The headline fare may not include gratuities
Treat gratuities as part of the trip cost unless your fare explicitly includes them.
Package inclusions vary
Promotions can bundle gratuities or service charges, but the exact benefit must be read in the fare terms.
Extra cash tipping is a personal choice
Automatic gratuities are designed to distribute service compensation. Additional tipping can still be appropriate for exceptional personal service.
Do not confuse taxes, gratuities and service charges
They are separate cost categories and can appear in different parts of the booking or onboard account.
Turn the advice into a trip plan
Write down the decision that affects your booking or port day, the deadline for making it, and the information that could still change. Cruise planning gets easier when permanent preferences are separated from live operational details.
Editorial responsibility: M.K. Hsu for Horizon Travel Guide. General planning guidance. Live schedules, policies, prices, weather and port operations can change.How CruiseGuide reviews information.