Cruise tipping is genuinely complicated — and cruise lines are not exactly rushing to make it simpler. Between auto-gratuities, specialty dining surcharges, bar percentages and the eternal question of whether to tip in cash on top — let's untangle all of it.
💡 Quick answer: Most mainstream cruise lines add automatic daily gratuities of $16–$22 per person per day. This covers cabin stewards, dining staff and behind-the-scenes crew. You don't need to calculate anything — it's on your bill.
| Cruise Line | Daily Auto-Gratuity |
|---|---|
| Carnival | $16.00 standard / $18.00 suites |
| Royal Caribbean | $18.00 standard / $21.00 suites |
| Norwegian (NCL) | $20.00 standard / $25.00 Haven |
| Celebrity Cruises | $17.50 standard / $19.00 suites |
| MSC Cruises | $16.00 adults / $8.00 children |
| Princess Cruises | $18.50 standard / $23.00 suites |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.50 standard / $15.50 suites |
| Viking / Silversea / Azamara | Included in fare — no tipping needed |
Technically, no. The daily charge is designed to cover all standard service. But here's the honest truth: if your cabin steward goes above and beyond — remembering your coffee order every morning, turning down your bed just right, handling a special request with a smile — a personal cash tip of $20–$40 at the end of the cruise is a genuinely lovely gesture they will appreciate and remember.
Auto-gratuities typically do not cover everything. Watch out for these additional automatic charges:
| Service | Auto-Charge |
|---|---|
| Bar drinks | 15–20% added automatically |
| Spa treatments | 18% added automatically |
| Specialty restaurants | 18% often added |
| Room service | $3–5 gratuity often added |
Check your receipt every time. Tipping on top of an already-charged service fee is generous but not expected.
Shore excursion guides and drivers are not covered by your ship's auto-gratuity. Treat them like independent tour guides:
🤓 Fun fact: The word 'tip' on cruise ships used to mean To Insure Promptness — passengers would hand a coin to staff at the start of a voyage to guarantee good service. Now it's just Tuesday on your onboard bill.
Most mainstream cruise lines charge $16-22 per person per day in automatic gratuities. Royal Caribbean: $18/day standard. Carnival: $16/day. Norwegian: $20/day. Luxury lines like Viking and Silversea include gratuities in the fare.
You can request removal of automatic gratuities on most cruise lines, though it is frowned upon by staff who budget for this income. If you remove auto-gratuities, consider tipping key staff members directly in cash.
The automatic gratuity covers standard service. Extra cash tips ($20-40) for your cabin steward at the end of the cruise are optional but appreciated for exceptional service. Always tip shore excursion guides separately.
Calculate your total cruise gratuity budget before you set sail with our free tip calculator.
Try TheTipCalc Free →Budget $16–$22 per person per day for auto-gratuities. Luxury lines include it in the fare. Bar, spa and specialty dining add their own 15–20% on top. Extra cash tips for exceptional cabin stewards ($20–40 at end of cruise) are appreciated but optional. Always tip shore excursion guides separately — they're not on the ship's payroll.
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