Are cruise gratuities optional?

Paying gratuities and tipping the staff aboard a cruise ship is not compulsory but is considered the right thing to do. Cruise Tipping is a gesture of goodwill to reflect your gratitude for the service provided and to say a big ?Thank You? to the crew members.



In 2026, cruise gratuities are technically discretionary, but major lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney make them "automatic" by adding a daily charge (typically $16–$20 per person) to your onboard account. While the cruise lines insist these are "suggested," they are a vital part of the crew's compensation. If you feel the service was unsatisfactory, you can visit the Guest Services desk before the end of your cruise to have the amount adjusted or removed. However, most 2026 travelers view these as a "service tax" rather than an optional tip. Some luxury lines (like Regent Seven Seas or Silversea) and certain UK-based lines (like P&O or Marella) have moved to "all-inclusive" pricing where gratuities are already baked into the fare. For 2026 passengers, "pre-paying" gratuities is the most popular option to avoid a large, unexpected bill on the final morning of the vacation.

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On most cruise lines, you can refuse to pay or opt out of the automatically charged gratuities.

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Most lines allow passengers to adjust or remove automatic tips by visiting the front desk. The exception? Norwegian Cruise Lines, who requires cruisers to file a reimbursement request after the cruise ends.

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The gratuities that you either prepay or are charged at the end of your cruise are similar to the tip at a restaurant: In theory it's optional, but it's the main source of crew wages for folks you interact with (and in the case of cruises also for the folks behind the scenes supporting the on-deck crew), so please ...

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Who must pay gratuities on a Carnival cruise? If you're taking a Carnival cruise, then you should expect to pay the gratuities. All guests except those under the age of two are charged the daily amount.

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Cruise lines generally can't force you to pay gratuities unless you decide to leave it too late to have them removed. Cruise lines will add the gratuities to your cruise account at different times, but it is often only added to your account on the second-to-last day.

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Guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise are able to remove gratuities at any point up to the final morning of their cruise, as long as they have not chosen to prepay. Prepaid gratuities can't be removed once they have been settled.

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In the unlikely event that a guest onboard being charged the daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, the guest may request to modify the daily amount at their discretion by visiting Guest Services onboard and will be able to do so until the morning of their departure.

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For lines that do have them, service and gratuity charges are touted as a convenient alternative to the practice of cash tipping on cruise ships — something that once was common. Cruise lines say they pass the money collected from service charges to the shipboard crew.

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Yes, you can remove gratuities on Princess Cruises. All gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account and can be adjusted or removed completely at the Guest Services desk before disembarkation. Guests also have the option of pre-payment of gratuities prior to sailing.

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Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining service. Similarly, it is often acceptable to tip $1-3 when room service is delivered depending on the size of the order.

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Note: For full 100% penalties, the refund will only include: Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses and Optional Prepaid Gratuities.

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Just like some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial $99.75 pending charge or authorization on their credit card. This pending amount is used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases. Purchases made onboard over the initial $99.75 will generate additional holds.

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Gratuities are not mandatory on a Princess cruise but are automatically charged to cruisers' onboard accounts. Alternatively, gratuities can be prepaid online up to two days prior to the start of a cruise. Cruisers staying in inside, oceanview and balcony cabins will be charged $14.50 per person, per day.

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Carnival Cruise Lines In standard cabins, Carnival charges $14.50 per person, per day in tips. Travelers in suites are charged $16.50 per person, per day. The amount does not apply to passengers younger than 2. An automatic 18% gratuity is added to all bar bills, specialty restaurant cover charges and spa services.

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Cruise lines are very upfront about their tipping policies. Unless you are on an all-inclusive ship that covers gratuities in the cruise fare, such as luxury cruise lines Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, it is recommended that you tip the crew.

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The amount of experience, the level of education, the grades they received, location, and company all can determine the year's salary. In general, a cruise ship captain salary ranges between $54,000 and more than $100,000. This may seem like a low pay scale considering the responsibilities that come with the job.

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