22. Fill ‘er Up
Rental car companies are upfront about telling you to return your rental vehicle with a full tank of gas or they’ll charge you for the top-up. Ask what their rate is before opting for this convenience – it’s often quite expensive.
23. A Tip About Tips
Many restaurants in touristy spots include a gratuity on the bill, especially if you’re in a large group. They don’t necessarily point this out, perhaps hoping you’ll miss that small print and add an extra tip on top. Make sure you scrutinize your bill before you add on a gratuity. Tipping isn’t customary in every country, so do your homework before traveling to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table when it’s not expected.
24. Mandatory Cruise Gratuities
Cruise crew work hard and deserve tips from passengers to top up their paltry salaries. Be aware that most cruiselines tack on a staff gratuity to your bill at the end of the voyage, usually around $12, $16 or even $30 per passenger per day depending on the ship. It’s mandatory but usually not pre-paid upfront in the ticket price, so some cruisers are surprised to find they owe an extra hundred or two at the end of a week long cruise (along with other extras they lost track of while having fun). That being said, if you have a particularly attentive cabin steward or favorite waiter, it’s always nice to hand them a little extra cash as a show of appreciation, as rumor has it not all the mandatory gratuities get distributed fairly. Note, also, that some cruise lines add a 15 percent tip to all beverages, even those included with your meal or that you fetch from the bar yourself.
