Everything You Need To Know About Tipping On A Cruise

When it comes to cruise gratuities, the question of tipping—how much, and to whom—always seems to be one of the most popular topics of conversation among tourists. The cruise industry has implemented automatic tipping on mainstream lines and mandated a “no gratuities required” policy on the majority of luxury ocean lines in an effort to make the practice of tipping less stressful and more straightforward for passengers. These policies mean that passengers do not have to spend the last day of their cruise crunching numbers and running around the ship handing out envelopes of cash to every room steward, waiter, and bartender they met during the voyage. This is a significant improvement from the practice that was common in the past when people went on cruises.

Still, tipping etiquette on cruises might be a little complicated. The following are some factors that should be kept in mind.

Tipping is not expected or required on many luxury lines.

Because the cost of the service is already factored into the price of the trip per person, several luxury cruise companies have instituted a no-tipping policy. You are free to tip more than the standard amount at your own discretion, but it is not expected (with the exception of spa services, which typically tack on a supplemental, automatic gratuity). On Azamara, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Silversea Cruises, tipping the waitstaff, bartenders, or stewards is not required.

On some ships, the cost of many gratuities is already factored into the fare.

The vast majority of major cruise lines will add gratuities to your onboard account automatically. The cost is typically between $12 and $15 per passenger, per day, and the cruise line then distributes that money among all of the crew members whose primary focus is providing service. It is important to keep in mind that almost all cruise lines include an automatic gratuity of 15 to 20 percent on all bar bills (which can be found on their websites if you are curious), and 18 to 20 percent on spa services, so there is no requirement to tip additional money unless you choose to do so.

However, you can simply head over to the onboard customer service counter if you would like to donate a larger or smaller amount toward the daily gratuity charge. It is important to keep in mind that there are other situations in which having extra cash on hand could prove to be useful. For example, you may need to tip the porters at the terminal, the guides on shore excursions, or the counsellors at the kids’ club. In these circumstances, you should conduct some study in advance on the rules of your cruise companies and save aside some cash for these situations just in case you need it.

Find below a comprehensive list of cruise lines that have regulations regarding automatic tipping.

In recent years, the majority of large ocean lines have shifted toward policies that involve auto-tipping. The following is an outline of what you may anticipate with regard to cruise recommendations on these companies. (Rates listed are for adults; suggested gratuity amounts for children can vary depending on the cruise line.)

Staterooms on the Carnival Cruise Line cost $13.99 USD per passenger per day, while suites cost $15.99 USD per passenger per day.

The following are the rates for guestrooms on Celebrity Cruises: $14.50 per person, per day; $15 per person, per day; in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms; and $18 per person, per day, in suites.

Costa Cruises: Costa determines the amount of its auto-gratuities dependent on the length of your journey, the location, and the ship you are sailing on; nonetheless, you may anticipate a fee of $12.50 per person, per day, for cruises that depart from the United States.

On the Cunard line, travellers travelling in the Britannia pay $11.50 per person, per day, while those travelling in the Grill Class pay $13.50 per person, per day.

On Disney Cruise Line, the following gratuities are charged as follows: $1 per passenger, per day for the head server; $4.50 per passenger, per day for the dining room server; $3.50 per passenger, per day for the assistant server; and $4.50 per passenger, per day for the cabin steward.

Guests sleeping in staterooms on Holland America Line will be charged $14.50 per person, per day, while guests overnight in suites will be charged $16 per person, per day.

MSC Cruises: The amount of gratuity that passengers are required to pay varies depending on the location of the cruise; for example, passengers on a typical Caribbean cruise are required to pay $12.50 per person, per day.

On Norwegian Cruise Line, the price for a cabin is $15 per person, per day, while the price for The Haven, Concierge, and suites is $18 per person, per day.

Oceania Cruises charges passengers $16 per person, per day, for cabin accommodations, while those staying in a Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, or Owner’s suite are charged $23 per person, per day.

On Princess Cruises, the price is as follows: $14.50 per person, per day, for guests staying in cabins; $15.50 per person, per day, for guests staying in mini-suites; and $16.50 per person, per day, for guests staying in suites.

Royal Caribbean International charges $14.50 per person, per day for guests staying in staterooms and junior suites, and $17.50 per person, per day for passengers travelling in grand suites and higher categories.

The cost of a Viking Ocean Cruise for one day is $15 per person.

The cost of a Windstar Cruise for one day is $13.50 per person.