Tips and gratuities guide

As in restaurants, tips and gratuities have become a normal part of cruising. It's never part of the quoted cruise price but it's something you need to factor in, an average of US$10 per day per person.

Some cruise lines bill the amount to you at the end or the beginning of the cruise, hardly making it a discretionary reward.

Others provide envelopes the last night for you to pay in cash.

On most cruise lines, children of all ages--including infants--are expected to pay the same gratuity as an adult. One exception is Carnival Cruise Lines, where children under 2 years of age are exempt.

I can remember just two or three years ago on a Holland America cruise where tipping was optional, not mandatory. There weren't even any recommended guidelines.

The wait staff and the room stewards worked extra hard trying to get out attention to earn a gratuity at the end of the cruise, which we were more than happy to pay.

While the amount requested for gratuities and tips is fairly standard for all cruise lines, how you pay them varies considerably. So is your opportunity to lower the amount if you feel service was lacking.

(Be patient.  This list is expanding.)

Carnival Cruise Lines

Celebrity Cruises

Disney Cruise Lines

Holland America

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Princess Cruises

Royal Caribbean

Return to All Topics Caribbean Cruise Planning