Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity, often called a service charge or crew appreciation, to your onboard account for each guest. It is shared among the crew who look after you, from cabin stewards to dining room teams. Some lines include gratuities in the fare instead. Here is what each line charges, so you can budget before you book.
Daily gratuities by cruise line
Rates are in US dollars, per guest, per day, for sailings sold in the US. Last checked October 2026.
| Cruise line | Standard cabins | Suites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $17.00 | $19.00 | Charged for guests age 2 and older. |
| Royal Caribbean | $18.50 | $21.00 | |
| Norwegian | $20.00 | $25.00 | Suite rate applies to The Haven and suites. Charged for guests age 3 and older. |
| Celebrity | $19.50 | $20.50 to $24.50 | $20.50 for Concierge Class and AquaClass, $24.50 for The Retreat. |
| Princess | $18.00 | $19.00 to $20.00 | $19 for mini-suites and Reserve Collection, $20 for suites. |
| Holland America | $18.00 | $20.00 | |
| MSC | $17.00 | $23.00 | Suite rate is for the Yacht Club. Caribbean, Alaska and US sailings. European sailings are charged in euros. |
| Disney | About $16.00 | About $27.25 | Recommended amounts, not an automatic charge. Last published for 2025 sailings; ask us for the current figure. |
| Cunard | $18.00 | $19.00 | Suite rate is for Queens Grill and Princess Grill. |
| Virgin Voyages | $22.00 | Ask us | $20 if prepaid before sailing. Virgin added a separate gratuity charge for fares booked from October 2025. |
| Windstar | $16.00 | Ask us | Called a hotel service charge. Included if you add Windstar’s All-In package. |
| Viking (ocean) | Ask us | Ask us | Not included in fares booked in the US. We will confirm the current daily rate for your voyage. |
| Oceania | Included | Included | Part of Oceania’s included value. |
| Azamara | Included | Included | |
| Silversea | Included | Included | |
| Seabourn | Not expected | Not expected | Seabourn says tipping is neither required nor expected. |
Cruise lines change these rates from time to time, usually once a year. Your advisor will confirm the current amount for your sailing.
What a week of gratuities adds up to
Gratuities are charged per guest, per day. For two adults on a 7-night cruise at $18 a day each, that is $18 × 2 × 7 = $252 for the trip. Children are usually charged too, though some lines exempt very young children.
Prepay or pay on board?
Most lines let you prepay gratuities when you book or before you sail, so they are not added to your onboard bill and your onboard spending is easier to track. If you do not prepay, the charge is added to your onboard account each day.
What gratuities do not cover
- Bars and drink packages. Most lines add a separate service charge, often around 18 to 20 percent, to drinks, drink packages and some specialty dining.
- Spa and salon services. A service charge is usually added to spa treatments.
- Shore excursions and porters. Tour guides, drivers and pier porters are not covered by the ship’s gratuity. Tipping them in cash is customary.
- Extra thanks. If a crew member goes above and beyond, a cash tip or a written note naming them is always appreciated.
Can you change the amount?
On many lines you can ask guest services to adjust or remove gratuities during the cruise, though the crew rely on them. On lines where gratuities are included, such as Oceania and Silversea, there is nothing extra to pay.
See our cruise tips for more planning advice, or request a quote and we will include gratuities in your price comparison.
