How a lot do you have to tip on a cruise? It is a query that journeys up many first-timers. That is as a result of some cruise strains tack each day service charges onto passenger payments — but many vacationers nonetheless hand out extra money gratuities, both as a matter in fact or for exemplary service.
The additional value of the automated gratuity expenses is usually a shock to first-time cruisers. At some strains, these expenses run as excessive as $25 per day. And, not like the everyday service charge or resort fee discovered at a land resort, automated gratuity expenses on cruise ships usually are not per room. They’re per particular person.
At some large strains, corresponding to Royal Caribbean, it is not unusual for a household of 4 staying in a single cabin to see greater than $70 a day in service charges added to their payments. On a typical seven-night cruise, that is round $500 in charges.
That is earlier than you add in any further suggestions you want to give to your room service supplier or favourite bartender, or automated gratuities tacked on to bar, restaurant and spa payments.
Nonetheless, not all strains have service charges that top. Some do not cost a service charge in any respect. And, in lots of circumstances, the service expenses are adjustable.
Tipping on a cruise doesn’t should be sophisticated, however you’ll want to perceive the massive image to funds to your trip appropriately. Learn on to study all about cruise ship tipping tradition and the way a lot you will must tip in your subsequent cruise, primarily based on which cruise line you are crusing.
Tipping on a cruise ship: The massive image
Many of the greatest cruise strains routinely add some sort of service or gratuity charge onto passenger payments. Traces with such automated expenses embody each of the 2 giants of the cruise enterprise, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, in addition to the following three greatest strains — MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
That stated, the full variety of strains with a service charge has been shrinking over time. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding suggestions and gratuities into their base fares.
For instance, Oceania Cruises eliminated its automatic gratuity fee in 2025 and now consists of gratuities paid to shipboard employees in its base fare.
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Different strains that now cowl gratuities of their fares embody Azamara, Ponant Explorations, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxurious Cruises & Excursions, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Membership, Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages.
For strains that do have them, service and gratuity expenses are touted as a handy different to the apply of money tipping on cruise ships — one thing that when was frequent.
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Cruise strains say they go the cash collected from service expenses to the shipboard crew. They are saying the cash is shared not simply with front-of-house crew, corresponding to room attendants and waitstaff, but in addition with behind-the-scenes staff. In that sense, the present system is extra equitable than the previous system of money tipping, which favored sure staff, strains say.
Nonetheless, some critics see the fees as a sneaky method for cruise strains to make their fares seem decrease than they are surely. On this line of pondering, strains with these expenses are basically breaking out a great chunk of onboard labor prices as a separate line merchandise in your invoice.
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How service expenses are levied
At many strains, you possibly can pay your service expenses earlier than crusing (on the similar time you pay your cruise fare). Alternatively, you possibly can have the fees added to your room invoice on board.
The massive benefit to paying cruise suggestions prematurely is that you simply lock within the present price. In case your line raises the speed between the time you pay and the time you sail, you will not pay extra.
Some individuals additionally prefer to pay their service expenses prematurely for budgeting functions. It will be one much less factor in your closing invoice on the finish of the cruise.
Should you want to pay for suggestions when you’re on board your cruise, you will typically discover that the gratuities routinely seem in your invoice. You do not have to do something.
That stated, if you wish to, you possibly can usually regulate the fees (both up or down) whilst you’re on board by visiting the visitor relations desk. In case you are adjusting a gratuity cost downward, anticipate to be requested concerning the causes behind the adjustment. The visitor relations employees will need to know in case you’ve skilled specific service points.
Should you depart the service cost in your room invoice, you aren’t anticipated to depart further cruise suggestions to your room attendant or waiters. That is the entire level of the service cost.
Equally, in case you’re on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included within the fare, meaning simply what it says. You do not have to tip on these cruises as a result of the road is already paying gratuities to the employees in your behalf. More money presents usually are not anticipated.
Nonetheless, some individuals do depart somewhat further for crew members who go above and past. Others tip their room service or waitstaff at their favourite bar, both early within the cruise within the hope of getting higher service or on the finish to thank them for enhancing the holiday expertise. How a lot to tip further on a cruise is fully as much as you as a result of it’s by no means required.
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Included cruise suggestions as a reserving perk
Should you dislike tipping on cruise ships however cannot afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, search for promotions when cruise strains with service expenses throw in free gratuities as a reserving incentive.
Moreover, a number of main strains previously couple of years have begun providing bundle pricing to clients who pay for cruise suggestions, Wi-Fi expenses and an onboard drink bundle abruptly prematurely of crusing, probably at a reduction.
Princess, for instance, has added a Princess Plus plan as a reserving choice. It offers passengers pay as you go gratuities (Princess calls these “crew appreciation” charges), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a fundamental beverage bundle for a single bundled worth of $65 per particular person, per day in case you e book it prematurely of crusing.
Princess additionally has an upgraded Princess Premier bundle choice that features gratuities with much more included gadgets, corresponding to limitless eating at specialty eating places, for a single worth of $100 per particular person, per day in case you e book it prematurely of crusing.
Don’t be concerned: When strains supply such offers, it doesn’t suggest the crew will obtain fewer suggestions the week you cruise. The strains that supply these offers say they will pay a standard gratuity to the crew in your behalf.
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Further cruise ship tipping
Each day service expenses usually are not the one cruise suggestions you’ll pay on board. Many cruise strains will tack an automated gratuity cost onto the invoice for extra-fee drinks, restaurant meals and spa remedies.
The included tip quantity varies by cruise line however is usually 15% to twenty% of the invoice. Be warned that the receipt usually features a line for a further gratuity, even when one is routinely added. This could trick many cruisers into tipping twice. By no means really feel pressured so as to add an additional tip while you’ve already paid one.
Observe that if you are going to buy a eating or beverage bundle, most cruise strains will cost you gratuities primarily based on a share of the bundle worth. Should you get one among these packages for “free” as a reserving perk, you may nonetheless be required to pay the gratuities on the theoretical worth of this perk.
Cruisers must also carry money to tip the porters who carry their luggage onto the ship ($2 per bag is normal nowadays), in addition to tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per particular person for half-day excursions, $10 to $20 for full-day excursions and $2 for nonguide drivers). Piano bar regulars know {that a} money tip will enhance the possibilities of the pianist selecting and performing your tune request.
How a lot do you have to tip on every cruise line?
Should you’re questioning how a lot it’s best to tip on the particular cruise line you are contemplating or have already booked, we have compiled that info right here. Under is a line-by-line take a look at insurance policies for automated gratuity expenses (referred to as service expenses or crew appreciation expenses at some strains). The charges listed are per particular person, per day. They had been correct as of the publishing of this story.
Keep in mind that all further tipping is at your discretion. Any quantity is ok and can be appreciated by the hard-working crew.
Alaskan Dream Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities for the crew usually are not included within the fare and are on the discretion of vacationers.
Azamara
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities for the crew are included within the fare. One space of exception: An 18% gratuity is added to payments for spa providers.
Carnival Cruise Line
- Computerized gratuity cost: $16 to $18 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers in most cabins pay $16. These in suites pay $18. Youngsters youthful than 2 are exempt from the fees. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar payments, the duvet expenses for the Chef’s Desk and Bonsai Teppanyaki eating places and the a la carte charge at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, Man’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse and Seafood Shack.
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Celeb Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: $18 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers in most cabins pay $18. Passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins pay a better $19 price. Passengers in The Retreat suites pay $23. Observe that Celeb now expenses these charges even for passengers who e book the road’s higher-priced All Included fares. Till lately, these fares included gratuity expenses, too. Moreover, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders drinks or purchases a minibar merchandise. A 20% gratuity can even be added for spa and salon providers.
Celestyal Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities for crew and bar employees are included within the fare.
Costa Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: $12.50 to $17.50 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers on ships working on the greenback typically pay $13.50. Ships working on the euro have an 11 euro cost ($12.92 at present trade charges). On cruises departing from China, Japan and Singapore, the fees vary from $13.50 to $17.50, relying on the cabin class. Passengers youthful than 4 are exempt from the fees. Gratuities for kids between 4 and 14 (as much as 12 on cruises departing from Japan, China and Singapore) are half the grownup price. Moreover, a 15% gratuity is added to beverage purchases.
Cunard Line
- Computerized gratuity cost: $17 to $19 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers in most cabins pay $17. Passengers in Grill Class suites pay $19. Moreover, a 15% gratuity is added to bar, wine and salon payments.
Disney Cruise Line
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Whereas Disney would not add an automated gratuity cost, it means that passengers staying in most cabins pay $16 per day in complete when tipping varied eating employees and room attendants. The urged quantity for passengers staying in concierge cabins and suites is $27.25. Passengers can prepay the quantity prematurely or on board. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service payments, and an 18% gratuity is added to payments for spa providers.
Holland America Line
- Computerized gratuity cost: $17 to $19 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers in most cabins pay $17 for what the road now calls a crew appreciation cost. Passengers staying in suites pay $19. Moreover, an 18% gratuity is added to bar payments and eating room wine purchases.
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Lindblad Expeditions
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare for passengers on Nationwide Geographic Explorer, Nationwide Geographic Endurance and Nationwide Geographic Orion. On different ships, gratuities are on the passenger’s discretion.
MSC Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: About $14.10 (12 euros) to $16 (round 15 euros).
- Particulars: Gratuity expenses are $16 on voyages from and to the U.S., apart from sailings with pricing in euros, which have a gratuity cost of 12 euros ($14.10 at present trade charges). Sailings in Europe additionally include a 12 euros gratuity cost. Sailings round South Africa are the outliers, the place gratuities are simply $10. Gratuities for kids between 2 and 11 are half the grownup price on most cruises. Gratuities usually are not charged for kids youthful than 2.
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Computerized service cost: $20 to $25 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers in most cabins pay $20. These in suites or The Haven pay $25. Passengers youthful than 3 are exempt from the fees. Moreover, a 20% gratuity is added to payments at bars, extra-charge specialty eating places and ship spas. Cruises to Hawaii can even pay a 4.275% pay as you go service cost referred to as a basic excise tax.
Oceania Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: As of January 2025, passengers on Oceania ships not should pay automated gratuity charges. Gratuity charges of as much as $25 per particular person, per day have been folded into a brand new “Your World Included” bundle of extra-charge gadgets that every one passengers will get without spending a dime.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
Ponant Explorations
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare. Nonetheless, passengers can provide extra at their discretion; Ponant recommends 10 to 12 euros (about $12 to $14) per passenger, per day.
Princess Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: $17 to $19 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Princess consists of gratuities within the fare for all passengers who buy one among its inclusive Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages. For passengers not crusing on a Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare, Princess provides an automated service gratuity of $17 to $19 per particular person, per day to closing payments, relying in your cabin class. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to payments at bars, eating room wine accounts and spas.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
Royal Caribbean
- Computerized gratuity cost: $18.50 to $21 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers staying in most cabins, together with junior suites, pay $18.50 per day. Passengers in higher-level suites pay $21. Moreover, an 18% gratuity is added to payments at bars, minibars, salons and spas.
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Scenic Luxurious Cruises & Excursions
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
Seabourn
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
SeaDream Yacht Membership
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
Silversea Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare, apart from magnificence salon providers and spa remedies.
Star Clippers
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: The road recommends that passengers pay 8 euros ($9.40 at present trade charges) per day in gratuities, however the cost is on the passenger’s discretion. A 15% gratuity is added for bar purchases.
UnCruise Adventures
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: UnCruise recommends that passengers pay $45 per particular person, per day in gratuities, however the cost is on the passenger’s discretion.
Viking
- Computerized gratuity cost: $20 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers pay $20 in gratuities for all cabin sorts. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to bar payments.
Virgin Voyages
- Computerized gratuity cost: None.
- Particulars: Gratuities are included within the fare.
Windstar Cruises
- Computerized gratuity cost: $16 per particular person, per day.
- Particulars: Passengers pay a “lodge service cost” of $16 for all cabin sorts. Moreover, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service payments. Alternately, Windstar cruisers can improve their bookings with an all-in bundle that features limitless drinks, Wi-Fi and the lodge service cost for $99 per particular person, per day.
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