Is tipping obligatory on cruise ships?

A tip is a tip, and despite what your cruise line says, the decision to reward waiters, bed makers, cocktail shakers and every other crew member who provides a service is yours alone.

Many cruise lines will add a daily gratuity as a matter of course. This gets around the problem that some staff, such as the waiters who serve at the breakfast buffet and afternoon tea, are likely to receive slim pickings when tips are left to the discretion of each passenger.

It also overcomes the fact that some cultures tend to tip at the lower end of the scale, or not at all. If your cruise line adds a daily charge for gratuities, it is possible to opt out by advising the purser's office at the start of the voyage.

However on most cruise ships, the staff are not lavishly rewarded for their efforts by the cruise line according to Australian standards, and they depend on tips to make their efforts worthwhile.

Some old-hand cruisers prefer to tip cabin stewards, bartenders, room butlers, maitre d's and spa staff on an individual basis but this requires careful calibration.

Far simpler to fall in line and accept the daily gratuity charge.