Several cruise lines have recently raised their gratuities and at the same time others have lowered them or rolled them into the price of the cruise. So who is charging for what and how much?
The listings below offer a look at the amounts major lines are currently are charging to passenger bills in automatic gratuities. In addition to a flat-fee, per-day charge for gratuities, some lines also add a 15% to 18% gratuity to bar bills on ships. In some cases, lines also add an additional gratuity charge to bills at extra-charge restaurants on ships and for spa services.
The rates for the daily charges listed below are per person, per day.
This list is current as of Apr. 3, 2017 and may change at any time. Your agent at InterlineTravel.com (800 766-2911) can give you the latest info on the gratuities for the cruise of your choice when you book. Just ask.
Alaskan Dream Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare and are at the discretion of travelers. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Azamara Club Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.
Carnival Cruise Line
Daily gratuity charge: $13.99
Note: Passengers in suites pay $15.99. No gratuities are collected for passengers under the age of 2. Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Celebrity Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $13.50
Note: Passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass cabins pay $14; passengers in suites, $17. Company policy.
Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Celestyal Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew and bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Costa Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $12.50
Note: For ships operating in U.S. dollars; ships operating in euro have a 10 euro charge. On the Costa Serena, Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria, Costa Fortuna and Costa neoRomantica, the charge is $13.50 for most cabins and $16.50 for suites. No gratuities are collected for passengers under age of 4. Children (ages 4 to 14) pay 50% of the adult rate. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Crystal Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.
Cunard Line
Daily gratuity charge: $11.50
Note: Passengers in Grill Class cabins pay $13.50. Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Disney Cruise Line
Daily gratuity charge: $12
Note: Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills; an 18% charge is added to bills for spa services.
Holland America Line
Daily gratuity charge: $14.50 in standard cabins and $16.00 in suites. Rates are per person.
Note: Passengers in suites pay $15. Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Lindblad Expeditions
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew are included in the fare for passengers on the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion but not other ships. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
MSC Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $12.50
Note: For Caribbean cruises and some grand voyages. Gratuity charges vary for MSC’s other itineraries. Children pay half the adult rate.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Daily gratuity charge: $14.50
Note: Passengers in suites pay $17.50. Passengers on Norwegian Sky pay higher rates ($18.99 for standard cabins; $21.99 for suites). Company policy.
Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, the bills at extra-charge specialty restaurants and for services at ship spas.
Oceania Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $16
Note: Passengers staying in top suites with butler service pay $23. Company policy.
Additional charges: An 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, the bill for extra-charge eatery La Reserve and for services at ship spas.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Ponant Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare. Ponant says tipping is “entirely up to you, and you are under no obligation” to tip. Passengers who want to leave a gratuity for crew are encouraged to put it in an urn at the Reception desk at the end of the voyage. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Princess Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $13.50
Notes: Passengers in mini-suites and suites pay $14.50 and $15.50, respectively. Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Royal Caribbean
Daily gratuity charge: $13.50
Note: Passengers staying in suites pay $16.50
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills as well as services at ship spas. Company policy.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
SeaDream Yacht Club
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Silversea Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew including bar staff are included in the fare. Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Star Clippers
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for the crew are not included in the fare. Star Clippers suggests passengers leave crew a gratuity of $10 per day.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
UnCruise Adventures
Daily gratuity charge: None
Note: Gratuities for crew are not included in the fare. UnCruise says gratuities “are a personal matter and are entirely at the discretion of the traveler.” Company policy.
Additional charges: None
Viking Ocean Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $15
Note: Company policy.
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Windstar Cruises
Daily gratuity charge: $12
Additional charges: A 15% gratuity is added to bar bills.
Got questions or ready to book your next cruise vacation? Contact InterlineTravel.com at 817 481-8631 or 800 766-2911 without paying any additional booking fees.
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where can the taxes / fees for the cruises be found ?
Look in the cruise booking engine and when you go to book it the breakdown on all of the taxes and fees will show up.
I will get letter from EAL retirees Assoc. I worked 1952-1988 and have retirement pension. Thanks JO ANN
Royal Caribbean adds 18% to all bar bills now.
Hello Steve
Regarding booking a cruise if I make a reservation for myself and my family. Will my family receive the same discount I receive? My family meaning my husband, daughter, son in law and grandson. Thank you in advance for your help.
It depends on the sailing and cruise line. Your husband will always qualify but for Disney. Our agents can help with any of the others as to your options.
I requested whether I could get a discount on a cruise with dialysis treatments onboard. I have since learned Medicare does not pay for dialysis on cruise ships. I understand they charge $2000 and up for dialysis. If your cruise stops on a US territory your Medicare will cover dialysis on the island.
There are group cruises for folks needing dialysis but none that offer an interline discount.
I don’t see rates on Avalon Waterways.
We do not have any interline rates on them right now.
Steve,
Any interline discounts on Silversea or Ponant Antartica cruises for Nov/Dec 2018 ?
Not yet
Interesting, NCL has one of the highest daily gratuity charges, and yet they charge an additional 18% plus the cost of the meal at their specialty restaurants. I’m guessing the extra charges help offset their frequently offered somewhat free drink packages . Think I would prefer they include the tips in with the cost of the cruise.
What does the cruise mean when it says gratuities are “discretionary”.
means what you tip if your decision.
You state Royal Caribbean charges $13.50 for taxes. Do they charge service fees if you pay up front? I was charged $130 per person for a cruise leaving June 2019.
the $13.50 is per person per day.
Hi Steve, we are looking for something on Royal Caribean, we are both seniors, retired AA and members of the Crown & Anchor Club. Do you have any to Greece, or Southern Italy, perhaps Germany, or the South of France. We are not interested in any caribean, but possibly Alaska in August (late). My e-mail is jerrigiles@yahoo.com. We would like a 5 day or possibly a few days longer.
Also do you have any River Cruises in Europe or is that not in your offerings. Thanking you in advance. Jerri
email stevec@dynamictravel.com your phone number and we will have an agent call you tomorrow with options
Are there any cruise lines that offer a singles supplement rather than charging double if traveling alone?
Norwegian (NCL) has single cabins. Holland from time to time offers to match you up.