Cruise Line Gratuities

Gratuities is the terms used by cruise lines for 'Service Charges' or 'Tips' and unless included as part of fare are usually charged per person per day for the duration of your cruise. These 'tips' go to the staff who serve you throughout your cruise to make sure you have a wonderful experience; some you'll meet such as your room steward or your restaurant staff but also some behind the scenes staff you may not meet.

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While you can prepay your gratuities (make sure you check whether any quotation you receive includes gratuities or not) it is typical for these to be charged at the end of your cruise. 

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NB: While gratuities are automatically applied you are generally entitled to request them to be removed. You can also tip the staff you received exemplary service from directly.  

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Some cruise lines will add a 'Bar Service Charge' on top of drinks prices listed which can make those 'bargain' prices not so much of a bargain - it's important to know what you're really paying...

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Azamara Club Cruises

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charges apply

Carnival Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Standard Accommodations:

    • $13.99 per person per day​

  • Suites:​

    • $15.99 per person per day​

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  • Carnival breakdown as follows: 

    • Housekeeping Team: $4.35 ($6.05 for suites)

    • Dining Team: $6.89

    • Alternative Services: $2.75​

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NB: Gratuities were increased on 1st Dec 18

Bar Service Charge

  • 15% bar service charge is added to all purchases

Celebrity Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Standard Accommodations:

    • ​$14.50​ per person per day
  • Concierge Class​ & Aqua Class​
    • $15.00 per person per day​
  • Suites:​
    • $18.00 per person per day​

Bar Service Charge

  • 18% bar service charge is added to all purchases except All-Inclusive packages

Costa Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Adults: 

    • Gratuity va​ries from:$10 per person per day to $14.50 per person per day depending on ship and time of year.

    • Suites can be up to $17.50 per person per day

  • Children - 4-14 on most ships, 4-12 on other ships​

    • 50% of adult fare​

  • Infants ( 0-3 ) ​

    • Free​

Bar Service Charge

  • 15% bar service charge is added to all purchases except All-Inclusive packages

Cruise & Maritime

Daily Charge

  • Voyages less than 16 nights:

    • £7 per person per day​

  • Voyages over 16 nights:​

    • £6 per person per day​

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NB: Astor is $12 per person per day and reduces to $10 per person per day if cruise over 11 nights

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge

Crystal Cruises

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge

Cunard Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Britannia Staterooms:

    • $11.50 per person per day​

  • Queens and Princess Grill Suites​

    • $13.50 per person per day​

Bar Service Charge

  • 15% bar service charge is added to all purchases

Disney Cruise Line

Daily Charge

  • At Disney every guest is charged a suggested gratuity broken down as follows: 

    • For bookings pre 19th January 19: 

      • Dining Room Server $4 per day​

      • Dining Room Asst Server $3 per day

      • Dining Room Head Server $1 per day

      • Stateroom Host/Hostess $4 per day

      • This works out @ $12pp per day or $84pp for 7 night cruise

    • For bookings post 19th January 19: 

      • Dining Room Server $4.50 per day​

      • Dining Room Asst Server $3.50 per day

      • Dining Room Head Server $1 per day

      • Stateroom Host/Hostess $4.50 per day

    • This works out @ $13.50pp per day or $94.50pp for 7 night cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • 15% Bar Service Charge is added to all purchases

Fred Olsen

Daily Charge

  • Adults (12 and over) 

    • £5 per person per day​

    • NB: From 7th March 2018

  • Children (Under 12)​

    • No charge​

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge applies

Holland America Line

Daily Charge

  • Interior, Ocean View & Balcony

    • $14.50 per person per day​

  • Suite:​

    • $16.00 per person per day​

 

NB: Gratuities were increased on 1st Dec 18

Bar Service Charge

  • 15%  Bar Service Charge is added to all purchases

MSC Cruises

Daily Charge

  • ​For Bookings Pre 25th June 19

    • Adults ( 12 and over ) - €10 per night

    • Child ( 2 and over ) - €5 per night

    • Child ( Under 2 ) - Free

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  • For Bookings Post 25th June 19

    • Gratuities included in cruise fare from 25th June 19. No onboard gratuities charges

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Bar Service Charge

  • 15%  Bar Service Charge is added to all purchases with exception of prepaid all-inclusive drinks package

Norwegian Cruise Line

Daily Charge

  • Booked Premium All Inclusive Option:

    • Gratuities Included as standard

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  • Booked Free At Sea Option (April 2019 onwards):

    • Gratuities are no longer included in the fare. Therefore:

    • Studios, Interior, Ocean View, Balcony & Mini Suites

      • $15.00 per person per day​

    • Suite:​

      • $18.00 per person per day​

    • Children (Under 3) - Free 

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NB: NCL Sun & Sky sailings from Port Canaveral subject to $20.50 & $23.00 per day gratuities for the different stateroom types

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NB: Guests sailing to Hawaii will be charged an additional 4.275% Pre Paid Service Charge GET Tax 

Bar Service Charge

  • A 20% beverage service charge will be added 

    • NB: Service charge will not apply if beverage package is chosen as part of Free At Sea

P&O Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Booked before May 2019:

    • Adults (Age 12 and over):

      • £7 per person per day​

    • Children (Under 12 years of age)​

      • No service charge​

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  • Booked from May 2019 onwards:

    • Gratuities are now included in your fare. P&O have abolished gratuities​

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Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge applies

Regent Seven Seas

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge as Regent Seven Seas are All-Inclusive as standard

Oceania Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Suite categories up to (but not including) penthouse suites & above:

    • $15 per person per day​

  • Penthouse suites & above​:

    • $22 per person per day​

Bar Service Charge

  • 18%  Bar Service Charge is added to all purchases

Princess Cruises

Daily Charge

  • Interior, Ocean View, Balcony

    • $13.50 per person per day

  • Mini Suite & Club Class​

    • $14.50 per person per day​

  • Suites​

    • $15.50 per person per day​

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Bar Service Charge

  • 15%  Bar Service Charge is added to your bar bill or wine bill when served.

Seabourn

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge as Seabourn are All-Inclusive as standard

Royal Caribbean

Daily Charge

  • All stateroom categories up to (and including) Junior Suite:

    • $14.50 per person per day

  • Grand Suite or above guests:

    • $17.50 per person per day​

Bar Service Charge

  • 18%  Bar Service Charge is added to your bar bill or wine bill when served. 

Silversea

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charge as Silversea are All-Inclusive as standard

Marella Cruise

Daily Charge

  • All gratuities are included in the price of your cruise

Bar Service Charge

  • No bar service charges

Viking Ocean Cruise

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Daily Charge

  • Gratuities are charged at

    • $15 per guest per day

Bar Service Charge

  • Although all meal time drinks are included there is a 15% bar charge for any drinks purchased outside of meal times.