Another cruise line suddenly raises the daily gratuity charges

Another cruise line is suddenly increasing gratuities for passengers. 

Effective June 1, 2026, Holland America Line (HAL) will raise the daily gratuity rate by $1 per day, bringing the new rate for standard cabins to $18.00 per person, up from $17.00, and suites to $20.00 per person, up from $19.00.

If you have already booked your sailing, you can prepay your gratuities to lock in the lower rate and save money. If you wait until you're onboard and are cruising after June 1, you will be subject to the new higher rate. 

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Known as "crew appreciation" on HAL's fleet, the daily gratuity is automatically added to everyone's onboard accounts "...to recognize the many team members who support your journey, including those you see every day and those working behind the scenes. It creates a shared foundation of appreciation that reflects the collective care onboard."

Standard cabins are Inside, Ocean View, Spa, Lanai, and Verandah rooms. All HAL suites, including Vista, Signature, and Neptune, will be subject to the higher suite gratuity rate.

This marks HAL's first gratuity increase since February 2024, when rates rose to $17.00 for standard cabins and $19.00 for suites. Before that, passengers paid $16.00 and $17.50, respectively.

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Moreover, Holland America will increase the mandatory service charge aboard its vessels from 18% to 20%. This means guests will pay more for add-ons like alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, and more. 

HAL service charges are not the same as crew appreciation tips and therefore cannot be adjusted or removed at Guest Services.

The move follows other brands under Carnival Corporation that have also hiked gratuity rates

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Carnival Cruise Line kicked off the corporation’s latest round of increases in February, when guests received an email about the upcoming changes. 

Effective April 2, Carnival increased the daily gratuity to $17.00 per person for standard cabins and $19.00 per person for suites. It was the first time Carnival had raised the daily tip amount since 2023. 

They also raised the price of the adult soda package to $11.99, before the mandatory service charge. A few months earlier, the cruise line also quietly increased its onboard service charge from 18% to 20%.

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Following Carnival, Princess Cruises updated its gratuity rates on its website, raising them to $18.00 per person for standard cabins, $19.00 for Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection rooms, and $20.00 for suites. 

Princess Cruises also raised the onboard service charge for food and beverage purchases from 18% to 20%.

"A nonrefundable Service Charge of 20% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the cruise fare," Princess' website reads. 

Read more: Princess Cruises quietly hikes its daily crew gratuity charges

Cruise gratuities comparison

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Curious how Holland America's new cruise gratuities compare to the rest of the industry? Here's a quick rundown of all the mainstream cruise lines, ranging from the adults-only Virgin Voyages to Royal Caribbean International. 

• Celebrity Cruises: Standard cabins ($18.00), Concierge and Aqua Class ($19.00), The Retreat ($23.00)
• Carnival Cruise Line: Standard cabins ($17.00), suites ($19.00)
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Standard cabins ($20.00), The Haven ($25.00)
• Margaritaville at Sea: Standard cabins ($22.00), suites ($25.00)
• Disney Cruise Line: Standard cabins ($16.00), Concierge and suites ($27.25)
• Princess Cruises: Standard cabins ($18.00), Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection ($19.00), Sanctuary Collection and suites ($20.00)
• Royal Caribbean International: Standard cabins ($18.50), suites ($21.00)
• Virgin Voyages: Pre-pay before the voyage ($20.00), onboard ($22.00)