Holland America Line is raising the daily service charges (gratuities) paid by the passengers according to a report by Gene Sloan at USA Today.
The price increase will go into effect on December 1, 2015 and will be as follows:
- $12.50 per person per day, up from the current price of $11.50.
- Passengers in suites will now pay $13.50 per day, a larger increase from the $12.00 they currently pay.
The daily service charges, otherwise known as gratuities, are divided among the passenger’s room steward, server for meals, and kitchen workers who work behind the scenes. Although they are automatically charged to a passenger’s on board account, they can be adjusted at the service desk according to the service provided. Passengers also have the option of having the service charges removed and then tipping in person if they choose.
Holland America Line is not the first cruise line to raise service charges this year. Norwegian Cruise Line has already raised them twice in 2015 with passengers now pay $13.50 per person per day (passengers in suites are $2 higher).
