Tipping for service on Royal and many others is actually optional. They are recomended tips which are something like 12$ a day per person or you have an option to prepay tips when you book. Not sure exactly but it's around 140 a person. If your not happy with service or for any reason it is not mandatory. i think where people go wrong and are shocked at final bill is its easy to lose track of what your spending on drinks and other paid items because you are given a cruise card linked to your credit card. That card is used for all purchases on ship which can add up . I love to drink on vacation so I purchase a drink package which includes all drinks and tips. It's around 400$ but well worth it if you drink. I use it for my wives drinks also. The initial cost of cruise may seem steep at first but when you factor in room and free food for 6-7 days it's not that bad.When y'all say affordable what are we talking?I'm well traveled but never been on a cruise because I've heard stories that at the end of it that you owe a bunch of people tips and it will break you. Any truth to that? Like I heard that every time you leave your room a maid will come clean and at the end of the week you owe her.





