Tipping on Your Cruise

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Except for a few of the luxury cruise lines, when you cruise you will be expected to either give gratuities to some of the staff at the end of the cruise, or, your onboard account will be charged a service charge which is designed to be distributed among certain members of the crew. Those whose income depends on tips, gratuities or service charges include:

  • Waiter
  • Assistant Waiter
  • Cabin Steward
  • Cabin Steward Assistant
  • Bartenders and Servers
  • Spa/salon Personnel
  • Sommelier

Depending on the policy of the cruise line, you will either hand the gratuities to the staff or the service charge will be added to your onboard account, although most cruise lines will allow you to "charge" your gratuities so you will not need to carry a large amount of cash onboard.

Tipping/Service Charges By Cruise Line

Per person/Per Day

Cruise Line

Charge

Notes

Carnival $10 Service Charge  
Celebrity $10.50 Gratuity $14 Suites
Costa $8.50 Service Charge  
Crystal $10.50 Gratuity $14.50 Suites
Cunard $11.00 Service Charge $13.00 Suites
Disney $11.00 Gratuity  
Holland America $10.00 Service Charge  
Norwegian $10.00 Service Charge  
Oceania $11.50 Service Charge $15.00 Suites
Princess $10.00 Service Charge  
Royal Caribbean $9.75 Gratuity $12.00 Suites

Other Gratuities

Gratuties will generally be added to the following:

  • All bar purchases, including soft drinks
  • All Spa services, including Hair Salon
  • All wine purchases with dinner
  • Some fitness classes