Cruise Tipping Etiquette: How to Show Appreciation on Board

Tipping on a cruise can sometimes be confusing, especially for first-time cruisers. Unlike traditional vacations, where tipping is more straightforward, cruise lines implement automatic gratuities to ensure that the hardworking staff behind the scenes—many of whom passengers never see—receive fair compensation. Let’s break down cruise tipping etiquette and review how cruise tipping works, who benefits, and how you can customize your gratuity experience while ensuring those who contribute to your unforgettable cruise are properly rewarded.

Understanding Automatic Gratuities

Most cruise lines add daily gratuities to your onboard account, typically $14 to $20 per person, per day. The cruise line distributes these tips among key crew members, ensuring fair compensation for their hard work:

• Room stewards clean and maintain your cabin.
• Dining staff serve guests in the main dining room and buffet areas.
• Behind-the-scenes crew, including kitchen staff and laundry attendants, keep operations running smoothly.

By including gratuities in your fare, cruise lines ensure that every crew member receives a tip, not just those you interact with directly.

Tipping Your Room Steward & Dining Staff Directly

While standard gratuities cover most service staff, many cruisers like to provide extra tips to employees who go above and beyond. Here’s a guideline for tipping personally:

• Room Steward: $10–$20 for outstanding service throughout your cruise. Some guests prefer to give a tip at the start and end of the trip.
• Main Dining Servers: $10–$15 per person for exceptional service, especially if you dine at the same table each night.
• Bartenders & Specialty Restaurant Servers: If not covered under the gratuity plan, tipping $2–$5 per drink or meal is a good practice.

Can You Remove Standard Gratuities?

Yes, most cruise lines allow guests to opt out of automatic gratuities by visiting guest services, but it’s highly discouraged. Removing standard gratuities means that only the workers you personally tip receive compensation, while the many staff members working behind the scenes—cooks, cleaners, and maintenance crews—are left out.

Why You Should Keep Automatic Gratuities

Choosing to keep gratuities ensures that the entire crew benefits, including those who make your trip seamless but remain unseen. From the team that prepares your meals to those who maintain the ship’s cleanliness, everyone contributes to your experience, and tipping collectively ensures fair distribution of appreciation.

Final Thoughts

Tipping on a cruise is not just about rewarding good service. It’s about acknowledging the effort of the crew members who work tirelessly to make your voyage comfortable and enjoyable. While your crew always welcomes personal tipping, keeping standard gratuities intact helps support every crew member, not just those passengers interact with. Understanding cruise tipping etiquette will help you recognize and appreciate the hardworking crew members who made your voyage unforgettable.

Would you consider tipping extra for exceptional service?

Curious what your room steward can bring to you? Check out my blog post: What Your Room Steward Can Bring You.