Yes, you tip on a cruise ship, and it's usually automatic
Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity charge to your onboard account automatically. This charge covers the crew members who serve you directly—your cabin steward, dining room server, and bartender. The amount varies by cruise line, but typically ranges from $13 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins, with higher amounts for suites. You can adjust or remove this charge at the guest services desk before you sail, though most people keep it as is.
The automatic gratuity is not optional in the way a restaurant tip is optional on land. It's built into the cruise line's business model, and the crew depends on it as part of their wages. If you remove the charge entirely, you're signaling that you don't want to tip at all—which is your right, but the crew will notice.
Beyond the automatic daily charge, you may encounter situations where additional tipping makes sense. A bartender who makes you a complicated drink, a spa technician, or a crew member who goes out of their way for you might receive a cash tip or a charge added to your account. These are genuinely optional.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise lines automatically charge $13 to $16 per person per day to your account for cabin and dining service, and you can adjust this amount at guest services before departure.
- The automatic gratuity is expected and built into crew wages, so removing it entirely signals you don't want to tip.
- You can add extra tips in cash or to your account for bartenders, spa staff, room service, or crew members who provide exceptional service.
- Specialty dining restaurants, shore excursion guides, and casino staff often operate on different tipping expectations than main dining areas.
How the automatic daily gratuity works
When you board the ship, the cruise line calculates the automatic gratuity based on your cabin type and the number of nights you're sailing. This charge appears on your final bill, which you can review in your cabin or at guest services. The money is pooled and distributed among the crew members who serve you—primarily your stateroom attendant, dining room server, and assistant server.
You can modify this charge at the guest services desk, usually located in the atrium or main lobby. You'll need to visit in person; you can't change it online after you've boarded. If you want to increase the gratuity, you can do that too. Some people raise it if they're staying longer or if the service has been exceptional.
The charge is automatically added to your onboard account, which means it's deducted from any onboard credit you received, or it's added to your final bill if you're paying by credit card. You settle your account on the last night of the cruise or the morning you disembark.
When to tip beyond the automatic charge
The automatic gratuity covers your regular dining room server and cabin steward. Anyone else who provides a service—a bartender, a spa therapist, a room service attendant, a shore excursion guide—is not automatically included in that pool. If you use these services and want to tip, you can hand over cash directly or ask the crew member if you can add it to your account.
Specialty dining restaurants (steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or other venues beyond the main dining room) sometimes include gratuity automatically, and sometimes don't. Check your bill or ask your server before you leave the table. If gratuity is not included, 15 to 18 percent is standard, just as it would be on land.
Shore excursion guides—people who lead you on tours at ports—typically depend on tips and are not paid a salary by the cruise line. If you book a tour through the cruise line's shore excursion desk, a tip of $3 to $5 per person is customary. If you book independently with a local guide, ask what the tipping expectation is before the tour starts.
Tipping in cash versus adding to your account
You can tip in cash or ask the crew member if you can add it to your account. Cash is when ready and direct—the person receives it right away. Adding to your account means the charge goes on your final bill, which is convenient if you don't carry cash, but the crew member doesn't receive it until after the cruise ends.
Most crew members prefer cash because they receive it when ready and don't have to wait for the cruise to end. If you're tipping a bartender or a server you see regularly, cash is the cleaner option. For one-time services like a spa treatment, adding to your account works fine.
If you're tipping in cash, small bills ($1, $2, $5) are easiest. You don't need to tip in the local currency of the ports you visit; U.S. dollars work on most cruise ships, even international ones.
Cruise lines and their automatic gratuity amounts
Different cruise lines charge different amounts, and the amount can vary based on your cabin category. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney all have their own structures. Some lines charge per person per day; others charge per cabin per day. Suite guests typically pay more than standard cabin guests.
When you book your cruise, the cruise line will disclose the automatic gratuity amount in your booking documents or on their website. If you're unsure, call the cruise line's customer service before you sail and ask what the daily charge will be. This way you can budget for it and decide whether you want to adjust it.
Some cruise lines offer packages that include gratuities, which means the automatic daily charge is waived or reduced. These are usually premium packages or loyalty perks. If you've purchased one of these, you won't see the daily charge added to your account.
What happens if you don't tip or remove the gratuity
You have the legal right to remove the automatic gratuity or not tip at all. The crew will still serve you, and the ship will still function. However, removing the charge entirely sends a message, and some crew members may provide less attentive service if they know you've declined to tip.
The crew members who serve you directly—your cabin steward and dining room server—earn most of their income from gratuities. In many cases, they're paid a very low base wage by the cruise line, with the expectation that tips will make up the difference. If you remove the gratuity, you're reducing their income significantly.
If you had a genuine problem with service, it's worth explaining that to guest services rather than straightforward removing the gratuity. The cruise line may adjust the charge if service was truly substandard, and they can also address the issue with the crew member.
Tipping at specialty venues and restaurants
If you dine at a specialty restaurant on the ship—a steakhouse, sushi bar, or Italian trattoria—check whether gratuity is already included in the bill. Some specialty venues add 18 percent automatically; others leave it to you. Your server will tell you if you ask, or you can check the bill before you sign.
Casino staff, fitness instructors, and other crew members who provide services outside the main dining and cabin areas are not covered by the automatic gratuity. If you use the casino, take a fitness class, or book a photo package, tipping is optional but appreciated. A few dollars or a note on your account is appropriate.
The spa is a common place where people add tips. If you book a massage or facial, 15 to 18 percent is standard. You can ask the spa staff when you check in whether you can add the tip to your account or if they prefer cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the automatic gratuity before I board the ship?
No, you have to remove it in person at guest services after you board. You can't change it online or over the phone before the cruise starts. Visit the guest services desk on your first day and ask to adjust your gratuity.
Do I tip the cabin steward every day or just once?
The automatic daily gratuity covers your cabin steward for the entire cruise, so you don't need to tip them separately each day. If you want to leave a small cash tip on your last night as a thank-you, that's a nice gesture but not required.
What if I'm unhappy with the service I received?
Talk to guest services about your experience. If service was genuinely poor, the cruise line may adjust your gratuity charge. Removing the charge entirely without explaining the problem means the crew member won't know why, and it may affect your service for the rest of the cruise.
Do I tip the person who brings room service to my cabin?
Room service is usually included in your automatic gratuity, so you don't have to tip separately. If the crew member goes above and beyond—bringing you something special or helping you with a problem—a dollar or two is a nice gesture.
Are tips included if I buy a gratuity package?
Some cruise lines offer packages that include gratuities, which means the automatic daily charge is waived. Check your booking documents to see if you've purchased one. If you have, you won't see the daily gratuity charge on your account.