Goingon vacationcan often mean a boatload of unanticipated expenses, but Virgin Voyages is looking to mitigate that—at least when it comes to tipping.
On Monday, the company announced thatits debut ship, Scarlet Lady, will have a gratuity-free policy. That means that when it comes to meals at each of the 20-plus restaurants on board, all of which are included in the price of booking, guests will not have to worry about adding on a service fee (though theycanadd an additional tip on board if they so choose.) This policy will also apply to all other services and experiences on the ship.
When and how much to tip can be a major question among cruise travelers, particularly when many eateries are already complimentary. Othermajor cruise linesoffer the option for guests to pre-pay for gratuities before sailing or add a gratuity fee at the end, but an explicit no-tipping policy will make the Scarlet Lady an even more unique cruising experience than it already promises to be.
Virgin Voyages. Inset: Karwai Tang/WireImage
The ship is scheduled to set sail in the Caribbean in 2020, and reservations are only open to travelers who are 18 and up. In addition to some unorthodox on-board amenities like a tattoo parlor and a blow-dry bar, there will be a strong focus on cuisine, with a variety of restaurants across the regional spectrum.
Virgin Voyages
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The Scarlet Lady will cruise out of Miami in its inaugural season and will hold over 2,770 passengers.
source: people.com
