Cruise lines add a daily gratuity charge to your bill automatically
Most cruise lines charge you a set amount per person per day for gratuities, and this charge appears on your final bill at the end of the voyage. You do not choose whether to pay — the amount is added unless you specifically ask the cruise line to remove or adjust it before you leave the ship. The daily rate varies by cruise line and cabin type, but typically ranges from roughly $12 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins.
This automatic charge covers the crew members who work in your cabin, dining room, and common areas. The money is pooled and distributed among staff according to each cruise line's system. You can request a refund or reduction at the guest services desk on the ship if you believe the charge is unfair or if you experienced poor service, but you must do this before your final payment is due — usually on the last full day of your cruise.
Some cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line and a few others, allow you to adjust the automatic gratuity amount through your online account before you board, which is easier than waiting until you are on the ship.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise lines automatically add a daily gratuity charge (usually $12 to $16 per person per day) to your bill, and this covers dining room staff, cabin attendants, and other crew.
- You can reduce or remove the automatic gratuity at the guest services desk on the ship, but you must do so before your final payment is due.
- Some cruise lines let you adjust gratuity amounts through your online account before boarding, which is faster than handling it on the ship.
- Cash tips to individual crew members are optional and are given in addition to the automatic charge, not instead of it.
- The automatic gratuity is not the same as a service charge for specialty restaurants or beverage packages, which may have separate costs.
What the automatic daily charge covers
The automatic gratuity pays the crew members you interact with most: your cabin steward or stewardess, your dining room server, the busser who clears your table, and the head server. These are the positions that traditionally rely on tips for a significant portion of their income. The exact breakdown of how the pooled money is distributed varies by cruise line, but all crew in these roles receive a share.
The charge does not cover specialty dining venues (like steakhouses or sushi restaurants on the ship), which often add their own automatic gratuity of 18 percent to those bills. It also does not cover bar staff or spa services unless you have purchased a beverage package or spa package that includes gratuity — check your paperwork or ask at the bar or spa desk to confirm what is and is not included.
How to adjust or remove the automatic gratuity
Visit the guest services desk (also called the purser's office) on your first or second day aboard and ask to speak with someone about your gratuity charges. You can request a full refund, a partial reduction, or removal of the charge entirely. The staff member will ask why you want to adjust it — common reasons include financial hardship, dissatisfaction with service, or a preference to tip in cash instead.
Be aware that cruise lines have different policies. Some will remove the charge without question. Others will ask you to explain your reasoning or may decline if you straightforward prefer to tip differently. If you had a specific problem with a crew member's service, mention that rather than requesting a blanket reduction. Cruise lines are more likely to adjust charges when you point to a concrete issue.
If you want to adjust the gratuity before you board, log into your cruise line's website with your booking confirmation number and look for a section labeled "Onboard Charges," "Gratuities," or "Manage My Booking." Not all cruise lines offer this option online, so call their customer service line if you cannot find it.
Tipping crew members in cash
Cash tips are separate from the automatic gratuity and are entirely optional. If you want to tip your cabin steward, dining room server, or other crew members directly, you can hand them cash at any point during your cruise. A typical cash tip for your cabin steward is $5 to $10 for the entire voyage, and $5 to $10 for your dining room server, depending on the length of the cruise and your satisfaction with their service.
Some passengers prefer to tip in cash because they want the money to go directly to that specific person rather than into a pool. Others tip in cash in addition to the automatic gratuity if they received exceptional service. There is no obligation to do either — the automatic charge is considered the standard gratuity.
If you do tip in cash, hand it to the crew member in person or leave it in an envelope in your cabin with a note. Do not assume that cash left in your cabin will reach the intended person if you do not deliver it directly.
Gratuities for specialty services and restaurants
Specialty dining restaurants on the ship — such as steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or sushi bars — typically add an automatic 18 percent gratuity to your bill. This is separate from your daily gratuity charge and is not optional in the same way. You can request a reduction at the restaurant host stand if you experienced poor service, but most cruise lines treat this as a standard service charge rather than a negotiable tip.
Spa services, salon services, and beverage packages may or may not include gratuity depending on what you purchased. Check your receipt or ask the staff member before you pay. If gratuity is not included, 15 to 18 percent is standard for these services, the same as you would tip on land.
Comparing gratuity policies across major cruise lines
| Cruise Line | Daily Gratuity (per person) | Can adjust online before boarding? |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $13.99 to $15.99 (varies by cabin type) | Yes, through Manage My Booking |
| Royal Caribbean | $14.50 to $16.00 (varies by cabin type) | Yes, through your account |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.00 to $16.00 (varies by cabin type) | Yes, through Disney Cruise Line website |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $15.00 to $17.00 (varies by cabin type) | Limited; usually adjust on ship |
| Princess Cruises | $14.50 to $16.50 (varies by cabin type) | Yes, through your account |
Rates and policies change, so check your cruise line's website or your booking confirmation for the exact amount you will be charged. The amounts shown above are typical but may not reflect current pricing for your specific sailing date or cabin category.
What happens if you refuse to pay gratuity
If you do not pay the automatic gratuity charge, the cruise line will not let you disembark until the bill is settled. You will be stopped at the gangway or asked to visit guest services to resolve the charge before leaving the ship. This is a firm policy across all major cruise lines.
Your only realistic options are to pay the full amount, request an adjustment (which may or may not be granted), or dispute the charge with your credit card company after the cruise ends. Disputing the charge is difficult because the gratuity is disclosed in the cruise line's terms and conditions, which you agree to when you book. Most credit card companies will side with the cruise line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tip with a credit card instead of cash?
Yes. You can add a tip to your onboard account at any restaurant, bar, or service desk, and it will be charged to the credit card on file with your cruise line. You do not need to carry cash for tips, though some crew members may prefer it because they receive it when ready.
Do I have to tip the same amount to everyone?
No. The automatic daily gratuity is a set amount per person, but if you tip in cash, you decide how much to give each crew member based on the service you received. You can tip your cabin steward more than your server, or vice versa, or tip some crew members and not others.
What if I am unhappy with my server or cabin steward?
Request a change at guest services. If you want a different server or cabin steward assigned to you, the cruise line will usually accommodate this request. You can also request a gratuity adjustment for that specific crew member at the guest services desk, though you will need to explain the problem clearly.
Are gratuities included if I book an all-inclusive cruise package?
It depends on the package. Some all-inclusive packages include gratuities, while others do not. Check your booking confirmation or call the cruise line to confirm whether gratuities are part of your package price. If they are included, no additional charge will appear on your bill.
Do I tip differently on a short cruise versus a long cruise?
The automatic daily gratuity is the same regardless of cruise length, so a three-day cruise and a ten-day cruise charge the same per-day amount. If you tip in cash, you might adjust based on how many days you spent with that crew member, but there is no standard rule.