Cruise lines set a daily tipping amount, but you control whether to pay it
Most cruise lines add a automatic gratuity to your onboard account each day—usually between $12 and $16 per person, depending on the cruise line and cabin type. This amount goes directly to your steward (the crew member who cleans your cabin). You can adjust or remove this charge before you leave the ship, but the default assumes you will pay it.
The daily charge covers your steward's wages for that day. Cruise lines do not pay cabin crew a traditional salary; they rely on these automatic gratuities as the primary income. If you remove the charge entirely, your steward loses that day's pay.
Some travelers add extra cash on top of the automatic amount if the service was exceptional. Others reduce the automatic amount if service was poor. Both are common practices.
Key Takeaways
- Cruise lines automatically add $12 to $16 per person per day to your account for your steward, which you can adjust before disembarkation.
- This automatic gratuity is the steward's primary income, so removing it entirely means they lose that day's wages.
- You can add extra cash (typically $5 to $10 per day) if service was exceptional, or reduce the amount if service was poor.
- The automatic amount covers your steward only—separate gratuities for dining staff, bartenders, and other crew are added separately or paid in cash.
- Paying the automatic gratuity is standard practice on cruises, even if you do not add extra.
What the automatic gratuity covers
The daily automatic charge pays for your steward's work cleaning your cabin, restocking towels, making your bed, and responding to requests. This is the person you see most often on the ship, and they handle the daily upkeep of your living space.
The automatic gratuity does not cover dining room servers, bartenders, or other crew members. Those staff members have separate automatic gratuities added to your account, usually $1.50 to $2 per person per day for dining service and additional amounts for bar service.
How to adjust the automatic gratuity before you leave
Visit the guest services desk (also called the purser's office) on your final day or evening. Bring your cabin key card or room number. Tell the staff member you want to review or adjust your gratuity charges.
The staff member will show you a breakdown of all automatic gratuities charged to your account. You can reduce the steward's gratuity, increase it, or remove it entirely. Changes take effect when ready, and your final bill will reflect the new amount.
Some cruise lines also let you adjust gratuities through the onboard app or your cabin television system, though the guest services desk is the most reliable method. Do this before your final evening, because the ship's systems may not process changes after a certain time on disembarkation day.
When to add extra cash on top of the automatic amount
If your steward went above and beyond—remembering your preferences, responding quickly to requests, leaving your cabin exceptionally clean—many travelers leave an extra $5 to $10 in cash on the final day. This is optional and not expected, but it is a direct way to reward individual effort.
Leave cash in an envelope on your bed or nightstand on your last morning, with a note if you wish. Your steward will find it before you disembark. Cash tips go directly to the crew member, unlike the automatic gratuity which is pooled or distributed by the cruise line's system.
When to reduce or remove the automatic gratuity
If your cabin was not cleaned properly, your steward was unavailable when you needed help, or service was consistently poor, you can reduce the automatic amount. Document what went wrong—dates, times, specific issues—before you visit guest services, because staff may ask what prompted the change.
Removing the gratuity entirely is rare and should be reserved for serious problems. Remember that your steward's income depends on this charge. If service was merely average or you straightforward prefer not to tip, reducing the amount rather than eliminating it is more common.
If you had a major problem with your steward, report it to guest services separately from the gratuity adjustment. The cruise line may investigate and take action beyond the tip amount.
Gratuity amounts by cruise line
| Cruise Line | Automatic Daily Gratuity (per person) | Cabin Type |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $13.99 | Standard cabin |
| Carnival | $15.99 | Suite |
| Royal Caribbean | $14.50 | Standard cabin |
| Royal Caribbean | $17.50 | Suite |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.00 | Standard cabin |
| Disney Cruise Line | $17.00 | Suite |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $15.00 | Standard cabin |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $18.00 | Suite |
These amounts change periodically and may vary by ship or sailing date. Check your onboard account statement when you board to see the exact daily charge for your cruise.
What happens if you do not pay the automatic gratuity
If you remove the automatic gratuity before disembarkation, your final bill will be lower, but your steward will not receive payment for those days of work. Cruise lines do not compensate crew members for removed gratuities—the loss comes directly out of the steward's pocket.
Some travelers choose not to pay gratuities on principle, viewing them as the cruise line's responsibility to cover wages. However, this is not how the cruise industry operates. The automatic gratuity system is standard across all major cruise lines, and crew members budget their income around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the steward in cash instead of the automatic gratuity?
You can leave cash as an additional tip, but you still need to pay the automatic gratuity charged to your account. The automatic amount is how the cruise line distributes steward wages. Cash tips are a supplement, not a replacement.
Do I tip the steward every day or just at the end of the cruise?
The automatic gratuity is charged every day and covers each day's service. If you want to leave extra cash, the final day is the most common time, though you can leave it any day. Your steward will not expect daily cash tips on top of the automatic charge.
What if I share a cabin with someone—do we each pay the gratuity?
Yes, the automatic gratuity is charged per person, not per cabin. If two people share a cabin, the daily charge will be doubled. This applies to all guests in the cabin, including children.
Is the automatic gratuity included in the cruise price?
No, the gratuity is added to your onboard account separately and charged when you settle your bill at the end of the cruise. It is not part of the advertised cruise fare.
What if my steward changes mid-cruise?
The automatic gratuity is charged per day regardless of which steward is assigned to your cabin. If your steward changes, the new steward receives the gratuity for their days of service. You do not need to do anything—the system handles this automatically.