What to Know About Cruise Gratuities & Tipping in 2025

Planning your next cruise vacation? One of the most common questions travelers ask is: “How much should I tip on a cruise in 2025?” With cruise gratuities and tipping policies changing every year, it’s important to stay updated. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, understanding cruise gratuities and tipping etiquette can help you budget better and show appreciation to the hardworking crew. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about cruise gratuities, tipping policies, and how to handle tips on major cruise lines in 2025.

Understanding Cruise Gratuities: What Are They?

Cruise gratuities, also known as service charges or crew appreciation fees, are daily charges added to your cruise fare. These fees are meant to recognize the efforts of the crew who work behind the scenes to make your cruise experience enjoyable. From your stateroom attendant to dining staff and bartenders, these tips are distributed among the crew who provide daily service.

Most cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. The amount is usually based on the number of days you sail and your cabin category. For example, standard cabins may have a lower daily rate than suites. These charges are typically applied per person, per day. Some cruise lines allow you to prepay gratuities at the time of booking, while others add them to your final bill at the end of the cruise.

It’s important to note that cruise gratuities are not optional on most mainstream cruise lines. They are mandatory and will be charged unless you specifically request to modify or remove them. However, you can always choose to tip more if you feel the service was exceptional. Some luxury cruise lines include gratuities in the fare, so you don’t need to worry about additional charges.

How Much Are Cruise Gratuities in 2025?

Major Cruise Line Gratuities Rates

The daily gratuity rates for 2025 vary by cruise line and cabin type. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular cruise lines and their current gratuity policies:

Royal Caribbean: $18.50 per person, per day for standard cabins and $21 for suites. An 18% gratuity is added to beverage purchases and a 20% gratuity for spa and salon services. Source
Carnival Cruise Line: $16 for most cabins, $18 for suites. Children under 2 are exempt. An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and specialty dining. Source
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): $20 for standard cabins, $25 for suites and The Haven. A 20% gratuity is added to spa, salon, and beverage purchases. Source
Viking: $17 per person, per day for all cabins. A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills. Source
Princess Cruises: $18 per person, per day for most cabins. Source
MSC Cruises: $14.50 per person, per day for most cabins. Source
Disney Cruise Line: Gratuities are discretionary, but suggested amounts are provided. Source

These rates are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check with your cruise line before booking. Some cruise lines may offer promotions or adjust rates based on the season or destination.

Additional Tipping Charges

In addition to daily gratuities, you may encounter extra charges for certain services. For example, most cruise lines add an automatic gratuity to bar bills, specialty dining, and spa treatments. These charges are usually a percentage of the total bill and are included in your final account.

Here’s what to expect:

Bar and Beverage Purchases: 18% gratuity is common on most cruise lines.
Spa and Salon Services: 18-20% gratuity is typically added.
Specialty Dining: 18-20% gratuity may be added to specialty restaurant bills.
Room Service: Some cruise lines add a gratuity to room service orders.

These additional charges are separate from the daily gratuity and are meant to recognize the staff who provide these services. You can usually see these charges listed on your onboard account or receipt.

How Are Cruise Gratuities Paid?

Automatic vs. Discretionary Gratuities

Most cruise lines use an automatic gratuity system. This means the daily gratuity is charged to your onboard account and appears on your final bill. You can choose to prepay gratuities at the time of booking or let them be charged at the end of the cruise. Either way, the amount is the same.

Some cruise lines, especially luxury or boutique lines, offer a more discretionary approach. For example, Star Clippers and Ponant provide suggested tipping amounts but allow you to decide how much to tip. You can fill out a credit card form or leave cash in an envelope for the crew. These lines often suggest €8-€12 per person, per day, but the amount is up to you.

Discretionary tipping gives you more control over how much you tip and who you tip. However, it also means you need to plan ahead and be prepared to distribute tips at the end of the cruise.

Modifying or Removing Gratuities

If you’re not satisfied with the service, most cruise lines allow you to modify or remove gratuities. You can visit the Guest Services desk onboard and request to adjust the amount. However, this should only be done if you have a valid reason, such as poor service.

Keep in mind that gratuities are distributed among many crew members, not just the ones you interact with directly. Removing or reducing gratuities can impact the entire crew, so it’s important to consider this before making a change.

Some cruise lines may require you to make your request before the morning of disembarkation. After that, the gratuities are considered undisputed and cannot be changed.

Tipping Etiquette and Best Practices

Who Should You Tip?

The automatic gratuity covers most of the crew who provide daily service, such as your stateroom attendant, dining staff, and bartenders. However, there are some crew members who may not be included in the automatic gratuity. These include:

Butlers and Concierges: If you have a butler or concierge, it’s customary to tip them separately. A tip of $5-10 per day is common.
Spa Therapists: If you receive a massage or spa treatment, you can tip the therapist directly. A tip of 15-20% is standard.
Photographers: If you purchase photos from the ship’s photographer, a tip of $5-10 is appreciated.
Excursion Guides: If you book a shore excursion, it’s customary to tip the guide. A tip of $5-10 per person is common.

Tipping these crew members directly shows your appreciation for their extra effort and personalized service.

How Much Should You Tip?

The amount you tip depends on the level of service you receive. If you’re happy with the service, you can stick to the suggested amounts. If you feel the service was exceptional, you can tip more. Here are some general guidelines:

Stateroom Attendant: $2-5 per day is common. You can leave cash in an envelope or add it to your onboard account.
Dining Staff: $2-5 per day per person is common. You can tip the head waiter or dining staff directly.
Bartenders: $1-2 per drink is common. You can tip the bartender directly or add it to your onboard account.
Butlers and Concierges: $5-10 per day is common.
Spa Therapists: 15-20% of the service cost is standard.

Remember, tipping is at your discretion. You can tip more or less based on your experience. The most important thing is to show your appreciation for the crew’s hard work.

When Should You Tip?

Most cruise lines recommend tipping at the end of the cruise. You can leave cash in envelopes provided by the cruise line or add tips to your onboard account. Some cruise lines also allow you to prepay tips at the time of booking.

If you’re tipping crew members directly, it’s best to do so at the end of the cruise. This allows you to assess the level of service and decide how much to tip. You can also tip crew members throughout the cruise if you receive exceptional service.

Key Takeaways: Cruise Gratuities & Tipping in 2025

Understanding cruise gratuities and tipping policies is essential for a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience. Here are the key points to remember:

Cruise gratuities are daily charges added to your cruise fare to recognize the crew’s hard work.
Most cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. The amount varies by cruise line and cabin type.
Additional gratuities may be added to bar bills, specialty dining, and spa services.
You can modify or remove gratuities if you’re not satisfied with the service, but this should be done before disembarkation.
Tipping is at your discretion. You can tip more or less based on the level of service you receive.
Some crew members, such as butlers, concierges, and spa therapists, may not be included in the automatic gratuity. It’s customary to tip them separately.
Always check with your cruise line for the most up-to-date gratuity policies before booking.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the crew is properly recognized for their efforts and enjoy a stress-free cruise vacation. Happy cruising!