Cruise spending and tipping
What “extras” can I expect to pay for?
You can expect to pay for taxes, surcharges, and fees, including airport fees, handling fees, departure taxes, and port charges. You should verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate. The cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked in your cruise package, shuttle services, or in-port parking fees are not included. You can also expect to pay for the costs—including hotel, transportation, and meal costs—of staying at port before or after the cruise.
While onboard, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soft drinks are not included, except on a few luxury lines. You are responsible for tips and all onboard extras such as gambling, spa treatments, boutique purchases, photos, Internet access, and ship-to-shore calls.
Expenses while in port, including taxis, entertainment, and optional off-ship meals, are not included. You can also expect to pay for most shore excursions and all onshore shopping purchases. Travel insurance is extra as well.
What can I purchase while onboard?
Most ships have gift, jewelry, and clothing boutiques onboard. In addition, there is a photography studio where you can purchase photos by the ship’s photographers, or have your film developed.
How much do I tip?
Because tipping is a personal matter, most cruise lines do not include gratuities in the cruise fare, with the exception of a small number of luxury lines. While tipping guidelines may vary slightly between cruise lines, the following is a standard suggestion:
* Dining room waiter: $3.50 per person per day
* Cabin steward: $3.50 per person per day
* Assistant waiter: $2 per person per day
* You may also wish to reward your head waiter or maitre d’ if they have performed some special service for you.
For your convenience, a 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all bar bills when you are served. All other gratuities are paid at the end of your cruise, in cash. Some ships will also allow you to charge gratuities to your onboard account.
Source: http://www.smartertravel.com/cruise/faq/onboard.html