Tipping on a cruise: how gratuities work
The short answer
Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity per guest to your onboard account automatically, typically in the high-teens to low-twenties of dollars per person per day, and a separate percentage on drinks and spa. Norwegian says it has no required tipping for general service; Oceania includes gratuities. Each line's own figure is below.By Kathryn Lyn2 min readReviewed September 2026
Daily gratuities, from each line's own pages
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Added automatically to your Sail & Sign account each day | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | $18.50 per guest per day, or $21.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | No required or recommended tipping for general service | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | A daily Hotel Service Charge per person, set by the region you are sailing | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Crew Appreciation, charged daily by stateroom category | September 21, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $19.50 per guest per day inside, ocean view and veranda | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | $16.00 per night per guest is the recommended amount, including infants and children | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | US $18.00 per guest per day, or US $20.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | $22 per Sailor per day, or $20 if you prepay before you sail | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | $20 USD per person per night, added automatically if not prepaid | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | US$18 per person per day in Britannia and Britannia Club, US$19 in the Grills | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | Included in the fare for all guests | September 21, 2026 |
How to budget it
Multiply your line's daily rate by the number of guests and the number of nights. A family of four on a seven-night cruise pays the daily rate twenty-eight times. Many lines let you prepay gratuities when you book, which takes them off the final bill.
Put the gratuities in the budget on the day you book. Then it's a line in the plan, not a shock on the last night.
First-timer questions
Questions, answered.
The questions people ask most. Tap one to open it, or open them all and read straight down.
7 questions on this page
How much are tips on a 7-day cruise?
Multiply your line's daily gratuity by seven and by the number of guests. The table above shows each line's rate, straight from its own site.
Do you tip on a cruise if gratuities are included?
You don't have to. The daily gratuity is how most lines pay the service team. Many guests add a little cash for someone who went out of their way, but it's entirely optional.
Should I tip my room steward on a cruise?
Your room steward is covered by the daily gratuity on most lines. An extra cash tip for great service is a kind gesture, not an obligation.
Can you remove gratuities on a cruise?
Most lines let you adjust the daily gratuity at guest services before the end of the cruise. It pays the crew who look after you, so most guests leave it in place.
Do you still tip if you prepay gratuities?
No. Prepaid gratuities replace the daily charge. Any extra is optional.
Do cruise lines add gratuity to drinks?
Many do: Royal Caribbean adds 18%, Norwegian and Holland America 20%. Virgin Voyages adds nothing to drinks.
Is there tipping for general service on Norwegian?
Norwegian says there's no required or recommended tipping for general service, though it still adds 20% to drinks, spa and specialty dining.