Do You Have to Pay Cruise Ship Gratuities?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ship gratuities are a hot topic of discussion, and understandably so. It’s one of those things that can add up quickly and can catch you off guard if you’re not prepared. So, do you have to pay cruise ship gratuities?

The answer is yes, in most cases. Cruise lines generally include the gratuity charge in the booking price, meaning it’s part of your overall cost for the cruise holiday. This is done to avoid confusion as to who should be tipping and when. The gratuity charge will typically be shared among all the staff on board, from the waiters and bartenders to cabin stewards and housekeeping staff.

It’s important to note that some cruise lines don’t include the gratuity charge in the booking price, instead leaving it up to passengers to decide how much they’d like to tip.

Generally speaking, these are smaller cruise lines with fewer staff than larger ones.

It’s also worth noting that some cruise lines allow passengers to opt out of paying gratuities altogether. This is usually done via a credit card authorization form that must be signed before boarding. However, this isn’t something we would recommend doing unless absolutely necessary, as the money goes towards rewarding hardworking staff members who make your experience on board that much more enjoyable.

In conclusion:

Yes, you generally have to pay cruise ship gratuities as they are usually included in the booking price. Some smaller cruise lines allow passengers to decide how much they’d like to tip but this isn’t always an option on larger ones. Some cruise lines also give passengers the option of opting out of paying gratuities altogether but this isn’t recommended unless absolutely necessary as it means depriving deserving staff members of their well-earned rewards for making your experience on board more enjoyable!