How Tipping Works on Cruise Ships
Tipping on cruise ships has evolved significantly. Most cruise lines now add an automatic daily service charge (often called auto-gratuities) to your onboard account. This charge is typically £10-16 per person per day and is distributed among the crew who serve you — cabin stewards, dining staff, and behind-the-scenes support staff. The daily charge is applied for every night of your cruise.
This system replaced the older tradition of handing cash tips to individual crew members at the end of the voyage. While some passengers still choose to tip crew personally for exceptional service, the auto-gratuity system ensures all crew members receive a fair share of tips. It also removes the awkwardness of deciding how much to give each person.
Gratuity Rates by Cruise Line
P&O Cruises charges £8 per person per day (approximately £56 for a 7-night cruise). Cunard charges £11.50 per person per day. Royal Caribbean charges $16 per person per day (around £13). MSC Cruises charges 12-14 euros per person per day depending on the itinerary. Celebrity Cruises includes gratuities in its Always Included fare. Norwegian Cruise Line charges $20 per person per day.
Saga Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Silversea include all gratuities in the fare — you never see an additional charge. Fred. Olsen charges £7 per person per day, one of the lowest rates. When comparing cruise prices between lines, always factor in the gratuity costs, as they can add £100-200 per person to a two-week cruise.
Who to Tip and When
Beyond the automatic service charge, there are situations where additional tips are customary. Bar staff typically receive a 15-18% gratuity automatically added to each drink purchase — this is separate from the daily charge. Spa therapists usually have an 18-20% gratuity added to treatment bills. Room service delivery on some lines may warrant a small cash tip of £1-2.
For exceptional service, many passengers leave additional cash tips for their cabin steward and favourite waiter at the end of the cruise. A common amount is £10-20 per crew member for a week-long cruise. If a particular crew member has gone above and beyond, a personal thank-you note with a cash tip is always appreciated. Some passengers also write commendation cards, which can help crew with promotions.
Can You Remove Auto-Gratuities?
Technically, most cruise lines allow you to visit Guest Services and adjust or remove the daily service charge. However, this is strongly discouraged. Crew members, particularly cabin stewards and dining staff, rely on these tips as a significant portion of their income. Cruise ship base wages are low by Western standards, and the gratuity system is factored into the overall compensation structure.
If you genuinely received poor service, speak to Guest Services about the specific issue rather than blanket-removing tips that affect all crew. Some cruise lines have made their service charge non-optional, effectively building it into the fare. This approach is becoming more common and is generally welcomed by both passengers and crew.
Tipping on All-Inclusive Cruises
Several cruise lines now include gratuities in their fares. Celebrity Cruises' Always Included fare covers tips. Virgin Voyages includes gratuities for all passengers. Saga Cruises bundles tips into its all-inclusive fare, as does Silversea. On these lines, you do not need to budget separately for gratuities, though additional tips for exceptional service are always welcome.
MSC's all-inclusive packages often include service charges. When booking an all-inclusive fare on any line, verify whether gratuities are genuinely included or whether they are added separately. The term 'all-inclusive' is not standardised across the industry, and what one line includes may differ significantly from another.
How to Budget for Gratuities
As a general rule, budget £10-15 per person per day for service charges on mainstream cruise lines. For a couple on a 7-night cruise, that equates to £140-210 total. For a family of four, it could be £280-420. Children are often charged a reduced rate — P&O charges £4 per day for children, and some lines waive gratuities entirely for under-twos.
If you want to avoid the surprise of a large gratuity charge at the end of your cruise, many lines allow you to pre-pay service charges before sailing. This spreads the cost and removes it from your final onboard account. When comparing cruise fares, always add the gratuity cost to the base fare for an accurate total. A cruise advertised at £599 with £56 in gratuities actually costs £655 per person.