Cruise Tipping: Essential Insights on Gratuities

Determining how much to tip on a cruise can confuse many first-time travelers. This is partly because some cruise lines add daily service charges to passenger accounts, yet many still opt to provide extra cash tips, whether as a standard practice or to reward outstanding service.

The surprise of automatic gratuity charges can be a real shock for newcomers. In some cruise lines, these fees can reach up to $25 per day. Unlike typical service or resort fees at land-based hotels, these are charged per person, not per room.

For larger cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s common for a family of four sharing a cabin to see over $70 a day in service fees added to their total. Over a typical seven-night cruise, this can accumulate to nearly $500 in fees.

And this amount doesn’t even include any extra tips you might want to offer your room service attendant, favorite bartender, or the automatic gratuities added to bar, restaurant, and spa charges.

Nonetheless, not all cruise lines impose such high service fees. Some don't charge any service fees at all, and in many cases, these charges can be adjusted.

Understanding cruise tipping doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s essential to grasp the bigger picture for effective vacation budgeting. Continue reading to discover everything about cruise ship tipping culture and how much you should tip based on the cruise line you choose.

Cruise Ship Tipping: A Comprehensive Overview

Most major cruise lines automatically apply some form of service or gratuity fee to passenger bills. This includes industry leaders like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as the next three largest lines — MSC Cruises, Norwegian, and Princess Cruises.

That being said, the number of cruise lines with service fees has been decreasing over the years. Many smaller and upscale cruise companies are now including tips and gratuities in their base fares.

For instance, in September, Oceania Cruises announced it would remove its automatic gratuity fee starting in 2025.

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

For cruise lines that do impose these fees, service and gratuity charges are presented as a convenient alternative to cash tipping, which used to be a common practice on cruise ships.

Cruise lines claim that the funds collected from service charges are shared with the shipboard crew. They state that this money benefits not only front-of-house staff, like room attendants and waitstaff, but also behind-the-scenes personnel. In this regard, the current system is viewed as more equitable than the previous cash tipping system, which tended to favor certain workers, according to the lines.

However, some critics view these charges as a deceptive tactic for cruise lines to make their fares seem lower than they actually are. From this perspective, lines that impose these fees are essentially itemizing a significant portion of onboard labor costs separately on your bill.

Understanding How Service Charges Are Applied

On most cruise lines, you have the option to pay your service charges prior to departure (alongside your cruise fare). Alternatively, you can choose to have these charges added to your onboard account.

One of the main benefits of prepaying cruise tips is that you secure the current rate. If your cruise line increases the rate between your payment and your departure, you won't be affected by the hike.

Additionally, many people prefer to pay their service charges in advance to simplify budgeting. This approach reduces the number of items on your final bill at the end of the cruise.

If you choose to pay your tips while on board, gratuities will typically be automatically added to your bill. There's no action required on your part.

That being said, if you wish, you can usually modify these charges (either increasing or decreasing them) by visiting the guest relations desk during your cruise. If you choose to lower a gratuity charge, be prepared to explain your reasons, as the staff may inquire about any specific service issues you've encountered.

By leaving the service charge on your room bill, you’re not obligated to provide additional tips to your room attendant or waitstaff. This is precisely the purpose of the service charge.

Likewise, on a luxury cruise where gratuities are included in the fare, that statement is exactly what it means. You’re not required to tip on these voyages since the line already compensates the staff on your behalf. Extra cash gifts are not anticipated.

Nonetheless, some guests choose to give a little extra to crew members who excel in their service. Others might tip their room service or waitstaff at their favorite bar, either at the beginning of the cruise to encourage better service or at the end as a thank you for enhancing their experience. How much to tip additionally is entirely your choice, as it is not obligatory.

Cruise tips are now included as a bonus when booking.

For those who prefer not to tip on cruises but aren't ready for an all-inclusive experience, keep an eye out for deals that offer free gratuities as part of the booking process when cruise lines impose service fees.

Recently, Norwegian frequently promoted Free at Sea deals that covered not just free crew tips but also free Wi-Fi and a complimentary drinks package. While these promotions have become less common, they often resurface when companies are looking to boost sales.

Moreover, several leading cruise lines have started offering bundle pricing, allowing customers to pay upfront for tips, Wi-Fi, and a drinks package at a potentially reduced rate before departure.

For example, Princess now provides a Princess Plus plan that includes prepaid gratuities (referred to as "crew appreciation" fees), a single-device Wi-Fi plan, and a basic beverage package, all for a combined cost of $60 per person, per day.

Princess offers an enhanced Princess Premier bundle that includes gratuities along with additional perks, such as unlimited dining at specialty restaurants, all for a flat rate of $90 per person, per day.

Rest assured: When cruise lines provide these offers, it doesn't mean the crew will earn less in tips during your voyage. Companies that promote these deals assure that they will compensate the crew with the usual gratuities on your behalf.

Extra tipping on cruise ships

In addition to daily service charges, you may incur other tips onboard. Many cruise lines automatically add a gratuity charge to bills for premium drinks, restaurant meals, and spa services.

The standard gratuity varies by cruise line but generally ranges from 15% to 20% of the total bill. Be cautious, as receipts often include an option for an additional tip, even when a gratuity is already added. This can lead to unintentional double tipping. Remember, you shouldn’t feel obligated to give extra when you've already tipped.

Be aware that when you purchase a dining or beverage package, most cruise lines will add gratuities based on a percentage of that package's cost. Even if you receive a package for "free" as part of a promotion, like Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea offer, you may still need to pay gratuities based on the estimated value of that perk.

For instance, Norwegian provides a complimentary open-bar drinks package for guests who take advantage of its Free at Sea promotion. This package typically costs $109 per person, per day, leading to a mandatory 20% gratuity of almost $22 daily. Therefore, two guests sharing a room on a seven-night cruise could end up paying $308 in tips for a drinks package that appears free, in addition to daily service charges.

Cruisers should also carry cash for tipping porters who handle their luggage when boarding the ship (around $2 per bag), as well as tour guides during excursions ($5 to $10 per person for half-day tours, $10 to $20 for full-day trips, and $2 for drivers without guides). Regulars at piano bars know that cash tips can increase the likelihood of having their song requests played by the pianist.

What is the appropriate tipping amount for each cruise line?

If you're curious about the appropriate tipping amounts for the cruise line you’re considering or have already booked, we’ve gathered that information for you. Below, you'll find a detailed overview of automatic gratuity policies (sometimes referred to as service charges or "crew appreciation" fees at certain lines). The rates listed apply per person, per day and were accurate at the time of this publication.

Keep in mind that any additional tipping is completely up to you. Any amount is appreciated by the dedicated crew members.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities for the crew are not included in the ticket price and are left to the discretion of guests.

Azamara

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities for the crew are included in the fare. However, an 18% gratuity is applied to spa service bills.

Carnival Cruise Line

• Automatic gratuity charge: $16 to $18 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers in standard cabins pay $16, while those in suites pay $18. Children under 2 are exempt from these charges. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, 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.

Celebrity Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $18 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers in regular cabins pay $18, while those in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins are charged $19. Passengers in The Retreat suites pay $23. Notably, Celebrity now charges these fees even for guests who book the line's premium All Included fares, which previously covered gratuity charges. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to drink orders, minibar purchases, and spa and salon services.

Celestyal Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities for crew members 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 that operate with U.S. dollars typically pay $12.50. For ships using euros, there is an 11 euro fee ($12.29 at current exchange rates). On cruises departing from China, Japan, and Singapore, charges vary from $10 to $17.50 based on cabin category. Children under 4 are exempt from these charges, while gratuities for kids aged 4 to 14 (or up to 12 on cruises from Japan, China, and Singapore) are half the adult rate. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to beverage purchases.

Cunard Line

• Automatic gratuity charge: $16 to $18 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers in standard cabins are charged $16, while those in Grill Class suites pay $18. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to bar, wine, and salon bills.

Disney Cruise Line

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Disney does not impose an automatic gratuity, but recommends that passengers in most cabins tip around $14.50 per day for various dining staff and room attendants. For those in concierge cabins and suites, the suggested amount is $15.50. Passengers can choose to prepay this amount or pay onboard. Moreover, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service bills, as well as for spa services.

Holland America Line

• Automatic gratuity charge: $17 to $19 per person, per day.
• Details: Passengers in most cabins incur a "crew appreciation" charge of $17, while those in suites pay $19. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and dining room wine purchases.

Lindblad Expeditions

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare for passengers aboard the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion. On other vessels, gratuities are at the discretion of the passengers.

MSC Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: Approximately $10 (12 euros) to $16.
• Details: Gratuity charges are set at $16 for voyages to and from the U.S., except for those priced in euros, which incur a fee of 12 euros ($13.41 at current exchange rates). Cruises around South Africa are an exception, where gratuities are only $10. For children aged 2 to 11, gratuities are typically half the adult rate, and no charges apply for those under 2 years old.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Automatic service charge: $20 to $25 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers in standard cabins are charged $20, while those in suites or The Haven pay $25. Children under 3 are not subject to these charges. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, specialty restaurants with extra charges, and ship spas. Cruises to Hawaii also incur a 4.275% prepaid service charge known as a general excise tax.

Oceania Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $18 to $23 per person, per day (valid through the end of 2024).
• Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $18, while those in top-tier suites with butler service are charged $23. Beginning in January 2025, Oceania will eliminate these automatic gratuity fees, integrating them into a new "Your World Included" bundle, providing extra-charge items for free to all passengers. Furthermore, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, the extra-charge La Reserve restaurant, and ship spas.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the overall fare.

Ponant

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare. However, passengers may choose to give additional tips; Ponant suggests a range of $10 to $12 per passenger, per day.

Princess Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $17 to $19 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers in standard cabins pay $17 as a "crew appreciation" charge. Those in minisuites, cabanas, and Club Class cabins pay $18, while passengers in larger suites pay $19. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is applied to bar bills, wine purchases in the dining room, and services at Lotus Spa.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Royal Caribbean

• Automatic gratuity charge: $18 to $20.50 per person, per day.
• Details: Most passengers, including those in junior suites, are charged $18 per day. Passengers in higher-level suites incur a charge of $20.50. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is applied to bills at bars, minibars, salons, and spas.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the overall fare.

Seabourn

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the ticket price.

SeaDream Yacht Club

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Silversea Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare, except for beauty salon and spa services.

Star Clippers

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: The line suggests a gratuity of 8 euros (approximately $8.93 at current rates) per day, though this is entirely optional. A 15% gratuity is added to bar purchases.

UnCruise Adventures

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: UnCruise recommends a gratuity of $35 per person, per day, but this is at the passenger's discretion.

Viking

• Automatic gratuity charge: $17 per person, per day.
• Details: All passengers, regardless of cabin type, pay a gratuity of $17. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is applied to bar bills.

Virgin Voyages

• Automatic gratuity charge: None.
• Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Windstar Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $16 per person, per day.
• Details: All passengers incur a "hotel service charge" of $16, regardless of cabin type. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bills for bar service, beverages, wine, and deck service. Alternatively, Windstar cruisers can opt for an all-in package for $89 per person, per day, which includes unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi, and the hotel service charge.