Cruise lines add gratuity automatically, but you can adjust the amount

Most cruise lines charge a daily gratuity fee to your onboard account automatically — usually between $12 and $16 per person per day for standard cabins, and more for suites. This charge appears on your final bill and covers the crew members who serve you directly: your cabin steward, dining room server, and bartenders. You can reduce, increase, or remove this charge before you leave the ship, and you can also hand cash or gift cards directly to individual crew members if you want to tip beyond the automatic amount.

The automatic gratuity is not optional in the sense that you cannot straightforward ignore it — it will be added unless you go to the guest services desk and request a change. However, the cruise line cannot prevent you from adjusting it. The amount is set by the cruise line, not by you, so if you want to tip less or more, you need to speak with guest services before disembarkation.

Key Takeaways

  • Cruise lines automatically add $12 to $16 per person per day to your bill for gratuities, which you can increase, decrease, or remove at guest services.
  • The automatic charge covers cabin stewards, dining room servers, and bartenders — the crew members who serve you directly.
  • You can hand cash or gift cards directly to crew members in addition to the automatic gratuity if you want to reward exceptional service.
  • The exact daily amount varies by cruise line and cabin type, so check your onboard account statement to see what was charged.
  • Guest services can process gratuity adjustments up until the day you leave the ship, though lines may be long on final days.

What the automatic gratuity covers

The daily charge covers the crew members you interact with regularly. Your cabin steward cleans your room, restocks towels, and turns down your bed. Your dining room server takes your order and brings your meals if you eat in the main dining room. Bartenders and drink servers are included, which is why you do not tip separately when you order a cocktail — the gratuity is already factored in. Some cruise lines also include room service staff and buffet attendants in the automatic gratuity pool.

The charge does not cover specialty restaurants, spa services, or shore excursions. If you eat at a steakhouse or sushi restaurant on the ship, you will see a separate gratuity line on that bill, usually 18 percent. Spa treatments and massages typically add 18 to 20 percent automatically as well. Shore excursion guides and drivers are not covered by the onboard gratuity and are tipped separately if you choose to do so.

How to adjust or remove the automatic gratuity

Visit the guest services desk — usually located in the atrium or main lobby — and ask to review your gratuity charges. A staff member will pull up your account and show you the daily amount and the total. You can request to reduce it, increase it, or remove it entirely. The staff member will process the change on the spot, and your final bill will reflect the new amount.

The best time to make this change is early in your cruise, when guest services lines are shorter. However, you can adjust gratuities at any point up until the day you disembark. On the final day, lines at guest services are often very long, so plan ahead if you know you want to make a change. If you are unhappy with service and want to reduce the gratuity, you can explain your reason, but the staff member is not required to honor the request — the decision is yours to make.

Tipping crew members directly with cash or gift cards

Many passengers hand cash or gift cards directly to crew members they want to thank — your cabin steward, a server who went out of their way, or a bartender who made your favorite drink every night. This is entirely separate from the automatic gratuity and is genuinely optional. A typical direct tip is $5 to $10 per person for a week-long cruise, given on the last day or last night of your voyage.

Some crew members work for the cruise line directly, while others are employed by contractors and may not benefit from the automatic gratuity in the same way. Handing someone a $5 bill or a gift card to a coffee shop is a straightforward way to say thank you without worrying about the accounting. You can also leave a note in your cabin for your steward or ask a server for their name so you can mention them to guest services if you want to leave feedback about exceptional service.

Gratuity amounts by cruise line

Different cruise lines charge different daily amounts. Carnival charges around $12 to $15 per person per day depending on cabin type. Royal Caribbean charges $13 to $16. Disney Cruise Line charges $13 to $14. Norwegian Cruise Line charges $15 per person per day. Celebrity Cruises charges $14 to $16. Luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn include gratuities in the ticket price, so you do not see a separate charge.

These amounts change periodically, so the figure on your onboard account is the current rate for your sailing. If you are booking a cruise and want to know the exact gratuity amount before you board, call the cruise line directly or check the terms and conditions in your booking confirmation. Some cruise lines offer the option to prepay gratuities when you book, which locks in the current rate and saves you a step at guest services.

What happens if you refuse to pay gratuities

You can request to have the automatic gratuity removed from your bill, and the cruise line cannot legally force you to pay it. However, removing the charge means the crew members who served you directly will not receive that portion of their compensation. Most crew members on cruise ships earn a base wage that is significantly lower than crew in other hospitality industries, and gratuities are a major part of their income.

If you had poor service and want to reduce the gratuity, that is a reasonable choice — explain the situation to guest services and they will adjust the amount. If you are removing the gratuity entirely because you object to the practice, understand that the financial impact falls on the individual crew members, not the cruise line. Some passengers choose to remove the automatic gratuity and hand cash directly to crew members instead, which gives them more control over who receives the money.

Tipping in specialty venues and restaurants

Specialty restaurants on the ship — steakhouses, sushi bars, Italian restaurants — add their own gratuity to your bill, usually 18 percent. You can adjust this amount at the restaurant or dispute it at guest services, just as you would at a restaurant on land. The same applies to spa services: a massage or facial will have an 18 to 20 percent gratuity added automatically.

Beverage packages sometimes include gratuities and sometimes do not. If you purchase a drink package, check the terms to see whether tips are included. If they are not, you will see a gratuity charge when you order. Room service orders may or may not include gratuity depending on the cruise line — check your bill when it arrives at your cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tip less than the automatic amount?

Yes. Visit guest services and ask to adjust your gratuity. You can reduce it to any amount you choose, including zero. If you had poor service, explain that to the staff member, though they are not required to honor the request. The decision is yours.

Do I need to tip crew members who work in the casino or gift shop?

No. The automatic gratuity covers dining and cabin service. Casino staff, gift shop employees, and other crew members are not included. You can tip them directly if you choose, but it is not expected.

What if I want to tip more than the automatic amount?

You can increase the automatic gratuity at guest services, or hand cash or gift cards directly to crew members. Many passengers do both — they keep the automatic charge and also give cash to their cabin steward or favorite server on the last night.

Are gratuities included in the cruise fare I paid?

No. Gratuities are charged separately and added to your onboard account after you board. The cruise fare you paid covers the ship, meals, and entertainment. Gratuities are an additional charge, though some luxury cruise lines do include them in the ticket price.

What if I prepaid gratuities when I booked?

If you prepaid, the amount is already on your account and you do not need to pay again. You can still adjust the amount at guest services if you want to increase or decrease it, though some cruise lines charge a fee to modify prepaid gratuities.