After sailing with many major cruise lines, I’ve watched countless passengers struggle with their first tipping experience. This isn’t another sugar-coated guide claiming that “tipping is optional” – it’s the straightforward truth you need before your next cruise
The Quick Answers Everyone’s Looking For
Daily automatic gratuities range from £12–20 ($15–25) per person.
Royal Caribbean: £14.50 ($18) for standard cabins, £16.50 ($21) for suites
Norwegian: £12.50–15.50 ($16–20) depending on room type
Celebrity: £14–18 ($18–23)
Charges are per person, per day, including children over 2–3 years old.
Yes, you can remove gratuities, but, they make up around 90–95% of crew members’ total earnings. A cabin steward on a base wage of about £600 ($750) a month relies almost entirely on tips.
The money is pooled and distributed, not given directly to “your” waiter or steward.
Are Cruise Gratuities Mandatory?
Technically you can adjust them, but for most mainstream lines, gratuities are considered part of crew wages.
Removing them requires a trip to Guest Services and an explanation.
Some lines (like Costa) make gratuities non-negotiable.
Luxury lines such as Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Virgin Voyages include gratuities in the fare.
👉 If you’re new to cruising, this is one of the biggest “hidden extras” you’ll discover.
Cruise Line Gratuity Costs (Ballpark)
| Cruise Line | Standard Cabin (pp/pd) | Suites (pp/pd) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | £14.50 / $18 | £16.50 / $21 |
| Carnival | £12.50 / $16 | £14.00 / $18 |
| Norwegian (NCL) | £12.50 / $16 | £15.50 / $20 |
| Celebrity | £14.00 / $18 | £18.00 / $23 |
| Princess | £13.50 / $17 | £15.00 / $19 |
(pp/pd = per person, per day)
A 7-night cruise for two can easily add £200–250 ($250–320) in gratuities.
The Hidden Extras You’ll Pay
On top of daily service charges, cruise lines add automatic gratuities to:
Bar purchases: 18–20%
Speciality dining: 18–20% – see the specialty restaurants guide
Spa services: 18–20%
Room service: Either included, or expect to tip £2–3 ($3–4) cash
Who Gets Your Money (And Who Doesn’t)
Included in pooled gratuities:
Stateroom attendants (cabin stewards)
Dining room wait staff
Culinary staff (kitchen/galley teams)
Hotel services staff (guest services, housekeeping supervisors)
Not included:
Bar staff
Casino dealers
Shore excursion guides
Port baggage handlers
Youth club staff
Speciality restaurant servers (covered by the 18–20% dining fee)
Regional Differences
Caribbean cruises: Follow US tipping culture → Caribbean port guide
Mediterranean cruises: Some European lines (Costa, MSC) add fixed “hotel service charges” → Mediterranean cruise guide
River cruises: £8–15 ($10–18) per person per day, or included on luxury lines → River cruises explained
Alaska cruises: Usually on the higher end of gratuity ranges → Alaska cruises guide
Smart Cash Tipping
Even with automatic gratuities, cash tips make a difference.
First day: Tip bartenders £4–8 ($5–10) upfront, room service £2–3 ($3–4) per delivery.
End of cruise: Cabin steward £15–40 ($20–50) per person, favourite bartender £15–25 ($20–30), outstanding waiter £8–15 ($10–20).
Excursions: Tour guides £4–12 ($5–15), coach drivers £2–3 ($3–4), private guides 10–15% of tour cost.
Prepaying Gratuities
Most lines let you prepay tips before sailing. Benefits:
Lock in today’s rates (they often rise each year).
Simplify budgeting – fewer surprises → How to save money on your cruise
Avoid exchange rate swings if paying in different currencies.
Settle the bill in advance for peace of mind.
Common Questions From Cruisers
Q: Can I tip in foreign currency?
A: Stick to US dollars ($). Crew often struggle to exchange other currencies.
Q: What if I only eat at the buffet?
A: You still pay – gratuities cover galley staff and housekeeping, not just waiters.
Q: Should I tip extra in cash?
A: Yes, but only for standout service.
Q: Can I add tips to my onboard account?
A: Sometimes for bars and spas, but cash is still best.
Q: What about port baggage handlers?
A: They’re not cruise staff – tip £1–2 ($1–2) per bag.
Related Reading:
Are All-Inclusive Drinks Packages Worth the Money?
8 responses
I believe that the cruise line should pay their staff a proper wage out of their large profits.
Having spent my working life in the hospitality industry I would say tipping should be at the discretion of the customer and not mandatory.
Companies should charge the requisite amount in the sales price to ensure the staff are adequately paid and the customer is satisfied. I would support a non tipping policy unless I chose to reward exceptional service or kindness.
I strongly object to being told how much to tip and to the way that said tips are distributed.
In the past we have “opted out” and give tips to those that we thought deserved them ie the cabin staff, waiters etc who we think work extremely hard and should be rewarded.
The last cruise however which was with Croisieres de France we approached the purser and reception staff, who informed us that the opting out scheme was no longer in existence.
We were told in no uncertain terms that we had no option but to pay the tips that they were charging. They also said that other companies are now doing the same thing.
It is a sticky subject. I worked for the NHS for 43 years and I personally have saved many lives.
I have had thank you,s and we would not be able to accept a tip or expect one. If you are employed to do a job you do it well to the best of your ability or you should not be in the job .
A tip is personal for the service but it should not be demanded.
Have done 40+ cruises, some automatic tipping I opt out of at the pursers desk, when asked cruise workers prefer to be personally tipped although they say that they should not have told you the information of preference.
I always tip the the cabin steward, waiter and assistant waiter, you pay tips automatic to your bar service each time.
For anyone else who may receive a tip from me, it depends on the circumstances.
On our last few cruises we paid as part of the deal, so on the last night we were the only people on our table who didn’t pass the dreaded envelope at goodbye time.
But we prefer to tip in cash at the end of the cruise, how can you actually tip in advance?
How do you know that the service you get will be worth the tip?
We have always paid by the way but should the service fall short we would withdraw the tips.
I am getting ready to go on my 3rd cruise. I opt out of prepaid tipping I tip where I feel It is deserved.
I think it is obscene that cruise staff need money gifts to have a decent wage. Shame on the cruise lines. To tip is to perpetuate this indignity of the crew.