Norwegian Cruise Line is planning on raising service charges (daily gratuities) for the second time this year says Gene Sloan over at USA Today.
Beginning on August 1, 2015, daily gratuities will rise to $13.50 per person, per day, up from the $12.95 rate that passengers currently pay. Passengers staying in suites will pay $15.50 per person, per day.
This is the second increase for Norwegian passengers in 2015. The first increase went into effect on March 1, the first increase for the cruise line in nearly five years. The service charges are divided among the passenger’s room steward, servers for meals, and kitchen workers who work behind the scenes.
Passengers who are currently booked on an upcoming cruise who have prepaid their gratuities will not be affected by the increase. Most cruise lines switched over to daily service charges as an easy way to passengers to tip the ship’s workers. Guests are allowed to have them adjusted based on the quality of service received.
One of the best features of cruising is not being nickeled and dimed constantly like staying in a land based hotel would require with having to shell out for meals, entertainment, etc. I know the crew works very hard, long hours and little time off but for NCL to raise the tip rate 2x in 6 months is offputting. Also, I am irked by the new promotion made to all cabins that was not available when I booked my inside cabin. Even my travel agent tried to plead to the rep on the phone to allow me this benefit but NCL was adamant about not offering it. What a letdown. I will hesitate before I cruise with them again.