Gratuities are suggested and you are given the option of pre-paying them by having them charged to your shipboard account, but they are not mandatory. With that said, however, I cannot imagine anyone not financially rewarding the hard working crew for all the efforts put forth for the passengers comfort and pleasure.
There is NO charge for the tendering service on and off the ship.
Having cruised before and after the "automatic" tipping....I still prefer to do it the old fashioned way. We tip the crew who actually serve us. In the end we tip more than the suggested amounts but like to see the acual person get the $$$ I don't think it hurts the service we receive.
Funship Freddy
Regal Princess 1996 Sun Princess 1998 Grand Princess 2000 Ocean Princess 2001 Golden Princess 2004 Caribbeean Princess 2004 Caribbean Princess 2006