Most of us accept that tipping on board a cruise liner is
part and parcel of the cruise holiday experience. But how much should you tip,
and when? Sometimes, the cruise company gives a few tips about tipping in their
brochure to give you an idea. For example, it really depends on how long your
cruise is for, obviously the longer the voyage; the larger the overall tip
should be given. The timing is optional, although I've been on cruises where an
initial tip was given at the start to the cabin steward, and then, if
performance was satisfactory throughout the cruise, another tip would be given
at the end. I once went on a Caribbean cruise in which gratuities were pre-paid
in the cost of the actual fare. Nevertheless, once on board it was apparent
that tips over and above this 'down payment' were expected. When it came to
getting my suitcase put on board the ship at Miami, I found that it wouldn't be
loaded unless I gave the porter five dollars to take it out of my hands, and
then put it on the conveyor leading to the ship! He was on to a fairly lucrative
income, because there were literally thousands of passengers lining up to
embark. Maybe I should stop being a cartoonist, and get a job on the Miami
wharves, loading suitcases!
