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Your article has done a lot to change my philosophy and increase my understanding of why there is this charge and what the implications of reducing it might be.

Thursday 11th of August 2022

Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. It really made my day! The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. I'm so glad you found my post! Happy cruising :)

Janet Patrick

Sunday 28th of November 2021

I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!) a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! These kind, helpful, generous, employees work extremely hard to make sure guests like myself have a fabulous time, and since I do, the very least I can do is show my appreciation in a way that benefits them the most!

Cheers to the Staff of RCCL!

~ janet RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise!

Monday 29th of November 2021

Hi Janet! I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! Congrats on reaching Diamond :) Happy cruising!

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11 Important Tips for Cruise Port Days and Shore Excursions

After picking your cruise ship and itinerary, choosing what to do and see in your cruise ports of call, may be your most important part of cruise planning.

Whether you book a cruiseline sponsored excursion, a private tour, or decide to visit the cruise port on your own, you’ll want to follow some basic guidelines.

In this post, I’ll go go over a few important tips, so that you can make the most of your day in your cruise destination, and do it safely. 

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Practical advice for cruise shore excursions and port days

1. check, double and triple check the all aboard time.

Let’s get to this tip first, as with cruising, there’s almost nothing more important than making it back to your cruise ship before it sails to the next cruise port!

I’ve literally had strange dreams about this happening to me, lol!

No matter what you plan to do in the port of call, check to see what time the ship sets sail, and, what time are cruise passengers required to be ALL ABOARD.

Typically, the all aboard time will be 30 minutes prior to sailing time. For instance, if you’re cruise ship is in a cruise port from 9:00-5:00, you’d be asked to return by 4:30 at the latest.

There are 2 ways to verify the time (don’t rely on the original itinerary as it can change)

• The Cruise Compass, Princess Patter or other cruise line daily planner will usually have the all aboard time noted. I like to bring one with me, folded in my tote or shore excursion day bag .
• As you disembark from the cruise ship, there will usually be a large sign at the gangway stating the time for guests to be back on board. Take note of the time, or even better, take a photo with your phone camera (and you won’t be second guessing yourself).

2. Book cruise ship excursions online (and in advance)

Whether to book a cruise sponsored shore excursion or not, can be a bit of a debate, and there are definitely some pros and cons.

One benefit that can’t be overlooked is that your cruise ship will wait for you if your tour is late returning to the ship.

If you really want to do a certain activity in a cruise port, my advice is to check the shore excursions offered on your cruise ship, and book it online as soon as possible.

This avoids the possibility that popular tours sell out.

Most of the time, ship sponsored excursions are actually refundable up until a certain date, which gives you time to research other options if you want to.

In some cases, cruise lines have price matching policies: see this Princess Cruises article for more information .

3. Research private tour operators

Research tour companies ahead of time if you’re doing a non-ship sponsored shore excursion. Often benefits of private tours include a somewhat cheaper fare, and a smaller group or passengers on the excursion.

If you do book privately, you’ll want to ensure that the private excursion company gets excellent reviews and is reputable. 

Some places to check for recommendations are on the Cruise Critic forums, Trip Advisor, Facebook groups, and a variety of cruise blogs and YouTube videos.

Some cruise bloggers and vloggers you may enjoy offer their own cruise tips in this blog post: 15 Cruise Bloggers Reveal Their Best Cruise Tips

If you have some other suggestions of websites, apps or bloggers, please let me know in the comments below.

4. Plan and allow more time than necessary

If you go on your own to a nearby beach or attraction, allow ample time to return to your cruise ship.

Keep in  mind, that while a cab ride may take only 15-20 minutes in the morning, small islands can have traffic buildup toward the end of the  afternoon as cruise passengers return to their ship.

We’ve experienced this on a local bus in Bermuda as well as in an open air bus in St. Thomas. Luckily we had a least a couple of hours of leeway, which gave us some peace of mind.

Others aren’t so lucky, and end up sadly being “pier-runners” (which isn’t any fun!)

More information and tips available in this YouTube video below

5. Bring small cash for tips for the driver and tour operators

While tipping is a personal choice , you may want to have a few dollars on hand to give tour guides and others who have made your stay in a cruise port a good experience.

Most Caribbean islands happily accept US dollars, however do research the local customs if you’re traveling by cruise to other destinations.

6. Bargain at local stands and markets

If you’re on a Caribbean cruise and want to buy some souvenirs at any local flea markets, stands, or shops, we’ve found that it’s customary to bargain and not pay the initial inflated price.

Only offer and pay what you feel is fair, but feel free to offer what you are willing to pay.

7. Bring cash for small purchases

Use cash to buy inexpensive souvenirs, to pay cab fare and even to give out tips to tour providers if you choose.

Something to be aware of when traveling, is that while the US dollar is widely accepted in many Caribbean ports of call, it isn’t usually the destination’s currency. This means that you’ll often see signs in shops with 2 prices, American dollars for instance, and Mexican pesos for example.

Be cautious when buying something, that the dollar value makes sense.

Consumer beware!

I recently read a story of a Canadian tourist who was charged $7500 US dollars for about $50 worth of souvenirs . To sum up the story, the tourist used his credit card to make a relatively small purchase in a store.

He saw that the amount being charged was $7500, however was assured that this was Jamaican dollars and not US dollars. Unfortunately, when he got his credit card statement after his vacation, he found out he was grossly overcharged.

Sadly, he entered his PIN and therefore authorized the transaction, and according to the report, it looks like a case of “buyer beware”.

This isn’t the only story that can be found. A google search turned up a few of these cases, including a tourist being charged over $4000 for ice cream in another destination!

Of course, this isn’t meant to scare you and keep you from getting off the ship – just be cautious and aware.

8. Bring a credit card when in a port of call

Even if you don’t plan on using it, bring a credit card with you for emergencies, as well as potential large purchases.

While using cash makes a lot of sense for items under $20, once you get into larger purchases such as jewelry like gold and diamonds or luxury watches, it’s best to pay with your credit card.

As mentioned above, be very cautious that the amount being charged to your credit card is in the correct currency. When in the Caribbean we only authorize purchases being charged in US dollars.

Of course, if you’re traveling to Europe, Asia, or another destination where the US dollar isn’t as happily accepted, this wouldn’t apply.

9. Don’t bring food off the cruise ship

Most destinations that you’ll visit on your cruise vacation, have strict rules about not bringing certain foods off the ship.

Forbidden items often include fruits and vegetables, as well as meat. There may be cases when you can bring dry goods and packaged snacks.

You actually do need to be very careful to follow the rules on this one – some countries can and have imposed fines on cruisers who have been caught.

Your daily planner will often list the rules, however if in doubt, you can always ask on the cruise ship.

10. Disembark early to make the most of  your visit

If you want the most time and flexibility on your port day, try and plan to be off the cruise ship as early as possible.

Firstly, you’ll avoid the crowds that come just a little later, and you’ll have more time to explore and enjoy your visit. Many times you can also avoid being out in the sun during the hottest times of the day.

Plus, if you get back to the shop a bit earlier than other passengers, you get a bit of a treat – a quiet, less crowded ship! 

11. Pack a cruise port day bag with essentials

Last, but not least, prepare a shore excursion backpack or beach bag with the essentials you’ll need for your day in port.

These are some items (available on Amazon) to keep packed and ready for your beach day or other activity. 

• beach towels (provided by the cruise ship)
• water-proof sunscreen
• water bottles or reusable water bottles
• bathing suit cover up
• wide brimmed sun hat or baseball cap
• hand sanitizing wipes (love these travel packs)
• mini-first aid kit with bandaids, antibiotic ointment and pain reliever
• Daily planner from your cruise ship (with all aboard time!) or take a photo
• book (optional)
• water shoes
• wet/dry bag (verify price on Amazon here) 
• snorkeling equipment (most popular full face mask with 4.5 * reviews)
• beach excursion portable lock box safe (popular with cruisers)
• children’s sand toys  

If you intend on snorkeling, something to note is that many Caribbean islands are asking snorkelers to use coral reef safe sunscreen

For more information, check out this blog post where I went over everything you could need to pack for in your port day bag .

Recap: 11 Cruise Shore Excursion Day Tips (all cruisers need to know)

In this post we went over some guidelines for keeping safe, not missing your cruise ship (seriously), and having the best cruise shore excursion and port day!

What tips do you have for cruise port days? Do you prefer cruise ship excursions or booking and organizing on your own? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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Hi this is my 2nd cruise but my hubby and I are taking a first cruise to Bermuda in June 2022 we both are in our 60’s and have some walking difficulities. My question is we want to go to horseshore bay what is the best way to do this with the least amount of walking, to take a ship sponsared excursion or to take the bus taxi? Also what is the best way to make sure we get chairs and umbrella? Are privete rides available where they get the chairs and set up for us? Thanks for any help you can give.

I love Bermuda and know Horseshoe Bay well, however I’m not familiar with the accessibility and services available. A cruise line excursion may be a good bet, as you can check on the cruise ship about the specifics. I have seen that in the past, chairs and umbrellas were set up when purchased.

Hope you have a great cruise!

One important tip that I am surprised wasn’t mentioned: make sure you stay on ship time and not local time. There is often a difference. Make sure you make a note of the ship time before you leave the ship as your phone can and will change to local time

Great point. Thanks for mentioning Robert

I love your YouTube channel. My first cruise experience is less scary. Thank you for taking your time out to educate new cruisers.

I’m so glad my videos were helpful as you planned your first cruise!!

When we was on Europe cruise, along with knowing your port agent. We were told know where your embassy in that country if you run into problem or where report to. Another suggestion, find credit card that does not use your private information on it. Always have 2 credit cards one for buying things or in case of emergency to get you back home.

Great points! Thanks for sharing

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How Much To Tip On Cruise Excursions

By: Author Mona Marks

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

Categories Destination Tips , DESTINATIONS , Excursions

Tipping on cruise ships can be confusing. Depending on which cruise line you’re sailing, you have a variety of tipping issues to consider , such as who should receive a tip , adjusting automatic gratuities, options for prepaid gratuities, and whether you should tip extra . And that only covers when you’re actually on the ship. You should also think about tips you may want to when you leave the ship.

Here are our best suggestions for how much tip on cruise excursions if you want to show your appreciation.

Shore excursions are offered in many, if not all, ports of call, depending on the cruise. Since these activities are optional, the daily gratuity charge that may be added to your ship account does not cover excursions. This is true whether or not you book the excursion through the cruise line.

Tipping Tour Guides

A general guideline for a private tour is to tip 10% of the tour cost and up to 20% for exceptional service on independent tours. In this context, a private tour means one that you have arranged and for which you control who participates. So, for instance, if it is a tour that is only for your family and/or your travel companions.

For shore excursions, people will commonly book a group tour through the cruise line or through third-party tour operators. Tours can range in size from small groups of 10-15 or larger groups that fill a big bus. These are tours that are generally open to any cruise passenger who wants to make a reservation. When on a prepackaged group tour, a typical tip for a tour guide is $3-5 per person for a tour of a half-day or less and $5-10 per person for extended tours.

Tipping Bus Drivers

Many people who are generally inclined to tip will also tip the bus driver (if the driver and guide are not the same person). Generally, a typical tip for a driver is $1-2 per person. You should not assume that the tour guide shares tips with the driver. When in doubt, just ask.

Tipping for Beach Service

If you are going to the beach on a cruise excursion, you should plan to have small bills for tips as well. Who are the people you might want to tip at the beach? Someone who sets up a beach umbrella and chairs at your direction. Servers who bring drinks and/or food to you while you are lounging.

Tipping for Meal Service

If the price of your tour includes a meal, it is unlikely that additional gratuity is expected. However, if you are simply taken to a restaurant and you pay out of pocket, then you should leave a tip unless you are in a country where that is frowned upon. When in doubt, ask the tour guide.

When Should You Tip on Cruise Excursions

You typically tip when the service is concluded. So, you only need to tip the guide and driver at the end of the tour when you are returned to the pier or other point of origin.

What Currency Should I Tip on Cruise Excursions

If you are in the Caribbean, U.S. dollars are widely used and are great for tips. If you are in other locations, local currency would be ideal. This is particularly true if it’s someone who would not be collecting large quantities of tips in a given day. It can be challenging, and sometimes expensive, to attempt to change truly small quantities of currency.

Closing Thoughts

Tipping is generally the acceptable way to show your gratitude for a job well done in most countries around the world. Our guide for when and how much to tip tour guides, drivers, and vendors on shore excursions, will hopefully make showing your appreciation a little easier on outings while on your cruise.

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11 Helpful Tips for Booking Shore Excursions Independently

Planning and booking shore excursions for your cruise vacation? How do you book a shore excursion? What helpful cruise excursion tips will help you book and plan them independently?

Shore excursions are not included in your cruise fare . (At least not with budget cruise lines or mainstream cruise lines).

So, if you’re looking to do any activities or tours at port destinations, you’ll have to consider booking shore excursions.

You should keep a few things in mind when booking a shore excursion. It’s not always as easy as booking everything with your cruise line. Okay, maybe it is that easy. It’s appealing to book the shore activity with the cruise for its ease. But is booking a shore excursion via your cruise line the best way to go? 

Here are a few things you should think about when booking a shore excursion:

• What is the cost of booking through the cruise line vs. booking on your own?
• What is included in the price of the shore excursion?
• How big of a group will you be with?
• Will the tour company be able to pick you up and drop you back off in time?
• What is their refund and cancellation policy?

One thing is for sure, sometimes, booking with a cruise line doesn’t ensure the best quality. Booking a shore excursion with a local tour company or guide can often be a better experience… and it’s usually cheaper! And you can choose to book a private excursion or look for a tour that limits the excursion to a small group.

99% of the time, we tend to book independent shore excursions or plan do-it-yourself adventures at the port-of-calls. It’s not difficult booking a shore excursion independently, but it requires more research.

And you also have to have a sense of awareness, time management, and organization when booking a shore excursion because you MUST be back on the ship on time. If you’re not back on time, the ship will leave without you. And that would be a nightmare.

This article will give tips on booking a shore excursion to make the most of your time in your port destination. These cruise excursion tips will help you book a shore excursion on your own, so you can explore a new destination and make new memories – one of the many reasons we love to cruise .

What is a shore excursion? Simply put, it’s a tour, activity, and experience you can book to enjoy when the ship is at the shore in its port-off-call.

Table of Contents

Cruise Excursion Tips: FAQs

What are the things a passenger should know about shore excursions?

Shore excursions and tours are a fantastic way to explore a new place when you’re on a cruise. We love tours as much as we love exploring on our own. Sometimes with limited time at ports, tours help maximize your time and see the best of what a destination offers.

Tours can help simplify the worries of transportation, getting lost, and figuring out what to do. But you can’t just book any cruise excursion with any tour company. You want to find a reputable company with great reviews that offer the tour you’re looking for at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

How do you choose a shore excursion?

Choosing a shore excursion depends on your interests, activity level, and budget. You can narrow it down by researching things to do at the port destination and figuring out what interests you most.

What are some things to keep in mind when booking a shore excursion?

When booking shore excursions, always keep in mind and consider the start time and end time. Make sure you’re booking a tour that allows enough time to arrive at the meeting point and return to the ship.

How much do you tip on cruise excursions?

Tipping your guide at the end of a tour is as important as tipping on a cruise . Unless the tour company specifies that the tip is included, expect to tip the guides $5-10 per person or 15-20% of the tour cost. It all depends on the tour and the level of service you received.

Tips for Booking Shore Excursions

1. research your port destination.

When booking a shore excursion, you first need to research the port destination and figure out what there is to do.

You can also research by reading:

• travel blogs
• ask your cruise roll call
• cruise critic ports-of-call forum
• Facebook groups specific to that destination

2. Determine the Type of Tour or Activity

Do you want to book a shore excursion that is action-packed and full of adventure? Do you want to book a shore excursion that is more relaxed and cultural? Maybe you want to explore the port on your own.

There are endless possibilities of what you can do on a shore excursion. And the options might be overwhelming, but that’s okay. Determining the type of tour or activity you want to do will make finding something that suits your interests easier.

3. Consider the Cost

The cost of booking a shore excursion can vary greatly. It depends on what you want to do and how many people are in your group. If it’s a large group, sometimes the cost is hiring a private tour guide with a van to show the group around or take you to a certain activity.

Also, when booking a shore excursion, you need to consider the cost and compare it to booking through the cruise line. It may be worth booking it directly with the cruise line if it’s comparable.

What is Inclu ded in a Cruise?

What is included in a cruise ship vacation? And, what is not? We break down what the cruise fare includes and why it’s mostly an all-inclusive vacation. We also include cruise tips along the way so you can book the best cruise for you and your family.

4. Check the Reviews

When booking a shore excursion with a local tour company or guide, it’s important to check their reviews. See what others have said about their experience. This will give you an idea of what to expect and whether booking with them is worth booking. If the tour company reviews are terrible, you can strike them off your list and look for another one.

You can check reviews on:

• TripAdvisor
• Cruise Critic

5. Determine the logistics

While researching shore excursions and activities that interest you, it’s important to consider the logistics. A tour far away from the cruise port may not be ideal. Most itineraries allow us just 6-7 hours at port. Some even less.

And if the port destination is a tender port, you have to consider the extra time it will take you to get to the port.

• Is the meeting point near the cruise port?
• How will you get to the meeting point?
• Will they pick you up and drop you off near the cruise port?
• How long is the tour or activity? What time does it start and end?

6. Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions about booking a shore excursion or the tour itself. You can contact the local tour company or guide; they should be more than happy to answer any questions.

Here are some questions you can ask the tour company or yours before booking:

• Can you accommodate our group size?
• What is included in the tour/activity?
• What time does the excursion start and end? How long is the excursion?
• Is there anything else we need to know or bring? (i.e., sunscreen, hat, water bottle, etc.)
• Is there a dress code ?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Do they offer discounts for large groups?
• What kind of payment do they prefer? (Sometimes, they prefer cash at the end of the tour.)

7. Consider Customizing Your Own Tour

If you have a hard time finding a tour that meets all your criteria or if you’re traveling with a large group, you may want to consider customizing your own tour.

Working with a local guide or company can be very helpful. They can put together a tour that meets your specific needs and interests. Sometimes this can cost more or even less than a cruise line tour with a similar itinerary.

8. Do Not Wait to Book

How far in advance should you book cruise excursions?

You can book a cruise excursion independently as early as six months in advance. Do not wait.

If there is an excursion you have your heart set on, do not wait to book it when you get on the cruise or at the port. Chances are the tour or activity you want to do is already booked by then, or you will end up with a mediocre tour company.

When we decided to book a golf cart to drive around in Bonaire , it was four months before our cruise, and they were already booked. Four months out! We got lucky and eventually did get a golf cart because they were kind enough to add us to a waiting list, and someone canceled.

If you plan to cruise to Alaska, the most popular tours are booked months in advance. So, if you’re set on doing a specific tour, don’t wait to book.

122 Quick & Helpful Cruise Tips

We’ve gathered 122 of our top cruise tips and cruise hacks to help make your planning process smoother and your cruising experience even more fabulous.

9. Sometimes, it Okay to Negotiate at the Port

Alright, we are back peddling here, as we just said not to wait to book a tour. However, if you’re just looking to do a simple city or island tour , you can likely negotiate with a tour company or taxi driver at the port.

Sometimes it’s a per-hour rate, or you negotiate a time for a set price. But make sure that you agree on the cost before starting the tour.

In Costa Maya , we once were able to negotiate a golf car rental during a last-minute spontaneous decision.

Once in St. Thomas, we took an island tour because we wouldn’t be at port long enough to book anything adventurous.

Recently, at Cabo San Lucas cruise port , we negotiated with a tour operator right outside the terminal for a low price for a whale-watching tour and a tour of El Arco. We had a great tour and got to see many whales.

10. Make sure you’re back on the ship on time!

This is probably the most important tip. No matter what shore excursion or activity you are about to book, ensure you’re back on the ship on time.

The last thing you want is to be stranded in a port because you missed your ship. To avoid this, give yourself plenty of time to return to the port.

11. Booking Your Shore Excursions

Sometimes booking excursions can be as easy as booking them online. Sometimes you have to make arrangements via email with a local guide.

Before you do:

• Make sure it’s with a reputable tour company; if hiring a local guide, make sure they are legit. Check reviews. See if any other cruisers have used them before. Etc.
• Make sure you understand what’s included in the tour/activity.
• Where is your meeting point? Are you going to be picked up?
• Determine how long the tour is and if it matches your time at the port.
• Ask about payment options and methods.
• Understand the company’s cancellation policy.

Once you have booked and confirmed your cruise excursion, note the booking, date, time, and meeting point in your travel itinerary. And make a copy of the confirmation to add to your cruise documents.

Don’t hesitate to contact the tour company to ask them questions or make any changes you may need.

Cruise Excursion Tips

• Always be aware of your surroundings and use caution during all your travels.
• Do not carry all your valuables with you on the tour. Leave them locked up safely in your cruise ship cabin or stateroom.
• Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Water shoes may be necessary depending on the tour.
• If you’re taking a tour that includes snorkeling, bring your own snorkel gear if you have it. Most tours will provide gear, but it’s often not the best quality. Check out our beach packing list .
• Always wear sunscreen.
• Make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you’re going to be participating in physical activities in the heat.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, communicate with the tour company or guide ahead of time if food is included.
• Bring cash. You may have to pay for the tour with cash at the end, so if you do, make sure you have enough to cover that. If not, at least a small amount of cash for tips and other miscellaneous expenses, like souvenirs. Not everyone takes credit cards. But most ports due take American dollars.
• Follow the rules and instructions of the tour guide. They are there for a reason and want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

How to Plan a Cruise Vacation

Planning a cruise can seem daunting, but if you take it one step at a time and follow these simple steps to plan a cruise, you’ll have a fantastic cruise booked in no time.

Shore excursions are a lot of fun and part of what makes cruising fun ! We don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity or pay too much for an experience you could have booked cheaper by booking shore excursions independently.

We hope these tips helped. Don’t forget to check out our tips on How to Prepare for a Cruise .

Do you have any other tips for booking shore excursions? Do you prefer booking cruise ship-sponsored excursions or booking independent shore excursions? Share in the comments below!

You can also check out these helpful cruise articles:

Pack these Cruise Essentials Influential Travel and Cruise Quotes What NOT to Wear on a Cruise Cruise Luggage Tags Cruises or All-inclusive Resorts

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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'jersey shore' stars announce engagements, sammi's is real but not vinny's, 'jersey shore' big engagement news ... sammi's real deal, vinny's a 'fool'.

"Jersey Shore" stars Sammi Giancola and Vinny Guadagnino 's dueling engagement announcements on April 1 were not a part of a prank war ... well, not entirely.

Sammi Sweetheart's engagement to boyfriend Justin May did, in fact, happen ... as the MTV personality assured her followers her relationship update was not an April Fools' Day joke. She says Justin popped the question on March 16, but they made the risky decision to share the news -- and first photos of the diamond ring -- on April 1.

Her costars offered up some sincere reactions ... as Jenni "JWoww" Farley , Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino , Angelina Pivarnick and Pauly "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio all shared their congratulations in the comments section.

We can't blame "Jersey Shore" fans for having doubts, however.

Sammi's costar Vinny also notably announced his engagement on Monday -- but his proposal was all a prank. ICYMI, VG shared a photo of himself down on one knee popping the question to an unidentified woman.

In the background of the upload, massive light-up letters spelled out the question, "Marry Me?"

While countless fans were quick to call out the proposal as a joke, thousands hit the like button, thinking Vinny was really heading to the wedding altar.

As April Fools' Day came to a close, Vinny confirmed the life update was merely a prank ... but called out the 300K followers who showed love for the proposal news.

He added ... "Damn 300K on the April Fools joke. Y'all really wanted me to get married."

Vinny has since wiped the prank from his Instagram page, seemingly confirming his bachelor status. April prank champ??? We'd say so.

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Jersey Shore’s Sammi ‘Sweetheart’ Giancola Is Engaged to Boyfriend Justin May

Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola has announced her engagement to boyfriend Justin May .

The 37-year-old Jersey Shore  star revealed in an Instagram post on Monday, April 1, that New Jersey native May proposed on March 16.

Alongside a string of snaps with her and May, including one where she shows off her diamond sparkler, she wrote: “Life update: Fiancé 3.16.24 The easiest question I’ve ever answered… happiest & luckiest girl in the world. I’ll love you forever, and then some 🤍 #Futurewifey #Engaged.”

The reality show star added, “[I] can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” before telling her followers that the announcement was “not an April Fools joke.”

Related: Jersey Shore’s Sammi and Ronnie’s Rocky Relationship: The Way They Were

Fans and her Jersey Shore castmates were quick to share their well-wishes in the comment section. Jenni “JWoww” Farley wrote, “Congratulations.” Farley’s fiancé, Zack Clayton Carpinello , echoed the comment.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino wrote, “Congratulations!! Love Love. ” Angelina Pivarnick commented, “@sammisweetheart ❤ congrats mama to you and @j_may36 #wedding,” while Pauly “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio added, “Ayeeeee congrats.”

Giancola’s round-cut engagement ring is set in a gold band from Cozzi Jewelers.

The Pennsylvania-based company also marked the news by sharing photos of the ring via Instagram, writing, “Congratulations to our clients @sammisweetheart and @j_may36 on their engagement.”

May himself wrote on his page: “She said yes! Can’t wait to Marry my best friend! Love you so much babe! ❤️💍 can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you!”

Giancola and May began dating a few months after she split from Christian Biscardi in 2021.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha “Sammi Sweetheart” (@sammisweetheart)

The reality star, who got engaged to Biscardi in 2020 after two years of dating, later confirmed that the pair had decided to go their separate ways. After Giancola announced her single status via a TikTok video in July 2021, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that the twosome “split amicably.”

“There was no drama,” the insider noted at the time. “They planned on getting married in 2020 but then COVID hit and they had to reschedule their wedding date. Eventually, they just called it off completely.”

Related: ‘Jersey Shore’ Cast: Then and Now

In November 2021, Giancola hinted that she had moved on in her personal life when she posted a snap of her with May with the caption, “Thankful.” The New Jersey native also shared an adorable photo of the couple under a Christmas tree one month later.

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Shortly after Giancola made her romance with May official, her former costars teased that they were still hoping to see her make a cameo on the spinoff show.

The MTV personality was previously linked to Ronnie Ortiz-Magro when they met on the set of Jersey Shore in 2009. After they called it quits in 2014, another source told Us that the jewelry designer did not have any plans to appear on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation , which debuted in 2018.

The television personality introduced May to her followers in a post via X on November 25, 2021.

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Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in africa, travel writer says.

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Eight people have accused Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) of abandoning them on a tiny island in Africa after a private tour ran late and the group missed the embarkation cut-off time.

Four of the group are elderly and another is pregnant, and though the ship was still at anchor, they were denied boarding.

The ship, the Norwegian Dawn, set sail without them – and it was right to do so.

Once, I was late to check in for a flight. I jumped out of the taxi, sprinted to the counter (which is no mean feat when you’re hauling luggage) and arrived at the desk sweating bullets, prepared to get on my knees and grovel if it meant I’d be allowed through.

I began to tell my sob story to the lady at the desk, heart hammering and lungs gasping for air, when she politely interrupted and shook her head.

In the nicest way possible, she said this: “Stiff bickies.” (OK yes, I’ve paraphrased.)

Sure, the plane was still at the airport, no more than a few hundred meters from where I was standing. However, the luggage had already been loaded, the manifest had already been finalized, and the other passengers were already boarding.

There was no way they were going to let me board, nor should they have.

You see, I had been on a whale-watching tour about two-and-a-half hours south of the airport – hey, it was my last day, I wanted to make it count.

I planned it to perfection, except for one detail: we spotted a playful pod right at the very end, so the captain offered to give us some bonus time to enjoy the view.

With one eye on the magnificent mammals, and another on my watch, I held on to a flicker of hope that I might make it.

I jumped on the bus back to town, flagged down a cab, and asked the driver to hurry. I launched out of the car like a 100m sprinter launches out of starting blocks and ran into the terminal.

Alas, my proverbial ship had sailed.

Was it a bummer? Absolutely. But imagine delaying the other 158-or-so passengers scheduled to depart on the Boeing 737, asking the crew to extend their shifts, or holding the plane and disrupting airport traffic … all so little old me could drop off my bags, scurry through security, and find my gate.

Imagine the awkwardness if I stepped onto that plane. What do you say? “Sorry guys, my bad, lol.”

That doesn’t even scratch the surface of a cruise ship’s operations. Norwegian Dawn can accommodate 3,372 people – 2,340 passengers and 1,032 crew – and this group of eight expected it to wait?

A ship’s departure time isn’t exactly a mystery.

I sailed on Norwegian Dawn in February and the departure time was published in NCL’s Freestyle Daily newsletter the night before and announced over the loudspeaker multiple times in the morning.

It was also posted on signs at the doors where guests disembark.

The golden rule is clear: Make sure you’re back on time, or the ship may sail without you.

So what do you do if you’re left behind? Generally there are two options: either catch up with the ship at a later port or head home.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have brought your essentials with you – your passport, phone, credit card, and medication – because all of your belongings will stay on board until the end.

Please don’t get me wrong, of course I’m sympathetic to the distress of those who were left in a foreign country without the safety of the ship.

It would be scary and stressful to figure out next steps, especially for the members of the group with higher needs, and disappointing to miss out on their holidays.

However, the unfortunate reality is that ships can’t always wait.

Private tours are a whole separate issue, because while the ship will wait for official tours – those which have been organized by the cruise ship operator – to return, all bets are off for passengers taking their shore excursions into their own hands.

Unofficial tours can be slightly cheaper than those on the ship’s itinerary, with slightly more availability, so they can be attractive. However, while operators will do their best to stick to scheduled times, all bets are off once you board that bus and leave the port.

Think of it like booking multiple legs of a trip with different airlines. They’re not in the same network, they don’t owe each other anything, and they can’t guarantee that you’ll make your connection. Say the bus breaks down. Maybe someone wanders off and takes ages to find.

Perhaps the group lingers over a delicious lunch. Someone might need to stop at an ATM or a loo. You could get stuck in traffic. Or maybe your tour will be like mine and you’ll see something incredible that simply makes you want to pause.

And so, eight passengers were left in São Tomé and Príncipe , Africa’s second-smallest country.

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time,” NCL said in a statement, adding that it is communicating with the guests about their next steps. It’s harsh but fair, especially since the other 3,364 (or so) people on board got it right.

Kirrily Schwarz recently sailed on Norwegian Dawn as a guest of Norwegian Cruise Line.

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Like Jewels, Will Travel

Gem- and jewelry-themed tours and excursions mix treasure hunting with adventure and cultural experiences.

Text by Amy Elliott

Illustrations by Ben Pearce

Last year, when Roberto Ruiz visited the Carbonera mine in Querétaro, Mexico, he cracked open a grapefruit-size piece of rhyolite with a hammer. When he looked inside, “it was like finding a fire fossil,” he said during a recent phone interview from his home in San Antonio. Inside was an orangey-red fire opal that he likened to a flame, forever preserved in the sphere of igneous rock.

Mr. Ruiz and his wife, Erika Rodriguez, are among the few people who have traveled to the mine, a desolate spot located in Carbonera in central Mexico, a destination that’s well off the beaten tourist track, some 20 miles from the nearest city. Their journey was especially unusual as neither is in the gem trade: Mr. Ruiz is a corporate attorney and Ms. Rodriguez works in digital marketing.

But they are among a growing number of travel enthusiasts seeking unusual, hyper-specific vacation experiences that offer an insider’s view of the gem and fine jewelry industries, and a number of businesses are responding to the demand accordingly.

Mr. Ruiz said the idea of visiting an opal mine was appealing for a few reasons, starting with his lifelong fascination with gemstones and minerals.

The mine’s remote location in the rocky, semidesert wilderness (where snakes and scorpions are not uncommon) was also compelling: Ms. Rodriguez said she and her husband are usually inclined toward travel focused on outdoor adventure, from hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru to rock climbing around Krabi in southern Thailand.

“We had also gone to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and saw an opal from Querétaro, and Roberto is originally from there,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “We found out something that we didn’t even know existed and we became interested in learning how the opals are extracted — and meeting the people who were doing it.”

But a traveler cannot just show up at a mine and start digging. It requires a guide, someone well connected to the mine owners and well versed in what to expect: dirt and dust; lots of walking; the occasional explosion at the site; and, at times, security risks. Given their knowledge of the terrain, guides keep an ear to the ground for rumblings — both geological and political — and respond accordingly to keep travelers safe.

The couple arranged the trip through Carlos Torres, an acquaintance from New York who is a gemologist, commercial gem buyer and consultant. He had piqued their interest with tales of the mines he has visited, particularly on trips with his business partner, Laurent Massi, who has taught gemology at several institutions and now is the owner of the Neogem consultancy in Paris.

Mr. Torres and Dr. Massi have organized gem mining trips not just to Mexico, but also to destinations such as Colombia (for emeralds), Thailand (for rubies) and Brazil (for Paraiba tourmaline). Last fall, they started the Gem Odyssey , a business to structure similar gem-hunting expeditions as all-inclusive travel packages that start, on average, at about $3,700 per person, not including airfare.

Gem Odyssey itineraries are tailored to jewelry enthusiasts who are not industry professionals — offering plenty of education and explanation, while avoiding “inside baseball”-type industry talk. The trips typically span nine days, with at least three of those days spent at a mine site.

The founders say the schedules can be customized to include experiences such as tequila tastings or visits to local artisan markets; any given trip might include a mix of accommodations, with upscale hotels near the airports or central cities and more rustic facilities in the mining areas.

But his clients don’t come for the niceties, Mr. Torres said. “They like the idea of getting mud on their hands.”

And, he added, after receiving instruction in mining safety, they become part of the process: “They see the drilling, how the dynamite is used for extraction, and they get to experience breaking the stones and checking for gems.”

Dr. Massi, who also was on the phone interview with Mr. Torres, said that “witnessing the birth of a gemstone is not something anyone can do and see at home in their garden. We try to give them an experience, and see a part of a country, that they could not get access to on their own.”

Digging For Tourmalines

Perhaps it is not surprising, but gem- and jewelry-themed travel is a trend especially relevant to the tastes and inclinations of high-net worth individuals — people with at least $1 million in liquid assets — according to Milton Pedraza, the founder and chief executive of the Luxury Institute, a consultancy specializing in luxury consumer research with offices in New York and Florida.

Mr. Pedraza said the sophisticated traveler has “seen it, done it.” So, he said, when someone has the opportunity to access an exclusive experience in a far-flung part of the world, “it makes your life more unique,” he said,“and everybody wants to be seen as authentic, unique and genuine.”

The designer Pamela Hastry is connected to such clients through Morphée , her jewelry company in Paris, and the lectures that she regularly hosts in and around her hometown, Brussels. She also conducts private tours of Place Vendôme in Paris, a center for high jewelry, and of the Diamantkwartier, or Diamond Quarter, in Antwerp, Belgium, one of the jewelry industry’s oldest and most prominent diamond centers.

In November Ms. Hastry is planning to take a group to Namibia, in southern Africa, to discover the country’s beautiful tourmalines (while also making a stop at a mine that produces chrysocolla, an unusual blue-green type of chalcedony). Organized with Destination, a luxury travel agency in Belgium, the 10-day itinerary includes at least one night in a tent near one of the tourmaline mines (€8,986 or about $9,711, without airfare).

“You’re going to live — and dig — like a miner for a day and a half,” Ms. Hastry said.

Damien Van Bellinghen, the founder of Le Club des Etoiles, a business and social club in Brussels, has one of the 15 reservations for the Namibia trip. Mr. Van Bellinghen, who went on one of Ms. Hastry’s private tours of Antwerp’s diamond district, wrote in an email that he looked forward to discovering how gems are extracted, getting to know the miners and exploring the country through the lens of a jeweler.

“The types of trips that Pamela Hastry organizes plunge straight into the heart of where the most marvelous jewels come from,” he wrote. “Such visits can only be made if you are accompanied by someone who has ‘insider’ knowledge and, above all, who has the trust of the local people. And we’re lucky enough to enjoy it.”

The Royal Treatment

If you do find a gem during one of these mine trips, can it be used in a piece of jewelry? Both Ms. Hastry and Mr. Torres of the Gem Odyssey said that they could facilitate a purchase, although they noted that the item purchased would have to comply with international import/export regulations.

But some gem-loving travelers don’t want to dig for their treasures. They would rather a holiday centered on history, sightseeing and shopping for finished pieces of jewelry (with posh accommodations and amenities as a bonus).

“You can tour some cities very easily through the lens of the history of fine jewelry and jewelry-making,” said Camilla Davidson, who is head of destination management for Britain, France and Ireland at Red Savannah , a luxury travel agency in England. “And that would still enable you to see so many of the destination’s highlights.”

For example, the agency offers a tour of London called Couture and Crown Jewels, an extravagant option for jewelry enthusiasts with deep pockets ($550,000 for two people, without airfare). It offers a private tour of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and dinner in its White Tower; a four-night stay at the Raffles London at the OWO; and tickets to a West End show. And it includes a $125,000 credit toward a jewelry purchase at Humphrey Butler, an antique and estate jeweler.

Ms. Davidson said she developed the package in response to the world’s fascination with British royalty and was inspired by the idea of connecting a visit to the Crown Jewels to an exclusive jewelry shopping experience.

Humphrey Butler and his namesake business were a natural fit for the itinerary, she said: “He has the most impeccable collection and he as an individual is completely charming, exceptionally discreet, and just great fun to be around.”

Jewels at Sea

For some jewelry collectors, a travel experience that plays to, or enhances, their level of connoisseurship, is most appealing.

“Whatever their interest is, they want to learn more,” said Mr. Pedraza, the luxury consumer specialist. “So they make an adventure or journey out of it.”

One such example might be the Spotlight on Fabergé package offered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises in collaboration with Fabergé, the Russian heritage workshop known for its bejeweled eggs, which in 2009 moved its headquarters in London.

The first such excursion aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur liner is scheduled for July. Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Fabergé’s creative director, explained that the cruise is designed for “clients who care about art and culture and would happily sit for an hour or so to learn about the history of Fabergé’s royal clients then and now.”

The Grandeur, which was launched in November, has its own 1,600-piece art collection, including a Fabergé egg in an ocean theme with blue guilloché enamel, diamonds and pearls, called “Journey in Jewels,” which was commissioned by Regent Seven Seas. (The meetings on the commission actually led to the cruise collaboration.)

The 11-day voyage is scheduled to depart from the Civitavecchia port in Rome and to include destinations such as the Sicilian city of Taormina; Ibiza, Spain; and Nice, France, ending in Monaco (from $12,999 per person, including airfare).

The programming is to include Fabergé expert-led lectures, screenings and master classes, as well as shore excursions attuned to the participants’ interests in the decorative arts. As Ms. von dem Bussche-Kessell sees it, such a floating symposium — a kind of sleepover camp on a luxury scale — effectively creates a community for people who share a common passion.

Mr. Pedraza said that was an important incentive for certain travelers: “They love to engage with the product while meeting people who are their peers and who come through trusted brands and curators.”

And the return home is just as important as the journey itself, especially with a glittering souvenir to show friends and family.

“You get to demonstrate your expertise,” Mr. Pedraza said, “The experience has made you an insider.”

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Russia's Nuclear Deterrent Command Center Imperiled by Winter Freeze—Report

A Russian nuclear deterrent command center in Moscow has been imperiled by power outages that have impacted more than one-quarter of the region's cities amid freezing temperatures, a Russian Telegram channel has reported.

The VChK-OGPU outlet, which purports to have inside information from Russian security forces, reported that the 820th Main Center for Missile Attack Warnings—part of the Russian Space Forces, a branch of the country's Aerospace Forces—near Solnechnogorsk in Moscow is without power.

It serves as the space forces early warning network against potential ballistic missile attacks.

The development comes as Russians are reported to be suffering from power outages in their homes in the Moscow region caused by technical issues at plants amid subzero temperatures.

On January 4, a heating main burst at the Klimovsk Specialized Ammunition Plant in the town of Podolsk, which is about 30 miles south of central Moscow. Since then, tens of thousands of Russians are reported to have no heating in their homes.

Affected areas include the cities of Khimki, Balashikha, Lobnya, Lyubertsy, Podolsk, Chekhov and Naro-Fominsk, a map published by a Russian Telegram channel and shared on other social media sites shows.

Other Russian media outlets reported that in Moscow, residents of Balashikha, Elektrostal, Solnechnogorsk, Dmitrov, Domodedovo, Troitsk, Taldom, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Krasnogorsk, Pushkino, Ramenskoye, Voskresensk, Losino-Petrovsky and Selyatino are also without power.

The Telegram channel said that at the 820th Main Center for Missile Attack Warnings, "the crew...is on duty around the clock."

"It is here that the decision on a retaliatory nuclear strike is executed," the channel said.

Newsweek could not independently verify the report and has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry by email for comment.

Power outages have also been reported in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, in the country's western Voronezh region, in the southwest city of Volgograd, and in Rostov, which borders Ukraine, a country that Russia has been at war with since February 24, 2022.

On Sunday, two shopping malls in St. Petersburg were forced to close because of problems with light and heating, reported local news outlet 78.ru. Hundreds of other homes in the city have had no electricity, water or heating for days amid temperatures of -25 C (-13 F).

Russian authorities have also been forced to compensate passengers of a train that ran from Samara to St. Petersburg (a 20-hour journey) without heating during -30 C (-22 F) temperatures. Videos circulating on social media showed carriage windows frozen over. A passenger also said the toilet didn't work during the trip because of frozen pipes.

Do you have a tip on a world news story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Russia-Ukraine war? Let us know via [email protected].

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