Most mainstream cruise lines charge about $16 to $20 per person, per day in automatic gratuities, rising to as much as $27.25 in suites, so how much to tip on a cruise is largely decided for you. On top of that, plan on $2 to $5 per bag for porters and $5 to $20 per person for tour guides, with extra cash on board entirely optional. The most common tipping mistakes come from not knowing what the daily charge already covers.
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Several lines raised their rates in 2026, so older guides are often out of date. The table below shows what each major line charges as of November 2026, followed by the 13 mistakes worth avoiding.
How much to tip on a cruise: daily gratuities by line (November 2026)
These are per-person rates for sailings priced in US dollars. Disney’s are per night and described as suggested. Rates can change at short notice and can differ by booking market, so your booking confirmation is the final word.
| Cruise line | Standard cabin | Suites | Added to drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | $17 | $19 | 20% |
| Royal Caribbean | $18.50 | $21 | 18% |
| Norwegian (NCL) | $20 | $25 (The Haven and suites) | 20% |
| MSC (Caribbean, Alaska, US, Canada) | $17 | $23 (Yacht Club) | 18% |
| Princess | $18 ($19 mini suites) | $20 | 20% |
| Celebrity | $19.50 ($20.50 Concierge and AquaClass) | $24.50 (The Retreat) | 20% |
| Holland America | $18 | $20 | 20% |
| Disney | $16 | $27.25 (Concierge) | 18% |
| Cunard | About $18 (Britannia) | About $19 (Grills) | Reported as 15% to 18% |
| P&O Cruises (UK) | Included in fare | Included in fare | None reported |
MSC’s rates vary most by region. Its North American increase took effect on May 11, 2026, while European sailings have been reported at around €12 per night (€16 in Yacht Club), and UK bookings are generally sold with gratuities included. Cunard’s figures vary between published sources, so check yours before you sail. Luxury lines such as Regent, Silversea and Seabourn don’t add a daily charge at all.
How much to tip in cash, beyond the daily charge
None of these is compulsory, and the amounts below are commonly quoted guidelines rather than cruise line rules.
| Who | Typical cash tip |
|---|---|
| Terminal porter | $2 to $5 per bag |
| Half-day tour guide | $5 to $10 per person |
| Full-day tour guide | $10 to $20 per person |
| Tour driver (if separate) | $2 to $5 |
| Bartender, for standout service | $1 to $2 per drink |
| Cabin steward, for extra effort | Around $20 to $40 over a week |
| Suite butler, where not already covered | Around $5 to $10 per day |
Cruise tipping etiquette: the 13 mistakes to avoid
Good cruise tipping etiquette is mostly about knowing what you’ve already paid for. These mistakes fall into three groups: the daily charge, the extras on board, and cash.
Mistakes with the daily gratuity
1. Assuming gratuities are included in your fare
On most big-ship lines they aren’t. The charge appears on your onboard account each day unless you paid it in advance, and it can come as a surprise on the final night. Some fares do bundle gratuities, including certain Princess and Celebrity packages, so look at exactly what you booked rather than assuming either way.
2. Budgeting from last year’s rate
Carnival raised its rate on April 2, 2026, Princess on March 8, MSC on May 11 in North America, Holland America on June 1, and Celebrity by $1.50 on July 29. For two adults on a seven-night cruise, that makes a total of $238 on Carnival, $259 on Royal Caribbean, $273 on Celebrity and $280 on NCL in standard cabins. Whether locking in today’s rate is worthwhile depends on your line, and our guide to whether to prepay gratuities on a cruise covers the pros and cons.
3. Forgetting that children are charged too
Families are often caught out here. Carnival and MSC charge from age 2, NCL from age 3, and Disney’s suggested amount includes children and infants. A family of four on a seven-night Carnival cruise would pay $476 in standard-cabin gratuities.
4. Removing auto-gratuities without knowing the rules
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Disney allow you to adjust the charge through Guest Services, usually before the morning you disembark. NCL is much stricter: gratuities have been reported as non-adjustable on board, with refunds requested in writing after the cruise. MSC has been reported as adjusting only for unsatisfactory service.
Removing the charge also reduces pay for crew you may never meet, including galley and housekeeping staff. If something went wrong, raising it with Guest Services while you’re still on board gives the line a chance to fix it.
Mistakes with bars, dining and cabin service
5. Over-tipping on bar bills that already include 18% to 20%
Drinks receipts already include a service charge on nearly every mainstream line, yet many still show a line for an additional tip. Carnival, for example, adds 20% and then offers an optional extra. Filling that in is your choice, but it isn’t expected. Many passengers simply leave it blank, or hand over a dollar or two for a bartender who remembers their order.
6. Forgetting the percentage on packages, specialty dining and spas
The service charge usually applies to drinks packages, specialty restaurants and spa treatments as well, and it’s often added on top of the advertised price. Royal Caribbean adds 18% to packages and specialty dining and 20% to spa services. Holland America reverses that, with 20% on drinks and dining and 18% at the spa. A package advertised at $70 a day costs closer to $84 with a 20% charge. Our guide on how to pay for extras on a cruise explains how these charges reach your account.
One detail is often missed: Carnival says crew paid through this service charge don’t receive a share of its daily gratuity. That percentage is a real part of how those crew are paid, separate from the daily charge.
7. Assuming room service is always free of charges
Some lines add a percentage to room service orders. Royal Caribbean applies 18% and Celebrity 20%. Delivery fees and paid menus vary by line and by time of day, so read the menu and check the slip. Where a charge has been added, an extra couple of dollars for the person at your door is a kind gesture rather than an obligation.
8. Thinking your cabin steward needs a separate tip
The daily gratuity is pooled and shared across the crew, including cabin attendants, so you’ve already contributed. Extra cash is best kept for real extra effort, such as helping with mobility needs or a child’s cot. If you’re planning to ask for something unusual, see what you can ask your cabin steward for. Naming a crew member in your post-cruise survey is a free way to say thank you as well.
Cash tipping mistakes
9. Not carrying small bills
Guest Services can often break larger notes once you’re on board, but that doesn’t help at the terminal, and handing a porter a $20 bill puts everyone in an awkward spot. Bring a stack of $1, $5 and $10 bills before you leave home. Around $50 to $100 in small notes covers most week-long cruises.
10. Forgetting the porters
Terminal porters generally aren’t ship crew, so your gratuities don’t reach them. Have $2 to $5 per bag ready on embarkation and disembarkation day, because this is the moment passengers are most likely to be caught without cash.
11. Skipping tips for excursion guides
Your onboard gratuity doesn’t extend to tour guides and drivers, whether the excursion was booked through the ship or independently. Allow $5 to $10 per person for a half-day and $10 to $20 for a full day, and tip the driver separately if there is one.
12. Tipping in the wrong currency
US dollars work well in the Caribbean and Alaska, but a guide in Italy or Greece will usually prefer euros, and coins are hard for anyone to exchange. A small amount of local currency, in notes, saves your guide a trip to a bureau de change. On board, use the currency of the ship’s account.
13. Tipping people who shouldn’t be tipped
The captain and senior officers aren’t tipped, and offering cash can be awkward. Gratuities also aren’t needed on lines that build them in: P&O Cruises says tipping isn’t needed on its ships, and MSC says it doesn’t recommend tipping individual staff members. A cash tip on these lines is a personal thank you, never an expectation.
If you’re trying to keep the whole holiday on budget, these ways to save money on a cruise are worth reading alongside this guide.
FAQs
Do you have to tip on a cruise?
Not in the legal sense, but most mainstream lines add a daily gratuity to your account automatically, and it forms part of how crew are paid. On lines such as P&O Cruises, Regent and Silversea, gratuities are already included, so nothing further is expected.
Do you still tip if you prepay gratuities?
You don’t need to. Prepaying covers the same daily charge that would otherwise be billed on board. Extra cash is optional and is usually kept for someone who went out of their way for you.
What happens if you don’t prepay gratuities on a cruise?
The daily amount is normally added to your onboard account during the sailing, so you still pay it, just at the end. The main risk of waiting is a rate rise before you sail.
What is Royal Caribbean’s gratuity policy?
Royal Caribbean adds $18.50 per guest per day, or $21 in suites, unless you prepay. It also adds 18% to drinks, specialty dining, room service and minibar purchases, and 20% to spa and salon services. Adjustments are made at Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation.
How much should you tip a cabin steward on a cruise?
If you pay the daily gratuity, no extra tip is required. For exceptional service or special requests, passengers commonly give around $20 to $40 in cash over a week.
