cruise ship tip breakdown

Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. That's because some cruise lines tack daily service fees onto passenger bills — yet many travelers still hand out additional cash gratuities, either as a matter of course or for exemplary service.

The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. At some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. And, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room. They are per person .

At some big lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , it's not uncommon for a family of four staying in a single cabin to see more than $70 a day in service fees added to their bills. On a typical seven-night cruise, that's around $500 in fees.

That's before you add in any additional tips you wish to give to your room service provider or favorite bartender, or automatic gratuities tacked on to bar, restaurant and spa bills.

Still, not all lines have service fees that high. Some don't charge a service fee at all. In many cases, the service charges are adjustable.

Tipping on a cruise does not have to be complicated, but you need to understand the big picture to budget for your vacation appropriately. Read on to learn all about cruise ship tipping culture and how much you'll need to tip on your next cruise, based on which cruise line you're sailing.

Tipping on a cruise ship: The big picture

Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Lines with such charges include both of the two giants of the cruise business, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line , as well as the next three biggest lines — MSC Cruises , Norwegian and Princess Cruises .

That said, the total number of lines with a service fee has been shrinking over the years. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding tips and gratuities into their base fares.

Lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara , Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn , SeaDream Yacht Club , Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages .

For lines that do have them, service and gratuity charges are touted as a convenient alternative to the practice of cash tipping on cruise ships — something that once was common.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise lines say they pass the money collected from service charges to the shipboard crew. They say the money is shared not just with front-of-house crew, such as room attendants and waitstaff, but also with behind-the-scenes workers. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old system of cash tipping, which favored certain workers, lines say.

Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are. In this line of thinking, lines with these charges are essentially breaking out a good chunk of onboard labor costs as a separate line item on your bill.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

How service charges are levied

At most lines, you can pay your service charges before sailing (at the same time you pay your cruise fare). Alternatively, you can have the charges added to your room bill on board.

The big advantage to paying cruise tips in advance is that you lock in the current rate. If your line raises the rate between the time you pay and the time you sail, you won't pay more.

Some people also like to pay their service charges in advance for budgeting purposes. It'll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise.

If you prefer to pay for tips once you're on board your cruise, you'll generally find that the gratuities automatically appear on your bill. You don't have to do anything.

That said, if you want to, you can often adjust the charges (either up or down) while you're on board by visiting the guest relations desk. If you are adjusting a gratuity charge downward, expect to be asked about the reasons behind the adjustment. The guest relations staff will want to know if you've experienced particular service issues.

If you leave the service charge on your room bill, you are not expected to leave additional cruise tips for your room attendant or waiters. That's the whole point of the service charge.

Similarly, if you're on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. You don't have to tip on these cruises because the line is already paying gratuities to the staff on your behalf. Additional cash gifts are not expected.

Still, some people do leave a little extra for crew members who go above and beyond. Others tip their room service or waitstaff at their favorite bar, either early in the cruise in the hope of getting better service or at the end to thank them for enhancing the vacation experience. How much to tip extra on a cruise is entirely up to you because it is in no way required.

Related: 10 times you do not need to tip on a cruise

Included cruise tips as a booking perk

If you dislike tipping on cruise ships but can't afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, look for promotions when cruise lines with service charges throw in free gratuities as a booking incentive.

For instance, in recent years, Norwegian often ran Free at Sea promotions that included free crew tips in addition to free shipboard Wi-Fi and a free drinks package . The line hasn't been doing that as much lately, but these offers often come back at times when brands need to drum up more business.

Additionally, several major lines in the past couple of years have begun offering bundle pricing to customers who pay for cruise tips, Wi-Fi charges and an onboard drinks package all at once in advance of sailing, potentially at a discount.

Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. It gives passengers prepaid gratuities (Princess calls these "crew appreciation" fees), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a basic beverage package for a single bundled price of $60 per person, per day.

Princess also has an upgraded Princess Premier bundle option that includes gratuities with even more included items, such as unlimited dining at specialty restaurants, for a single price of $90 per person, per day.

Don't worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesn't mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. The lines that offer these deals say they'll pay a normal gratuity to the crew on your behalf.

Related: The best cruise booking perks — and which ones are actually free

Additional cruise ship tipping

Daily service charges are not the only cruise tips you will pay on board. Many cruise lines will tack an automatic gratuity charge onto the bill for extra-fee drinks, restaurant meals and spa treatments.

The included tip amount varies by cruise line but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill. Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. This can trick many cruisers into tipping twice. Never feel pressured to add an extra tip when you've already paid one.

Note that if you purchase a dining or beverage package, most cruise lines will charge you gratuities based on a percentage of the package price. If you get one of these packages for "free" as a booking perk, as with Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea promotion, you might still be required to pay the gratuities on the theoretical value of this perk.

For example, Norwegian offers a complimentary open-bar drinks package for travelers who book its Free at Sea promotion. The cost of that package is typically $109 per person, per day. The mandatory 20% gratuity comes out to nearly $22 per day. That means two people sharing a room on a seven-night cruise would pay $308 in tips for an otherwise free drinks package — on top of their daily service charge fees.

Cruisers should also bring cash to tip the porters who bring their bags onto the ship (usually $2 per bag), as well as tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per person for half-day tours, $10 to $20 for full-day excursions and $2 for nonguide drivers). Piano bar regulars know that a cash tip will increase the chances of the pianist choosing and performing your song request.

How much should you tip on each cruise line?

If you're wondering how much you should tip on the specific cruise line you're considering or have already booked, we've compiled that information here. Below is a line-by-line look at policies for automatic gratuity charges (called service charges or "crew appreciation" charges at some lines). The rates listed are per person, per day. They were accurate as of the publishing of this story.

Remember that all additional tipping is at your discretion. Any amount is fine and will be appreciated by the hard-working crew.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge : None.
• Details : Gratuities for the crew are not included in the fare and are at the discretion of travelers.
• Details : Gratuities for the crew are included in the fare. One area of exception: An 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Carnival Cruise Line

• Automatic gratuity charge : $16 to $18 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $16. Those in suites pay $18. Children younger than 2 are exempt from the charges. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, the cover charges for the Chef's Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki restaurants and the a la carte fee at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril's Bistro, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse and Seafood Shack.

Related: Cruise giant Carnival joins Princess, Norwegian in sharply hiking service fees

Celebrity Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge : $18 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $18. Passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins pay a higher $19 rate. Passengers in The Retreat suites pay $23. Note that Celebrity now charges these fees even for passengers who book the line's higher-priced All Included fares. Until recently, these fares included gratuity charges, too. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders drinks or purchases a minibar item. A 20% gratuity will also be added for spa and salon services.

Celestyal Cruises

• Details : Gratuities for crew and bar staff are included in the fare.

Costa Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge : $12.50 to $17.50 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers on ships operating on the U.S. dollar generally pay $12.50. Ships operating on the euro have an 11 euro charge ($12.29 at current exchange rates). On cruises departing from China, Japan and Singapore, the charges range from $13.50 to $17.50, depending on the cabin category. Passengers younger than 4 are exempt from the charges. Gratuities for children between 4 and 14 (up to 12 on cruises departing from Japan, China and Singapore) are half the adult rate. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to beverage purchases.

Cunard Line

• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $16. Passengers in Grill Class suites pay $18. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to bar, wine and salon bills.

Disney Cruise Line

• Details : While Disney doesn't add an automatic gratuity charge, it suggests that passengers staying in most cabins pay $14.50 per day in total when tipping various dining staff and room attendants. The suggested amount for passengers staying in concierge cabins and suites is $15.50. Passengers can prepay the amount in advance or on board. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service bills, and an 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Holland America Line

• Automatic gratuity charge : $17 to $19 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $17 for what the line now calls a "crew appreciation" charge. Passengers staying in suites pay $19. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and dining room wine purchases.

Related: Is this love? Holland America chooses Valentine's Day for service charge price hike

Lindblad Expeditions

• Details : Gratuities are included in the fare for passengers on National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Orion. On other ships, gratuities are at the passenger's discretion.

MSC Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge : About $13.50 (12 euros) to $16.
• Details : Gratuity charges are $16 on voyages from and to the U.S., with the exception of sailings with pricing in euros, which have a gratuity charge of 12 euros ($13.41 at current exchange rates). Sailings around South Africa are the outliers, where gratuities are just $10. Gratuities for children between 2 and 11 are half the adult rate on most cruises. Gratuities are not charged for children younger than 2.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Automatic service charge : $20 to $25 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $20. Those in suites or The Haven pay $25. Passengers younger than 3 are exempt from the charges. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, extra-charge specialty restaurants and ship spas. Cruises to Hawaii will also pay a 4.275% prepaid service charge called a general excise tax.

Oceania Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge : $18 to $23 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers staying in most cabins pay $18. Passengers in top suites with butler service pay $23. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, the extra-charge La Reserve restaurant and at ship spas.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

• Details : Gratuities are included in the fare.
• Details : Gratuities are included in the fare. However, passengers can give more at their discretion; Ponant recommends $10 to $12 per passenger, per day.

Princess Cruises

• Details : Passengers in most cabins pay $17 for what the line now calls a "crew appreciation" charge. Passengers in minisuites, cabanas and Club Class cabins pay $18, while those in bigger suites pay $19. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, dining room wine purchases and Lotus Spa services.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal caribbean.

• Automatic gratuity charge : $18 to $20.50 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers staying in most cabins, including junior suites, pay $18 per day. Passengers in higher-level suites pay $20.50. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bills at bars, minibars, salons and spas.

Related: Royal Caribbean quietly raises automatic gratuity charges

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Seadream yacht club, silversea cruises.

• Details : Gratuities are included in the fare, except for beauty salon and spa treatments.

Star Clippers

• Details : The line recommends that passengers pay 8 euros ($8.93 at current exchange rates) per day in gratuities, but the payment is at the passenger's discretion. There is a 15% gratuity added for bar purchases.

UnCruise Adventures

• Details : UnCruise recommends that passengers pay $35 per person, per day in gratuities, but the payment is at the passenger's discretion.
• Automatic gratuity charge : $17 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers pay $17 in gratuities for all cabin types. Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.

Virgin Voyages

Windstar cruises.

• Automatic gratuity charge : $16 per person, per day.
• Details : Passengers pay a "hotel service charge" of $16 for all cabin types. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service bills. Alternately, Windstar cruisers can upgrade their bookings with an all-in package that includes unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi and the hotel service charge for $89 per person, per day.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Gratuities for 2024

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Whether your cruise line calls them daily service fees, cruise ship gratuities or crew appreciation, it’s simply tipping on a cruise. Nearly every cruise line has a name for these automatically-added service fees. 

Most cruise lines add daily gratuity fees directly to your onboard account throughout your cruise. Plus, different onboard experiences, from using your stateroom mini-bar to dining in a specialty restaurant , have an added fee.

We’ve listed each cruise line’s per-person daily gratuity. We break down tipping on a cruise to what you’ll pay depending on your stateroom category, plus any additional service fees. 

What are Daily Cruise Ship Gratuities?

Every cruise line has a recommended amount that each guest should pay to the crew. Holland America calls it a “Daily Service Fee.” Princess calls it “Crew Appreciation.” Basically, it’s a gratuity fee; how much you’ll pay for tips on a cruise ship. 

Some cruise lines may call this a “Guest Services Fee” on your onboard account statement. While others simply add “Gratuity” to your onboard account. 

Tipping on a Cruise Begins Before Sailaway

Savvy cruisers know that gratuities begin before you board your ship. Why? If you plan to drop off your larger pieces of luggage, be prepared to give the portside luggage handler a $2- $5 tip per bag. The amount can depend upon size, weight and amount of luggage.

If you’re a solo traveler and only have one large bag to check, a $5 tip is appropriate.

Consider this tip as baggage delivery insurance.

Should I Pre-Pay Cruise Gratuities?

If you want to get the daily cruise tipping fees out of the way before your cruise and avoid last-night sticker shock, I always suggest that you pre-pay gratuities.

Also, if you pre-pay your gratuities, and should the cruise line raise the cruise tip amount before you sail, you are “grandfathered-in” at the previous lower rate. 

Don’t pre-pay gratuities and if there’s an increase, you’ll pay a bit more at the end of your cruise. For one person, it’s not too bad. If you’re paying for a family, it could be a very costly added expense.

Average Daily Cruise Line Gratuity

Roughly speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $11.50 – $20.00 per passenger per day for onboard gratuities. As mentioned, cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. 

Luxury lines like Azamara, Ponant, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Sea Dream, Virgin Voyages include gratuities in the cruise fare.

On cruise lines where gratuities are not included, you can monitor the charges on your shipboard bill either from the Front Desk or on your stateroom TV.

Sometimes cruise gratuities are only added at the very end of your cruise, too. Talk about sticker shock!

Cruise Line Gratuities for 2024

Here’s what you will pay per person per day for cruise ship gratuities/service fees/crew appreciation as of this writing. 

CARNIVAL:  $14.50 for Standard Staterooms; $16.50 for Suites. An 18% automatic charge is added to beverages at the bars, plus at Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Chef’s Table restaurants.

On April 1, 2023, Carnival raised its services fees to $16.00 per person per day for those in standard staterooms. Suite passengers now pay $18.00, an increase of $1.50 per day.

CELEBRITY:   $17.50 for Standard Staterooms; $18.00 in Concierge and Aqua Class staterooms. Those booked in the Retreat do not pay a daily gratuity fee. If you purchase Celebrity’s All Included plan, the gratuity is included. But you’ll pay 20% fee if you order a drink that’s not in your beverage package (Classic or Premium). There’s an 18% charge for the spa and salon services.

COSTA:   An automatic $12.50 service fee is added onto all U.S. departures. There’s €11 on Europe departures. 15% beverage charge. Kids 4-14yrs 50% less. Under 4, no charge.

CUNARD:   With a name change from “gratuities” to “hotel and dining service charge”, you’ll pay $11.50 for Britannia Class staterooms (inside, oceanview and balcony). Then, $13.50 for those in the Grill Suites. Pay a 15% beverage charge and 12.5% for a visit to the salon or spa.

DISNEY:  $14.50 is the suggested amount for those in standard staterooms. If you’re in a suite or concierge stateroom, Disney recommends a $15.50 gratuity fee. Disney doesn’t automatically post the fees to your account, however. 15% beverage charge and 18% for spa services

HOLLAND AMERICA:   $16.00 for those in standard staterooms. Suite guests will pay an automatic $17.00 per person per day fee. Gratuity charges for beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, and other non-included service fee amenities is 18%.

HURTIGRUTEN:   $12.00 – Suggested amount on expedition cruises. Norwegian coastal cruises there is no gratuity fee.

MSC CRUISES:  Valid until summer 2024:  $14.00 for adults 12 years and older. $7.00 for children ages 2 – 11 years. Under 2 years old, no charge. This applies to Caribbean, Canada and USA cruise departures. Cruises abroad, gratuities are in euros and at a comparable exchange rate. MSC website also states they do not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE:   Book a Club Balcony Suite and below and pay $20.00 per person per day. Reside in The Haven or above Suites and it’s $25.00 pppd. For children under three years, there’s no daily fee. There’s also a 20% beverage charge with each non-included drink you order. On Hawai’i sailings, there’s a 4.275% pre-paid service charge GET tax.

OCEANIA:  $16.00 for guests occupying standard staterooms. For Penthouse, Oceania, Vista or Owner’s Suites with Butler Service, gratuities of $23.00 per guest, per day will be added. An 18% service gratuity is automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa services and dinner at La Reserve.

PRINCESS: Now called “Crew Appreciation” the daily fee is as follows:  inside, oceanview or balcony staterooms are $16.00. Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection staterooms are $17.00. Book a suite and you’ll pay $18.00 pppd. There’s also a “service charge” of 17% for specialty dining that’s included in the cover charge. You’ll pay 18% for individual drinks and drink packages, corkage fee and spa services. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:   Royal Caribbean automatic gratuity rates are $16.00 per person, per day for guests in non-suite staterooms. Book a suite and pay $18.50. Gratuities will be applied to each guest’s SeaPass account on a daily basis. There’s also an 18% charge for beverages, mini-bar items, and salon and salon purchases.

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES :  Simple here. $15.00 per day for all staterooms and a 15% beverage charge.

Should You Tip the Room Service Delivery Person?

Here’s another category that needs addressing; room service delivery fees.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian automatically add a room service delivery fee . Sometimes it depends on what you order. 

You can still directly offer a tip to your delivery person. He or she will appreciate it.

I always suggest to bring $1 and $5 bills from home. This way, you’re ready to personally hand it to the room service delivery person. 

Having several small bills is very handy, especially for early morning breakfast delivery. You don’t have to fumble around to find a tip. $2.00 to $5.00 is appropriate, depending on the food or how many meals ordered.

Who Gets a Share of the Gratuities?

Depending upon your cruise line and accommodation category, the amounts of who gets what may vary by a few dollars. But this should give you an idea as to where the cruise ship tips go and how it’s divvied up at the end. 

For this example, the amounts listed below are for standard (non-suite) staterooms, may vary by a dollar or so and subject to change every couple of years.

Also, these amounts will differ because the cruise lines stress that a portion of the service fees also goes to many crew members who work behind the scenes and/or towards a shared crew incidentals/emergency fund.

The top tier of crew recipients, however, are the waiters and stateroom attendants. Next, are the assistant waiters and staterooms attendants. The head waiter may or may not receive a cut in the share. 

Those hard-working crew members behind the scenes that you never see will get a small piece of the pie, too. 

Cruise Tips for Those Not on the Automatic Gratuity List

Some onboard services aren’t subject to automatically-included gratuities. Since these are people that you may interact with on a daily basis, it’s nice to add them to your gratuity list.

• Childcare provider: At your discretion, similar to your babysitter at home.
• Bartender: Plan to frequent the same bar throughout your cruise? Give your new favorite bartender a $10 – $20 upfront tip. If you’ve had excellent service, another tip at the end of the cruise is also appreciated.
• Wine sommelier: Based on their involvement, $10 or $20 at the end of the cruise is appropriate. Some cruise lines have done away with a sommelier and your waiter is responsible for keeping track of your wine bottles. Tip accordingly.
• Shore excursion guide: $2.00 – $5.00. Some passengers base their shore excursion tip on 10%-20% per person based on the cost of the tour.
• Shore excursion motor coach driver: $1.00 – $2.00, especially in Europe.
• Spa and Salon services: The spa will automatically add a 15% – 20% gratuity. Is there a need to tip your service provider? It’s up to you.

Read more:  Seven Stateroom Locations to Avoid

Personalize your tip-giving experience.

Many cruise passengers from Britain and a few European countries where tipping isn’t a common practice, prefer to have the automatically-added tips removed from their account. This can be requested at the Reception (Purser’s) Desk.

Hopefully, these folks will then hand out cash to those who have worked hard for them during the cruise. Others simply refuse to tip. And it’s not just non-Americans, either. 

Conversely, some guests who are familiar with and follow the tipping guidelines, prefer to hand out cash-filled envelopes to crew members.

Bring a stack of small bills from home and keep separate from your other cash, to avoid the last night panic line at the Purser’s Desk.

You can also visit the casino cashier to break your larger bills. Bring envelopes (and thank you notes) from home in case the ship’s front desk doesn’t have any to give for tips.

When in Europe, Euros are the preferred currency for tipping on both ocean and river cruises . Or you can usually put the gratuities directly onto your onboard account and credit card.

I always leave the automatic gratuities on my account. Then on the last night, if service was very good, at dinner I’ll bring envelopes with a little extra cash for my waiter, assistant waiter and sommelier.

Whether or not to tip the Maître d’ is up to you, depending on if you’ve actually communicated with this person. 

On the last night or on the morning of departure, I always give an extra tip to my room steward when I say goodbye.

Tipping After Your Cruise

After the cruise, if you ask a porter to load your luggage and wheel it to the outdoors or motor coach, you’ll need to dip into your wallet one more time.

In many ports or after a transatlantic crossing, you’ll get through the customs and immigration line quicker if you ask a porter to help with your luggage. 

If this was helpful, please PIN for others!

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17 comments.

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your comment. I agree 100%!

Tipping is absolutely necessary on cruises. These people work for peanuts, and they work very hard with no days off for months. TIPS stands for To Insure Proper Service. When on land you tip at bars and restaurants, then why on the cruise ships should people question it and cheap out. When we get on the ship, we leave extra tip money in the safe. On the last night, we give the envelopes with cash in it to all the people that took such good care of us on our cruise. Be a good cruiser.

Hi Crissy, thank you for reading my article and for your question. Are you referring to the concierge that, for example, is in charge of a loyalty club lounge like the Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club? On cruises where I’ve used the concierge’s services (for show or dinner reservations or help with shore excursions), I’ll usually give the concierge $20-$30 at the end of a seven-night cruise. On a luxury line, I would tip more, depending on how involved the person was with assisting me with reservations etc.

If you’re referring to your stateroom butler, the gratuity prices are set by the cruise line and of course you can always add to it for exemplary service.

I hope this is helpful info. Thank you again for reading the article and taking the time to ask your question. Happy cruising!

How much do you suggest tipping the suite concierges?

Hi Nick, That’s a great question and thank you for writing. Since this is your first time handling the financial ends of a cruise, I would suggest leaving the automatic gratuities on your accounts. It will make the cruise more seamless and you won’t have that last-minute scramble finding small bills to put into envelopes and then locating the people for whom the envelopes are intended. If someone goes above and beyond regular service, it’s perfectly fine to simply hand him or her an extra gratuity. This could be your room steward or bartender or waiter. Have a wonderful cruise and thank you again for writing. Sherry

I’m about to go on my first cruise with my girlfriend and not with my family. Prior to this cruise, I was never responsible for any of the “stateroom “ accounts since my father always took care of the monetary issues of the vacation. After reading the article and the responses I am confused as to whether or not to take the automatic gratuities taken off my account when I go on my cruise and just gave out envelopes at the end of my vacation. What do you think

Coworker used to work for Celebrity – they get NO SALARY from the cruise line, they rely on the gratuities. Removing the automatic gratuity and then not actually tipping at least that amount in cash is akin to participating in modern-day slavery ie expecting people to contentedly serve you for free.

Echoing Jeff’s comment about folk who stingily resent a few hundred dollars to the ones who need it most.

Hi Rachel, Very well written. Thank you for your comment. Sherry

Mandatory gratuities. I don’t know whether to characterize this as the third world corruption tax in action (being forced to pay civil servants, hospital nurses, etc. a bribe before they will do the job that they are hired and paid to do); or first world predatory capitalism in action. Pretty clearly the cruise lines have offloaded the responsibility for paying their employees a living wage (or any wage) directly onto passengers via mandatory gratuities. Why don’t they just call it “bribes” or “employee salaries” on the invoice instead of “mandatory gratuities.” It is ridiculous that on top of paying for a horrendously expensive cruise and shore excursions, you have to pay bribes/employee salaries in the form of mandatory gratuities. And in some cases you have to pay extra bribes in addition to, on top of, the mandatory gratuities. It all adds up to making a cruise a “once in a lifetime” experience rather than a repeat experience.

Hi Shannon, Congrats on your first cruise! For tipping, the amount may depend upon the cruise line and your stateroom category. After your automatic gratuities have been charged to your onboard account, you could hand your room steward $20-$30 (two people) in recognition for good service. I hope this helps. Happy cruising! Sherry

Hi Sherry, I’m going on my first cruise this summer. What’s an appropriate tip range for the room steward on a 7 day cruise?

Hi Jeff, Nicely said. I would like to think that a lot of the non-tippers or those who queue at the front desk on the last night to remove the service fee are from countries where tipping isn’t part of their culture. But not always so. Thanks for your comment. Sherry

I always wonder how someone can pay thousands for a cruise, airfare, and shore excursions and then be resentful of a few hundred dollars in tips for the lowest paid of those who make the trip enjoyable. The desire to stick it to the little people reminds me of the great quote from tax cheat, Leona Helmsley, who once said that, “Only the little people pay taxes”. The jury of” little people” had little trouble convicting her. The people who are put out with tips should find other ways to vacation.

I have my doubt where the cruise gratuities go to. You can never find out what a crew member earns or how much they actually receive out of gratuities paid and so that end I refuse to have gratuities added to my state room account. However the crew get do get paid to do a job and they knew the pay before they started, they get free food and board plus flights home and we as paying public have already paid for the service they provide. Assuming that all the gratuities are passed on. The ratio of crew member to passenger after removing the staff that are not part of the gratuity pot is about 4 or 5 to 1. On a 14 day cruise at $12.75 per person that adds up to $178.50 per person x 4 and the sum per fortnights holiday gives a bonus of $714 each. That for a 9 month contract would give them a bonus of around $13500 plus pay….Think about it

Found out that the cruise line does not give the gratuities to the crew , those tips are kept by the cruise line -ask a crew member, lies and rip off .

Hi Lisa, Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the article and I hope it was helpful.

Thanks, Scott!

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Updated on January 12, 2024 by Sherry Laskin

Comprehensive Guide To Tipping on a Cruise Ship

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Ah, cruising – what’s not to love? The comfort of your own cabin, endless buffets, and exciting excursions. But, what about tipping on a cruise ship? It may not be the most glamorous aspect of cruising, but it’s an important one, particularly to the crew.

You may be wondering: How much should you tip? How do you tip? What happens if you don’t tip? Do all crew members receive tips?

In this post, we will answer all these questions and more.

Types Of Gratuities

Cruising gratuities can come in several different forms. These include:

• Automatic gratuities charged by the cruise line per person per day of the cruise
• Automatic gratuities for a prepaid specialty dining or beverage package
• Automatic gratuities for services such as spa treatments
• Automatic gratuities for items such as spa products, mini bar, and bar charges
• Optional gratuities for services provided by room service delivery, bartenders, concierge, sommelier, or butler
• Optional gratuities for above-and-beyond service by other crew members

Some of these gratuities are automatically added to your cruise cost prior to the trip, while others are automatically charged to your onboard account at the time of service.

During your cruise, you will interact with many crew members, although some more than others. Examples are your cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, concierge, and bartenders. Plus, you may have a butler if you are sailing in a suite. These are the crew members you may wish to tip an additional amount for exceptional service.

It is important to know that there are some crew members who you do not tip. These include the ship’s officers, medical team, and security.

How Much To Tip

Cruise lines typically provide guidelines for gratuities, either as a daily per-person amount or as a recommended total for the duration of the cruise. These amounts can vary, but they generally range from $15 to $25 per person per day, depending on the cruise line and cabin category. Some cruise lines automatically charge gratuities to your onboard account or add it to your cruise fare, while others leave it to your discretion.

The following is a breakdown of automatic gratuities charged by major cruise lines as of 2024:

• Carnival : $18 per person per day for suites; $16 per person per day for other staterooms. More info here .
• Celebrity : $23 per person per day for suites in The Retreat; $18.50 per person per day for concierge class and AquaClass staterooms; and $18.00 per guest per day for all other staterooms. More info here .
• Disney : $15.50 per person per day is recommended for suites and concierge staterooms; $14.50 per person per day is recommended for all other cabins. Disney does not automatically charge gratuities but you can prepay them. More info here .
• Holland America : $17.50 per person per day for suites; $16.00 per person per day for all other staterooms. More info here .
• MSC Cruises : For Caribbean, US, and Canada cruises, $16.00 per adult 12 and over per day; $8.00 per child per day ages 2 to 12; and $0 per child under 2. More info here .
• Norwegian : $25 per person per day for suites in The Haven; $20 per person per day for all other staterooms. More info here .
• Princess : $18 per person per day for suites; $17 per person per day for mini-suite and Reserve Collection staterooms; and $16 per person per day for all other staterooms. More info here .
• Royal Caribbean : $20.50 per person per day for suites; $18 per person per day for non-suites and junior suites. More info here .
• Viking : $17 per person per day for all staterooms. More info here .

Also, a 15%–20% gratuity is added automatically by the cruise lines during your cruise for specialty dining, beverages, beverage package, room service, mini bar purchases, and/or spa purchases, depending on the cruise line. See the above links for additional information on gratuities for your cruise line.

How And When To Tip

As stated above, many cruise lines charge the daily gratuities prior to your tip, so they are added to the cost of your cruise. Others allow you to defer paying the daily gratuities until the last day of the cruise, and those will accrue each day on your account. You can see them on your stateroom’s TV where your daily account balance is available for viewing.

Although you may be able to do it either way, it is preferable to pre-pay the daily gratuities charge before setting sail so that you don’t need to worry about this aspect on the trip.

Do All Crew Members Receive A Portion Of The Daily Gratuities?

Many cruise lines have a tipping pool or gratuity distribution system in place for the daily gratuities. This means that the gratuities you pay to the cruise line are often shared among various crew members, including those working behind the scenes to ensure the ship runs smoothly.

The crew members who are most visible to passengers are usually those that receive the majority of tips, such as cabin stewards, waiters, and assistant waiters. However, there are many other crew members working behind the scenes who also receive a portion of the daily gratuities. These include kitchen staff, laundry attendants, and maintenance workers.

The goal of these systems is to create a fair and equitable distribution of gratuities among the entire crew, recognizing the collective effort that goes into making your cruise enjoyable.

Additional Tipping When Gratuities Are Already Included

Butlers , sommeliers, and concierges are generally not included in the tipping pool, and if you use their services, are crew members that you may want to tip separately. In addition to the standard gratuities already charged, you may also choose to tip individual crew members for exceptional service, such as your cabin steward, waiter, a favorite bartender, and slot attendants in the casino.

It’s important to have cash on hand for these tips, and US dollars are usually the currency of choice for the cruise lines mentioned above.

As to when you should tip additional amounts, that is up to you. Some cruisers give an additional tip to their bartender of choice, butler, or cabin steward early in the cruise, then a little more at the end of the cruise. Others, like myself, wait until the end of the cruise.

A nice gesture is to enclose the cash in a greeting card with a few lines of thanks.

Do You Tip On All Cruise Lines?

It is worth noting that some cruise lines have a culture of tipping, while others prefer not to tip at all. Don’t assume that all cruise lines operate in the same manner.

For example, European and luxury cruise lines are more likely to factor gratuities into the overall cost of the fare, so they won’t charge you daily gratuities. These include Azamara, Crystal, P&O Cruises, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages.

What Happens If You Don’t Tip?

The truth is, your cruise experience may or may not not change dramatically. However, it’s important to remember that tips make up a significant portion of a crew member’s pay, and they rely on tips to make a living. This is why it’s highly recommended that you do tip.

Cruise line employees work long hours with minimal time off, and they often go above and beyond to make your trip special. These hardworking individuals go above and beyond to make your cruise memorable, and tipping is a way to show appreciation for their efforts.

Final Thoughts On Tipping On A Cruise Ship

Always remember to check your cruise line’s policy on tipping before setting sail, and don’t hesitate to tip more for exceptional service. With a generous attitude and an open mind, you’ll have a memorable and enjoyable cruising experience, thanks to the hard-working crew.

Happy cruising!

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Cruise Gratuities: Navigating Tipping & Service Charges

Doug Parker

• September 2, 2023

You booked your cruise and are diving into the planning phase, but what about the cruise gratuities? One area that often prompts questions, even among veteran cruisers, is the topic of tipping and service charges. Let’s clarify what you need to know.

This cruise tipping guide breaks down what’s included in cruise gratuities and service charges, what to expect, and how to maximize your time and money. 

Understanding Cruise Gratuities and Service Charges

It’s important to understand the tipping culture onboard. Most contemporary and premium cruise lines will automatically charge a daily gratuity to each passenger’s account for the crew’s service. In contrast, luxury cruise lines tend to take a more all-inclusive approach.

If you want to give extra appreciation for exceptional service, cash tips are appreciated and can be delivered directly to a waiter, porter, or stateroom steward.

Reviewing your cruise line’s tipping policy before boarding is essential, as guidelines vary on how much is expected daily for cruise gratuities.

Remember that with the “pool system” (where tips are collected for multiple individuals or departments), crew members may not receive all of the automatic gratuities, so consider leaving additional cash tips for butler service, for example, or those who work behind the scenes, like the galley staff or laundry workers.

How gratuities are paid depends on the type of cruise line you are sailing. Luxury lines may include gratuities in the price of your cruise, while it’s a separate charge on mainstream cruise lines. 

There is also a difference in gratuity rates depending on your accommodations. Gratuity rates for standard staterooms are often less than suites.

Why Tipping Matters on a Cruise Ship

The role of tips in compensating cruise ship staff must be considered. 

Tipping can impact the quality of service you receive on a cruise ship and support hard-working crew members who rely heavily on tips for fair compensation and often support their families back home.

It’s important to note that many low-level crew members rely heavily on gratuities as they are usually paid lower wages than other industries. 

Many cruisers argue that cruise gratuities should be included in the cost of the cruise fare to ensure equal payment. Virgin Voyages is one of the few mainstream cruise lines that include gratuities and service charges in their sailing cost.

How Cruise Lines Charge for Gratuities 

Automatic gratuity charges are standard on cruise ships and typically range from $15 to $20 per person daily. These charges are automatically added to your onboard account and distributed among the guest-facing crew members who provide services during your trip and select behind-the-scenes employees.

If you prefer to opt-out or adjust these automatic gratuities, most cruise lines allow you to do so by simply visiting the guest services desk. 

Cruise gratuity and service charge breakdown on standard cabins (September 2023):

Cruise gratuities are charged to guests, although the rate may be discounted for those 12 and under. Check with the cruise line for specifics during your initial research. 

While automatic gratuity charges may be convenient for some passengers, others prefer alternative tipping onboard. 

Cash tips can be given directly to crew members who provide exceptional services, such as room attendants or waitstaff.

However, cruise lines encourage paying the flat per-day gratuity rate to support all workers, including those working in the laundry room, washing dishes, or cleaning the ship late at night.

Additionally, some cruise lines offer prepaid packages that include daily cruise gratuities in the overall cost of your voyage. It’s important to consider which method works best for you and plan accordingly before setting sail on a cruise ship.

Who to Tip on a Cruise Ship

When tipping on a cruise ship, showing appreciation for the hardworking crew members who make your cruise vacation enjoyable is important. Stateroom stewards are the ones who keep your room clean and tidy throughout your stay, so it’s appreciated–though not mandatory–to tip them an additional $5 per day per person. 

The cruise lines separate gratuities into three areas: housekeeping, dining, and alternate services. 

Bartenders and baristas may not be as visible as other crew members, but they still play an important role in creating a fun atmosphere onboard. While there typically is a separate gratuity for beverages, tipping these employees around $1-2 per drink is appreciated. 

Housekeeping Team (Stateroom Steward)

When tipping your stateroom steward or butler on a cruise ship, the standard amount is $5 per day. However, if you feel your stateroom steward went above and beyond in their service, feel free to increase the tip accordingly.

The best time to leave a tip for your cabin steward is usually at the end of the cruise during disembarkation.

If you are unsatisfied with the service your stateroom steward provides, be sure to address any issues immediately. Speak directly with your steward or their supervisor or contact guest services onboard to resolve problems before leaving a lower-than-expected tip. 

Dining Team (Servers)  

When tipping your waitstaff on a cruise ship, knowing whether your gratuity is included in your specialty dining package is important. In most cases, a standard gratuity fee will be automatically added to your bill for each specialty restaurant meal.

However, an additional tip is always appreciated if you receive exceptional service or dine at specialty restaurants where the gratuity isn’t included.

For instance, the steakhouse on Carnival Cruise Line is $48 per guest, including the 18 percent service charge. At the same time, at Cagney’s Steakhouse on Norwegian Cruise Line, you will pay for a la carte menu items plus a 20 percent added gratuity. 

Alternative Services 

When giving gratuities on a cruise, it’s important to acknowledge that your money goes beyond the housekeeping and dining staff. “Alternative services” refer to positions that enhance your cruise but aren’t covered by the automatic daily service charge.

These services may include laundry workers, dishwashers, galley attendants, and below-deck positions. 

Cruise Gratuities for Special Services 

Spa treatments and shore excursions are popular diversions during your cruise, and each has its own set of tipping guidelines. Although tipping for most of the extra services these employees provide is not required, an additional tip is always appreciated. 

Bartenders and Coffee Shop

When tipping on a cruise ship, bartenders and baristas are an important part of your vacation experience. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, charges an 18 percent gratuity for drinks – any additional tip is appreciated.

Spa Services

When tipping in the cruise line spa, it’s important to remember that a standard gratuity fee is often automatically added to your bill each day. For instance, an added gratuity of 18 to 20 percent will be included if you purchase a massage or salon service. 

An additional tip is always appreciated if you receive exceptional service during your spa treatments.

The amount you should tip varies depending on the cruise line and its specific policies. As a general rule of thumb, 15-20% of the total cost of your spa treatments is considered appropriate.

It’s also a good idea to tip your spa attendant separately if they go above and beyond to make your spa experience memorable.

Other Crew Members

Many people wonder how tips work for other crew members on a cruise ship, such as housekeeping, laundry, or spa staff. While it may vary depending on the cruise line and its policies, these tips are often pooled together with the rest of the gratuities and distributed among crew members. 

It’s important to note that cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Regent, and Disney — have mandatory gratuities that apply to all guests regardless of who they choose to tip. 

Most allow you to adjust the amount given to each crew member – increasing or decreasing – based on your experience with them. 

Factors Affecting Tipping Amounts

The amount you should tip can be affected by several factors, including the duration and type of cruise line you’re sailing with – be it mass market, premium, or luxury.

Even the size of your stateroom or suite may also come into play when considering how much to tip, as these larger staterooms tend to have more amenities and even butler service . Lastly, the number of people in your party will also impact gratuities, as tips are paid per person. 

Drink Package Tipping and Gratuities

While most non-alcoholic beverages are included in your cruise fare, alcoholic drinks cost extra. Most premium drink packages include unlimited alcohol (or a 15-drink limit over 24 hours). If you purchase a beverage package, you must pre-pay the gratuity amount for the package’s total. 

Example: If the beverage package costs $59.95 per day and your cruise is seven days (a total of $419.65 for your week-long cruise) , you will be charged the gratuities and service charges in addition to the package cost. 

Alternative Tipping Strategies

One alternative tipping strategy is to prepay your gratuities before departing on your cruise. This can help you budget for additional costs and ensure that all crew members receive their fair share of tips. Some cruise lines offer discounts or incentives for prepaid tipping.

Another option is to tip individuals directly instead of relying on automatic gratuity charges. This allows you to show appreciation for exceptional service and tailor your tipping based on personal experience rather than a set daily amount.

Remember that some cruise lines may not allow individual tipping, so check their policies.

Prepaid Tipping and Cruise Gratuities

• Prepaid tipping is an option many cruise lines offer where guests pay a set amount for tips upfront.
• The cost of prepaid tipping on a cruise ship typically ranges from $14 to $25 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and stateroom type.
• You can adjust the prepaid tipping up or down at guest services once you’re on board. 

Individual Tipping

Tipping individuals on a cruise ship can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some general guidelines you need to remember:

When should you tip individuals on a cruise ship?  

It’s customary to tip at the end of your cruise, either by leaving cash in an envelope in your room or adding it to your bill. However, if someone goes above and beyond during your trip (such as a particularly helpful stateroom steward), feel free to give them extra.

Is it appropriate to withhold tips from an individual if their service is poor?  

If you’re dissatisfied with the service, it’s always best to speak with the management before deciding not to leave a tip. The crew member may have had extenuating circumstances outside their control that affected their performance or the service they could deliver.

In general, withholding tips is only recommended if there was no effort towards good service. Remember, crew members are not paid the same as in the US and rely on tips for their livelihood.

Keep in mind that tipping is at your discretion. These are only suggestions based on cruise industry standards.

Included Cruise Tips as a Booking Perk

Many cruise lines are moving toward bundling gratuities and other add-ons as part of the overall cruise fare, allowing guests to feel like they’re getting more value for their dollar. 

Lately, we are seeing this practice not just with the luxury lines but also with premium operators like Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. 

If opting for this, remember that while standard gratuities cover the basics like your housekeeping and dining teams, add-ons like spa services and specialty dining are typically not included. 

Key Takeaways for Cruise Tipping

Every cruise line has different policies regarding tipping, so be sure to research before you embark on your journey. And most importantly, don’t forget to pack extra cash for tipping, as not all crew members are covered under automatic gratuity charges. 

• Remember to budget for daily automatic gratuities. These fees are typically $15 to $20 per person per day and will be added to your onboard spending account if you do not pre-pay. 
• Don’t assume you don’t need to tip for additional services, such as spa treatments or drinks at the bar, as they may also include an additional service charge. 
• Consider prepaying your gratuities to save money and make it easier to budget for your cruise. When tipping in cruise ports, follow local customs, as tipping may not be expected or less than in the US or Canada. 

RELATED: Gratuities — How much is too much?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to tip the stateroom steward on a cruise ship.

Tipping your stateroom steward on a cruise is customary and appreciated for their housekeeping, turndown, and other services. The standard tip for a stateroom steward is $3 to $5 per person per day, but you can tip more for exceptional service. If you need additional guidance on how much to tip, you can ask your stateroom steward for a recommendation.

Is it cheaper to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

The cost is the same whether gratuities are paid onboard or before your cruise. The decision to prepay gratuities is ultimately yours. It may be a good option if you think it will help with budgeting and are confident in the service.

Can I remove my cruise ship gratuities?

Most cruise lines allow you to remove (or increase) prepaid gratuities, but remember crew members rely heavily on tips for their income as they make up a significant portion of their pay. Before removing gratuities, talk to guest service to see if there are any solutions to your particular issues.

Why don’t cruise lines pay employees a salary? 

Unlike the U.S., cruise lines do not have to pay a minimum wage but instead pay their crew members a salary often supplemented with tips, plus free room, board, and medical care. This motivates employees to provide excellent service and keeps cruise prices more affordable by passing the cost of tips on to passengers. 

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Cruise Ship Etiquette: Breaking Down Tip Culture

Tipping on cruise ships has changed over the years. Cash used to be king, dispensed at a passenger’s whim. But nowadays, many large lines are both cash-free and have automated tipping as part of the daily dues, meaning passengers no longer need to carry around a wad of bills. But, there are caveats. For example, not all crew is included in the general tip—some are actually forbidden from accepting gratuities—and sometimes, currency matters. Below, what you need to know about tipping on a cruise, and how to make sure no onboard tip gets lost in the shuffle.

Standard tips

A large number of cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Disney , Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean include gratuities for stateroom attendants and dining room staff in onboard charges on a passenger’s stateroom account. The amounts, starting around $11.50 to $16, are generally paid per passenger, per day, and vary among cruise lines and stateroom categories (larger staterooms and suites are generally a couple dollars per day more than standard accommodations).

These cruise lines also add gratuities as a percentage—ranging from 15 to 20 percent—to most specialty dining, bar, and spa charges; those amounts cannot be adjusted.

Who to tip and not tip onboard

So stateroom attendants, dining room and bar staff, and spa attendants are taken care of, but who else should be tipped separately? Onboard casino staff are not part of the larger tip pool, so passengers should tip as they play, in cash or chips. Many cruise lines also suggest tipping separately for room service deliveries, a few dollars per person. As most tips are cashless, just sign the receipt and add your tip amount on the line provided. And to note—shoreside porters are not cruise line employees, and many ports have signage indicating it is not necessary to tip them. But of course, that is the passenger's decision and a few bucks per bag is customary.

Cruise lines generally prefer to have tips given electronically to maintain cashless environments onboard their ships, but passengers who do prefer to tip in cash should give cash in the ship’s stated onboard currency. On most large, global cruise lines that’s US dollars, but some of those lines change onboard currencies based on the region they’re sailing. Princess, for example, uses US dollars onboard virtually all sailings—except for a select few departures in Australia, where Australian dollars are the onboard currency.

There are also staff onboard for whom it is not customary to tip. Royal Caribbean spokesperson Susan Lomax explains that gratuity systems onboard their ships are modeled after land-based resorts, adding that “guests are welcome to tip anyone,” but that “officers, the medical team, and security team are a hard ‘no’.” She also noted that some officers and crew may decline tips, and guests shouldn’t take offense. It may also be awkward if guests continue to attempt to tip after a worker has politely declined.

Tipless cruise lines

Some cruise lines eschew the practice of tipping. Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea , Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Virgin Voyages , Paul Gauguin Cruises, Crystal, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, and Ponant include tips in the cruise fares, although it’s important to note that each line does not prohibit passengers from tipping crew members personally in cash if they provide above-and-beyond service. Many of these cruise lines automatically add gratuities to bills for spa services.

Tom Baker, president of Cruise Center, notes that when guests wish to tip on a “tipless” cruise line, “this is personal and there’s no rule or guideline for this.” On some cruise lines, gratuities may go into a “staff fund” that is used to purchase equipment, events, and other things that benefit the collective crew.

It’s worth noting that cruise lines that do not add gratuities or have any expectation of tipping onboard tend to promote this. Baker further explains that the majority of passengers stick to what’s customary, whether gratuities are on the bill or not: “Most guests who prepay or pay onboard for the tips, don’t tend to tip much unless they have a butler, a favored waiter or bar staff team member.” He again notes that the desire to tip is highly personal.

Adjusting gratuities

Most cruise lines that apply gratuities automatically to shipboard accounts do allow cruisers to adjust the amount of the daily gratuity up or down depending on their satisfaction with the service they have received—but only if they haven’t prepaid the gratuities as an optional add-on with the purchase of their cruise fare. An exception is Costa Cruises, which considers the service charge integral to the cruise fare, and does not allow adjustments.

Many cruise lines are now offering fare bundles that include prepaid gratuities, so it’s worth considering when selecting a fare type, although the vast majority of cruisers do not elect to reduce the daily gratuity amounts. Gratuities that are included for free as part of a booking promotion are also not eligible to be reduced or refunded for credit.

But when should cruisers adjust the amounts downward? That can be tricky, considering the automatic charges cover services provided by stateroom attendants and dining room attendants—services the overwhelming majority of cruisers will benefit from during their voyage. Cruise lines that allow passengers to adjust the amounts downward if they’re dissatisfied with the service will have to make the request to the purser or hotel staff.

Passengers who are considering reducing the gratuity amounts due to service deficiencies should also present their concerns early during the voyage to give the cruise line ample time to address their complaints. They should also consider that gratuities are pooled across several groups, so that deficiencies in one particular area may not warrant the complete elimination or significant reduction of the gratuities.

It's also not advisable to request removal or reduction of the gratuities on principle. The cruise lines have published detailed information on how the gratuities go toward compensation packages for their staff, and train their staff to provide excellent service in any case. Rather than stiffing the hardworking crew members by reducing the charges, passengers wishing to stand on principle can always choose a cruise line that includes tips in fares, or encourages passengers to tip individually—for the experience that most closely matches their expectations.

Tips on Ships: Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

What to expect—and what to budget—when it comes to tipping on the high seas

By Tiffany Leigh

Updated February 24, 2023

Figuring out which service employees you should tip—and how much you should give—is a perennial head scratcher in travel. To help remove some of the guesswork, many cruise lines now automatically apply recommended “crew appreciation” amounts to your stateroom account.

But those amounts vary by ship, cruise line, stateroom, and other factors. What’s more, although the gratuity charges are automatically applied to your account in most cases, you can opt out of paying those fees, provided you haven’t purchased a prepaid gratuities package (those are nonrefundable). So confusion remains a possibility. 

To help you sort things out, the following guidelines will give you an idea of what to expect with tipping on cruises and provide some answers to frequently asked questions.  

How much am I expected to tip?

In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don’t try to tip once per couple or group.

So if you’re planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities. Don’t forget to factor those charges into your overall vacation budget. 

How do I tip?

For most cruises—including those operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line to name a few—service gratuities in the amounts mentioned above are automatically added to your stateroom account each day.

On top of the daily service rate, you may also see automatic gratuities (often an additional 15%–20%) for specialty services such as spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining (at restaurants not included in the overall cruise rate), and other extras you partake in.   

At the end of your cruise, you’ll be given a document (usually slipped under your door) that lists various charges, including gratuities, for your review. Once reviewed and approved with guest services, payment is completed with a credit card before you depart the ship on the final day. 

Do tipping amounts vary by cruise line?

Yup—and the range of your gratuity total depends on the stateroom category you’re staying in, too.

With Princess Cruises , for instance, the current tip amount for each passenger staying in interior, ocean-view, and balcony staterooms is $16 per day; for mini suites it’s $17 per day; and for suites it’s $18 per day.

The gratuities ranges with Celebrity Cruises , meanwhile, start at $17.50 per day for inside, ocean-view, and veranda units; $18 per day for Concierge Class and Aqua Class rooms; and $21 per day for suites in The Retreat area.

On the higher end of the spectrum, Oceania Cruises charges $18 per day in tips for passengers in regular staterooms, $23 per day for customers in suites.

Cruise lines frequently raise those amounts, too. 

How do I find out how much my ship charges for tips?

You should be able to find that info on the cruise line’s website. Below, we’ve linked to the web pages containing the prices and policies relating to service charges and gratuities for some of the most popular companies. 

• Royal Caribbean

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Celebrity Cruises

• Holland America Line

Do the daily tipping amounts apply to every single passenger? Even kids?

Depends on the cruise line. According to Disney Cruise Line, for instance, tipping applies to everyone—even infants.

But other ships do make exceptions for little ones. Passengers ages 2 and younger are exempt from tipping aboard Carnival cruises, for example, while Norwegian excuses kids ages 3 and younger, and Costa Cruises exempts kids ages 4 and younger.

Consult the cruise company’s online FAQ or your travel agent for more info, but, generally speaking, you shouldn’t expect any youngsters older than toddlerhood to get out of tipping. 

Service charges, gratuities, crew appreciation fees—what’s the difference?

The terminology gets confusing because it doesn’t seem to be consistent across cruise lines. Just know that there are usually two types of fees in this area: 1.) the flat daily fee charged to each passenger and then pooled among crew members (including room attendants and waitstaff at restaurants included in your cruise rate) and 2.) service tips (amounting to 15%–20% of the total) automatically added to your account when you opt for extras such as specialty dining, premium alcoholic beverages, spa or salon services, and so on. Obviously, you’ll only be charged the latter type of gratuity for extras you actually participate in.

How are tips divided among crew members?

If you agree to the automatic gratuities, the people who tend to you the most—your housekeeping and dining teams—get the largest share.

When my family of three (two adults and one 16-month-old baby) sailed with Disney Cruise Line in December 2022, we received the following breakdown of who would get what:

• Dining Room Server: $4.75 per person per day

• Assistant Dining Room Server: $3.75 per person per day

• Dining Room Head Server: $1.25 per person per day

• Stateroom Host: $4.75 per person per day

Note that because we didn’t opt for nonrefundable prepaid gratuities for the trip, we were free to visit guest services to change the amounts if we wanted to.

These amounts were also printed on perforated paper and we were supplied with envelopes in case we wanted to tip in cash or give gratuities to attendants in person as a gesture of appreciation.

What if I don’t want to pay the automatically generated tip amount?

If you'd rather have control over how much you tip, stop by the onboard guest services desk at the beginning of your voyage and inform the agents that you want to opt out of electronic gratuities and dole out tips on a case-by-case, à la carte basis. 

Also, if you find that you’re unsatisfied with the service you’re getting, you can ask guest services to modify the amount you’re being charged each day. Royal Caribbean lets you make changes up to the morning of your departure—but to avoid confusion, you should contact guest services as soon as possible to make these types of changes. 

The exception: passengers who purchased prepaid gratuities as part of a package. You can’t get a refund for tips you pay upfront. 

Can I tip in cash?

Cash tips are certainly still welcomed—especially if that’s what you’re more comfortable with or if you don't want to rely on the cruise line’s predetermined amounts.

It’s just important to remember that if you go this route, it's on you to opt out of the ship’s gratuities program by going to guest services at the beginning of your sailing. 

What if I want to tip some crew members more than the automatically generated amounts?

Cash is also a good option if you want to tip some workers extra for service that warrants it. If you’ve dined in mostly one spot every night of the cruise, you might want to give tips to especially attentive waitstaff on the last evening of the cruise. On a recent voyage with our baby, my family gave an additional in-person tip to our stateroom attendant for above-and-beyond service such as helping us set up the baby monitor—not to mention all the times the attendant whisked away potent diapers without so much as a grimace.

Are gratuities included in all prepaid packages for dining, drinks, and other services?

Not necessarily. 

More and more ships now offer passengers prepaid packages for a bundle of specialty dining, top-shelf drinks, Wi-Fi, and other perks (for an example, take a look at prepaid packages available from Princess Cruises ). The advantage here is that you lock in a discounted overall daily rate that throws in several extras that could otherwise add up—though you should calculate ahead of your trip whether you’ll actually use everything in the bundle to justify buying the package.

But don’t assume that gratuities are part of every prepaid package. Some companies, such as Disney, have stand-alone prepaid gratuities packages intended to make your trip relatively worry-free in the tip department because you’ve already paid for all gratuities in advance.

But with other packages, tips are only covered where specified. Royal Caribbean’s dining-and-drinks package, for instance, only covers tips for restaurant and bar staff, not housekeeping crew—so you’ll still have the automatic service charge added to your stateroom account each day unless you purchase a supplementary gratuities package.

Always make sure to review everything that’s included in the package—and what’s not—so you won’t get any unpleasant surprises. 

It’s also important to remember that gratuities included in prepaid packages are nonrefundable, so you won’t be able to modify tip amounts even if you get bad service during the cruise.

Should I tip a porter who helps me with my luggage?

Porters are contracted by the port, not the cruise line. They usually work independently of the ship, unless otherwise indicated. So if you solicit a porter for help toting your luggage from a vehicle to the ship’s check-in area, express your appreciation with $1–$3 per bag, depending on its weight.

Should I tip ship bartenders?

These days, you’ll rarely see a tip jar on the bar, and, as noted above, an automatic service charge of 15%–20% is already added to your account for alcoholic and specialty drinks. However, if you had a go-to bartender who learned your drink by heart or gave you stellar service throughout the voyage, consider expressing your gratitude with $1–$2 per drink. 

Should I tip guides for shore excursions?

The tipping advice we solicited from Princess provides some solid guidelines: For half-day tours, budget $3–$5 per person for guides, and for full-day tours plan on $6–$10 per person. Drivers should get $1–$2 per person.

Do I need to tip for onboard spa and salon treatments?

As previously noted, spa and salon staff members get a portion of the automatic service charge added to your stateroom bill for these treatments. You are free, however, to tip staff members extra if you’re especially impressed with their work.

Do I need to tip the ship's daycare workers and kids’ camp counselors?

There is no gratuity required but, again, you can offer a cash tip if staff members went out of their way to make your kiddo’s sailing extra special.

Are there crew members I shouldn’t tip?

It’s considered poor form to tip the ship’s professional sailing members, such as the cruise director, executive chef, and captain. Giving those folks gratuities would be like tipping your doctor or lawyer. 

Are predetermined tipping amounts calculated in U.S. dollars?

In most cases, though some Europe-based lines, such as MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises, charge in euros. Keep that in mind when calculating your budget.

Are there cruises where you’re not expected to tip?

Bundled package deals seem like a precursor to a future of tip-free cruising. As a matter of fact, many luxury and high-end lines such as Seabourn, Celestyal Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Paul Gaugin, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages have already implemented gratuity-free cruises with tips built into the total cost of all-inclusive sailings.

That might make the cruise’s base rate higher, but the practice helps eliminate confusion and awkwardness for passengers and ensures that crew members will get a full wage from their employers rather than relying on customers to make up the difference.

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Princess Cruise Gratuity (Tips) Full Guide: How Much, How They Work, and More

No matter which cruise line you sail, crew gratuities — also known as service charges or crew appreciation — are a fact of life. This includes sailing on Princess.

While you have your cruise fare and then any extras like drinks, specialty restaurants, gambling and shore excursions, you also have a daily fee that goes to the crew as a “thank you” for the service they provide.

And these charges can add up. In the case of a couple traveling on a week-long cruise, they can mean hundreds of dollars out of your pocket. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand what these charges are and exactly how they work.

In This Article...

How Much Are Gratuities on Princess?

Gratuities — or as Princess calls them “Crew Appreciation” — currently run different amounts depending on the type of cabin that you book. Lower tier cabins see lower costs while more expensive rooms also have higher gratuities. Current rates are set at:

• Balcony Cabins and Below: $16.00 per person, per day
• Mini-Suites and Reserve Collection: $17.00 per person, per day
• Suites: $18.00 per person, per day

Those prices can add up. For example, a couple traveling in a balcony cabin would see a charge of $32 per day. Over the course of a week-long cruise, that would be a total of $224.

Who Is Charged Gratuities on Princess?

While some cruise lines do offer a break on these charges for small kids (typically those under 2-3 years old), Princess does not. According to the cruise line, children are included with the charge.

That means you should expect that every passenger sailing the cruise line will see the crew appreciation charge when sailing. So a family of four in a balcony cabin will see a charge of $64 ($16 x 4) each day.

How Do I Pay Gratuities?

When it comes to actually paying the gratuity fee, you have a few options.

First, you can prepay the gratuity before you sail. The full charge is calculated and then you can call the cruise line or pay via your online account up to two days before your trip. This means that once you sail the charge is already taken care of.

The second method is to simply wait until you are on the ship. In this case, the charge will automatically be applied to your onboard account. Then at the end of the cruise the amount is paid with your payment method on file.

Finally, Princess offers two packages — Princess Plus and Princess Premier — that offer a more all-inclusive experience. With these packages, you pay a set daily fee and get a drink package, wi-fi, and crew appreciation included with the cost (other perks are included as well).

Can I Change or Remove the Gratuity Amount?

Say you have a bad experience on your cruise and don’t think the crew appreciation is justified. Are you able to change it? Yes, you can. You can simply head down to Guest Services to explain the situation and have the gratuity amount changed or removed.

That said, you should know that this is considered in poor taste in most cases. If you have bad service, then that is one thing. However, if you are removing or adjusting the amount simply because you think it is excessive, then you should know that the crew works hard and this is a factor in their compensation.

Can I Adjust the Gratuity if I Bought a Princess Plus/Premier Package?

If you bought the package, then the crew appreciation amount is a perk that is included. However, with this package you lose the ability to adjust the tip amount. According to Princes, “You have complete discretion to adjust crew appreciation payment while onboard, but crew appreciation may only be adjusted prior to disembarking the ship. If included as part of a promotion or package, it cannot be adjusted or refunded.”

What Staff Is Covered by Gratuities?

While Princess doesn’t lay out the specifics regarding who gets how much of the crew appreciation, the cruise line does offer some glimpse into where your money goes on its website :

“All of the Crew Appreciation and Service Charge payments made by all guests on all ships in our fleet are pooled, net of credit card transaction fees. The pooled funds are distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.”

Can I Tip More if I Want?

Absolutely. If you receive exceptional service and want to show your appreciation, then you can certainly tip more. The staff will certainly be happy to accept cash as a “thank you.”

Does the Crew Appreciation Charge Cover Everything on the Ship? Are There Other Places to Tip?

The gratuity charge covers many people on the ship, and most times when you receive service, you don’t have to worry about an additional tip. However, there are some areas where you might purchase something that is subject to an additional gratuity amount. This includes:

• Specialty Dining: 17% (included in cover charge)
• Specialty Food Items: 17% (included in item charge)
• Drinks/Drink Packages: 18%
• Spa Services: 18%

So if you purchase a drink costing $10 on the menu, you’ll actually be charged $11.80 in total once the gratuity is added in.

More questions about the gratuity charges on a Princess cruise? Let us know in the comments below.

More on Sailing Princess:

• Explained: Major Differences Between Princess & Other Cruise Lines 
• Worth It? Princess Cruise Drink Packages Explained (Prices, What’s Included, and More)
• Princess Plus & Premier Offers: Package Details and if it’s Worth it

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, princess raising daily gratuity charge for all cabins, princess changes all-inclusive offer to have no drink limit, unlimited dining (and a higher price), worth it princess cruise drink packages explained (prices, what is included, and more), princess plus & premier offers: package details and if it’s worth it, must see: 5 wild new cruise ships set to make their debut, review: princess cruises wi-fi service (speed, reliability, cost, and more).

I don’t think a 1 year old baby should have to pay tips on Princess Cruises.

When tipping more (the cash tip at cruise end) what is the rule of thumb

No real rule of thumb, as it’s simply an extra.

Princess Cruises offer 24 hr complimentary room service. Will there be an added service charge or gratuity added to my account for basic Room Service Menu items?

You are stating a tip is included in the cost of specialty dining? We tipped at the end of our dinner not knowing this.

Right. It’s either included in the price or it’s added onto the charge automatically.

I have said this time and time again over the last 20 odd years or so of cruising,”advertise a cabin price with gratuities included this would then take the argument out of the equesion whether people pay or not pay the gratuities.personaly,I think the cruising public are getting sick of the fact that a price is advertised for a cabin,but then find out there a add on over add ons.

Cruise lines should pay a decent wage to all staff in the first place. Declare what is the breakdown of each type of workers pay rate.?

Seems to me the very people who have paid a lot of money for a cruise are digging into their pockets again to pay staff appropriately. Shame on you cruise lines.

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Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers

If you are considering taking a cruise you have probably heard the word “Gratuities” mentioned by your Travel Agent or Cruise Line.

Cruise gratuities can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of your cruise so they are worth thinking about ahead of time.

I’ve been on many cruises that have had many different gratuity policies. In this article, we will look at:

• What gratuities are and who receives them.
• How you pay gratuities and how to remove them
• Who pays gratuities and how much do they usually cost?

What are Cruise Gratuities?

Cruise gratuities are tips that are automatically charged by the cruise line and go to the crew.

Cruise gratuities usually average between $16-$20 per person per night.

On the majority of cruise lines, gratuities are not mandatory and can be removed if requested.

Cruise gratuities are mainly charged on a per-night basis but there are a couple of other situations where you may be charged gratuities too.

How Much Do Cruise Gratuities Cost?

Cruise gratuities usually cost between $16-$20 per person per night.

This increases to between $18-$25 for guests cruising in suites.

On most cruise lines children also have to pay gratuities but some cruise lines do offer a discount for children.

Cruise lines regularly increase their gratuity prices so be sure to check directly with the cruise line before your cruise .

Cruise booking documents aren’t usually the most exciting things to read but it’s important that you do in order to avoid any unexpected surprises. All gratuities/costs will be referenced in these documents.

Below are examples of gratuity costs from 6 of the largest US cruise lines :

I took a cruise on Celebrity Edge. Celebrity charge a daily service charge, as well as gratuities on every drink, spa treatment and speciality meal.

Find out what I thought of that cruise here:

How Are Cruise Gratuities Charged? Step-by-Step Process

If you are happy to leave the automatic gratuities on your bill, you don’t have to do anything. This is the default situation.

Cruise lines assume that guests want to leave the automatic gratuities on as the majority do this.

When surveying on Threads, 67% of people said that they left automatic gratuities on when cruising. I suspect in reality that the actual figure for this is higher.

One of the main benefits of automatic gratuities is that it makes tipping incredibly easy.

Traditionally passengers would tip in cash but this meant carrying cash and gifting the tips in person which could be time-consuming.

Gratuities are calculated and charged to your account automatically.

If you are happy to pay the recommended amounts by automatic gratuities the following process will happen:

Step 1 – The Cruise Line Will Ask if You Want to Pre-Pay

The majority of cruise lines will ask you at the time of booking if you would like to pre-pay the gratuities.

I usually go for the option as I prefer to know what I need to pay upfront.

Some cruise lines will advertise pre-paid gratuities as a promotional offer meaning that you don’t have to pay for gratuities later as they are already included in the cruise fare.

If you book with an agent the agent will usually let the cruise line know of your preference.

If you’ve booked directly with the cruise line you’ll usually be able to select whether you want to pre-pay or not.

One benefit of prepaying gratuities is that if the price of the gratuities is set to increase, you may be able to pay the lower price.

Tracey experienced this on her last cruise:

I received an email with the offer to pre-pay as the rate was going up for that cruise. I could pre-pay at the old rate instead of daily new rate. Tracey – source.

The total amount of gratuities owed will be calculated at this point and added to your cruise fare to pay .

Guests are able to add pre-paid gratuities to their cruise fare up until around 48 hours before the cruise sets sail.

Step 2 – Cruise Gratuities Will be Added To Your Account Daily

On a cruise, you are not able to use cash to pay for items. Cruise ships are completely cashless and instead, you will have an onboard account where all your purchases will be added.

Every day gratuities will be automatically added onto your onboard account.

It is as if you have ‘spent’ the gratuity each day.

Gratuities are added to each person’s account separately even if you are using the same credit card to pay for the whole party/family at the end.

If you have pre-paid your gratuities these won’t always appear on your onboard account during the cruise. Some cruise lines do still show the gratuities, but others do not.

Check Your Onboard Account Frequently to Avoid Surprises

If the cruise line that you’re cruising with has an app it is well worth downloading it as you can often use this to see your onboard account.

If the cruise line that you’re cruising with doesn’t have an app you are also usually able to check your onboard spend on the cabin TV.

You’ll also see everything you’ve spent on things like drinks, spa treatments, and gifts.

To learn more about why you can’t pay with cash on a cruise, including how you can pay off your onboard account in cash, check out this post:

Cruise Ships Are Cashless Societies – Here’s Why .

Despite the majority of onboard purchases being made with your onboard account, there are still a couple of things you may need cash for – like taxis, tips for porters, and possibly even the casino!

To find out how to budget cash for your next cruise, check out this video:

Step 3 – Your Credit Card Will be Charged

On the majority of cruise lines, guests are asked to attach a credit card to their cruise account to pay for onboard purchases.

When you disembark your cruise and head home your credit card will usually be charged for the gratuities. This may be a couple of days after you disembark.

It is also possible, in some situations to pay off your onboard account in cash but cruise lines are increasingly trying to discourage this.

It’s much easier for the cruise lines to charge your card than it is to accept cash.

Not only does allowing guests to pay in cash mean long queues at reception, but the cruise line also has to count and exchange the currency.

How to Cancel Cruise Gratuities: Step-by-Step Process

Some guests prefer to remove the automatic gratuities, preferring instead to tip with cash.

Although I personally discourage this approach as it leaves the behind-the-scenes workers without tips, many people do prefer to do this.

The process below details how you can remove gratuities if you’d like to:

Step 1 – Select ‘No’ When Asked if You’d Like To Pre-pay

When booking the cruise you’ll usually be asked if you’d like to pre-pay your gratuities. Select no at this stage.

Selecting no here doesn’t remove the gratuities, it just means that you don’t want to pay them early. By selecting no you are effectively delaying the gratuities until later.

Step 2 – Gratuities Will be Added to Your Onboard Account Daily

Similar to the situation mentioned above gratuities will be added daily to your cruise account. This is automatic and if you don’t do anything they will be charged to you.

You can check these on your stateroom TV or mobile app if the cruise line that you’re cruising with has one.

Find out why you don’t need to buy cruise ship Wi-Fi to use the onboard App here:

You Don’t Need to Pay For Wi-Fi To Use a Cruise Line App – Here’s Why

Step 3 – Go to The Reception Desk and Ask to Have Gratuities Removed

Some people prefer to do this at the start of the cruise although it is usually easier to do later.

From the cruise line’s perspective, gratuities should only be removed when the service you receive is bad – so it’s understandable why they wouldn’t want guests to remove gratuities before the end of the cruise.

To remove the gratuities guests must head to the reception desk and ask to have them removed.

The staff will usually ask you why you’d like to do this and they’ll keep a note of your answer for feedback purposes.

In the unlikely event that a guest onboard being charged the daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, the guest may request to modify the daily amount at their discretion by visiting Guest Services onboard and will be able to do so until the morning of their departure. Royal Caribbean

Some people worry about the crew members knowing that the automatic gratuities have been removed.

A number of cruise lines have said that their staff doesn’t know who has – or hasn’t – removed the gratuities – but this hasn’t been confirmed.

When I cruised with Disney Cruise Lines, I was surprised to find that, as well as paying automatic gratuities, I was expected to put cash in envelopes and give it to the waiters at the last evening’s dinner.

Being British, and unaccustomed to tipping, I was very uncomfortable with this. Find out all about that awkward situation in the video below:

Can You Have Your Gratuities Refunded After The Cruise?

If you do want to remove the gratuities it’s incredibly important that you do it on the cruise as you won’t be able to after you’ve disembarked.

Cruise lines do not allow guests to request refunds for gratuities after the cruise has ended. The cruise lines state that this is because “ we have already disbursed the gratuities among the crew. “ – source.

Can You Increase or Decrease Cruise Gratuities?

Cruise lines are usually happy for guests to increase the gratuities they pay for obvious reasons.

Decreasing the amount can be a little more difficult.

Many cruise lines do allow this, but some don’t.

It is, however, possible to remove gratuities for some members of your party and not others – meaning that if you wanted to remove gratuities for example for your children only, in theory, you could do this.

Who Has to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise?

On the majority of cruise lines that charge gratuities, they are charged per person per night with all adults being expected to pay.

There are no groups of people who are excluded from this.

Even if a cruise was bought on a promotion, for example – buy one get one free – the gratuities will still be charged to each person.

Do Children Have to Pay Gratuities on Cruises?

Most cruise lines do charge gratuities for children. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America charge all passengers regardless of age.

Carnival charges children 2 and older and Norwegian Cruise Line only charge for children over the age of 3 .

Some cruise lines have discounted rates for children and many do not charge for babies/very young children.

MSC Cruises are a good example of this. Their child gratuity rates are considerably less than adult rates. (If you are booking from the UK, all gratuities are included in the standard cruise fare anyway.)

The table below shows examples from 6 of the biggest American cruise lines:

What do Cruise Gratuities Pay For?

Cruise gratuities go towards paying the crew who work on the ship such as the Housekeeping Teams, Restaurant Staff, and members of staff who work behind the scenes in places like the laundry.

Cruise gratuities are split across multiple departments with varying proportions depending on the cruise line.

Cruise gratuities are usually split between the following teams:

• Housekeeping staff
• Chefs/Kitchen staff
• Laundry/Behind-the-scenes staff

This is How Your Cruise Gratuities Are Split

If you are paying gratuities you may want to know how they are broken down and split between the staff members.

Stateroom attendants receive approximately 25% of cruise gratuities paid by guests. Dining room staff receive 43% and the remaining 32% is split between other hotel services.

The below figures are from Royal Caribbean based on a total daily gratuity of $18

This chart shows the split on Disney cruises:

Cruise Ship Crew Salary is Comparatively Low

It’s important to remember that the salary of the crew on a cruise ship can be incredibly low compared to US pay rates, and many crew members depend on tips to support their families at home.

Cruise lines register their cruise ships in foreign countries so that they can take advantage of rules in areas of the world where labour is the cheapest.

To learn more about why cruise lines register their cruise ships abroad, including how this affects the ships in terms of tax, check out this post

Almost All Cruise Ships Fly Foreign Flags, Heres 3 Reasons Why .

Which Cruise Lines Include Gratuities?

Many cruise lines do include gratuities in their standard fare.

Traditionally the cruise lines that included gratuities were luxury cruise lines like:

• Crystal Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas

In recent years some mainstream cruise lines have made the move to include gratuities. These tend to be British Cruise Lines and those selling to the UK market.

Mainstream Cruise Lines That Include Gratuities Within The Fares

British Cruise Lines – or those selling to the UK market often include gratuities. These include:

• MSC – if you are booking from the UK.

The Tipping Culture in The UK is Different to The US

In the UK it’s rare to tip – apart from possibly in a restaurant or a taxi driver if the service you’ve received is good.

People who cruise from the UK are usually happier to pay one upfront cost with gratuities included.

US cruisers who are more accustomed to tipping seem to be happier with the current automatic gratuity system as they are able to see that they have paid tips to the staff.

This shift towards including gratuities may be caused by different attitudes towards tipping between the UK and the US.

MSC Cruises has also included gratuities for guests booking from the UK for this reason. Guests from the US booking an MSC cruise still have gratuities added on automatically, and this difference is reflected in the cruise fares.

To learn more about MSC’s tipping policies. Check out this post:

The Truth About MSC and Gratuities – Your Guide .

The tipping culture in Australia is similar to that of the UK and for this reason, most Australian cruise lines don’t automatically add on gratuities.

Michelle from our Facebook community has first-hand experience with this:

On Which Cruise Lines Can You Remove Gratuities?

On all cruise lines apart from Costa Cruises guests can remove gratuities.

Removing gratuities isn’t an option on Costa Cruises and all guests must pay them.

For all hotel services provided on board, a service charge will be added daily to the Guest’s onboard account. The service charge is an integral part of the cruise and therefore the amount cannot be altered.  Costa Cruises

Find out about the Cruise I took on Costa Smeralda below. The basic cruise fare was so low, I was surprised it included any food at all!

Alternatives to Automatically Added Gratuities

You could tip in cash.

The most popular alternative to automatic gratuities is tipping the crew members that you see in cash.

This does leave members of the crew who work behind the scenes without tips though – Staff such as chefs and the people who work in the laundry.

I’ve been in a cruise ship laundry before and what a difficult job that must be! Laundering Thousands of bedsheets and towels…

You Could Not Tip at All

Some people prefer not to tip at all.

I would strongly discourage anybody from doing this but it is an option and some people do take it.

I personally would much prefer that the cruise line paid their staff a decent living wage, but they often don’t, so I feel as though it is my responsibility to tip the crew.

Other Types of Automatically Added Gratuities on Cruises

Daily gratuities aren’t the only gratuities that are added on during a cruise. Other examples are as follows:

Spa Gratuities Are Often Added Automatically

Many cruise lines add a gratuity onto the Spa price lists, this usually costs between 15-20% of the treatment cost.

This means that if you see a massage for $100 this is likely to cost you $115-$120.

This will be mentioned in small print at the bottom of any spa information.

The spa gratuity does go directly to the spa staff and the idea is that it replaces the need to tip in cash.

As cruises are largely cashless it isn’t easy to tip somebody who, for example, had just given you a massage in the same way as you might on land.

73% of our Facebook community members who have had a spa treatment on a cruise reported that an automatic gratuity was added.

If you do have a spa treatment on a cruise one thing to be aware of is that the treatment is often followed by a sales pitch for various products.

If you don’t want to purchase anything, be clear and firm about it.

Diane’s experience is very common, especially on some of the larger American cruise lines.

Drinks May Have Automatic Gratuities Added on

Most cruise lines charge between 15-20% on top of drinks prices as a gratuity. The prices on the menu won’t include the gratuity so it is worth remembering this when ordering drinks.

Below are examples from 6 of the largest American cruise lines.

There are many cruise lines that don’t charge an extra gratuity on drinks.

Generally speaking, the cruise lines that have daily gratuities also have bar gratuities. These are usually the large, American cruise companies.

To find out how much drinks cost on a cruise on average, check out the post below:

How Much Do Drinks Cost on Cruise Ships? Menus and Comparisons

There Are Often Gratuities on Drinks Packages

One thing that’s very important to look out for is promotions that include “free drinks.”

If you were to book a cruise with a free drinks promotion from the UK there are usually no additional gratuities to pay.

If you are from the US and book a cruise which includes a ‘free’ drinks package you may have to pay the gratuities which can be 15-20% of the drinks package cost.

The gratuities added to drinks packages can be expensive. You may be better just paying for the drinks you’ll want. Make sure you do your research and don’t just assume that “free drinks” offers a great saving.

Gratuities on Speciality Meals and Speciality Meal Packages

You may decide to splash out and pay to go to one of the ship’s “Speciality Restaurants.”

These either make an additional charge per person, or you pay for individual items in the restaurant, as you would on land.

There is no need for you to pay extra and go to a speciality restaurant at all – the food in the ship’s main dining rooms is normally very good.

You may find an extra 20% gratuity is added to your onboard account. If you buy a “Speciality Restaurant Package” – where you can eat at a certain number of restaurants for a reduced price – you will be charged an extra 20% on the cost of the package.

American Cruise Lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian add this additional gratuity.

British cruise lines, such as P&O, Marella , and Fred Olsen do not.

It is important to check the small print with the cruise line you are travelling with, to see if you will incur these extra charges.

Do You Pay Gratuities on River Cruises?

The majority of river cruise lines do not charge automatic gratuities.

River cruise ships have considerably fewer employees than ocean ships and the staff are generally paid a higher salary.

I’ve taken a few river cruises both of which said that gratuities were included in the fare.

On the first river cruise with Emerald I felt no pressure to tip – it was never mentioned.

On the second river cruise I took with Saga I felt as though I was expected to tip as tipping envelopes were left in my cabin. We were directed where to put these and it was mentioned a couple of times.

I have sailed twice with the budget river cruise line Tui , and again all tips were included.

That said tips aren’t mandatory on the majority of river cruise lines and guests are free to choose what they would like to do.

Find out what I thought of my “budget” river cruise in the video below:

Before You Go:

Find out how to decrease your onboard spending, before you even get to the cruise ship in the article below:

Cutting Onboard Expenses, BEFORE You Cruise. (Drinks, Speciality Meals, Excursions and More)

Find a handy guide on things to organise, and things to pack for you next cruise here:

Planning And Packing For Your Cruise, Things to Organise in Advance, Packing Essentials And More

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• Royal Caribbean International

Gratuity breakdown by position

By HOBE SOUND CRUISER , February 25, 2018 in Royal Caribbean International

Recommended Posts

HOBE SOUND CRUISER

Gratuities = $14.50/person/day.

Does anyone know w hat is the $/day breakdown for the individual crew members.......Waiter, Asst. waiter, Stateroom attendant, etc?

Just curious.

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Gratuities = $14.50/person/day.   Does anyone know w hat is the $/day breakdown for the individual crew members.......Waiter, Asst. waiter, Stateroom attendant, etc?   Just curious.

The cruise line no longer publishes the breakdown. This is the way it was when the total was $12.95 per day ($15.95 for GS and better):

Dining & Culinary Services: $7.75 USD

Stateroom Attendant: $3.85 USD OR Suite Attendant: $6.10 USD

Other Housekeeping Services: $1.35 USD OR Housekeeping and Suite Services: $2.10 USD

This is the breakdown that Royal Caribbean sent me when I asked how the gratuities were broken down:

Total Standard Staterooms: $14.50 Previously $13.50

Stateroom Attendant: $6.20 Previously $6.10

Dining Room: $6.25 Previously $6.10

Other Hotel Services: $5.05 Previously $5.05

I asked also what was covered with the "Other Hotel Services." This is the breakdown I received. (Including the spelling)

The other hotel services include the persons who wash the bed linings as well as whoever cleans balconies or restocks the mini bar. Other hotel services include any additional person other than the stateroom attendant that may attend to any stateroom need.

This is the breakdown that Royal Caribbean sent me when I asked how the gratuities were broken down:   Total Standard Staterooms: $14.50 Previously $13.50   Stateroom Attendant: $6.20 Previously $6.10 Dining Room: $6.25 Previously $6.10 Other Hotel Services: $5.05 Previously $5.05 I asked also what was covered with the "Other Hotel Services." This is the breakdown I received. (Including the spelling) The other hotel services include the persons who wash the bed linings as well as whoever cleans balconies or restocks the mini bar. Other hotel services include any additional person other than the stateroom attendant that may attend to any stateroom need.

Those numbers add up to $17.50. Could those be the suite numbers?

Suites are more than normal cabins...and the "extra" goes to the suite attendant.

They get what the cruise line posts (and it's in the cruise brochure!), and it's what employees agree to!

Ourusualbeach

And the previous numbers add up to $17.25....something is definitely wrong.

I'm sorry that somehow I only posted part of what I was sent by Royal Caribbean. I thought I had copied the whole part, but somehow I messed it up. I am going to try again:

The gratuities for the dining room are divided among the entire dining services team including those that work in the Windjammer.

Additionally, all funds received for gratuities are disbursed to the employees. We do not use it for any administrative purpose or incentive for the crew.

Please see the breakdown for the gratuities collected below on a per day basis.

Stateroom Attendant: $3.55 Previously $3.45

Other Hotel Services: $4.70 Previously $3.95

Total for Suites: $17.50 Previously $16.50

Thanks for updating. The only part that still does not add up is the "previously" part for suites, but it's not big deal, we're just looking for the "present" distribution.

Thorben-Hendrik

:rolleyes::')

Mini Bar? :rolleyes::')

I wondered the same thing as the last three times I sailed on Allure, the mini-bar was empty. I know you can request things to be put in the mini-bar as there is a form in the cabin to do so, but I thought, perhaps wrongly so, there was a gratuity charge added for the items requested.

Somehow, I don't think the people answering the questions "on behalf of Mr. Bayley"don't know what they are talking about.

The tips get spread wide and far. Especially to those folks you never see. Need a clean table in the buffet? Find it? someone cleaned it for you. Cabin steward has 19 cabins, yet your is spotless, it may have been the assistant you never see. Extra towels< same thing.

• 4 months later...

Parrotheadtoo

I'm sorry that somehow I only posted part of what I was sent by Royal Caribbean. I thought I had copied the whole part, but somehow I messed it up. I am going to try again:     The gratuities for the dining room are divided among the entire dining services team including those that work in the Windjammer.   Additionally, all funds received for gratuities are disbursed to the employees. We do not use it for any administrative purpose or incentive for the crew.   Please see the breakdown for the gratuities collected below on a per day basis.   Stateroom Attendant: $3.55 Previously $3.45 Dining Room: $6.25 Previously $6.10 Other Hotel Services: $4.70 Previously $3.95   Total Standard Staterooms: $14.50 Previously $13.50   Stateroom Attendant: $6.20 Previously $6.10 Dining Room: $6.25 Previously $6.10 Other Hotel Services: $5.05 Previously $5.05   Total for Suites: $17.50 Previously $16.50

Do these rates suggested mean per person per day of cruising? Thanks for the update..

Everything is pp

Yes. "per night", actually. 7 night cruise, 7 charges of $14.50 or $17.50 per person.

There is no more break down - they moved to a bonus-system where RCI distibutes the tip-pool-money as they determine it correct -> based on a "score" they give their employees...:rolleyes:

CruisingNole

When crew members flat out ask you to rate them highly on the survey, it is obvious there's a monetary correlation with those "scores."

little britain

But there is a section on the survey asking if you have been specifically asked to score a 10.... and by what department. Presumably that mean they go on the naughty step that week and lose out on the pot?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What's next? Asking your accountant how the fee you pay to get your taxes prepared and filed how your fee is split up among the various employees and support functions.

Guess I'll never understand why this is a FAQ with some cruisers.

What's next? Asking your accountant how the fee you pay to get your taxes prepared and filed how your fee is split up among the various employees and support functions. Guess I'll never understand why this is a FAQ with some cruisers.

It's nice to know (in theory) where your money goes.

I don't believe for a minute that "breakdown" is accurate. But let's assume it is. If I see that $5 goes to dining staff and $3 goes to housekeeping staff, and I have a messy family, and the housekeeping staff keeps my room immaculate, I might be more inclined to throw some extra cash to housekeeping.

Again, I don't believe these numbers are accurate (nor do I believe Royal doesn't skim a percent off the top) so in reality, it's a moot point. Receive great service...tip cash accordingly.

But there is a section on the survey asking if you have been specifically asked to score a 10.... and by what department. Presumably that mean they go on the naughty step that week and lose out on the pot?     Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No idea. Maybe so. But I would never "out" someone over something like that, especially if they provided phenomenal service.

John&LaLa

They do ask you to fill out the survey, but no request for a top score anymore.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I like that that they quit doing it.

It was so uncomfortable, especially from Head Waiter

Haven't been asked in over a year.   They do ask you to fill out the survey, but no request for a top score anymore.

Our experience also.

??? Source?

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Tip Calculator

To use the Gratuity/Tip Calculator enter the number of nights of your cruise and the number of people in your sailing party. 

Ultimately, tipping is at your discretion, but for convenience the calculator’s default tips are set to  Disney Cruise Line’s suggested amounts .

The following positions are not part of the gratuity calculator:

• Extras added to rotational dining meals such as alcoholic beverages
• Adult dining locations such as Remy, Palo, Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, which are not part of rotational dining
• Food or drink in shops and outdoor or poolside eateries
• Room service
• Port Adventures
• Senses Spa & Salon
• Any other additional services

Disney Cruise Line offers multiple options to pay for your suggested gratuity:

• Pay the suggested gratuity in advance by contacting Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent no later than 3 days before your cruise begins
• Pay by automatically having the suggested gratuity added to your onboard account prior to the end of your cruise

If you wish to charge the amount of a gratiuity or pay the gratuity in cash, please contact Guest Services, once onboard the ship.

We recommend pre-paying your base gratuities and adding a cash tip handed directly to the individual. We typically write thank you notes to the various tipped positions to go along with the additional cash tip. Remember, Disney Cruise Line is simply recommending a base amount, for the most part, the cast works extremely hard to ensure you have a great experience. Tip them well.

Please note,  Disney Cruise Line increased the recommended base gratuities in July 2022 ahead of the launch of the Disney Wish. Previously, the recommended base gratuities were last updated in January 2019 .

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Cruise Details

Positions to tip, one reply to “tip calculator”.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Gratuity Policy

What is Celebrity’s gratuity policy?

Guests who choose not to prepay gratuities at the time of booking will have a service gratuity automatically applied to their respective SeaPass® account on a daily basis, in the amount shown below.* Gratuities collected are distributed to crew members, including dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, hotel services teams as well as others onboard who work to enhance the overall cruise experience.

• $18.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing on all Inside, Oceanview and Veranda staterooms.
• $19.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing on all Concierge and AquaClass staterooms.
• $23.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing in The Retreat staterooms.

Additionally, a 20% gratuity will be automatically added to all pre-cruise and onboard purchases of spa and salon services, beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service and mini bar purchases.*

Gratuities may be modified in the guest’s sole discretion by visiting the Guest Relations desk onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation. Guests sailing in group reservations should check with their group leader or travel agent for additional details.

*Not applicable wherever expressly prohibited by law.

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