What cruise lines expect you to tip

Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity charge to your onboard account automatically — this is not optional, though you can adjust it. The amount varies by cruise line and cabin type, but typically ranges from $13 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins, and $18 to $20 per person per day for suites. This charge covers housekeeping, dining staff, and other service crew.

The charge appears on your final bill before you leave the ship. You can visit the guest services desk during your cruise to reduce, increase, or remove it entirely — the choice is yours. Some people remove it and tip in cash instead; others add to it if they felt the service was exceptional.

Beyond the automatic gratuity, you may encounter situations where additional tipping is expected or customary. These are separate from the daily charge and depend on the service you receive.

Key Takeaways

  • Cruise lines automatically charge $13 to $20 per person per day for gratuities, which you can adjust at guest services.
  • The automatic charge covers your cabin attendant, dining room staff, and other service crew — it is not a tip on top of your fare.
  • Specialty restaurants, spa services, and bar staff typically expect additional tips beyond the daily gratuity.
  • You can tip in cash, by credit card, or add to your onboard account, depending on the situation and the crew member's preference.

Where the automatic daily charge goes

The daily gratuity is divided among the crew members who serve you directly. Your cabin attendant receives a portion, your dining room server receives a portion, and other service staff share the remainder. The exact breakdown varies by cruise line, but the intent is to compensate the people you interact with most.

This charge is built into the cruise industry's wage structure — crew members in service roles often earn low base wages and depend on gratuities as their primary income. The automatic charge ensures they receive something even if a passenger chooses not to tip.

If you feel the service was poor, you can reduce the charge. If you felt it was exceptional, you can increase it. Either way, you control the final amount.

Tipping in specialty restaurants and bars

If you dine in a specialty restaurant (one that charges a cover fee beyond your main dining package), the automatic gratuity does not explore. You are expected to tip 15 to 18 percent of the bill, either in cash or by adding it to your onboard account when you sign the check.

Bar staff — whether at the main bar, pool bar, or specialty lounges — typically expect $1 to $2 per drink. Some passengers tip per round if they are ordering multiple drinks at once. Tipping is customary but not mandatory; you control the amount.

Room service orders sometimes include an automatic gratuity on the bill, and sometimes do not. Check your receipt. If there is no gratuity added, $2 to $5 is standard depending on the order size.

Tipping spa, salon, and activity staff

Spa and salon services — massages, facials, haircuts — typically add a gratuity line to your bill. You can add 15 to 20 percent, or adjust it as you see fit. Some passengers tip in cash instead if they prefer.

Activity staff — fitness instructors, dance teachers, shore excursion guides — do not have a standard tipping expectation, but $5 to $10 per person is common if you felt the activity was well-run and the staff was attentive. This is entirely optional.

Casino staff, photo staff, and other specialized crew do not have a built-in gratuity system. Tipping is at your discretion if you feel they provided good service.

Cash versus onboard account

You can tip in cash, add to your onboard account, or use your credit card — the method depends on the situation. For daily cabin service and dining room staff, many passengers leave cash in an envelope on the final night or tip at guest services. For bars, restaurants, and services, you typically sign a receipt and add the tip there.

Cash tips are when ready and go directly to the crew member. Onboard account tips are added to your final bill and processed after you leave. Both methods work; the crew member's preference may vary.

If you are tipping your cabin attendant, leaving cash on the last night is traditional. If you are tipping a server or bartender, adding it to the bill or card is more common.

Adjusting or removing the automatic gratuity

You do not have to keep the automatic daily charge. Visit guest services during your cruise — they are open throughout the day — and ask to adjust your gratuity. You can reduce it, remove it entirely, or increase it. There is no penalty for changing it.

Some passengers remove the automatic charge and tip in cash instead, believing it goes more directly to the crew. Others keep it because it is simpler and ensures everyone is covered. Both approaches are accepted.

If you remove the automatic gratuity, remember that you are then responsible for tipping the staff who served you — cabin attendant, dining room server, and others. Many passengers who remove it end up tipping more in cash than the automatic charge would have been.

What happens if you do not tip

If you keep the automatic daily gratuity, you have tipped. If you remove it and do not tip in cash, the crew members who served you receive no compensation beyond their base wage. This is legal and your choice, but it affects people whose income depends on gratuities.

Crew members are aware of who tips and who does not. While they remain professional, a lack of tipping may result in slower service or less attentiveness on subsequent days. This is not universal — many crew members maintain the same standard of service regardless — but it is a reality of the industry.

The cruise line does not penalize you for not tipping, and you will not be asked to leave or charged extra. The choice is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the automatic gratuity and not tip at all?

Yes. You can adjust or remove the automatic charge at guest services with no penalty. However, crew members who served you will receive no tip if you do not provide one in cash or by another method. The choice is yours.

Do I tip the cabin attendant separately from the daily gratuity?

The daily gratuity includes your cabin attendant. Many passengers also leave $5 to $10 in cash on the last night as an additional thank-you, but this is optional. The automatic charge already compensates them.

What if I eat in the main dining room every night — do I still tip the server?

The automatic daily gratuity covers your dining room server. You do not need to tip separately unless you want to add extra for exceptional service. If you dine in a specialty restaurant, that is separate and requires a 15 to 18 percent tip.

Should I tip the bartender if I have a drink package?

Yes. A drink package covers the cost of the drink, not the bartender's service. Tipping $1 to $2 per drink is standard, even with a package.

Is tipping expected on all cruise lines?

All major cruise lines add an automatic daily gratuity to your account. The amount and what it covers varies slightly by line, but the system is standard across the industry. You can always adjust it at guest services.