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Tipping on a cruise is one of those things people always end up asking about. Usually right before the trip, when they’re trying to figure out what to expect.
Because it’s not quite the same as what you’re used to on land.
And it’s one of those things that feels like it should be simple…but isn’t always explained that clearly.
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On most cruises, you’ll have something called automatic gratuities added to your account each day. It usually ends up being somewhere around $14–$20 USD per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and your cabin.
If you’re curious, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line break it down on their sites.
That amount gets shared between your room steward, dining staff, and a number of crew members working behind the scenes. So in a lot of ways, the base-level tipping is already taken care of.
Which is why, once you’re onboard, it doesn’t feel like something you have to think about constantly.
Where people start to hesitate a bit is with tipping extra.
Like…are you supposed to? Is it expected?
And honestly, not really.
Some people do, some people don’t.
If someone really stands out,your room steward keeps everything perfectly organized, or a server remembers what you like every night you might feel like leaving a little extra at the end of the trip. Same with bartenders or room service. On many ships, there’s already a service charge included, but you’ll still see people adding a dollar or two here and there.
It’s not required. It’s just personal preference.
A lot of people actually prefer that for extra tips because it goes directly to the crew member. That’s why some people bring a small amount of cash in smaller bills, just to have it on hand.
Something like a slim travel wallet can make that easier so you’re not digging through your bag every time. 👉 I bought this one. It’s pretty cheap and very functional. Not something you have to have, just one of those small things that makes it a bit more convenient.
There are a few situations where tipping works a little differently, things like spa services, specialty dining, or shore excursions. Sometimes a service charge is already included, sometimes there’s a suggested tip, and sometimes it works more like it would on land.
But for the main parts of your cruise, the automatic gratuities cover most of it.
I think the biggest thing is that people worry about “doing it wrong.”
Like there’s some rule they haven’t been told yet.
But once you’re there, it doesn’t really feel like that.
You’ll see people handling it differently. Some leave it exactly as is and don’t think about it again. Some add a bit extra. Some prefer cash.
And all of that is completely normal.
Until next week,
Tara
Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Ps: I wanted to share this video I watched of someone tipping the cruise housekeeping staff $5000. I think this is a moment she will never forget!
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