To pre-pay or not to pre-pay, that is the question...?

Over the last couple of months Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have been encouraging UK customers (through agents) to pre-pay their gratuities before they get on board. It's turned out to be a bit more controversial than I expected.

The UK and the US have very different habits when it comes to the subject of tipping, otherwise known as gratuities. In the US they are accustomed to tipping for anything and everything, and at least 15%. In the UK we tip for good service and probably more around the 10% mark and we generally dont appreciate when it's included in the bill regardless of the standard of service given. So what about on cruise ships?

Pluses...

• Avoid the hassle whilst you're on board
• Great for budgeting
• Utilise the more flexible dining options (e.g. My Time Dining with Royal Caribbean)
• Generally benefit from better currency conversion rates so you save money
• You get given vouchers to allocate out as you wish
• You still still have the option to remove it or reduce it should you feel that the service you have been given doesn't meet your standards

Negatives...

• .....I can't think of anything!!! Unless you have a personal dislike for doing it this way, as far as I can see there is no down side.

Generally speaking Royal Caribbean add on about £5 per day. When you think of all the people that you would tip on a normal cruise (your canin steward, waiters, bartenders, etc), I think this is a really reasonable amount when you think of what you would spend normally.
People also think that they would get a reduced level of service because the crew have 'nothing to prove' but they are made aware if you have paid already and are generally happier beacuse they know that they are going to get it at the end of the voyage rather than potentially nothing at all.

So, in short, would I pre-pay my gratuities before cruise? The answer would have to be yes!

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have great offers on for September including free parking, free spend and some complimentary upgrades. These offers end 30th September after which prices are set to rise!