Understanding gratuities and service charges on board
How much is usually charged, how it is added to your account, what each charge covers and how to adjust or prepay it so your final bill holds no surprises.
Many travelers discover gratuities on the last day, when they see a higher total than expected on their bill. On most cruises, service staff such as cabin stewards and dining and bar staff earn an important part of their pay through these charges, and the cruise line adds them to your account automatically every day.
Knowing how they work lets you budget better, decide whether to prepay them and know what to do if service falls short. The amounts we mention are approximate and change often: always confirm your cruise line current rate when booking.
What gratuities and service charges are
In the cruise world, tips are often called service charges or gratuities. They are a fixed amount per person per day, charged to your onboard account and shared among the staff who look after you: cabin stewards, dining and buffet staff, and other crew who work behind the scenes.
In practice it is not an optional extra: on most lines it is included by default and charged to every passenger on the booking, often including children (sometimes at reduced rates, or free for infants).
About how much they cost
Amounts depend on the cruise line, cabin category and currency. As a guide, mainstream lines usually charge roughly 14 to 20 US dollars per person per day, and a bit more for suites and premium lines. European lines charge in euros, with similar amounts.
To get an idea of the impact on your budget, this table shows an illustrative example (amounts are hypothetical and only meant for calculation):
| Situation | Calculation | Approximate total |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults, 7 nights, 16 USD per person per day | 2 × 7 × 16 | 224 USD |
| 2 adults and 2 children, 7 nights, 16 USD per person per day | 4 × 7 × 16 | 448 USD |
| 2 adults, 10 nights, 18 USD per person per day | 2 × 10 × 18 | 360 USD |
Which service charges are added besides the daily gratuity
The daily gratuity is not the only surcharge. On many ships, other amounts are added automatically to certain services:
- Drinks: bars often add a percentage (commonly around 18 or 20 percent) to every purchase. If you buy a drink package, the surcharge is usually included in the price or added separately.
- Specialty restaurants: some lines charge an extra service fee or a percentage of the bill.
- Spa and salon: they usually add a percentage for staff, sometimes around 18 or 20 percent.
- Room service: some companies charge a flat fee or surcharge for orders outside certain hours.
How you are charged and how to check your account
Charges are added to your onboard account, which is linked to your boarding card or to a payment method you register at embarkation. You can check your balance in the cruise line app, at reception terminals or on your cabin TV.
Prepaying
Many cruise lines let you pay gratuities before boarding, sometimes with a small discount or without the option to change them. Prepaying does not change what the staff receive, but it avoids surprises on the final bill and makes budgeting easier.
Paying on board
If you prefer to wait, charges build up day by day and are settled at the end of the trip. It is the most flexible option, since you can adjust the amount at reception if you have a problem with the service.
How to adjust or remove the charges
If service was excellent or poor, most cruise lines let you change the gratuity at guest services. It is a simple process:
- Go to guest services during the trip, preferably before the last day.
- Explain that you want to adjust the charge and, if it is because of a complaint, tell them what happened.
- Decide whether you want to reduce, increase or split the amount differently.
- Ask them to confirm the change in writing or reflect it on your account.
- Check the final bill in the app or on the last-day receipt to make sure it was applied.
Extra tipping: when it makes sense
Besides the automatic charge, some passengers leave an additional cash tip for someone who went the extra mile, such as the cabin steward or a particular dining server. It is not required and depends on your judgment and budget.
If you decide to do it, hand it over personally or in an envelope with the name, preferably toward the end of the trip. On luxury and all-inclusive lines, extra tipping is usually unnecessary because it is already included.
Cruise lines that include gratuities in the price
Some companies, especially premium and all-inclusive lines, build gratuities into the fare. In that case you will not see a daily charge and you are not expected to leave extra money.
It is a detail to compare when choosing a cruise line: an apparently higher fare can end up cheaper if it includes gratuities, drinks and excursions. That is why you should always look at the total price and not only the base fare in the offer.
If you are unsure whether to buy a drink package or pay à la carte, our drink packages guide includes calculations with the service charge.
Tips to avoid surprises
- Calculate gratuities before booking and add them to the total trip budget.
- Ask whether minors pay the full rate, a reduced one or nothing.
- Check your account mid-trip to spot charges you do not recognize.
- Keep a small amount of cash for extra tips if you wish.
- If you book a drink or specialty package, ask whether the service charge is included.
Frequently asked questions
Are gratuities mandatory on a cruise?
In practice, most cruise lines charge them by default to all passengers. Even so, you can usually adjust them at guest services if you have a justified complaint about the service.
Do children also pay gratuities?
It depends on the cruise line. Many charge a reduced rate for minors and some do not charge for infants. Confirm before booking.
Is it worth prepaying gratuities?
It does not change what the staff receive, but it lets you budget and avoids surprises on your bill. If you prefer flexibility to adjust the amount, you can wait and pay on board.
Should I tip extra on top of the daily charge?
It is not required. Some passengers leave an extra for staff who went above and beyond, but the daily charge is already designed as the main compensation.
What about luxury cruise lines?
Many include gratuities in the price. Always check what is included in your fare before booking.
Written by
Kate Anderson
Itinerary planning and family cruise specialist
Kate plans sea itineraries for families, couples and groups. She writes about choosing a cabin, organizing a budget and cruising with children without the stress.
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