Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

Background Wave Pattern Quick summary Most major cruise lines add automatic daily gratuity charges to passenger bills, typically ranging from $14 to $25 per person, per day. Some premium and smaller cruise lines now include gratuities in their base fares, eliminating separate service charges. Additional gratuities are often automatically added to bar, specialty dining and spa bills, usually between 15% and 20%. Travelers can sometimes adjust or remove automatic gratuities, but policies vary by cruise line. What to consider Automatic gratuity charges are generally per person, not per cabin, and can significantly increase total trip costs, especially for families. Prepaying gratuities locks in current rates, but may limit your ability to adjust charges once on board. Extra tipping for exceptional service is optional, and some lines offer bundled packages that include prepaid gratuities, Wi-Fi and beverage plans. What you'll miss from the article A detailed breakdown of tipping policies and service charges for each major cruise line, including which lines include gratuities in fares and where extra charges apply. Generated by AI with support from our editorial team. Show summary