Everything You Need to Know About Tipping on Cruises

by Gayle Keck

Everything You Need to Know About Tipping on Cruises

by Gayle Keck

The old days of peeling off bills for various staffers are pretty much a thing of the past. Not sure who you should tip now, and when?  Many of the largest, most mainstream cruise lines — including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Holland America, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Princess — will automatically add a gratuity to your bill. The charge is typically between $12 and $15 per person, per day. More will be tacked on if you upgrade to a suite or use butler services. Some lines, like Costa, add less for children. The gratuities are then divided between housekeeping and dining room staff.

spa
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Tips are included on Seabourn's ships / Seabourn Cruise Line
O'Gills Pub on Disney Magic
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Alcohol

Nearly all lines add a 15 to 18 percent gratuity when you purchase alcoholic beverages and soft drinks à la carte. You won't have to carry cash; it will be added to your account. If you buy a drinks package, gratuities may be included as part of the package. 

Nearly all lines add a 15 to 18 percent gratuity when you purchase alcoholic beverages and soft drinks à la carte. You won't have to carry cash; it will be added to your account. If you buy a drinks package, gratuities may be included as part of the package. 

Celebrity Solstice's Murano
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Specialty Restaurants 

There's no need to tip at a specialty restaurant, even if you're paying an extra fee to dine there. However, keep in mind that some cruise lines will add a service charge of 15 to 18 percent on top of that fee.

There's no need to tip at a specialty restaurant, even if you're paying an extra fee to dine there. However, keep in mind that some cruise lines will add a service charge of 15 to 18 percent on top of that fee.

Spa break
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Spas 

Some ships automatically add a 15 to 18 percent tip to each spa and salon service; in other cases, gratuities are at your discretion. We recommend tipping the same way you would at a spa on land.

Some ships automatically add a 15 to 18 percent tip to each spa and salon service; in other cases, gratuities are at your discretion. We recommend tipping the same way you would at a spa on land.

An expedition trip from Trondheim with Hurtigruten
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Shore Excursions

Did you have a great tour guide on that shore excursion? You may want to tip them $2 to $3 per person. Many passengers also tip the shuttle bus driver at least $1 per person.

Did you have a great tour guide on that shore excursion? You may want to tip them $2 to $3 per person. Many passengers also tip the shuttle bus driver at least $1 per person.

Seven Seas Navigator's casino
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Extras

You may be asked for a gratuity after a paid fitness class, and there may be a tip jar at the kids program desk. In addition, gamblers often tip their casino dealers.

You may be asked for a gratuity after a paid fitness class, and there may be a tip jar at the kids program desk. In addition, gamblers often tip their casino dealers.

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