How Much Are You Expected to Tip on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

Cruise ships are a popular choice for vacations, allowing people to explore multiple destinations while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities. Depending on the cruise line and type of cabin, passengers may receive additional services such as room service, waitstaff, bartenders, and housekeeping staff.

Such services often come with the expectation of gratuity, leaving travelers to wonder how much they should tip on a cruise ship.

Gratuities are typically included on many cruise lines, especially those catering to American passengers. This amount is typically added to the final bill and ranges from $10-15 per person per day depending on the cruise line.

However, this is just a guideline and passengers can adjust the amount up or down as they see fit. For example, if you receive exceptional service from your room steward or bartender you may choose to add an extra tip.

Cruise lines generally offer several different options for tipping. Passengers can opt for an automatic gratuity that is charged directly to their onboard account or can choose to tip in cash at the end of the cruise. If you are paying cash then it’s important to remember that different staff members will expect different amounts; waiters typically receive between $1-2 per person per meal whereas bartenders usually get around 15% of your total tab.

In conclusion, how much you should tip on a cruise ship depends largely on your budget and the level of service that you received during your trip. Gratuities are usually included in most fares but feel free to adjust them up or down as needed. Passengers can either pay with their onboard account or in cash at the end of the trip; however, it’s important to remember that different staff members expect different amounts.