Cruise Gratuities Are Rising Again: How Much You Should Expect to Pay in 2024

Planning a cruise in 2024 requires a close look at your vacation budget, especially with the recent trend of rising daily gratuities. Most major cruise lines have increased their mandatory tipping rates over the last year. Understanding these new costs before you sail will help you avoid sticker shock when your final onboard bill arrives.

The New Baseline for Cruise Tipping

For years, cruise passengers could comfortably budget about $12 to $15 per person, per day, for crew gratuities. Those days are largely behind us. As operational costs increase and cruise lines aim to boost crew compensation, daily service charges have steadily climbed.

In 2024, the standard expectation is closer to $16 to $20 per day for a standard cabin. If you are sailing in a suite, you will pay even more. For a family of four taking a seven-night vacation, these daily charges add up quickly, often totaling over $500 just for standard gratuities.

2024 Gratuity Rates by Major Cruise Line

To help you calculate your exact costs, here is the current breakdown of daily gratuity charges for the most popular cruise lines. Note that these rates are per person, per day, and generally apply to all guests regardless of age (though some lines exempt infants).

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean increased its daily gratuities in late 2023, and these rates remain in effect for 2024 sailings.

  • Standard Cabins: $18.00 per person, per day.
  • Grand Suites and Above: $20.50 per person, per day.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival raised its suggested gratuities in April 2023. These charges are automatically applied to your Sail & Sign account.

  • Standard Cabins: $16.00 per person, per day.
  • Suites: $18.00 per person, per day.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Norwegian currently has some of the highest daily service charges in the mainstream cruise industry.

  • Standard Cabins and Club Balcony Suites: $20.00 per person, per day.
  • The Haven and Suites: $25.00 per person, per day.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity updated its gratuity structure in the summer of 2023. Their rates vary slightly based on the specific type of premium cabin you book.

  • Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda: $18.00 per person, per day.
  • Concierge Class and AquaClass: $18.50 per person, per day.
  • The Retreat (Suites): $23.00 per person, per day.

Holland America Line

Holland America is one of the most recent lines to raise rates, with a new fee structure that went into effect in February 2024.

  • Non-Suites: $17.00 per person, per day.
  • Suites: $19.00 per person, per day.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises adjusts its “Crew Appreciation” charge based on three distinct cabin categories.

  • Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony: $16.00 per person, per day.
  • Mini-Suites and Club Class: $17.00 per person, per day.
  • Suites: $18.00 per person, per day.

Where Does the Money Actually Go?

When you see a charge of $18 a day on your account, it is natural to wonder who receives that money. Cruise lines pool these daily automatic gratuities and distribute them among various crew members.

The largest portion typically goes to the dining room staff (waiters, assistant waiters, and head waiters) and your stateroom attendant who cleans your cabin daily. However, a significant percentage also goes to hard-working crew members behind the scenes. This includes laundry staff, culinary teams, and buffet attendants who you might never interact with directly but who are vital to your vacation experience.

The Strategy of Prepaying Gratuities

One of the best ways to manage your budget is to prepay your gratuities before your cruise begins. You can usually do this through the cruise line’s online portal right up until a few days before sailing.

Prepaying offers a major financial advantage: price protection. If you book a cruise for late 2024 or 2025 and prepay your service charges today, you lock in the current rate. If the cruise line announces a gratuity hike before your sail date, you will not be required to pay the difference. Additionally, paying this fee in advance means your onboard account will not accumulate large daily charges, leaving you with a smaller bill at the end of your trip.

Extra Gratuities to Watch Out For

Your daily room charge is not the only tip you will pay on a cruise. Most cruise lines automatically add an 18% to 20% service charge to specific onboard purchases. You should factor these into your budget:

  • Beverages: Every time you buy a cocktail, soda, or specialty coffee, an automatic tip (usually 18% on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, or 20% on NCL) is added to the menu price.
  • Drink Packages: If you buy a daily beverage package, the 18% to 20% gratuity for the entire package is charged upfront at the time of purchase.
  • Spa Services: Massages, haircuts, and manicures almost always include an automatic 18% to 20% gratuity.
  • Specialty Dining: When you pay a cover charge for a premium steakhouse or Italian restaurant on board, a service charge is often included, though some cruisers choose to leave a few extra dollars in cash for exceptional service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove or adjust the daily automatic gratuities? Yes. If you experience poor service, you can visit the Guest Services desk before the end of your cruise to have the daily charges adjusted or removed. However, cruise lines strongly discourage this, as it penalizes the entire service team rather than addressing a specific issue.

Do I need to tip in cash on top of the daily charge? Cash tipping is entirely optional. However, many cruisers bring small bills to tip porters at the cruise terminal (usually $2 to $5 per bag), bartenders who provide great service, and room service delivery staff ($2 to $5 per delivery).

Do children have to pay daily gratuities? On most major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL, daily gratuities apply to all guests regardless of age. A few lines offer exceptions for very young children. For example, MSC Cruises does not charge gratuities for children under two years old, and Disney Cruise Line allows you to adjust gratuities for infants at your discretion.