Cruise lines add tipping to your bill automatically

Most cruise lines charge a daily gratuity directly to your onboard account — you do not have to decide the amount or hand cash to staff. The cruise line sets the rate, which typically ranges from $12 to $16 per person per day, depending on the cabin type and the cruise line. This charge covers housekeeping, dining room staff, and bar service.

You can adjust or remove this charge at the guest services desk before you leave the ship, though most passengers keep it as set. Some cruise lines allow you to change it online before you board. The charge appears on your final bill, which you settle when you disembark.

Key Takeaways

  • Cruise lines automatically add $12 to $16 per person per day to your account for standard gratuities, which you can modify at guest services.
  • The automatic charge covers dining room servers, housekeeping, and bar staff — the main service roles on the ship.
  • Specialty dining venues, spas, and shore excursion guides typically do not receive the automatic gratuity and expect separate tips.
  • You can pay extra tips in cash or add them to your onboard account for any staff member who provided exceptional service.

What the automatic daily charge covers

The automatic gratuity that appears on your account each day is divided among the crew members who serve you directly. Your dining room server, assistant server, and housekeeping staff split the bulk of this charge. Bar staff also receive a portion if you order drinks at the bar, though bartenders often expect an additional $1 to $2 per drink on top of the automatic charge.

The charge does not cover specialty restaurants, spa services, or staff outside the main dining and cabin areas. If you eat at a steakhouse, sushi bar, or other paid venue on the ship, that restaurant may add its own gratuity to the bill — usually 18 percent — or leave it to your discretion. Check your bill when you order to see whether gratuity is already included.

Specialty dining and other services that need separate tips

Restaurants beyond the main dining room often charge their own gratuity or leave it optional. Paid specialty venues like steakhouses, Italian restaurants, and sushi bars typically add 18 percent gratuity automatically, similar to restaurants ashore. If the gratuity is not automatic, you can add 15 to 20 percent to the bill, or hand cash to your server.

Spa and salon services do not receive the automatic gratuity. Tip your massage therapist, hairstylist, or esthetician 15 to 20 percent of the service cost, either by adding it to your onboard account or paying cash. Shore excursion guides and bus drivers also fall outside the automatic system — $3 to $5 per person is standard for a guided tour or shuttle service, depending on the length and quality of the experience.

How to adjust or remove the automatic gratuity

You can change the daily gratuity amount at the guest services desk, which is usually located in the atrium or main lobby of the ship. Bring your room key card, and a staff member will show you the current charge and allow you to increase, decrease, or remove it entirely. This takes just a few minutes and can be done any day during your cruise.

Some cruise lines let you modify gratuities through the ship's app or website before you board, which saves a trip to the desk. Check your cruise line's website or the confirmation email you received to see if this option is available. If you make changes online, you will not need to visit guest services unless you want to adjust the amount again during your cruise.

Tipping in cash versus adding to your account

You can hand cash directly to any crew member as a tip, and many passengers do this for exceptional service. A $5 or $10 bill given directly to your server, housekeeper, or bartender is always appreciated and ensures that person receives the money when ready. Cash tips are common for room service, cabin stewards, and bartenders.

You can also add tips to your onboard account at guest services or through the ship's app, which charges them to your final bill. This method works well if you do not carry much cash or want to track all your expenses in one place. Either method is acceptable — choose whichever is more convenient for you.

Tipping guidelines for different crew roles

Your dining room server and assistant server are the crew members you see most often and typically receive the largest share of the automatic gratuity. If service is exceptional, you can add $5 to $10 in cash or to your account. Your cabin steward cleans your room daily and also receives part of the automatic charge — a $5 cash tip on the last day is a common gesture, though not required.

Bartenders and drink servers often expect an additional tip beyond the automatic gratuity. Add $1 to $2 per drink when you order at the bar, or $1 per drink if you order from a server at a table. Room service staff appreciate $2 to $5 per delivery. Deck crew, entertainment staff, and other crew members who do not serve you directly do not typically receive tips.

What happens if you remove the automatic gratuity

You have the right to remove or reduce the automatic gratuity, and cruise lines will not prevent you from doing so. However, the crew members who serve you — your server, assistant, and cabin steward — depend on gratuities as a significant part of their income. Removing the charge entirely means those staff members receive nothing from you for their service.

If you are unhappy with the service you received, you can reduce the gratuity rather than remove it completely, or speak to a manager about your concerns. Many cruise lines will adjust the charge if you had a genuine problem. If you had excellent service and want to reward it, you can increase the automatic amount or add a separate cash tip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the automatic gratuity?

The charge is added automatically, but you can modify or remove it at guest services. You are not locked into the amount the cruise line sets. However, crew members depend on gratuities for income, so most passengers keep the charge as set or increase it.

Is the automatic gratuity included in the cruise fare?

No. The cruise fare and the gratuity are separate charges. The gratuity is added to your onboard account each day and appears on your final bill. Some cruise lines mention the gratuity in their pricing information, but it is not part of the advertised price.

What if I only eat at specialty restaurants and skip the main dining room?

You still pay the automatic daily gratuity for housekeeping and other services. The specialty restaurants charge their own gratuity on top of that. If you want to reduce the automatic charge because you are not using the main dining room, you can ask guest services to adjust it.

Should I tip the captain or other officers?

Tipping the captain, officers, and entertainment staff is not expected or customary. These crew members do not rely on gratuities. If you want to thank them, a note or a kind word is appropriate, but money is not necessary.

Can I tip with a credit card instead of cash?

Yes. You can add tips to your onboard account through guest services or the ship's app, and the charge will appear on your final bill. You can also ask your server or bartender to add a tip to a credit card payment if you are making a purchase at a restaurant or bar.