How much should you tip on a cruise? It's a question that trips up many first-time cruisers because some cruise lines tack daily service fees onto passenger bills. However, many travelers still hand out additional cash gratuities, either as a matter of course or to recognize exemplary service.
The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-timers. On some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. And unlike the typical service or resort fee at a land resort, automatic gratuity charges on cruise ships are per person, not per room.
On some big lines, such as Royal Caribbean, 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.
And 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, and some don't charge them at all. And, 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 largest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Lines with such automatic charges include both giants of the cruise business, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as the next three largest lines: MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line 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.
For example, Oceania Cruises eliminated its automatic gratuity fee in 2025 and now includes gratuities paid to shipboard staff in its base fare.
Other lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant Explorations, Explora Journeys, 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 cash tipping on cruise ships — something that was once common.
Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Where the gratuity money goes
One of the biggest misconceptions about cruise gratuities is that they go only to the cabin steward or dining room waiter you see every day.
In reality, the money collected is pooled and shared among a wide range of crew members. Depending on the cruise line, this can include cabin attendants, dining room servers, assistant waiters, housekeeping staff and other behind-the-scenes workers who help keep the ship running. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old cash-tipping system, which favored certain workers.
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. Exactly how gratuity pools are distributed varies by line, and cruise operators generally don't disclose detailed formulas.
How service charges are levied
At many 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.
You are also 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 on (in hopes of 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 not required.
Related: 10 times you do not need to tip on a cruise
Removing or adjusting cruise gratuities
If you want to, you can often adjust the charges (up or down) at the guest relations desk on board. 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.
Some cruise operators make it relatively easy to adjust gratuities, while others place restrictions on reductions or removals. If you prepaid gratuities before your cruise, you may have fewer options for changing the amount once you're on board.
Automatic gratuities generally are distributed among a broad range of crew members, including some workers whom passengers rarely encounter. For that reason, many experienced cruisers view gratuity adjustments as something to reserve for situations involving genuine service issues rather than as a routine way to lower vacation costs.
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.
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 drink 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 (which Princess calls "crew appreciation" fees), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a basic beverage package for a single bundled price of $65 per person, per day (or $70 per person, per day on Sphere Class ships like Sun Princess and Star Princess) if you book it in advance of sailing.
Princess also has an upgraded Princess Premier bundle option that includes gratuities with even more items, such as unlimited dining at specialty restaurants, for a single price of $100 per person, per day if you book it in advance of sailing.
Don't worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesn't mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. The lines offering these deals say they'll pay the crew a standard gratuity 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, you might still be required to pay the gratuities on the theoretical value of this perk.
Cruisers should also bring cash to tip the porters who bring their bags onto the ship ($2 per bag is standard these days), 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 increases the pianist's likelihood of choosing and performing their song request.
When tipping in cash, stick with small bills. Singles, fives and tens are easiest for crew members to use and are widely accepted even on cruises that visit non-U.S. ports. Some cruisers tip their room steward or favorite bartender early in the sailing, hoping to get better service throughout the trip. Others wait until the end to reward good service. Either approach is fine. Guest services can usually provide an envelope if you don't have one handy.
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, below is a line-by-line look at policies of automatic gratuity charges (also 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.
Azamara
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities for the crew are included in the fare. One area of exception is an 18% gratuity added to bills for spa and salon services.
Carnival Cruise Line
- Automatic gratuity charge: $17 to $19 per person, per day.
- Details: Carnival Cruise Line's recommended daily gratuities are $17 USD per person, per day for standard cabins and $19 per person, per day for suite accommodations. Children under the age of 2 are exempt from these charges. A 20% service charge is added to beverage purchases and to specialty dining reservation fees, including Chef's Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki, as well as à la carte charges at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril's Bistro, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and Seafood Shack. Carnival also adds a 20% service charge to Steakhouse selections and Bonsai Sushi boats ordered from the Main Dining Room dinner menu, Emeril's Bistro selections, and fresh-pressed juices ordered on Seaday Brunch and breakfast menus.
Celebrity Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: $19.50 to $24.50 per person, per day.
- Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $19.50. Passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins pay a higher rate of $20.50. Passengers in The Retreat suites pay $24.50. 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. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to beverage packages, specialty dining and dining packages and when a passenger orders drinks or purchases a minibar item. A 20% gratuity will also be added for spa and salon services.
Celestyal Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities for crew and bar staff are included in the fare.
Cunard Line
- Automatic gratuity charge: $18 to $19 per person, per day.
- Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $18. Passengers in Grill Class suites pay $19. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar, wine and salon bills.
Disney Cruise Line
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: While Disney doesn't automatically add a gratuity charge, it suggests that passengers staying in most cabins pay $16 per day in total when tipping dining staff and room attendants. The suggested amount for passengers staying in concierge cabins and suites is $27.25. 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 to spa service bills.
Explora Journeys
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities for crew and bar staff are included in the fare.
Holland America Line
- Automatic gratuity charge: $18 to $20 per person, per day.
- Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $18 for what the line now calls a crew appreciation charge. Passengers staying in suites pay $20. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added to bar bills and dining room wine purchases and an 18% gratuity to spa and salon services.
Lindblad Expeditions
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare for passengers on National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution and National Geographic Orion. On other ships, gratuities are at the passenger's discretion.
MSC Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: About $14.10 (12 euros) to $16 (around 15 euros).
- Details: Gratuity charges are $17 on voyages to and from the U.S., except for sailings priced in euros, which have a gratuity charge of 12 euros ($14.10 at current exchange rates). Sailings in Europe also include a 12-euro gratuity charge. Sailings around South America are the highest at $19, while sailings to South Africa are $17. 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: None.
- Details: As of January 2025, passengers on Oceania ships no longer have to pay automatic gratuity fees. Gratuity fees of up to $25 per person, per day have been folded into a new "Your World Included" bundle of extra-charge items that all passengers will get for free.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.
Ponant Explorations
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare. However, passengers can give more at their discretion; Ponant recommends 10 to 12 euros (about $12 to $14) per passenger, per day.
Princess Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: $18 to $20 per person, per day.
- Details: Princess includes gratuities in the fare for all passengers who purchase one of its inclusive Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages. For passengers not sailing on a Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare, Princess adds an automatic service gratuity of $18 to $20 per person, per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. Also, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, specialty dining, dining room wine accounts and spas.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare, except for the spa, which adds an 18% gratuity.
Royal Caribbean
- Automatic gratuity charge: $18.50 to $21 per person, per day.
- Details: Passengers staying in most cabins, including junior suites, pay $18.50 per day. Passengers in higher-level suites pay $21. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bills at bars, minibars, room service and specialty dining and 20% at salons and spas.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.
Seabourn
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: Gratuities are included in the fare.
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 services and spa treatments.
Star Clippers
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: The line recommends that passengers pay 8 euros (about $9 at current exchange rates) per day in gratuities, but the payment is at the passenger's discretion. A 15% gratuity is added for bar purchases.
UnCruise Adventures
- Automatic gratuity charge: None.
- Details: UnCruise recommends that passengers pay $45 per person, per day in gratuities, but the payment is at the passenger's discretion.
Viking
- Automatic gratuity charge: $20 per person, per day.
- Details: Passengers pay a $20 gratuity for all cabin types. Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Virgin Voyages
- Automatic gratuity charge: $22 per person, per day
- Details: As of October 2025, passengers on Virgin ships will need to pay $22 in gratuities for all cabin types. All other gratuities are included in the fare.
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. Alternatively, Windstar cruisers can upgrade their bookings with an all-in package that includes unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi and the hotel service charge for $99 per person, per day.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.