The Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Gratuities

Few topics generate more debate in cruise communities than gratuities. How much? Prepaid or onboard? Can you remove them? Here's a clear breakdown of how gratuities actually work and what's considered reasonable. What Do Gratuities Actually Cover? Daily gratuities on mainstream cruise lines typically range from $16 to $22 per person per day. That money is pooled and distributed to stateroom attendants, dining room waitstaff, assistant waiters, and behind-the-scenes crew in the food and beverage department. These aren't just tips — they're a significant part of how crew members are compensated. The base wages for cruise ship crew are low by design, with gratuities making up the difference. When you remove or reduce gratuities, the crew member often has to make up the shortfall out of their own pocket. Automatic vs. Manual Gratuities Most cruise lines add daily gratuities automatically to your onboard account. You can adjust these at the guest services desk — remove them, reduce them, o…