Crew appreciation. Daily service fees. Cruise ship gratuities. For first-time cruisers, all these terms can start to become a bit confusing. But whatever you’ve seen cruise lines refer to them as, they all mean the same thing. Namely, tipping on a cruise.
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Gratuities
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Confused by how much you’ll have to stump up when paying for things on a cruise? Don’t be. You might be scratching your head at the minute, but by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how tipping works on a cruise ship – along with how much gratuities differ across the biggest cruise lines.
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What are gratuities on a cruise?
This fancy-sounding word simply refers to tips, although certain lines use different terms for it, which might throw some first-time cruisers for a loop.
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For instance, Holland America calls it a Daily Service Fee, while Princess calls it Crew Appreciation. You may even see gratuities referred to on your onboard account statement as a Guest Services Fee.
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Why do cruise lines charge gratuities?
During a cruise, there are all sorts of staff doing their thing behind the scenes to make your holiday truly special.
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And chances are, you more than likely won’t get to see these guys work their magic. By pooling these gratuities, cruise lines can make sure these staff are appropriately rewarded for their efforts.
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Automatic gratuities
Automatic gratuities
The majority of large ship cruise lines, think Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean to name a few, tend to automatically add a set gratuity amount to your onboard account – on a per passenger, per day basis, ranging from $10 to $15. You can choose to refuse this automatic charge, and tip cruise staff at your own discretion, though you’ll need to notify the front desk if you wish to do so.
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Suggested gratuities
Suggested gratuities
Cruise lines like Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways suggest a daily amount to tip staff each day: $3 for main dining room waiters, $1 for a maitre d’, and $5 for a tour guide, for example. Under this model, you’ll also have the option to give less, more or none at all.
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No tipping
No tipping
A lot of luxury lines, such as Azamara Club Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and SeaDream Yacht Club, include tips in their fares already. There’s no expectation for you to tip staff onboard when sailing on these kinds of lines. You’re still welcome to offer them, however, though don’t be surprised if they turn down your tips.
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Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Guests staying in standard staterooms will be charged $16, while guests in suites will be charged $18. An automatic 18% charge also applies to beverages on the lines’ bars, along with its Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Chef’s Table restaurants.
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Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Standard stateroom guests will be charged $18, moving up to $19 for guests in Concierge and Aqua Class staterooms. Booked into the Retreat? You will be charged $23. In addition, a 20% fee applies if you order any drink that isn’t included in their Classic or Premium drinks package. There’s also an 18% charge for the line’s spa and salon services.
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Celestyal
Celestyal
Every guests’ service charges and crew gratuities are included in the cost of their cruise fare.
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Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises automatically add a mandatory tipping charge of €11 per person night. This can’t be removed, but at that price, it’s one of the cheaper automatic service charges you’re likely to find. A 15% charge applies to any drink order, which is halved for any children aged 4-14 years old. If your kids are under 4, then no charge applies.
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Cunard
Cunard
Now known as “hotel and dining service charges”, guests staying in their Britannia Class staterooms (which covers inside, ocean view and balcony rooms) will pay $16, which moves up to $18 for guests in their Grill Suites. A 15% beverage charge also applies, while a trip to the salon or the spa comes with a 15% fee too.
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Disney Cruises
Disney Cruises
Since Disney doesn’t automatically post thee fees to your account, they suggest a $16 fee for guests staying in standard rooms, and a $27.25 fee for those in suite or concierge staterooms. A 15% beverage charge and 18% spa fee also applies.
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Holland America Line
Holland America Line
Standard stateroom and suite guests will pay $17 and $19, respectively. An 18% service fee applies to beverage packages, drinks, dining room and speciality dining and other non-included service fee amenities.
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Marella
Marella
Gratuities are included in the price of the cruise, so there’s no need for guests to tip any extra while they’re onboard.
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MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
On MSC Cruises, tips are included in the cruise fare for UK customers, so it is not necessary to tip whilst on the ship. Please note: MSC recommends that guests do not tip individual members of staff.
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Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
For anyone staying in a Club Balcony Suite or below, a $20 charge applies. For Haven suites and above, this moves up to $25. Children under three won’t incur any daily fee. Any non-included drinks that you order will also mean a 20% beverage charge.
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Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Guests staying in Oceania’s standard staterooms will have to pay $18, while Penthouse, Oceania, Vista or Owner’s Suites with Butler Service guests will be charged gratuities of $23 each. All beverage orders, spa services and dinner at the line’s La Reserve restaurant will have an 20% service gratuity automatically added.
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P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises
As of May 2019, P&O Cruises scrapped charging gratuities altogether, so there’s no need to tip while you’re on the ship.
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Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises
A $17 Crew Appreciation fee will be applied to inside, ocean view and balcony stateroom guests, while mini-suite and Reserve Collection stateroom guests will have a $18 fee applied, per person, per day. This increases to $19 if staying in a suite. An 18% service charge also applies to individual drinks orders, drink packages, corkage fee and spa services. Guests purchasing the line’s Plus and Premier packages will have the Crew Appreciation fee included in each packages’ price.
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Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Non-suite stateroom guests will pay an automatic $18.50 gratuity rate, while suite guests will have an $21 rate added on. These will be applied to each guest’s SeaPass account each day. Additionally, guests will also be charged 18% on drinks, mini-bar items, salon services and salon purchases. The line also gives guests the opportunity to pre-pay for their tips as part of the total cost of their holiday. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective than paying for them on the ship, it’s something that’s well worth looking into.
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Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages
Gratuities are not included in your fare. However, you may choose to prepay them at a rate of $20 per person per day, or have them added onboard for $22 per person per day. We recommend prepaying gratuities for a more convenient experience. This way, you won’t need to tip individually or monitor daily charges throughout your cruise.
