What to Know about Tipping on a Cruise

Tipping on a cruise typically involves gratuities for the staff, which can be pre-paid or automatically added to your onboard account.

The added expense of automatic gratuity charges can be surprising for first-time cruisers. On some lines, these charges can reach up to $25 per day. Unlike typical service or resort fees at a land resort, these are charged per person rather than per room.

“For major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, a family of four sharing a single cabin may see more than $70 a day in service fees on their bills. Over a standard seven-night cruise, this can total around $500 in fees.”

Read this tipping guide to understand the gratuity policies of the most popular cruise lines, including detailed breakdowns for Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Star Clippers, Windstar Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line.

Tipping on A Cruise Ship

Tipping on a cruise

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Several large cruise lines now add service or gratuity fees directly to passenger bills. This includes industry leaders such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian, and Princess Cruises.

However, the number of lines charging separate service fees has been decreasing as many smaller and luxury cruise operators now include tips and gratuities in their base fares.

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

For cruise lines that still have service and gratuity charges, these fees are presented as a convenient alternative to the once-common practice of cash tipping on cruise ships.

Cruise lines have shifted from cash tipping to standardized charges on passenger bills. These charges cover various service charges for the shipboard crew, including waitstaff, room attendants, and other workers.

Critics see this system as a fair way to distribute money among all workers, including those in out-of-house roles. The rising labor costs and the need for transparency in fares have driven this change in thinking. The inclusion of these charges as a line item helps streamline the compensation process for the crew.

How Service Charges Are Applied?

Tipping on a cruise

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One advantage of including gratuities in the bill is that it simplifies budgeting purposes for people planning a cruise. When cruise tips and service charges are added in advance, it ensures there are no surprise charges on the room bill while on board.

This practice helps in setting a clear rate for the entire trip, making it easier for travelers to manage their expenses. Moreover, it eliminates the need for tips or anything additional at the end of the trip, streamlining the whole process for people.

If you wish, you can typically modify the charges, whether increasing or decreasing them, by visiting the guest relations desk while on board. Should you decide to decrease a gratuity charge, be ready to explain the reasons for this adjustment, as the guest relations staff will need to understand if there were any particular service issues.

If you leave the service charge on your room bill, you are not expected to give extra cruise tips to your room attendant or waiters. The service charge is meant to cover these tips.

Similarly, if you’re on a higher-end ship where gratuities are included in the fare, it means exactly that. You don’t need to tip on these cruises because the line already pays the staff on your behalf. Additional cash gifts are not expected.

However, some guests do leave extra for crew members who provide exceptional service. Others may tip room service staff or their favorite bar waitstaff, either early in the cruise to encourage good service or at the end to show appreciation for enhancing their vacation experience. How much extra you tip on a cruise is completely up to you, as it is not required.

Included Tips as a Booking Benefit

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If you don’t like tipping on cruise ships but can’t afford an all-inclusive line, look for deals where cruise lines with service charges offer free gratuities as part of their booking incentives.

Norwegian offers a Free at Sea booking incentive that includes several perks to enhance your cruise experience.

In addition to crew tips and service charges, this line provides a drinks package, shipboard Wi-Fi, and more. This promotions package is an attractive deal for cruise lines and their customers, helping to set Norwegian apart from other brands in the business.

In the past few years, many major cruise lines have introduced bundle pricing. This allows passengers to pay upfront for cruise tips, Wi-Fi charges, and an onboard drinks package, often at a reduced price.

The Princess Plus plan offered by Princess includes a $60 beverage package, a Wi-Fi plan, and gratuities for each person. This booking option is an attractive choice for passengers looking for convenience and value.

“When cruise lines offer these deals, it does not mean the crew will receive fewer tips during your voyage. The cruise lines guarantee that they will cover the usual gratuity for the crew on your behalf.”

Tipping Amounts for Each Cruise Line

1: Carnival Cruise Line

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $16 to $18 per person, per day.

“Cabin passengers pay $16, while suite passengers pay $18. Children under 2 are exempt. An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, Chef’s Table, Bonsai Teppanyaki, Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse fees.”

2: Costa Cruises

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $12.50 to $17.50 per person, per day.

“Passengers on ships operating with the U.S. dollar generally pay $12.50 in gratuities, whereas those on ships using the euro are charged 11 euro. For cruises leaving from China, Japan, and Singapore, gratuities range from $13.50 to $17.50, depending on the cabin category.

Passengers under 4 years old are exempt from these charges, and children aged 4 to 14 pay half the adult rate. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is applied to beverage purchases.”

3: Windstar Cruises

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $16 per person, per day.

“Passengers on Windstar cruises incur a hotel service charge of $16 per day for all cabin types. Wi-Fi may be included depending on bookings. An 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, and deck service bills. Wine packages are also available for cruisers.”

4: Star Clippers

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: None.

“On many cruise lines, passengers pay 8 euros as a standard gratuity. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added for bar purchases. Passengers can sometimes adjust the gratuities at their discretion. These charges are typically added to the passenger account automatically.”

5: Royal Caribbean

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $18 to $20.50 per person, per day.

“Passengers staying in junior suites on cruise ships pay $18 per day in gratuity charges, while those in higher-level suites pay $20.50. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bills from bars, salons, spas, and minibars in cabins, ensuring all services are covered.”

6: Princess Cruises

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $16 to $18 per person, per day.

“For instance, a $16 gratuity is applied to services provided in cabins and bar bills, which the line now calls a “crew appreciation” charge. Mini-suites pay $17, while those in bigger suites pay $18.

For those dining, wine purchases in the dining room will include an $18 gratuity. Guests visiting the Lotus Spa will also have these charges applied, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the line.”

7: Holland America Line

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: $17 to $19.00 per person, per day.

“Passengers on the line staying in cabins pay $17 for what the line now calls a “crew appreciation” charge, while those in suites pay $19.00. Additionally, bar bills and dining room wine purchases include an 18% gratuity. This structured approach ensures comprehensive service coverage for all passengers.”

8: MSC Cruises

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  • Automatic gratuity fee: about $13 to $16.

“Gratuity charges are $16 per day on U.S. voyages, except for those priced in euros, where the charge is 12 euros. For children aged 2 to 11, gratuities are half the adult rate on most cruises, while children under 2 are not charged gratuities.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much To Tip On Cruise Royal Caribbean?

On Royal Caribbean cruises, standard gratuities are $16.00 per person, per day for non-suite staterooms and $18.50 for suites, covering your stateroom attendant and dining staff. An 18% gratuity is added to bar, spa, and specialty dining bills.

How To Tip On Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s tipping policy includes automatic gratuities added either at booking or to your onboard account for your stateroom steward. Additionally, tips are included in the bills for drinks at the bar and meals at specialty restaurants.

How Much Do You Tip For A Disney Cruise?

Tipping on a Disney Cruise involves a gratuity of $14.50 USD per night for each stateroom guest, including infants and children. These pre-paid tips are distributed to crew members who assist you, such as the dining room server and the dining room assistant server.


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