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Do You Have to Pay Gratuities on NCL?

Published in NCL Gratuities 2 mins read

No, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) does not require or recommend tipping for services generally rendered to all guests on their ships.

NCL's Distinct Gratuity Policy

Norwegian Cruise Line employs a gratuity policy that sets it apart from many other cruise lines within the industry. Unlike the common practice where a daily service charge is automatically added to guest accounts to cover various crew services, NCL does not have such a requirement for general services provided to all passengers.

This means that you will not see a mandatory, pre-set daily gratuity charge automatically applied to your bill to cover the services of staff members such as:

  • Stateroom attendants: Who are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of your cabin.
  • Main dining room staff: Including waiters, assistant waiters, and head waiters.
  • Buffet and casual dining staff: Those assisting in self-service and informal eateries.
  • Behind-the-scenes support crew: Who ensure the smooth operation of the ship.

Voluntary Recognition for Exceptional Service

While there are no required or recommended gratuities for general services, guests always have the option to provide additional, voluntary cash tips to individual crew members. This allows passengers to personally acknowledge and reward staff who they feel provided exceptional service during their cruise.

This policy emphasizes guest discretion for general services, distinguishing NCL's approach within the cruise industry.

Here's a summary of NCL's gratuity approach:

Aspect NCL's Gratuity Policy
Required/Recommended No, for services generally rendered to all guests
Automatic Charges Daily service charges are not automatically applied for general crew
Voluntary Tipping Guests may optionally tip individual crew members for exceptional service