Cruise Gratuities: What you need to know

Cruise Gratuities: What You Need to Know for Your Next Voyage

When planning a cruise vacation, one often-overlooked detail is gratuities - a standard part of cruise travel that helps compensate the hardworking crew behind your experience. Each cruise line handles gratuities a bit differently, so here’s a breakdown of what you can expect, including details about Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Princess, MSC Cruises. Carnival and Norwegian.

In this post, we'll break down:

• What are cruise gratuities

• Why they're charged

• How much each major cruise line charges

• Tips for managing gratuities onboard

What Are Cruise Gratuities?

Gratuities - also called crew appreciation fees - are daily service charges that cruise lines automatically add to your onboard account. These tips are distributed among crew members, including those behind the scenes, ensuring that everyone who contributes to your comfort is recognized. Most cruise lines allow you to prepay these charges when booking or pay them onboard.

The crew members who generally will receive the gratuities include:

• Your stateroom steward

• Dining room servers

• Housekeeping staff

• And often, behind-the-scenes crew members

Gratuities by Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line

Disney recommends $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $27.25 per person, per day for concierge-level and suites accommodations. These gratuities can be prepaid or charged to your account onboard.

Royal Caribbean

Gratuity rates are $18 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $20.50 per person, per day for suite guests.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity charges $18 per person, per day for standard accommodations, $19 per person, per day for Concierge and AquaClass, and $23 per person, per day for suite guests.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages takes an all-inclusive approach, with gratuities included in the cruise fare. You won’t have to worry about daily service charges or tipping onboard.

Princess Cruises

Princess charges $17 per person, per day for standard cabins, $17 per person, per day for mini-suites, and $19 per person, per day for suites. The crew appreciation fees are included when Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, which also offer Wi-Fi, beverages and more.

MSC Cruises

MSC’s gratuity rates vary by region. For cruises departing from the U.S., the charge is $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $20 per person, per day for suites.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival charges $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day for suite guests.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL’s gratuity rates are $20 per person, per day for standard staterooms, and $25 per person, per day for The Haven and Suites.

Should You Prepay Gratuities?

As a travel advisor, I will generally recommend my clients to opt to prepay gratuities to simplify their budgeting and avoid surprises at the end of their trip. Prepaying also locks in the current rate, which can be helpful if the cruise line increases gratuity charges before your sailing.

Tips for Maximizing Your Gratuity Experience

1. Reward Exceptional Service: While gratuities are standard, consider leaving additional cash tips for crew members who go above and beyond.

2. Check Package Inclusions: Some fare types, like Virgin Voyages’ all-inclusive pricing or Princess’ Plus and Premier packages already include gratuities.

3. Understand the Policy: If you prefer to adjust gratuities, visit Guest Services early in your cruise to ensure a smooth process.

Final Thoughts

Gratuities are an important way to recognize the hard work of the crew members who enhance your cruise experience. While policies vary by cruise line, planning ahead ensures you’ll enjoy a stress-free vacation while showing your appreciation.

I'm here to help you make every aspect smooth sailing. Have questions about cruise costs, packages, or promotions? Let's plan your perfect vacation!