Princess the latest cruise line to raise gratuity

Princess
Cruises will raise the gratuity for service staff from $11.50
to $12.95 per passenger, per day for voyages that depart on and after Jan. 1.

The
increase would bring the suggested amount for two passengers on a seven-day cruise
to $181.30.

The line
said guests in mini-suite categories and above, who currently pay $12 per day, will contribute $13.95 per day.

The amounts
are automatically added to a guest’s final shipboard bill, but can be adjusted
upwards or downwards at the guest-services desk. Princess noted that gratuities
will be deemed “undisputed” unless a request to modify is received prior to
disembarking the ship. 

Princess said, “This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff
who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff,
stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and housekeeping staff across the fleet.”

The
suggested gratuity has been $11.50 since 2013. 

Besides Princess, cruise lines that have increased or will increase their gratuity charge this year are Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Holland America Line.