When booking a cruise, you must decide whether you want to prepay gratuities or wait until you are onboard.
Gratuities, or tips, are service charges that go toward the crew members, including your cabin steward, dining room team, and more — and how you pay them can make a big difference in your cruise experience.
Within the past two years, I've taken over 15 cruises and prepaid my gratuities for every single voyage. Not only does it help me budget for each sailing, but it helps me avoid uncomfortable surprises at the end of the cruise.
Far too often do I hear about cruisers who didn't know that cruise lines will automatically bill their onboard account for the daily recommended gratuity rate, resulting in a high onboard statement.
While budgeting is a major reason I think everyone should prepay their tips, there are other reasons why smart cruisers settle their gratuities before boarding their cruise.
Read more: Crew member reveals shocking truths about cruise ship tipping
You could possibly save money
Who doesn't want to save money on vacation? With the average cruise fare becoming more expensive, it's only natural to want to cut costs where you can.
It's not uncommon for cruise lines to raise their gratuities. For example, in November, Royal Caribbean raised its daily gratuity amount from $18.00 to $18.50 per passenger for standard cabins. More recently, Disney Cruise Line increased its recommended gratuity rate from $14.50 to $16.00 per night for guests in non-concierge staterooms.
Although the increase is typically minimal, prepaying gratuities means that you're grandfathered into the lower rate. In other words, if the daily rate is $18.50 when you book, you won't have to worry about paying the difference if they are increased to $20.00 before you set sail.
Read more: 15 Tipping Mistakes NOT to Make on a Cruise
It's convenient
One of the reasons cruises remain my go-to vacation is because they're convenient. Everything from accommodations to dining, entertainment, and transportation is included in the base fare.
However, cruises aren't all-inclusive. Add-ons like specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and alcoholic beverages come at an additional cost. Gratuities are rarely included, either.
By adding gratuities to my booking upfront, I don't have to worry about paying them at once. Instead, they're calculated into my final payment, which is typically due 90 to 120 days before sailing. This also means I have a better understanding of my budget for incidentals ahead of time.
Read more: 11 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping
No unexpected surprises onboard
Along with prepaying my gratuities, I like to pre-purchase as many add-ons as possible, including drink packages and Wi-Fi. This lets me enjoy the cruise without stressing over every expense or worrying about a large bill to settle at the end.
Even at $18.50 per day, gratuities can quickly add up on a weeklong cruise. For example, families of four will pay over $500 in tips on a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise. If you don't prepay them, you'll see them added to your onboard statement.
Although you can remove or adjust the daily rate at Guest Services, this is frowned upon. Crew members work hard to deliver memorable experiences. Tipping is part of showing appreciation for their service, even if you think that gratuities should be factored into the base fare.
How much are cruise gratuities?
Carnival Cruise Line
- Standard cabins: $16 per person, per day
- Suites: $18 per person, per day
Celebrity Cruises
- Standard cabins: $18 per person, per day
- AquaClass/Concierge: $19 per person, per day
- The Retreat: $23 per person, per day
Disney Cruise Line
- Standard cabins: $16 per person, per day
- Concierge suites: $27.25 per person, per day
Read more: Worth it or not: Carnival prepaid gratuities
Holland America Line
- Standard cabins: $17 per person, per day
- Suites: $19 per person, per day
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Standard cabins: $20 per person, per day
- The Haven: $25 per person, per day
MSC Cruises
- For cruises to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, & New England, the rate for passengers 2 and older is $16 per person, per night. The gratuity for MSC Yacht Club guests is $20 per night.
- Cruises that sail to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the United Arab Emirates charge guests aged and older €12 per night and €6 for those 2-11. MSC Yacht Club is €16 for adults and €8 for children.
Princess Cruises
- Standard cabins: $17 per person, per day
- Mini-suites, cabanas, and Club Class: $18 per person, per day
- Suites: $19 per person, per day
Royal Caribbean International
- Standard cabins: $18.50 per person, per day
- Suites: $21 per person, per day
Virgin Voyages
- Virgin is the only mainstream cruise line that includes gratuities in its base fares. You don't have to prepay for your tips or worry about surprise charges at the end of your voyage.
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
