Cruise tipping guide: automatic gratuities, service charges and who to tip extra

How does tipping work on a cruise?

On most mainstream cruise lines you don’t hand out tips day to day. Instead, the line adds a fixed gratuity, sometimes called a daily service charge, for each guest for each night of the cruise. It’s charged to your onboard account automatically, or you can prepay it with your fare.

That charge is pooled and shared among the crew who look after you, including your cabin steward, dining room waiters and many people you never see, such as galley and housekeeping staff. On top of it, bar drinks and spa services usually carry their own automatic service charge. Extra tipping beyond that is a personal choice, not an obligation.

Which cruise lines add automatic gratuities?

Nearly every mainstream and many premium lines sailing from North America use automatic daily gratuities. That includes Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, MSC, Celebrity, Holland America and Disney. The daily amount differs by line and usually rises for suite guests, who often receive extra services such as a concierge or butler.

Lines review their rates from time to time, so check the current figure on your line’s website or in your booking before you sail. It adds up faster than people expect: a family of four on a week-long cruise pays the daily rate for every person on every night, which makes it a meaningful part of the vacation budget.

Cruise lines where tips are included

Some lines fold gratuities into the fare, so you won’t see a daily charge. Virgin Voyages includes tips, as do luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journeys and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. On these lines, extra tipping is genuinely optional and some actively discourage it.

Other lines include gratuities only with certain fares or bundles. Celebrity’s All Included fares and packages from several mainstream lines bundle extras that may cover daily gratuities, so read exactly what your fare includes. River lines vary: some include gratuities, while others suggest an amount and collect it at the end of the cruise.

Service charges on drinks, spa treatments and more

Separate from the daily gratuity, most mainstream lines add an automatic service charge, often around 18 to 20 percent, to bar drinks, drinks packages, spa treatments and salon services. You’ll see it on the receipt you sign or in the app, and it goes to the staff in those departments.

Some lines also add a service charge to specialty restaurant bills, and some charge a delivery fee for room service. Because these charges are already included, you don’t need to add a tip for every cocktail or massage. If a bartender or therapist went out of their way, a little extra in cash is a welcome thank-you. The same goes for room service: where a delivery fee or service charge applies, a tip is optional, though many guests hand over a small one, especially for late-night orders.

Who to tip extra on a cruise, and who isn’t covered

Ship gratuities cover crew on board, not people who work at the port or on tours. Bring small bills in US dollars for the people below.

• Porters at the cruise terminal: they’re port employees, not crew, and a small tip per bag is customary when you drop off or collect luggage.
• Shore excursion guides and drivers: tip on cruise line tours as well as independent ones, since ship gratuities don’t reach them.
• Taxi drivers and private guides in port, following local custom.
• Hotel shuttle drivers before and after the cruise.
• Optional: a cabin steward, waiter or bartender who gave standout service.
• Optional: a suite butler or concierge, according to your line’s guidance.

Can you remove or adjust automatic gratuities?

Policies vary. Some lines let you lower or remove the daily gratuity at guest services during the cruise, while others discourage it or don’t allow it. Crew pay is structured around these gratuities, so removing them affects people who may not be responsible for the problem you experienced.

If service disappoints, raise it early with guest services or the department manager, while there’s still time to fix it. That usually gets a better result than adjusting gratuities on the last day. If you plan to tip some crew directly in cash, you can do that in addition to the automatic charge.

Should you prepay cruise gratuities?

Prepaying gratuities when you book or before you sail has a few advantages. It takes a large charge off your onboard bill, makes the vacation feel more paid-up in advance, and on many lines it locks in the current rate if gratuities rise before you sail. It also helps if you’re budgeting carefully or someone else is paying for the cruise.

The downside is mostly flexibility: prepaid gratuities are typically refunded if you cancel, but check the terms. Some promotions include prepaid gratuities as a booking perk, which is worth factoring in when you compare offers.

Tipping etiquette on board: practical tips

A few habits make tipping simple and fair on any cruise.

• Check your onboard account early in the cruise so you know what’s being charged and when.
• Carry small US bills; most ships sailing from North America use US dollars on board.
• Give any extra cash tips in person or in an envelope with a note, which crew appreciate.
• Mention exceptional crew by name in the post-cruise survey, which can matter for their careers.
• Don’t feel obliged to tip again for each drink when a service charge is already included.
• If you prepaid gratuities, confirm they show as paid on your account so you aren’t charged twice.
• On luxury and expedition ships, follow the line’s guidance; where tips are included, a sincere thank-you or a note to the hotel director is often the preferred gesture.

Frequently asked questions