Norwegian Cruise Line's daily gratuity charges

Norwegian Cruise Line adds gratuities to your bill automatically each day of your cruise. The amount depends on which cabin type you booked and ranges from roughly $15 to $18 per person per day for standard cabins, with higher amounts for suite guests. These charges go directly to the crew members who serve you — housekeeping, dining room staff, bartenders, and others — rather than being pooled by the company.

The exact daily rate appears on your onboard account statement, which you can check at any guest services desk. Norwegian publishes their standard gratuity amounts on their website before you book, so you can factor the cost into your total trip budget. If you find the amount too high or too low, you can adjust it at guest services without penalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Norwegian Cruise Line automatically adds $15 to $18 per person per day for standard cabins, with suite cabins charged at higher rates.
  • Gratuities are charged daily and added to your onboard account, which you settle when you leave the ship.
  • You can increase, decrease, or remove gratuities entirely by visiting guest services on the ship.
  • Gratuities go directly to crew members and are separate from any service charges on bar or specialty dining purchases.

How gratuities appear on your bill

When you board the ship, Norwegian links your cabin key card to a shipboard account. Each day, the daily gratuity charge is automatically added to this account. You do not pay anything until you leave the ship — at that point, you settle your entire onboard bill, which includes gratuities, any drinks or dining you purchased beyond your package, and any other charges.

Your statement itemizes each day's gratuity separately, so you can see exactly what was charged and when. If you want to review the charges before the final day, ask at guest services to see your running account balance. Many guests do this midway through a longer cruise to catch any errors early.

Cabin type and gratuity amounts

Norwegian charges different daily rates depending on your cabin category. Standard inside and oceanview cabins typically fall into the $15 to $16 per person per day range. Balcony cabins are usually charged at $17 to $18 per person per day. Suite guests — those in junior suites, suites, or penthouse accommodations — are charged higher amounts, sometimes $18 to $20 or more per person per day.

These amounts can shift slightly from year to year and may vary by ship or sailing date, so check your cruise documents or the Norwegian website for the specific rate that applies to your booking. The rate is locked in when you board and does not change mid-cruise unless you request a change.

Adjusting or removing gratuities

You have full control over gratuities. If you want to reduce the daily amount, increase it, or remove it entirely, visit the guest services desk on the ship. Staff there can modify your account when ready. You do not need a reason, and there is no penalty for making changes. Some guests reduce gratuities if they are traveling on a tight budget; others increase them if they feel the service was exceptional.

Make any changes before your final evening, since your account closes when you disembark. If you realize after leaving the ship that you want to adjust the amount, contact Norwegian's customer service by phone or through your online account, though changes after departure are more complicated and may not always be possible.

Gratuities versus other onboard charges

The daily gratuity is separate from other charges you may see on your bill. If you order drinks at a bar, purchase a specialty coffee, eat at a specialty restaurant, or book a spa treatment, those items often carry their own service charge or tip line in addition to the daily gratuity. The daily gratuity does not cover these extras — it is meant only for the crew members in housekeeping, dining, and standard service areas.

Some Norwegian packages include beverages or specialty dining, which means those items are prepaid and do not appear as charges. The daily gratuity still applies regardless of what is included in your package.

Paying gratuities if you prepaid your cruise

If you prepaid your entire cruise fare through Norwegian, gratuities may or may not be included depending on your package type. Some all-inclusive packages bundle gratuities into the upfront price; others do not. Check your cruise documents or confirmation email to see whether gratuities are listed as included or if they will be charged onboard.

If gratuities are not prepaid, you will still see the daily charges added to your onboard account during the cruise, and you will pay them when you settle your bill at the end. If you prepaid gratuities, they will not appear as separate charges — the crew still receives them, but they are already accounted for in what you paid upfront.

What happens if you do not pay gratuities

Norwegian requires gratuities to be paid before you disembark. If you have not settled your onboard account by the time you leave the ship, Norwegian will charge your credit card on file for the full amount, including any unpaid gratuities. You cannot leave the ship without your account being settled, either by paying at guest services or by authorizing a charge to your card.

If you dispute a charge after the cruise, contact Norwegian's customer service department with your booking number and account statement. They can review the charges and make corrections if an error occurred, though this process takes several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay gratuities in cash instead of having them charged to my account?

Yes. You can visit guest services and pay gratuities in cash, which removes the charges from your onboard account. Some guests prefer this method because they can hand cash directly to individual crew members if they wish, though this is optional. If you pay in cash, keep your receipt to confirm the charges were removed from your account.

Do gratuities get split among all crew members or just the ones who serve me?

Norwegian's gratuities are pooled and distributed to crew members in service roles — housekeeping, dining room staff, bartenders, and others — according to Norwegian's distribution system. You do not designate which crew members receive your gratuity. If you want to tip a specific person directly, you can give them cash separately.

What if I had bad service — can I refuse to pay gratuities?

You can reduce or remove gratuities at guest services for any reason. If you experienced poor service, explain the situation to the guest services staff, and they can adjust your account. Document what happened so you have details if you need to discuss it further, but Norwegian will not force you to pay gratuities you do not want to pay.

Are gratuities the same on all Norwegian ships?

Gratuity amounts are set by Norwegian corporate policy and explore across their fleet, though the exact daily rate may vary slightly by ship class or sailing date. Check your specific cruise documents for the rate that applies to your booking. Older ships and newer ships may have different rates, so do not assume the amount from a previous cruise will match your next one.

Can I prepay gratuities before I board?

Norwegian does not offer a separate prepayment option for gratuities outside of all-inclusive packages. Gratuities are charged daily once you board. If you want to lock in gratuities as part of your upfront cost, look for package options that include them, or contact Norwegian sales to ask about adding gratuities to your prepayment.