Over 39 million travelers are expected to embark on a cruise vacation in 2026. Despite the strong demand and booking records, another cruise line has joined the growing list of companies hiking daily gratuities for its guests.
Effective May 11, 2026, MSC Cruises will raise the daily gratuity rate (AKA "Hotel Service Charge") on North American sailings to the Caribbean and Alaska by $1 for standard cabins and $3 for exclusive Yacht Club suites.
This will bring the new rate for standard cruise rooms to $17 per person, up from $16, and Yacht Club suites to $23 per person, up from $20. MSC does not charge gratuities for children under the age of two, regardless of stateroom type.
If you've already booked your sailing, you can prepay your gratuities in advance to lock in the current rate and save money. If you wait until you're onboard and are cruising after May 11, you will be subject to the higher daily fare.
"We are happy to honor the current Hotel Service Charge for guests who have already paid, as well as those who choose to prepay before the policy change on May 11, 2026," MSC's website states.
MSC's sudden change is likely to fuel frustration among travelers
Cruise gratuities are already a controversial topic, with many passengers believing that they should not be mandatory. However, a recent survey further highlights the growing fatigue with tipping culture that's turned into something that's to be expected, not earned.
According to a survey released by WalletHub, 81% of respondents think tipping has gotten out of control, with more than 2 in 5 Americans thinking the United States should ban tips.
Moreover, more than half of respondents — around 55% — claim they tip because of social pressure, rather than because of good service.
"Tipping in our country is no longer a discretionary reward for extraordinary service, rather, it is a mandatory subsidy that we pay because of corporate greed," reads one comment on a Reddit post.
Someone else added, "[Don't] tip if they [didn't] earn it? People have become very entitled to tips, why am I tipping you for typing in my coffee order?"
What are cruise gratuities?
Daily cruise gratuities ensure that guests tip hardworking crew members throughout the voyage. This automatic charge is applied to simplify the tipping process, rather than forcing guests to carry around spare dollar bills.
"During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment on board," reads MSC's website.
"For your convenience, MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided."
Prepaying gratuities is a smart move because it gives you a clearer picture of your vacation’s total cost upfront. Since gratuities are added to the overall cruise fare and due by the final payment date, paying them in advance helps guests budget more effectively and avoid unexpected charges during the sailing.
Read more: 11 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping
The move follows other cruise lines that have also jacked up their gratuity rates
Earlier this month, Carnival Cruise Line increased its daily gratuities for passengers for the first time since 2023. They weren't the first line to do so this year, though.
Margaritaville at Sea kick-started the trend, raising its gratuities to $22 for standard cabins and $25 for suites. After Carnival followed suit, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, both owned by Carnival Corporation, also increased their daily service charges.
Royal Caribbean Group has so far been unaffected by the wave of gratuity increases, with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea not yet announcing any changes.
Read more: "I’m getting sick of Carnival’s price gouging": Cruise fans upset over sudden policy change
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. 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!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
