While on your cruise ship, the only acceptable form of payment for drinks, souvenirs in the shops, specialty restaurants, etc., is your cruise card. At the end of the sailing, your onboard account will be settled using the payment method you provided at check-in.
Plus, with cruisers having the option to pre-pay their gratuities before sailing or automatically charge them to their onboard account, new sailors often wonder how much cash they should bring.
Whether you want to try your luck at one of the casino's table games or tip your favorite bartender, having cash on hand before you embark on the ship is handy, as if you wait until you're onboard, you will be subject to hefty ATM fees. Moreover, you will need cash to tip the porter before entering the terminal.
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John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line's Brand Ambassador, received a question about tipping and took to Facebook to ask cruisers how much they'd tip porters for assisting with two bags for an 8-night sailing. The post received over 3,300 comments, with most respondents saying they tip around $5 per bag; however, some said they give porters as much as $10 per bag.
"My sister and I will be on our [first-ever] cruise from Miami. We are so excited to go on the Horizon. I have read some horror messages from people saying that you have to give a big tip of at least $10 to the people that take the luggage or you will never see your luggage again," read the initial question.
"We are from Flagstaff, Arizona. We’ve only done one cruise before from Galveston. We gave a few dollars to the guy [who] took the bags. We are nervous about being in Miami. How much should we give to make sure our bags are on the ship with us[?]"
Heald responded by saying cruisers should give a few dollars to the porter and opened up a discussion in the comments. "There is absolutely nothing for you to be nervous about, and I wish you the best of times," he writes, "How much would you give total[?]
A. Between $1 and $5 for both bags - total
B. $5 per bag so $10 total
C. More than $10
D. I would not tip anything"
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Tipping porters is customary, though you shouldn't be worried about your bags getting lost if you don't tip
When you arrive at the terminal, you'll be greeted by a porter who will assist you with larger suitcases that you don't want to carry onboard. If you forgot to pre-print your luggage tags, they will also help you with that; however, to expedite the boarding process, you'll want to print them before you leave. They'll have a stapler on hand if you don't have plastic tag holders.
Once you've handed them your bags, you're free to continue with the physical check-in process. Inside the terminal, the port agents will verify your identification documents, and you'll have to go through security. Before you bid your porter farewell, though, don't forget to tip them!
You will want cash handy, as they won't have any card readers or QR codes on hand. Small bills are best, as they're the easiest for porters to hand. Plus, you don't have to worry about asking for change.
Susie Madaras explained in the comments of Heald's post that she typically tips anywhere from $5 to over $10 per bag. "Those porters work really hard in the heat. I appreciate them so I don’t have to carry my [over-packed] suitcase on myself. But I don’t believe they would purposely 'lose' a bag. I just tip as a thank you to them for their hard work," she wrote.
"B [$5 per bag] seems to be fair. They provide a service and I appreciate it," said Don Huges, "Yes, they make a good wage, but that should not matter. They are service providers."
Bob Mizel commented, "We usually have two bags a piece, so I give them 20, but there are absolutely no worries about tipping the baggage handlers. They appreciate tips but do their job. Nobody's luggage is going to disappear."
Read more: 10 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping
"We usually tip $5 a bag. You really don't have to tip anything and your bags will still be delivered, but the porters work hard for us, and it's the right thing to do," wrote Michael A. Bolio.
The amount you tip may also depend on the circumstances. Terry Millen, for example, described his experience sailing out of Miami, stating that the porter went above and beyond tending to more than their luggage.
We were just in Miami and sailed the Horizon! Loved it! Typically we tip $3 a bag. This time, however, the port was in a mess due to construction and where we dropped the bags was quite a walk to get to the entrance. My wife is mobility challenged and seeing this, the porter got our bags taken care of AND then created a shortcut [through] all of the [tangled-up] carts, so my wife didn’t have to navigate any curbs," he wrote.
"So, this gentleman got a big tip. He wasn’t expecting it. He just made life easier for someone who was struggling. So tip accordingly. Sometimes they take care of more than your bags!😊"
Before handing off your luggage, make sure that you have important documents and valuable items safely secure in a carry-on bag
Once the porter has your suitcases, you will not see them again until hours after you have boarded. You'll want a small bag to keep important items on your person, including passports, medication, jewelry, phone chargers, and more. Some cruisers like to pack a change of clothes, too, so they can take advantage of the pool before it gets too crowded.
Thankfully, the porter should remind you to grab any items you may have left in your suitcase before hauling them away. If you approach the terminal without your identification documentation, you will be denied boarding, so it's best to keep it in a secure and easily accessible location.
Guests who plan on bringing on limited quantities of wine may want a bag that's big enough to hold the bottles, too, rather than having to carry them in a plastic bag for hours until your stateroom becomes available. It's also wise to have motion sickness medication on hand. That way, you won't have to worry about feeling ill if there's a delay in getting your luggage before sailing away.
Read more: 25 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag
What do cruise ship gratuities cover?
Tipping on a cruise ship works differently than at a standard restaurant or hotel. Rather than call them tips, they're usually referred to as gratuities. However, they may also be called "crew appreciation," as is the case on cruise lines like Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.
Gratuities are charged daily and divided amongst hardworking crew members onboard, including cabin stewards, dining and culinary services staff, the guest services team, and others who work behind the scenes. The rate varies; however, most mainstream lines charge around $16-$20 per day for guests staying in standard staterooms, while those staying in suites usually will not pay more than $25 per day.
In addition to gratuities for the crew, many onboard purchases are subject to service charges, including spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, and specialty restaurants, so you should expect your final bill to reflect a 17%-20% gratuity. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance, charges 20% on all drink purchases, while Royal Caribbean only charges 18%.
Though cash isn't necessary for onboard purchases, it is good to have on hand. If, for example, you feel as though a particular crew member went above and beyond during your sailing, do not hesitate to give them a cash tip. Additionally, you'll want cash to tip tour guides during shore excursions, ideally in the local currency.
How much do you tip porters? Let us know in the comments!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
