Why am I charged for gratuities?
(Updated: 1/7/2020) First time cruisers may be surprised when they get their shipboard final statement the last evening of their cruise. Along with charges for specialty restaurants, onboard purchases, and cocktails, they’ll discover a few hundred dollar charge for “gratuities” (some cruise lines are now calling it a “service charge” or “hotel service charge”). While gratuity charges are technically optional on most cruise lines, they are automatically added to your bill, and if you want to have them adjusted or removed, that will take some extra effort on your part. Usually the reception or guest services desk can take care of it for you.
But before you remove the charges, understand that for many crew members, tips are a major source of income, up to 95% on some cruise lines. Cruise lines are not subject to US or European regulations on pay – there are no minimum wage laws that apply to cruise crew members onboard ships. So those hard working people serving your meals and cocktails, and cleaning your stateroom, depend you those automatic gratuities.
How much a cruise line charges per day varies by cruise line. Many upscale or luxury lines are eliminating automatic gratuities. The chart below outlines automatic charges by cruise line:
CRUISE LINE GRATUITY RATES
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Cruise Line
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Daily Gratuity Charge per Person
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Comments
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Azamara Club Cruises
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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18% gratuity for spa services
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Carnival Cruise Line
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$13.99, Suites – $15.99
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15% gratuity for bar services
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Celebrity Cruises
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$15.50; Concierge & Aqua $16, Suites – $19
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18% gratuity for bar, salon & spa services
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Celestyal Cruises
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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Costa Cruises
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Cruises departing from the United States: $13.50 and $16.50 for suites per guest 15 years of age and older, per day of all cruise lengths. World Cruises: 10 Euros per guest 15 years of age and older, per day for all cruise lengths. Cruises not originating in the United States: 10 Euros per guest 15 years of age and older, per day for all cruise lengths. Guests between the ages of 4 and 14 will be charged 50% of the above rates. There is no service charge for guests under the age of 4.
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15% gratuity for bar services. Automatic gratuities cannot be removed from onboard account.
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Crystal
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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18% gratuity for spa services
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Cunard
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$11.50, Grill Accommodations – $13.50
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15% gratuity on bar service
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Disney Cruise Line
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$12, but company policy is more detailed.
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15% gratuity on bar service, 18% gratuity for spa services
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Holland America
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$14.50, Suites – $16
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15% gratuity on bar service
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MSC
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$12.50
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15% gratuity on bar service
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Norwegian Cruise Line
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$15.00; Haven/Suites – $18.009
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20% gratuity on bar, spa and specialty restaurants
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Oceania Cruises
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$16, Suites with butler service – $23
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18% gratuity on bar, spa and La Reserve
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Paul Gauguin Cruises
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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Ponant Cruises
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Gratuities are NOT included. Tip amounts are let to guest discretion.
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Princess Cruises
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$14.50, Minisuites – $15.50, Suites – $16.50
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15% gratuity on bar & spa service
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Regent Seven Seas
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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Royal Caribbean
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$14.50, Grand Suites & above – $17.50
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18% gratuity for bar, salon & spa services
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Seabourn Cruise Line
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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SeaDream Yacht Club
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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Silversea Cruises
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None – housekeeping & bar service included
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Viking Ocean Cruises
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$15
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15% gratuity on bar service
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Windstar Cruises
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$13.50
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With many cruise lines you can pre-pay the gratuities (or tips, or hotel service charge) in advance – thereby not needing to worry about it at the end of your trip.
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