Cruise gratuities — how much, to whom, and how to change them
Almost every cruise line charges an automatic 'daily gratuity' per guest, children included, added to your onboard account each day. It is not opt-in by default — you have to remove it manually if you want to. Amounts are current for 2026 and are revised once a year.
How much, by line
The usual range is $16–23 per person per day in the mainstream category, and a suite pays more. For 2026, roughly: Carnival ~$16, Royal Caribbean ~$18 (standard) / ~$23 (suite), Norwegian ~$20 / ~$25, Princess ~$17; MSC charges a 'service charge' of ~€14–16 in the Mediterranean. Luxury lines (Regent, Seabourn, Oceania, Virgin, Viking) — gratuities are included, no add-on.
What about the bar?
The daily gratuity does not cover drinks. Every glass at the bar has an automatic 18–20% gratuity added, and the drinks package already bakes that into its advertised price. Spa — same, ~18% added.
How to remove or adjust
You can go to Guest Services any day of the sailing and ask to remove or reduce the automatic gratuity — that is your right, no reason needed. Money removed does not reach the crew through the system, so if you remove it and still want to tip, hand cash directly. Some lines lock the change after the last day.
Pre-pay?
Most lines let you pre-pay gratuities at booking. The upside: the rate is locked (it rises every year) and your onboard bill is cleaner. There is no discount for it — the same amount, just earlier.
Answers to your questions
Are cruise gratuities mandatory?
Do you pay gratuities for children?
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About this page
Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.