Cruise lines add tipping to your bill automatically, but the amount varies by line and service type
Most cruise lines charge a daily gratuity automatically to your onboard account—usually between $12 and $16 per person per day for standard cabins, and higher for suites. This automatic charge covers your cabin steward, dining room server, and busser. You can adjust or remove this charge at the guest services desk before you leave the ship, though cruise lines discourage it. The automatic amount is the baseline; additional tips for exceptional service come from your own pocket.
The automatic gratuity is not optional in the way a restaurant tip is. It appears on your final bill unless you actively change it. Some cruise lines—including Disney Cruise Line and some luxury lines—include gratuities in the ticket price instead of charging them separately, so check your booking documents to see what you've already paid for.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise lines automatically charge $12 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins, covering your cabin steward, server, and busser.
- You can reduce or remove the automatic charge at guest services, but most passengers keep it as-is.
- Additional cash tips for bartenders, specialty restaurant servers, and other staff come from your own money and are genuinely optional.
- Tipping amounts vary by cruise line, cabin type, and itinerary, so check your booking documents or the cruise line's website before boarding.
- Specialty dining, spa services, and room service often have separate tipping expectations beyond the automatic daily charge.
What the automatic daily charge covers
The automatic gratuity pays your cabin steward (who cleans your room and brings towels), your main dining room server, and your busser (who clears plates). This charge appears on your onboard account each day and is added to your final bill. The amount depends on your cabin type: standard inside and oceanview cabins are charged at the base rate, while suites and higher categories are charged more—sometimes $15 to $18 per person per day or higher.
This money is pooled and distributed among the crew members who serve you directly. It is not a single tip to one person; it is divided according to the cruise line's system. If you have the same server and steward throughout your cruise, they benefit from this charge every day you are aboard.
When to add extra cash tips
The automatic charge covers routine service. You tip extra in cash for service that goes beyond what you expect—a bartender who remembers your drink order, a server at a specialty restaurant, a cabin steward who does something exceptional. These tips come from your wallet, not your onboard account.
Bartenders and servers at specialty restaurants (steakhouses, Italian restaurants, sushi bars) do not receive a portion of the automatic gratuity, so they rely on additional tips. A standard amount is $1 to $2 per drink for bartenders and 15 to 20 percent of the bill for specialty dining. Spa staff, shore excursion guides, and room service also expect additional tips if you use those services.
You do not need to tip housekeeping staff beyond the automatic charge, though some passengers leave $2 to $5 per night in cash on the bed if they want to acknowledge exceptional cleanliness. This is genuinely optional.
Tipping amounts by cruise line
| Cruise Line | Standard Cabin Daily Charge | Suite Daily Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $14.50 per person | $16 per person | Adjustable at guest services |
| Royal Caribbean | $15 per person | $17.50 per person | Adjustable at guest services |
| Disney Cruise Line | Included in ticket price | Included in ticket price | No separate gratuity charge |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $16 per person | $18 per person | Adjustable at guest services |
| Princess Cruises | $15.50 per person | $17.50 per person | Adjustable at guest services |
These amounts change periodically and may vary by ship or itinerary. Check your cruise line's website or your booking documents for the exact charge on your sailing. Some lines increase the automatic charge during peak travel seasons or for longer cruises.
How to adjust or remove the automatic charge
Visit the guest services desk (also called the purser's office) on your first day aboard or any time before you disembark. Tell the staff member you want to review or adjust your gratuity charge. You can reduce it, remove it entirely, or increase it. The change takes effect on your final bill.
Removing the charge entirely is uncommon and may be viewed negatively by crew, since they depend on gratuities as part of their income. If you are unhappy with service, adjusting the amount downward is more typical than removing it completely. If you had exceptional service and want to increase the charge, you can do that too.
Do not wait until the last day to adjust your gratuity. Guest services is busiest on disembarkation day, and you may not have time to make changes. Handle it early in your cruise.
Tipping for specialty services and dining
Specialty restaurants—those beyond your main dining room—charge a separate fee (usually $15 to $30 per person) and do not include gratuity in that fee. Tip your server 15 to 20 percent of the bill in cash or add it to your onboard account. The same applies to restaurants at ports of call if you eat ashore.
Spa services, fitness classes, and salon services are not covered by the automatic gratuity. Tip 15 to 20 percent for spa treatments and salon work. Room service does not include gratuity either; tip $2 to $5 depending on the order size. Beverage packages (if you purchase one) do not include tips for bartenders, so budget $1 to $2 per drink.
Shore excursion guides and drivers expect tips if you book a tour through the cruise line or independently. A standard amount is $3 to $5 per person for a guide or driver, or 15 percent of the tour cost if you want to be more generous. This is cash-only in most ports.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume the automatic charge is optional just because you can adjust it. Cruise lines present it as a standard cost, and crew members budget around it. If you remove it without reason, you may receive noticeably slower service for the rest of your cruise.
Do not confuse the automatic gratuity with the service charge added at specialty restaurants or bars. These are separate charges, and you may tip on top of both. Read your bill carefully so you do not double-tip by accident.
Do not wait until the last day to settle your account. If you want to adjust your gratuity or dispute a charge, handle it early. On disembarkation day, guest services is overwhelmed, and you may not have time to resolve issues before you leave the ship.
Do not assume cash tips are unnecessary. While you can add tips to your onboard account, many crew members prefer cash because they receive it when ready and do not have to wait for the cruise line to distribute it. Bring small bills ($1, $5, $10) for bartenders, servers, and guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the automatic gratuity entirely?
Yes, you can remove it at guest services, but it is not recommended. Crew members depend on gratuities as part of their wages, and removing the charge may result in slower service. If you are unhappy with service, adjust the amount downward instead of removing it completely.
Do I tip if I eat at the buffet instead of the dining room?
The automatic gratuity covers all dining venues, including the buffet. You do not add extra tips for buffet service. If you eat at a specialty restaurant, that has a separate charge and separate tipping expectation.
What if I use a beverage package—do I still tip the bartender?
Yes. A beverage package covers the cost of drinks but not the tip. Tip $1 to $2 per drink in cash or add it to your onboard account. Some passengers tip less frequently (every few drinks) rather than on every single order.
Should I tip the cabin steward extra if they do a good job?
You can leave $2 to $5 in cash on your bed each night if you want to acknowledge exceptional service, but it is not required. The automatic gratuity is meant to cover routine cabin cleaning. Extra tips are only for service that stands out.
Do I tip if I order room service?
Room service does not include gratuity in the automatic charge. Tip $2 to $5 in cash when the server delivers your order, or add it to your onboard account if you prefer.