Tipping amounts vary by cruise line, but most lines expect $12 to $15 per person per day

Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity to your onboard account automatically—usually between $12 and $15 per adult per day, and $5 to $8 per child per day, depending on the line and cabin type. This charge covers the crew members who clean your cabin, serve your meals, and provide deck service. You can adjust or remove this charge at the guest services desk before you leave the ship, though the line assumes you will keep it.

Some all-inclusive cruise lines bundle gratuities into the ticket price and do not add a separate daily charge. A few lines let you prepay gratuities when you book, which locks in the amount and spreads the cost across your booking rather than hitting your account all at once on the ship.

The automatic charge covers the standard service crew. Additional tips for specialty services—bartenders, spa staff, dining room captains, or shore excursion guides—come out of pocket and are not included in the daily gratuity.

Key Takeaways

  • Most cruise lines automatically charge $12 to $15 per adult per day for gratuities, which you can adjust at guest services before disembarking.
  • The daily gratuity covers cabin stewards, dining room servers, and bar staff, but not specialty services like spa treatments or premium restaurants.
  • You can prepay gratuities when you book to avoid a large charge on your onboard account during the cruise.
  • Bartenders, spa therapists, and shore excursion guides typically receive cash tips of $1 to $5 per transaction, separate from the daily gratuity.
  • All-inclusive cruise lines often include gratuities in the ticket price, so check your booking confirmation to see what is already covered.

What the daily gratuity covers

The automatic daily charge pays the crew members you interact with most: your cabin steward (who cleans your room and restocks towels), your dining room server and busser (if you eat in the main dining room), and bar staff who serve you drinks. These crew members depend on gratuities as a significant part of their income, and the daily charge is the standard way the line ensures they are compensated.

If you eat at the buffet instead of the main dining room, you still pay the daily gratuity—it is a per-person charge, not a per-service charge. The same applies if you order room service or skip meals entirely. The gratuity is built into your cruise fare structure, not added only when you use a service.

Specialty services that need separate tips

Services not covered by the daily gratuity include spa treatments, specialty dining restaurants (steakhouses or sushi bars that charge an extra fee), casino staff, and shore excursion guides. For these, you pay a tip directly—usually $1 to $5 per service, depending on the service and your satisfaction.

Bartenders at the pool bar or nightclub also expect a tip beyond the daily gratuity, typically $1 to $2 per drink. Some cruise lines automatically add 15% to bar tabs, which you can adjust, but if you order drinks at a casual bar without a tab, cash tips are standard.

Shore excursion guides (the person leading your snorkeling trip or city tour) usually receive $3 to $5 per person if the service was good. This is cash, handed directly to the guide, not added to your onboard account.

How to adjust or remove the daily gratuity

You can change the daily gratuity amount at the guest services desk on the ship. Most lines allow you to reduce it, increase it, or remove it entirely, though crew members may ask why you are making the change. There is no penalty for adjusting it, and you will not be turned away from services if you lower the amount.

If you want to remove the gratuity entirely, you can, but understand that the crew members who served you depend on that income. If service was poor, lowering the amount is a reasonable response. If you straightforward cannot afford it, removing it is your choice—but the line counts on that revenue to pay staff, so it affects the crew directly.

Some cruise lines let you adjust gratuities online before you board, through your account on their website. Check your booking confirmation or call the line to see if this option is available for your cruise.

Prepaying gratuities when you book

Many cruise lines offer the option to prepay gratuities when you purchase your ticket. This locks in the daily rate (usually the same amount as the onboard charge) and spreads the cost across your booking, so you do not see a large charge appear on your onboard account during the cruise.

Prepaying is optional but can make budgeting easier. If you prepay and then decide you want to adjust the amount, you can still do so at guest services on the ship. Some lines offer a small discount (usually 5% or less) if you prepay, though this varies by cruise line and booking method.

All-inclusive lines and gratuity policies

Some cruise lines market themselves as all-inclusive and bundle gratuities into the ticket price. Lines like Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn include gratuities in their fares, so you do not see a separate daily charge. However, specialty dining, spa services, and shore excursions may still require additional tips.

Check your booking confirmation or the cruise line's website to confirm whether gratuities are included. If you are unsure, call the line before you board—this is one of the most common questions, and they can clarify exactly what is covered.

Regional and cultural differences in tipping

Crew members on cruise ships come from many countries, and tipping customs vary. In some countries, gratuities are not standard practice, so international crew members may not expect tips beyond the daily charge. However, because most cruise lines operate on a North American tipping model, the daily gratuity is standard across the industry regardless of where the ship is registered.

If you are from a country where tipping is not customary, the daily gratuity may feel unusual. You can adjust or remove it if you wish, but be aware that crew members in those positions often rely on gratuities as their primary income, even if that is not the norm in their home country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the daily gratuity entirely?

Yes. You can adjust or remove the daily gratuity at guest services on the ship at any time. There is no penalty, though crew members may ask why you are making the change. If service was poor, lowering the amount is reasonable; if you straightforward cannot afford it, removing it is your choice.

Do I tip the captain or officers?

No. The captain and senior officers are salaried employees and do not receive tips. The daily gratuity covers the service crew—cabin stewards, servers, and bartenders—not the command staff.

What if I eat at a specialty restaurant that costs extra?

Specialty restaurants (steakhouses, sushi bars, or other premium venues) charge a separate fee and are not covered by the daily gratuity. Tip the server at that restaurant directly, usually 15% to 20% of the bill, the same way you would at a restaurant on land.

Do I tip the person who parks my car at the port?

Yes, if you use valet parking at the cruise port. Tip $2 to $5 when you drop off or pick up your car, depending on the service and your location. This is separate from any parking fee the port charges.

What if the daily gratuity is already included in my all-inclusive fare?

If gratuities are included in your ticket price, you do not need to pay the daily charge. However, specialty services like spa treatments, premium dining, and shore excursions may still require separate tips. Check your booking confirmation to see what is covered.