Holland America Line Tipping

Automatic Gratuity on Holland America Line: The Lowdown

Ah, Holland America Line, or as we like to call it: A Floating Land of Suggestive Generosity. If you’ve cruised with them, you know there’s an automatic gratuity system that kicks in faster than that third mojito at the Lido deck. As of October 2023, the automatic gratuity amount is $16 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Suite guests, because you’re so fancy, you will be contributing $17.50 per person, per day. These charges show up like clockwork on your onboard account, making sure the crew gets their due without you lifting a finger—well, except to sign the bill.

What’s Included in the Automatic Gratuity?

The automatic gratuity covers a lot, but not everything. You’re essentially pre-paying for the service of your room stewards, dining room staff, and kitchen teams. It ensures the crew who make your cruise experience memorable are compensated fairly—even when you’re too busy taking selfies by the pool to pay attention.

When and How Much to Tip Extra

If you’ve ever felt like the crew has gone above and beyond (and let’s face it, they probably have), you might want to think about slipping them a little extra. But how much is enough? Here’s the juicy deets you came for:

• Room Stewards: An extra $2-$5 per day can make you their favorite guest. Consider leaving this at the end of your cruise with a thank you note.
• Dining Staff: If you have a waiter who’s turning dinner into a culinary show, a $5-$10 tip at the end of your voyage is a classy move.
• Bartenders: Dropping a couple bucks per round isn’t just for good karma; it might lead to a heavier pour next time.

Tipping in Specialty Restaurants

Here’s where Holland America can be a bit sneaky. Specialty restaurants like the Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto aren’t included in the automatic gratuities. Instead, an 18% service charge is added when you’re signing that check after a delightful meal. If you feel the service deserves it, you can still throw in a few extra dollars, but let’s not pretend this isn’t already budgeted.

Excursion Guide Tips

Off the ship and into the wild! Excursion guides are the unsung heroes of your land adventures, and they don’t see a dime from your automatic gratuities. Standard tipping for guides is about $5-$10 per person for a half-day tour and $10-$20 for a full-day adventure. If they’ve really blown your socks off—or saved you from a pack of angry flamingos—feel free to go higher.

The Etiquette Debate: To Tip or Not to Tip

Here’s where the etiquette police come in. Some argue that tipping is a personal reward for exceptional service, while others see it as a necessary supplement to cruise employee wages. The fact is, crew members often rely on these gratuities to round out their salaries. So, while you technically could stiff them, remember: karma’s a cruise critic.

Removing Automatic Gratuities: Possible but Questionable

Technically, you can opt out of automatic gratuities by visiting the guest services desk. But beware: this move might make you the cruise ship equivalent of a reality TV villain. Removing these charges can put crew members’ income at risk. Not to mention, it brands you with the scarlet letter of stinginess among your fellow travelers. Proceed with caution.