Calculator

Cruise Tip Calculator

Estimate what tipping costs on your cruise - auto-gratuities, onboard service, and shore excursions, all in one place.

Rates last reviewed: September 23, 2026 - Sources

Gratuity rates change during the year and can depend on when you booked, so the charge on your onboard account is final.

These figures are estimates, not a guarantee. We check every rate against the cruise line's own pages, but your travel advisor can confirm what applies to the cruise you are booking.

Cruise Line Auto-Gratuities

Cruise Line

Guests

Nights

Package Upgrade Cost $0.00

Service Charge $0.00

Package Perk Gratuities $0.00

Additional Onboard Tipping

Your prepaid gratuities or the automatic service charge already cover cabin service, entertainment, and complimentary food options. However, bar purchases, premium dining, room service, spa services, and other onboard purchases will add an 18 - 20% service charge depending on the cruise line and the package you purchased in advance of the cruise.

These optional tips are a way to reward individual crew members who do something special to make your cruise even more memorable on top of any automatic service charge. They are never expected or obligated.

Non-monetary ways to recognize great crew: Fill out comment cards, mention crew members by name to an officer you meet onboard, and include their name and duty area on the post-cruise survey. These go a long way toward their career advancement.

Additional Onboard Total $0.00

Shore Excursion Tipping

Tips for tour guides, drivers, and activity operators at each port.

Shore Excursion Total $0.00

Your Tipping Summary

Package Upgrade Cost$0.00

Auto-Gratuities$0.00

Package Gratuities$0.00

Additional Onboard$0.00

Shore Excursions$0.00

Grand Total$0.00

Per Person$0.00

Per Day$0.00

Rules that apply

Royal Caribbean International: Rates effective November 2024. The Key package does NOT include daily gratuities. An 18% auto-gratuity applies separately to beverage, specialty dining, room service, and mini-bar purchases (20% on spa/salon).

Celebrity Cruises: Rates increased July 29, 2026 (from $18 / $19 / $23). *Booked before July 29, 2026: the previous rates apply only if gratuities are fully prepaid before sailing. A 20% service charge applies to bar, specialty dining, spa and salon purchases.

Carnival Cruise Line: Rates increased April 2, 2026 (from $16 standard, $18 suite). Children under 2 are free. A 20% service charge applies to beverages, specialty dining, some main dining room items and room service bar orders.

Princess Cruises: Rates increased effective March 8, 2026. Three-tier structure: $18 Interior/Oceanview/Balcony, $19 Mini-Suite/Cabana/Reserve Collection, $20 full Suites. Princess also raised food/beverage auto-gratuity from 18% to 20% at the same time.

Holland America Line: Rates increased June 1, 2026 (from $17 standard, $19 suite). A 20% service charge applies to beverages, bar retail, specialty dining and a la carte items; spa and salon services carry 18%.

Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL calls this a 'service charge' rather than a gratuity. Rate is $20 for standard cabins, $25 for true Suites and The Haven. Children under 3 are free. The base 'Free at Sea' promo does NOT cover the daily per-person service charge - only 'Free at Sea Plus' does. This is a common source of confusion.

Disney Cruise Line: Disney calls this a 'recommended gratuity' but it is automatically added to the onboard account. Rates raised January 23, 2025: $16 standard (from $14.50), $27.25 Concierge (from $23.50). The daily rate applies to every guest, including infants and children. An 18% gratuity applies to bar, beverage, wine, adult and premium dining, deck service and spa charges. Disney does not sell drink or dining bundle packages like the mainstream lines.

MSC Cruises: MSC calls this a 'Hotel Service Charge'. Rates shown are for Caribbean, Alaska and US sailings booked on or after May 11, 2026. *Booked before May 11, 2026: $16 standard, $20 Yacht Club. Every guest aged 2 and up pays the full rate; children under 2 are free. Rates differ for other regions.

Virgin Voyages: POLICY CHANGE: Virgin Voyages unbundled gratuities on October 7, 2025 with the launch of VoyageFair Choices. Previously marketed as 'tips always included,' new bookings now pay $20 prepaid or $22 onboard per sailor per night. Rate is the same regardless of cabin type (Sea Terrace, Insider, RockStar Quarters, MegaRockStar Suites all pay the same). Legacy bookings before Oct 7 2025 still have tips bundled.

Cruise Gratuities at a Glance

Rates last reviewed: September 23, 2026

What each line automatically adds per person, per night. Tap a line for what it covers and the charge on onboard purchases.

Royal Caribbean International Gratuities $18.50 $21.00

Royal Caribbean International adds $18.50 per person per night (Inside to Balcony), $21 (Suite). Verified September 23, 2026 against the official Royal Caribbean International page.