Demystifying Costa Cruises' "Quote di Servizio": Are Your Tips (Trinkgeld) Covered?

When planning a voyage with Costa Cruises, encountering the Italian term "Quote di servizio" on their website can lead to questions, especially regarding whether tips or "Trinkgeld" are included in the initial cruise price. Understanding this charge is key to accurately budgeting for your holiday. Let's explore what "Quote di servizio" entails.

Key Insights: Understanding Costa's Service Fees

"Quote di servizio" are mandatory daily service charges, not typically included in the basic cruise fare, designed to reward the onboard service staff.
Inclusion depends on your fare type: Basic fares usually exclude these charges, while All-Inclusive or Deluxe fares often bundle them into the price.
These charges are generally non-negotiable and are automatically added to your onboard account if not prepaid within your fare package.

What Exactly Are "Quote di Servizio"?

"Quote di servizio" translates from Italian to "service charges" or "service fees." On Costa Cruises, this term refers to a daily gratuity automatically levied per passenger. This system is designed to simplify tipping, ensuring that the hard-working crew members who enhance your cruise experience receive gratuities for their service. These charges are distributed among various staff, including cabin stewards, dining room waiters, and other personnel providing hotel-like services onboard.

The Costa Smeralda, one of the ships in the Costa Cruises fleet where service charges apply.

Are "Quote di Servizio" Included in the Cruise Price?

This is a crucial point: **generally, "Quote di servizio" are NOT included in the standard or "Basic" cruise fare price advertised by Costa Cruises.** Instead, they are an additional, mandatory cost that is typically added to your onboard account daily and settled at the end of your cruise.

The Role of Fare Types

Costa Cruises offers different fare structures, and this impacts how service charges are handled:

Basic Fare: With this entry-level fare, the "Quote di servizio" are almost always an extra charge. You will see this amount accrue on your shipboard account.
All-Inclusive (or MyCruise) / Deluxe (or Super All-Inclusive) Fares: If you opt for these more comprehensive packages, the "Quote di servizio" are often included in the upfront price. This means you won't see a separate daily charge for tips added to your onboard bill.
Promotional Fares: Some special promotional offers or specific cabin categories (like "Promo Basic") might also exclude the service fees from the initial price, requiring them to be paid onboard.

It's essential to carefully examine the terms and conditions of the specific fare you are booking to understand whether these charges are covered or will be an additional expense.

How Much Are the "Quote di Servizio"?

The daily amount for service charges can vary based on several factors, including the cruise itinerary, the ship, and the passenger's age. As a general guideline:

Adults: Typically range from €9.00 to €12.50 per person, per night. For many European itineraries, a common rate is around €11 per adult per night.
Children (usually 4-14 years old): Often charged 50% of the adult rate (e.g., €5.50 per night if the adult rate is €11).
Children under 4 years old: Usually exempt from service charges.

The exact amount will be specified during the booking process and in your cruise documents. These charges apply regardless of whether you utilize all available services, as they support the overall service infrastructure of the ship.

Mandatory and Non-Modifiable

For Costa Cruises, these service fees are considered an integral part of the cruise price and are generally mandatory. Unlike some other cruise lines where tipping amounts might be adjustable, Costa typically does not permit the modification or removal of these charges. They are automatically added to your onboard account if not included in your fare type.

Comparing Costa Cruise Fare Inclusions

To better understand how "Quote di servizio" fit into the overall cost, the table below provides a simplified comparison of typical inclusions for different Costa Cruises fare types. Please note that specific inclusions can vary by promotion and itinerary, so always check the details of your particular booking.

Feature	Basic Fare	All-Inclusive / MyCruise Fare	Deluxe / Super All-Inclusive Fare
Cruise Accommodation	Included	Included	Included
Full Board (Meals in Main Dining Rooms & Buffet)	Included	Included	Included
Port Taxes	Included	Included	Included
"Quote di Servizio" (Service Charges/Tips)	Not Included (Charged Onboard)	Included	Included
Beverage Package	Not Included (Available for purchase)	Often includes a specific beverage package (e.g., "Pranzo & Cena" or "MyDrinks")	Often includes a premium beverage package (e.g., "MyDrinks Plus")
Choice of Cabin Location	Guaranteed Cabin (Assigned by Costa)	Choice of Cabin Number (within category)	Choice of Best Cabin Locations (within category)
Onboard Discounts	Limited or None	Sometimes includes specific discounts	Often includes more significant discounts or credits

This table illustrates that while the Basic fare might appear cheaper initially, the addition of service charges and any desired extras like beverage packages can significantly increase the final cost. Opting for an All-Inclusive or Deluxe fare might offer better overall value if these components are important to your cruise experience.

Visualizing Fare Differences: A Comparative Overview

The radar chart below offers an opinionated visual comparison of key aspects across different Costa Cruises fare types. The scoring (from 1 to 10, where 10 is most favorable/inclusive) is illustrative, aiming to highlight the relative strengths of each fare option concerning common passenger priorities. For example, a higher score in "Service Fee Coverage" means the service fees are more likely to be included in the fare price.

This chart visually reinforces that while Basic fares might have a lower initial price, they offer less in terms of included amenities like service fees and beverage packages compared to the All-Inclusive or Deluxe options, which provide greater overall inclusivity and predictability in total cost.

Understanding "Quote di Servizio": A Mindmap

The mindmap below provides a structured overview of the "Quote di servizio" concept on Costa Cruises, breaking down its key components and implications for passengers.

mindmap root["Quote di Servizio
(Costa Cruises)"] id1["Definition"] id1a["Daily service charge per passenger"] id1b["Replaces traditional individual tipping"] id1c["Distributed to service staff
(cabin, dining, etc.)"] id2["Inclusion in Price"] id2a["Basic Fare: NOT typically included
(Added to onboard account)"] id2b["All-Inclusive / Deluxe Fares: Often INCLUDED"] id2c["Promotional Fares: Varies, check terms"] id3["Cost Structure"] id3a["Adults: e.g., €9 - €12.50 per day"] id3b["Children (4-14 yrs): Approx. 50% of adult rate"] id3c["Children (<4 yrs): Usually exempt"] id3d["Varies by itinerary & ship"] id4["Nature of Charge"] id4a["Mandatory"] id4b["Non-modifiable / Non-refundable"] id4c["Integral part of overall cruise price"] id5["Implications for Passengers"] id5a["Budgeting: Factor in as additional cost for Basic Fares"] id5b["Fare Selection: Consider inclusive fares for predictability"] id5c["Booking: Verify details for specific fare & itinerary"]

This mindmap helps to consolidate the various facets of "Quote di servizio," from its fundamental definition to its practical impact on your cruise planning and expenses.