Tipping on a cruise: What to learn about ship gratuities

How a lot must you tip on a cruise? It is a query that journeys up many first-timers. That is as a result of some cruise traces tack each day service charges onto passenger payments — but many vacationers nonetheless hand out more money gratuities, both as a matter in fact or for exemplary service.

The additional value of the automated gratuity prices could be a shock to first-time cruisers. At some traces, these prices run as excessive as $25 per day. And, in contrast to the everyday service payment or resort payment discovered at a land resort, computerized gratuity prices on cruise ships should not per room. They’re per individual.

At some huge traces, resembling 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 extra ideas you want to give to your room service supplier or favourite bartender, or computerized gratuities tacked on to bar, restaurant and spa payments.

Nonetheless, not all traces have service charges that top. Some do not cost a service payment in any respect. And, in lots of instances, the service prices are adjustable.

Tipping on a cruise doesn’t should be difficult, however you might want to perceive the large image to price range 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, based mostly on which cruise line you are crusing.

Tipping on a cruise ship: The large image

Many of the greatest cruise traces robotically add some kind of service or gratuity payment onto passenger payments. Strains with such computerized prices embody each of the 2 giants of the cruise enterprise, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, in addition to the following three greatest traces — MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

That stated, the full variety of traces with a service payment has been shrinking over time. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding ideas and gratuities into their base fares.

For instance, Oceania Cruises eradicated its computerized gratuity payment in 2025 and now contains gratuities paid to shipboard employees in its base fare.

Different traces 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 traces that do have them, service and gratuity prices are touted as a handy different to the apply of money tipping on cruise ships — one thing that after was widespread.

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Cruise traces say they go the cash collected from service prices to the shipboard crew. They are saying the cash is shared not simply with front-of-house crew, resembling room attendants and waitstaff, but additionally with behind-the-scenes employees. In that sense, the present system is extra equitable than the outdated system of money tipping, which favored sure employees, traces say.

Nonetheless, some critics see the fees as a sneaky method for cruise traces to make their fares seem decrease than they are surely. On this line of pondering, traces with these prices are basically breaking out a superb chunk of onboard labor prices as a separate line merchandise in your invoice.

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How service prices are levied

At many traces, you possibly can pay your service prices 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 large benefit to paying cruise ideas 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 wish to pay their service prices prematurely for budgeting functions. It’s going to be one much less factor in your remaining invoice on the finish of the cruise.

When you choose to pay for ideas when you’re on board your cruise, you will usually discover that the gratuities robotically seem in your invoice. You do not have to do something.

That stated, if you wish to, you possibly can typically regulate the fees (both up or down) when you’re on board by visiting the visitor relations desk. In case you are adjusting a gratuity cost downward, anticipate to be requested in regards to the causes behind the adjustment. The visitor relations employees will wish to know in the event you’ve skilled specific service points.

When you depart the service cost in your room invoice, you aren’t anticipated to depart extra cruise ideas to your room attendant or waiters. That is the entire level of the service cost.

Equally, in the event 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. Extra money items should not anticipated.

Nonetheless, some individuals do depart just a little additional 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 additional on a cruise is totally as much as you as a result of it’s by no means required.

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Included cruise ideas as a reserving perk

When you dislike tipping on cruise ships however cannot afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, search for promotions when cruise traces with service prices throw in free gratuities as a reserving incentive.

Moreover, a number of main traces up to now couple of years have begun providing bundle pricing to clients who pay for cruise ideas, Wi-Fi prices and an onboard drink package deal suddenly prematurely of crusing, doubtlessly at a reduction.

Princess, for instance, has added a Princess Plus plan as a reserving choice. It provides passengers pay as you go gratuities (Princess calls these “crew appreciation” charges), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a fundamental beverage package deal for a single bundled worth of $65 per individual, per day in the event you e-book it prematurely of crusing.

Princess additionally has an upgraded Princess Premier bundle choice that features gratuities with much more included objects, resembling limitless eating at specialty eating places, for a single worth of $100 per individual, per day in the event you e-book it prematurely of crusing.

Don’t fret: When traces supply such offers, it doesn’t suggest the crew will obtain fewer ideas the week you cruise. The traces that provide these offers say they will pay a traditional gratuity to the crew in your behalf.

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Further cruise ship tipping

Day by day service prices should not the one cruise ideas you’ll pay on board. Many cruise traces will tack an computerized 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 typically features a line for an extra gratuity, even when one is robotically added. This will trick many cruisers into tipping twice. By no means really feel pressured so as to add an additional tip if you’ve already paid one.

Observe that if you buy a eating or beverage package deal, most cruise traces will cost you gratuities based mostly on a proportion of the package deal worth. When 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 also needs to convey money to tip the porters who convey their baggage onto the ship ($2 per bag is commonplace today), in addition to tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per individual 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 track request.

How a lot must you tip on every cruise line?

When you’re questioning how a lot you must tip on the particular cruise line you are contemplating or have already booked, we have compiled that data right here. Under is a line-by-line take a look at insurance policies for computerized gratuity prices (known as service prices or crew appreciation prices at some traces). The charges listed are per individual, per day. They had been correct as of the publishing of this story.

Do not forget that all extra tipping is at your discretion. Any quantity is ok and will likely be appreciated by the hard-working crew.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

• Computerized gratuity cost: None.
• Particulars: Gratuities for the crew should 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 companies.

Carnival Cruise Line

• Computerized gratuity cost: $16 to $18 per individual, 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 quilt prices for the Chef’s Desk and Bonsai Teppanyaki eating places and the a la carte payment at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, Man’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse and Seafood Shack.

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Superstar Cruises

• Computerized gratuity cost: $18 per individual, 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 Superstar now prices these charges even for passengers who e-book the road’s higher-priced All Included fares. Till not too long ago, these fares included gratuity prices, too. Moreover, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders drinks or purchases a minibar merchandise. A 20% gratuity may also be added for spa and salon companies.

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 individual, per day.
• Particulars: Passengers on ships working on the greenback usually pay $13.50. Ships working on the euro have an 11 euro cost ($12.92 at present change 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 youngsters 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 individual, 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 computerized gratuity cost, it means that passengers staying in most cabins pay $16 per day in whole when tipping varied eating employees and room attendants. The recommended 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 companies.

Holland America Line

• Computerized gratuity cost: $17 to $19 per individual, 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 prices are $16 on voyages from and to the U.S., except sailings with pricing in euros, which have a gratuity cost of 12 euros ($14.10 at present change 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 youngsters between 2 and 11 are half the grownup price on most cruises. Gratuities should not charged for youngsters youthful than 2.

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Computerized service cost: $20 to $25 per individual, 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 may also pay a 4.275% pay as you go service cost known as a basic excise tax.

Oceania Cruises

• Computerized gratuity cost: None.
• Particulars: As of January 2025, passengers on Oceania ships now not should pay computerized gratuity charges. Gratuity charges of as much as $25 per individual, per day have been folded into a brand new “Your World Included” bundle of extra-charge objects that every one passengers will get totally free.

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 may give 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 individual, per day.
• Particulars: Princess contains 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 computerized service gratuity of $17 to $19 per individual, per day to remaining 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 individual, 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, aside from magnificence salon companies and spa remedies.

Star Clippers

• Computerized gratuity cost: None.
• Particulars: The road recommends that passengers pay 8 euros ($9.40 at present change 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 individual, per day in gratuities, however the cost is on the passenger’s discretion.

Viking

• Computerized gratuity cost: $20 per individual, 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 individual, 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 package deal that features limitless drinks, Wi-Fi and the lodge service cost for $99 per individual, per day.

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