Tipping on a cruise should be simple. But for cruise newbies, tipping is one of the most confusing aspects of the vacation. Some gratuities are prepaid, others are added on to onboard bills, and what should you do about exceptional service? One awkward move, and suddenly you’re that passenger people and crew are whispering about.
Reddit threads, Cruise Critic forums, and Facebook groups are full of cringeworthy tipping mistakes cruisers make. It seems that it’s one of the easiest ways to embarrass yourself, other passengers, or the crew. The worst part? Most of these blunders are 100% avoidable if you know what to watch for.
Here are the tipping mistakes that’ll sink your cruise vibe—unless you know what to avoid.
Tipping Your Cabin Steward on Day One — Sounds Nice, Feels Weird
You just boarded, feeling generous. So you slip your steward a tip right away to “start things off right.” Sounds thoughtful, right? Not really—it can actually make things uncomfortable. And, by the way, the coy smile and wink didn’t help.
Crew comments on Cruise Critic and Reddit are clear: early tipping throws things off. One steward wrote, “It feels like a bribe. I haven’t even done anything yet!” Another said, “It’s a big hint that guests expect VIP service all week—it adds pressure I didn’t ask for.”
Best move? Wait and tip extra at the end for great service or consider tipping halfway through if you’ve built a rapport.
Thinking You Can Just “Remove the Gratuities” Mid-Cruise — And Not Look Bad Doing It
You’re a few days into your cruise vacation, and something didn’t go as planned. Maybe late room service, a lukewarm towel, or problems with the AC. So you march down to Guest Services and ask them to remove gratuities. Fair? Not according to cruiser comments on forums. They say this backfires—fast.
Reddit threads call it “the ultimate cringe.” One wrote, “Nothing screams ‘cheap’ louder.” Word spreads, too. The crew hears. Other guests hear about it. Suddenly, you’re that grumpy passenger no one wants to sit with at trivia, and your cabin attendant’s attitude is noticeably colder.
How to avoid: Only remove gratuities for serious reasons, and know the crew already sees this as a bad look.
Handing Out Tips Like You’re in Vegas — Crew Aren’t Dealers
Some cruisers embarrass themselves by handing out cash like they’re a Vegas slot machine. Forums are full of cringey moments where cruisers tip bartenders before drinks are poured, slide a $10 bill to their server with a wink, or dish out bills to staff on the pool deck left, right, and center.
One cruiser commented on an embarrassing moment watching a passenger pull a thick roll of notes from their pocket and peeling off two $1 bills as a tip to the cabin attendant.
Reddit threads call this “Vegas tipping.” One cruiser wrote, “The crew aren’t dealers—this just embarrasses them.” Others say it creates a weird vibe—guests staring, staff unsure how to react. Tipping too much feels awkward and transactional.
How to avoid: Tip thoughtfully. Use small bills where it makes sense—room service, porters, and for excellent service, not like you’re working the slots.
Acting Like Prepaid Gratuities Mean “I’m Done Tipping” — Then Looking Clueless
There are always the stingy cruisers who think that prepaid gratuities mean “done and dusted”—in other words, no more tipping onboard. So when room service arrives or a porter grabs their bags, they smile and wave them off. “It’s covered!” they say in a loud voice. Cringe!
Forum regulars groan at this type of behavior. One wrote, “Saw a guy do this in the terminal—porter just stared.” It screams rookie move. And yes, the crew and fellow guests notice. You look clueless, not clever.
Remember that prepaid gratuities cover general service, not every interaction. Keep small bills handy for moments where a tip is still the norm.
Expecting Better Service Just Because You Tipped More — That’s Not How This Works
What about the entitled cruise passengers who assume that big tips translate into VIP treatment? Slipping a huge tip in the hope of exceptional service just makes the atmosphere awkward. The thing is, the crew is trained to treat all guests equally. Tips don’t buy special favors.
Cruisers on Reddit warn that this is a common newbie blunder of tipping big in the hope of perks. One wrote, “The expectation makes it worse. And when they’re treated like everyone else, they feel hard done by.”
If you want to be treated like a special VIP guest on board, do what experienced cruisers do—be prepared to pay extra for a suite that comes with butler service or priority perks. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the excellent service already included—you don’t tip your way to the front.
Best move: Tip for good service after you receive it, and proportionately.
Skipping the Porter Tip Because “It’s Their Job” — And Hoping No One Saw
You hand off your bags, smile, and walk away—after all, the porter is just doing their job. The truth is, your prepaid gratuities don’t cover employees in the terminal, and porters rely on tips just like bartenders and other service staff.
Here’s the thing: others notice if you treat cruise ship staff poorly. One couple posted on Cruise Critic, “We watched a couple breeze past without tipping the porter, then heard other guests whispering about it.”
It’s not about the money—it’s about respect. That $2-$3 per bag makes a big difference.
How to avoid: Always keep small bills ready on embarkation day. It sets a better tone for your cruise—and theirs.
Trying to Tip the Wrong Crew Member — And Getting Politely Shut Down
You slip a folded bill to the officer at the Captain’s Reception, and they gently hand it back. Cue red face. Many crew members—especially officers—aren’t allowed to accept tips. It’s a common thread on Reddit about cruisers cringing as they watched someone try to tip the wrong person.
One post read, “A guest tried to tip the cruise director on stage. So awkward.” The moment feels well-meaning, but ends in a very public “no thanks.”
How to avoid: If in doubt, don’t. Stick to tipping stewards, porters, and staff who provide personal, usually one-to-one services.
Bringing Chocolates or Gifts Instead of Cash — Sweet, But Misguided
You brought fancy chocolates for the cabin crew. Or a little gift bag for your steward. Thoughtful? Sure. But here’s the thing: most crew live out of tiny cabins, with no space for extra stuff. Also, they’ve got access to a discounted bar and a ton of free food and treats.
According to forum comments from crew members, what they really appreciate is hard cash—something they can use or send home.
One Redditor posted, “We brought gifts, then saw other guests giving cash. Wish I’d known, as we felt really silly.” Don’t miss the moments that actually matter.
Savvy move: If you want to show genuine appreciation, skip the gifts. A personal thank you with a cash tip always lands better.
Double-Tipping on Drinks, Spa, or Dining — Without Realizing You Already Paid
You order a cocktail, sign the bill, and, as you might at a bar, drop a few extra bucks. Later, you remember: gratuities were included in your drinks package, and you’ve just double-tipped. Instant regret. Forums are full of these “wish I’d remembered” moments.
Many first-time cruisers share on forums how they spent a small fortune on tips before realizing they were included in the bill. Drinks purchased at the bar, spa treatments, and specialty dining usually include gratuities of 18-20%. So check your bill. There’s no shame in walking away if you’ve already paid.
Smart move: Seasoned cruisers usually tip extra for exceptional service, no harm in that.
Opening the Door in Your Robe, Taking the Food—Then Realizing… No Tip
It happens fast. Room service knocks at the door, you scramble to open it, doing up your robe on the way there. The server smiles and hands over your tray and pauses for an uncomfortable moment. You mumble thanks, close the door, and then freeze. No tip. And now? Chasing them down the hallway feels ten times worse.
Many cruisers share embarrassing stories about being caught off guard by a knock at the door. In the confusion, the staff left without a tip, and they realized why there was an awkward pause before they left empty-handed.
How to avoid the mistake: Experienced cruisers say they always keep small bills near the door to ensure they’ve got cash for tips at hand.
Trying to Bribe for an Upgrade — And Failing Publicly
Some of the most cringeworthy tipping moments are when someone tries to bribe staff for perks. One cruiser shared the embarrassment at watching a fellow passenger slide a $50 bill across the Guest Services desk and ask, “Would this help?” His face went red when the cash was handed back with a firm “No!”
Cruisers on Reddit roast this move. One cruiser posted, “Saw a guy try to bribe an agent at the check-in desk for an upgrade. Everyone in the line just rolled their eyes, so cringey.” Staff can’t bend upgrade rules—no matter how charming (or desperate) you are.
Want an upgrade? Book one, like every other normal cruise passenger does. Or check for deals pre-cruise. Bribes at the desk won’t get you far—except into cringe territory.
Loudly Asking “How Much Should I Tip You?” — In Front of Other Guests
A classic rookie move: waving a few bills at the server and blurting out, “How much should I tip you?” It happens more than you’d think. The awkward part is that the crew can’t really answer, and the atmosphere in the dining room gets uncomfortable fast.
One cruiser joked on a Facebook group, “It’s like asking someone how much their friendship costs.” Most servers just smile politely while nearby guests exchange looks. Generosity is good, just not on full volume.
How to avoid the mistake: Tip quietly. A discreet thank-you and small bill go a long way—no announcements needed. If you really want to know, do research before sailing. Cruise line forums are full of helpful advice.
Assuming Prepaid Gratuities Mean Worse Service — And Acting Disappointed All Week
Some first-timers think prepaying gratuities will somehow “downgrade” their service. They assume that staff are happier receiving cash in hand, rather than from the shared pot of gratuities. Then they spend the whole cruise watching for slights, as if trying to prove their theory. But they’re missing the real experience.
Cruise forums are full of seasoned travelers saying the opposite. One Redditor posted, “I always prepay gratuities and have never experienced any change in service. When I receive standout service, I always make it a point to tip extra.
Don’t worry, prepaying gratuities won’t hurt service—and might even lock in a better rate. Enjoy the cruise!
Tipping in Ports Without Understanding Local Culture — Like Over-Tipping in Europe
First-time cruising in Europe can be an eye-opener to the differences in tipping culture. While not tipping in the U.S. can cause uncomfortable moments, tipping too much in European ports can also lead to awkwardness. In many countries, service is included, and in some places, tips are only common for exceptional service.
One American cruiser was amazed to see someone try to tip 20% in Italy, only to have the server hand back some of the money. Other cruisers share that tips in many European countries are welcome as a sign of gratitude but are never expected.
Top tip: Before sailing on a European cruise, check the local tipping norms and remember that they differ from country to country. It’s not about being stingy but tipping appropriately and avoiding a few puzzled looks.
Running Out of Small Bills—And Awkwardly Begging the Crew to Break a $50
Day three of your cruise, you reach for a tip and you’ve nothing but a crisp $50 bill. So, you ask the bartender or steward to break it and then hand back $2. You’ve just created an embarrassing moment for the staff and probably earned a few eye rolls from fellow cruisers.
Here’s the thing: the crew isn’t a bank and asking them to split large bills puts them in a tough spot. One cruiser on Reddit shared, “I saw a guy asking a pool attendant to break a $100 bill. He then used the cash to tip someone else. Couldn’t believe it!”
Avoid this rookie mistake by bringing plenty of $1 and $5 bills. Stash them in your cabin safe and take a few with you on excursions, specialty dining, and to the bar. You’ll avoid creating cringeworthy moments.
Raving About That Amazing Tour Guide—Then Realizing You Forgot to Tip
It happens all the time. A cruiser comes back from a fantastic shore excursion, raving to everyone at dinner about how awesome the guide was. Then it hits them: they forgot to tip. Too late now. And it nags at them the rest of the cruise.
One Redditor posted, “Still kicking myself. The guide was fantastic—and I forgot to leave a tip.” Many cruisers in the forums admit they’ve done the same, forgetting to take cash because they planned to pay for onshore items with a credit card. It’s an easy mistake to make.
How to avoid the mistake: Always bring small bills ashore. That quick tip makes a huge difference and leaves no room for post-tour guilt.
Bragging Online About Skipping Tips—And Getting Roasted by Other Cruisers
There are always a few who think they’ve cracked the system. They post in cruise groups or forums, proudly sharing “helpful advice” on how to remove gratuities. Full step-by-step guides. Acting like they’re doing a public service. “Here’s how YOU can save hundreds too!” they write, as if skipping tips is some kind of cruise hack.
But the comments tell a different story. One Redditor wrote, “Nothing screams stingy cheapskate louder than bragging about dodging gratuities.” Another posted, “Congrats—you just avoided supporting the hardest-working crew on board.” The backlash comes quickly and is often brutal.
Don’t be that tight-fisted passenger who thinks it’s cool to try to beat the tipping system. Like them or loathe them, they are a part of the cruise experience. If you really want to avoid paying gratuities, book with Virgin Voyages or a luxury cruise line.
Further reading: The ultimate guide about gratuities and tipping strategies.
Small Tips, Big Difference—And Zero Cringe for You
Now you know how to avoid making some of the biggest tipping blunders on a cruise ship. Prepaid gratuities make the system seem simple. But there are plenty of ways you can trip yourself up and create awkward moments. Now you can tip like a pro, cruise with confidence, and quietly earn respect from crew and fellow guests alike.
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