Cruise ship gratuities are automatic daily charges added to your onboard account, not optional tips left at the end of your trip
Most cruise lines charge gratuities automatically each day of your cruise. The amount depends on your cabin type and the cruise line, but typically ranges from $13 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins. Suites and specialty accommodations often have higher daily charges, sometimes $18 to $20 or more per person per day. These charges appear on your final bill and are distributed to the crew members who serve you — dining staff, cabin attendants, bartenders, and others.
You can adjust or remove gratuities before you leave the ship, but the default is that they are included. Some cruise lines let you modify them online before boarding; others require you to visit the purser's desk during your cruise. A few lines offer all-inclusive fares that bundle gratuities into the ticket price, so you see no separate charge.
Key Takeaways
- Daily gratuity charges are typically $13 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins, charged automatically to your onboard account.
- Suite guests and those in premium accommodations usually pay $18 to $20 or more per person per day.
- You can reduce or remove gratuities before boarding or at the purser's desk during your cruise, though cruise lines discourage this.
- Some cruise lines include gratuities in all-inclusive or premium fare packages, so no separate charge appears.
- Gratuities are distributed to crew members in dining, housekeeping, bar service, and other guest-facing roles.
How daily gratuity charges are calculated
Cruise lines calculate gratuities per person per day, not per cabin. If you book a cabin for two adults and one child, you pay the daily rate three times. A seven-day cruise for that cabin would mean 21 daily charges total (3 people × 7 days). The charge appears each day on your onboard account, which you settle when you leave the ship.
The per-person daily rate varies by cruise line and cabin category. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian typically charge in the $13 to $16 range for standard inside and oceanview cabins. Disney Cruise Line charges around $14 to $15 per person per day for standard cabins. Premium lines like Cunard or Regent charge more — sometimes $20 to $25 per person per day — because their service model includes more staff per guest.
Suite and balcony cabin guests often pay a higher rate than inside cabin guests on the same ship. Some lines charge a flat rate regardless of cabin type; others tier the charge by accommodation level. Check your cruise documents or the line's website before booking to see the exact rate for your cabin category.
Gratuity charges for different cabin types
Standard inside and oceanview cabins typically carry the base gratuity rate. These are the most common cabin types, and the daily charge reflects the standard level of service — cabin cleaning, dining room service, and bar service shared across many guests.
Balcony and suite cabins usually incur higher daily gratuity charges because suite guests receive more personalized service: priority dining reservations, dedicated concierge staff, and sometimes complimentary beverages. A suite might be charged $18 to $22 per person per day instead of $14 to $16.
Specialty accommodations — like penthouse suites on luxury lines or premium suites with butler service — can carry gratuity charges of $25 to $30 or more per person per day. Always confirm the rate for your specific cabin before finalizing your booking.
When gratuities are charged and how to modify them
Gratuities begin accruing on your first full day aboard and continue through your last day. On a seven-day cruise, you are charged seven times. The total appears on your final onboard bill, which you settle before disembarking — usually by credit card, though some lines allow cash payment.
Most cruise lines allow you to adjust gratuities online through your account before you board. Log into the cruise line's website, find your reservation, and look for a gratuities or onboard charges section. You can reduce the amount, remove it entirely, or increase it if you wish. If you do not adjust online, you can visit the purser's desk (also called guest services) during your cruise and request changes there.
Cruise lines discourage removing gratuities and often ask you to confirm your request in person. They may explain that crew members depend on these charges as part of their wages. Some lines will not allow you to remove gratuities entirely but may let you reduce them. Policies vary, so check your cruise line's specific rules.
All-inclusive and premium fares that include gratuities
Some cruise lines offer fares where gratuities are bundled into the ticket price. Norwegian Cruise Line's "Free at Sea" packages and certain premium fares on other lines include gratuities, so no separate daily charge appears on your onboard account. These fares cost more upfront but simplify your final bill.
Luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn typically include gratuities in their base fare. You pay a higher ticket price, but there are no additional gratuity charges during the cruise. This model is common on expedition and ultra-luxury cruises, where the all-inclusive approach is standard.
If you are comparing cruise fares, check whether gratuities are included. A lower base fare might actually cost more once you add daily gratuity charges. Reading the fine print in the fare terms will tell you whether gratuities are included or charged separately.
What gratuities cover and how they are distributed
Gratuities cover service staff who interact directly with passengers: dining room servers, cabin attendants, bartenders, and buffet staff. The money is pooled and distributed according to each cruise line's system. Most lines use a formula based on the number of guests served and the type of service provided.
Gratuities do not typically cover officers, senior management, or specialized staff like the spa director or fitness instructor. Some of these roles may receive tips separately if you choose to give them, but they are not part of the automatic gratuity pool.
Crew members in many cruise line positions rely on gratuities as a significant portion of their income. Wages vary by cruise line and crew member role, but gratuities often make up 30 to 50 percent of total earnings for service staff. This is why cruise lines discourage removing or reducing gratuities.
Comparing gratuity costs across cruise lines
| Cruise Line | Standard Cabin (per person/day) | Suite (per person/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $13.99 | $17.99 |
| Royal Caribbean | $15.00 | $18.50 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $15.00 | $18.50 |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.00 | $18.00 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $15.00 | $18.00 |
These rates are current as of 2024 but change periodically. Cruise lines typically increase gratuity rates annually. Check your cruise line's website or your booking confirmation for the exact rate that will explore to your sailing date.
The difference between lines is usually small — a dollar or two per person per day. Over a week-long cruise, that adds up to $7 to $14 per person. If gratuities are a significant factor in your cruise choice, factor them into your total cost comparison alongside the base fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay gratuities in cash instead of having them charged to my account?
Most cruise lines allow you to pay gratuities in cash at the purser's desk instead of charging them to your onboard account. You typically settle this on your last day before disembarking. Some lines prefer card payment for tracking purposes, so ask at guest services about their cash policy when you board.
Do I need to tip additional money beyond the automatic gratuities?
The automatic gratuities are considered the standard tip. You are not required to add more, though some passengers choose to leave extra cash for exceptional service — for example, a few dollars for a server who went above and beyond or a cabin attendant who provided special care. This is entirely optional.
What happens if I remove gratuities and then change my mind?
You can add gratuities back at any time during your cruise by visiting the purser's desk. They will recalculate the charges for the remaining days of your cruise and add them to your account. It is simpler to adjust before you board, but changes during the cruise are possible.
Are gratuities included if I book a cruise package through a travel agent?
Gratuities are not automatically included in packages booked through travel agents unless the package specifically states they are. Read the package details carefully. Some travel agents offer packages that bundle gratuities, but the default is that they are charged separately on your onboard account.
Do children pay the same gratuity rate as adults?
Most cruise lines charge the same per-person daily gratuity rate for children as for adults. A few lines offer a reduced rate for children under a certain age, typically under 12. Check your cruise line's policy before booking if you are traveling with children.