Tipping On A Cruise

Tipping on a cruise is a long held policy that all cruise lines have had in place and it sometimes can cause much anxiety for passengers, especially those not familiar with it.

Tipping guidelines very slightly from line to line and are detailed on each cruise ship profile on this site. Generally, you should plan to tip your room steward $3.00 to $3.50 per person, per day, and plan an equal amount for your dining room waiter, and half of that for the busboy.

On most ships, tip the maitre d' or dining room captain only if you ask for special favors or table-side service; $5 to $10 is normal. Bartenders and wine stewards are tipped 10 to 15 percent, but many cruise lines will automatically add this gratuity to your bar or beverage bill. Check the bill to see how it is handled. Also, tips for special services such as salon & spa treatments and room service are left to the discretion of the guest, depending on services rendered.

Individual ships will provide precise guidelines for tipping. Guidelines will be repeated onboard, probably by your ship's cruise director. Gratuities are placed in envelopes from your cabin's stationery supply. Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.

As part of a new trend that seems likely to grow, Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania and Princess now charge gratuities to your account automatically. If you feel this amount needs to be adjusted, whether increased or decreased, arrangements can be made onboard the ship, generally at the end of your cruise.

A few lines do not encourage tipping, including Paul Gauguin Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club and Silversea. Crew members are reportedly higher paid and not tip dependent. Many passengers tip anyway for outstanding service or special favors.

Tips on Tipping - $USD

Cabin steward$3.00 to $3.50 per person per day

Waiter$3.00 to $3.50 per person per day

Assistant waiter$1.50 to $2.00 per person per day

Bartender, wine and deck stewards10-15% of the bill

Maitre d'$5.00 to $10.00 tip for each special service