Cruise lines add gratuities automatically, but you can adjust the amount before you board or during your voyage

Most cruise lines charge a daily gratuity fee to your onboard account automatically — typically between $12 and $16 per person per day for standard cabins, and higher for suites. This money goes to the crew members who serve you directly: your cabin steward, dining room server, and bartender. You can see the total on your final bill and reduce it, increase it, or remove it entirely before you leave the ship, though the line will ask you to justify a reduction below their suggested amount.

The automatic charge covers the staff you interact with most. Additional tipping — for room service, spa staff, shore excursion guides, or casino dealers — is optional and paid separately, usually in cash or charged to your account on the spot. Understanding which gratuities are included and which are not prevents confusion at checkout and ensures the people who served you are paid fairly.

Key Takeaways

  • Cruise lines automatically add $12 to $16 per person per day to your account for cabin, dining, and bar staff, and you can adjust this amount before departure or during the cruise.
  • The automatic gratuity covers your cabin steward, dining room server, and bartender — the crew you see regularly — but not room service, spa, or shore excursion staff.
  • You can pay additional tips in cash or charge them to your onboard account, and most crew members prefer cash because they keep it when ready.
  • Tipping practices vary slightly between cruise lines, so check your documents or ask at guest services when you board to confirm what is already included.

How automatic gratuities are charged and what they cover

When you book a cruise, the line calculates the daily gratuity based on your cabin type and length of stay, then adds it to your final bill. For a standard inside or oceanview cabin, expect roughly $12 to $15 per person per day. Balcony cabins and suites are charged at a higher rate — sometimes $16 to $18 per person per day — because those guests typically spend more on dining and drinks. A seven-day cruise for two people in a standard cabin will add approximately $168 to $210 in gratuities before you even board.

This automatic charge is divided among the crew members who serve you directly. Your cabin steward receives a share for cleaning your room daily. Your dining room server and assistant server receive shares for serving your meals. Your bartender receives a share for drinks you order at the bar. The exact split varies by cruise line, but all three positions depend on this pool to make their wages livable — crew members in these roles often earn minimal base pay and rely almost entirely on gratuities.

The automatic gratuity does not cover room service, spa treatments, casino staff, shore excursion guides, or specialty dining venues. If you order a burger to your cabin, use the spa, or book a guided tour ashore, you will be asked to tip separately for those services.

Adjusting your gratuity before or during the cruise

You can change the automatic gratuity amount at any time. Before you board, log into your cruise line account online and adjust the daily rate or remove it entirely. During the cruise, visit guest services on the ship and ask to modify your gratuity. The crew will not prevent you from reducing it, but they may ask why — this is standard procedure, not pressure, and you can straightforward say you prefer to tip differently.

If you reduce the gratuity significantly below the line's suggested amount, guest services may require you to sign a form acknowledging the reduction. This protects the cruise line legally and ensures the crew knows the reduction was intentional, not an error. You will not be shamed or refused service for lowering your tip, though some guests report feeling uncomfortable during the conversation — remember that guest services staff are following company policy, not expressing personal judgment.

Increasing the gratuity is straightforward and requires no explanation. Many guests add extra money for exceptional service from a particular crew member, or increase the daily rate across the board if they are satisfied with their experience.

Paying additional tips in cash or on your account

Beyond the automatic gratuity, you can tip crew members directly for extra services. Room service, spa treatments, shore excursion guides, and casino dealers are common places where additional tips are expected. You can pay these tips in cash — which the crew member keeps when ready — or charge them to your onboard account, where they are added to your final bill.

Most crew members prefer cash because they receive it right away and do not have to wait for the cruise line to process it. If you tip in cash, small bills are practical: $1 to $5 for room service, $5 to $10 for a spa treatment, $5 to $20 for a shore excursion guide depending on the length and quality of the tour. For casino dealers and bartenders outside the main dining room, $1 per drink or $5 to $10 per gaming session is standard.

If you do not have cash, ask the crew member if you can charge the tip to your account. Most will say yes, and you will see the charge on your final bill. Some crew members may hesitate because they do not receive the money until after the cruise ends, but they will usually accept it rather than refuse a tip entirely.

Tipping differences between cruise lines and cabin types

The major cruise lines — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian — all use automatic gratuities, but the daily amounts and what they cover vary slightly. Carnival charges around $12 to $15 per person per day for standard cabins. Royal Caribbean charges $13.50 to $16 depending on cabin type. Disney charges $14 to $15 for standard cabins and higher for suites. Norwegian charges $15 to $18 per person per day. Check your cruise documents or the cruise line's website before you board to confirm the exact amount for your booking.

Suite guests are charged at a premium rate because suites include perks like priority dining, concierge service, and butler service in the highest categories. A butler or concierge may be included in your suite, and their gratuity is often built into the higher daily rate. Ask guest services when you board if you are unsure whether your suite's gratuity covers all staff assigned to you.

Some cruise lines offer "all-inclusive" packages that bundle gratuities into the ticket price, so no additional daily charge appears on your account. These packages are more expensive upfront but simplify the tipping process. If you book an all-inclusive package, confirm what is covered — usually the automatic gratuity for cabin, dining, and bar staff, but not specialty dining or excursions.

What happens if you do not tip or tip very little

Cruise line crew members will not refuse to serve you or provide poor service if you reduce or remove the automatic gratuity. That said, crew members work long hours for low base wages and depend on gratuities to support themselves and their families. A cabin steward who cleans 15 to 20 cabins per day, a server who works split shifts, or a bartender who stands for eight hours straight all rely on the gratuity pool to earn a living wage.

If you are unhappy with a crew member's service, you can reduce their individual tip or remove the gratuity entirely without penalty. If you are satisfied but cannot afford to tip at the suggested rate, reduce it to what you can manage — most crew members understand that not all guests have the same budget. If you are on a tight budget overall, prioritize the automatic gratuity for your cabin steward and dining staff, as they are the crew members you interact with most and who depend most heavily on tips.

Tipping for specialty services and shore excursions

Specialty dining restaurants on the ship — steakhouses, Italian venues, or other upscale options — often charge a cover fee and may add an automatic gratuity to that charge. Check your bill when you dine to see if a tip is already included. If it is not, tip 15 to 20 percent as you would at a restaurant ashore.

Shore excursion guides and tour operators are tipped separately from your onboard gratuity. If you book a guided tour through the cruise line, the guide is usually an independent contractor or works for a local tour company, not the cruise line directly. Tip $5 to $20 depending on the tour length and quality — a two-hour walking tour might warrant $10 per person, while a full-day excursion might warrant $15 to $20. If the tour is exceptional, tip more. If it is rushed or poorly organized, you can tip less or not at all.

Spa staff, fitness instructors, and salon workers are not covered by the automatic gratuity. If you book a massage, facial, or haircut, tip 15 to 20 percent of the service cost, or $5 to $10 if you prefer a flat amount. These staff members often work on commission and depend on tips to supplement their income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the automatic gratuity entirely?

Yes. You can reduce it to zero before you board or during the cruise by visiting guest services. The crew will ask why, but you are not required to provide a detailed explanation. Keep in mind that crew members depend on gratuities as their primary income, so removing it entirely may affect the service you receive for the rest of the cruise.

What if I want to tip one crew member more than others?

You can give cash directly to a crew member you want to reward for exceptional service. Hand them a few dollars and say thank you — they will appreciate it when ready. You can also ask guest services to add an extra charge to your account for a specific crew member, though this is less common and may require explanation.

Do I need to tip the captain or other officers?

No. The captain and senior officers are salaried employees and do not expect or accept tips. You may see them at formal dinners or meet them at events, but tipping is not appropriate or expected in those situations.

What if the crew member provided poor service — do I still have to tip?

You can reduce or remove the automatic gratuity for a crew member who provided poor service. Visit guest services and explain the issue. They may adjust the gratuity or offer other compensation. If the problem is serious, report it to guest services when ready rather than waiting until the end of the cruise.

Are gratuities included if I book a group cruise?

Usually yes, but the amount may be different from standard bookings. Check your group contract or ask the group organizer before you board. Some group packages include gratuities in the total price, while others charge them separately like individual bookings.