Help CenterYes, tipping is expected on most cruises, and it is usually handled through automatic gratuities charged to your onboard account. These tips are distributed among the crew members who provide you with daily service—such as your cabin steward, dining staff, and behind-the-scenes support personnel.
💳 How Tipping Works on a Cruise
✅ 1. Automatic Gratuities (Service Charges)
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Most cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your account each day of your cruise.
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These charges range from $16 to $25 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and type of stateroom.
| Cruise Line | Typical Daily Gratuity (per person) |
|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | $18.00 (standard), $20.50 (suites) |
| Norwegian (NCL) | $20.00–$25.00 depending on cabin type |
| Carnival | $16.00–$18.00 |
| Princess Cruises | $16.00–$18.00 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $18.00–$23.00 |
| MSC Cruises | Varies by destination ($14–$18) |
| Holland America | $17.00–$19.00 |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.50 per person (children too) |
These gratuities are automatically charged to your onboard account and can be prepaid before your cruise or settled at the end.
🧾 2. Prepaid Gratuities
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Many cruise lines offer the option to prepay tips when booking your cruise.
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Prepaying is helpful for budgeting and is sometimes included as a promotional perk through Direct Line Cruises (e.g., “Free Gratuities” offers).
💵 3. Additional Tipping (Optional)
Even if gratuities are automatic, many guests choose to tip extra in these situations:
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Cabin stewards or waiters who went above and beyond
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Room service delivery (usually $1–$5 per delivery)
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Specialty dining waitstaff (some lines already include it)
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Spa and salon services (often automatically include 15–20%)
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Shore excursion guides (if booked independently)
❗ Can I Adjust or Remove the Gratuities?
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Some cruise lines allow you to adjust or remove gratuities at the guest services desk—but this is discouraged unless there’s a specific service issue.
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Others (especially luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn) include gratuities in your cruise fare and do not accept tipping.
✅ In Summary:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is tipping required? | ✅ Yes, generally via automatic daily charges |
| How much is it? | ~$16–$25 per person, per day (varies by line) |
| How do I pay? | Through your onboard account or prepaid |
| Can I tip extra? | ✅ Yes — and it’s appreciated for great service |
| Can I remove gratuities? | Sometimes — varies by cruise line |