Cruise Tipping Guide: What You Need to Know

Tipping on a cruise can be confusing, as policies vary by cruise line, destination, and service type. While some cruise lines include gratuities in the fare, others add them automatically to your bill or expect passengers to tip individually. Understanding tipping etiquette can help you avoid awkward moments and ensure you reward excellent service appropriately.

Are Tips Included in Your Cruise Fare?

Some cruise lines automatically include gratuities in your fare, while others leave tipping to your discretion. Here’s a general breakdown:

Cruise Lines That Include Gratuities:

These cruise lines typically offer all-inclusive fares, meaning tips are covered:

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Silversea Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Ponant
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Cruise Lines That Automatically Add Gratuities:

Most mainstream cruise lines add daily service charges to your onboard account. The typical gratuity amount varies:

• Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Holland America: ~$16–$20 per person, per day
• Princess Cruises & Celebrity Cruises: ~$18–$22 per person, per day
• Disney Cruise Line: ~$16 per person, per day

You can adjust these gratuities at the guest services desk if needed.

Cruise Lines Where Tipping is Expected:

Some budget and smaller cruise lines do not include gratuities in fares or service charges, meaning you are expected to tip crew members individually.

Who Should You Tip on a Cruise?

Even when gratuities are included or added to your bill, you may want to give extra to exceptional staff. Here’s a general tipping guide:

Essential Crew Members:

• Cabin Stewards: $3–$5 per day (or more for outstanding service)
• Waitstaff (if dining in specialty restaurants): 15%–20% of the bill if gratuity isn’t included
• Bartenders & Drink Servers: 15%–18% per drink (often included in drink packages)
• Concierge & Butler Service (on luxury cruises): $5–$10 per day or a lump sum at the end
• Shore Excursion Guides & Bus Drivers: $2–$5 per excursion

Extra Tips & When to Give Them

• Extra Cash Tips: If a crew member goes above and beyond, it’s always appreciated to hand them a personal tip at the end of the trip.
• Special Occasion Tips: If you receive exceptional service for a birthday, anniversary, or special request, a small tip is a great way to say thanks.
• Spa Services: A 15%–20% tip is expected unless automatically added to the bill.

Final Tips on Tipping

• Check your cruise policy before you sail to see if gratuities are included.
• Bring small bills in the local currency if cruising internationally for tipping on shore excursions.
• Feel free to adjust your gratuities if service falls below expectations or exceeds them.

Tipping is a way to show appreciation for the hard-working crew who make your cruise memorable. Whether it's included in your fare or left to your discretion, knowing what to tip ensures you’re prepared for a smooth sailing experience.