It may come as a surprise to some guests, but the cruise fare itself isn’t always the only cost when hitting the high seas – and some passengers could be in for a nasty surprise at the end of their sailing when they see charges added for tips.
Many cruise lines add extra fees known as tips, gratuities or “crew appreciation” to the daily charges for each passenger and it can vary depending on the cruise line and the type of cabin you are staying in.
Cruise gratuities among the biggest brands can range from $16 (£12) per day to $20 (£15) for those in standard cabins and up to $27 (£20) per day for suites.
That could add up to an extra $560 (£421) for a family of four on a week-long cruise in a standard cabin or $140 (£105) per person and unless you check in advance or keep an eye on your changes throughout the sailing, you could be lumbered with an unexpected bill at the end of your voyage.
Read more: The best cruise deals for summer 2025
Beyond the standard tips and gratuities, there may also be service charges or the option to pay extra tips when ordering drinks at the bar.
This can push up the overall cost of your cruise holiday so it is important to be aware of the tipping policy of the brand you are sailing with. You can usually find out the daily gratuities on a cruise line’s website.
Alternatively, some cruise lines may include tips and gratuities in the fare, leaving it up to you whether to pay more to individual crew members if you feel you have had extra special service.
This may also push up the price though so it is still worth comparing options that include and exclude tips.
Here is what you need to know about tips and gratuities on a cruise.
Are you supposed to tip on a cruise?
Paying tips and gratuities on a cruise ship is not compulsory, but it is expected.
The idea is to ensure crew members are rewarded for serving you during your cruise and it can cover everyone from waiters and room stewards to the staff that you don’t see such as people working in the laundry room.
Dave Mills, chief commercial officer at online travel agent Iglu, told The Independent: “Helpfully, all cruise lines have a clear policy about tipping, so you are sure about what is expected before you set off.
“Many fares have tips included in the fare to keep things simple. Some lines have ‘no tipping…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…