The staff and crew on-board your cruise work their hardest to make sure you have your dream holiday. While you will see many staff on-board in the bars, restaurants and on-deck, there are many staff that work behind the scenes to make your cruise perfect. In order to show your appreciation to the staff and crew, you will usually be charge gratuities which you can pre-pay or pay with the final balance after your cruise. Here is a quick guide to how tipping onboard your cruise ship works on some of the major cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean International – With Royal Caribbean you can arrange to pre-pay your tips before you embark on the ship – this allows you to relax and enjoy yourself without having to think about tipping staff. Arranging this can be done online or through us when paying the balance for your cruise – this way of tipping also usually works out cheaper.

P&O Cruises – P&O Cruises currently charge £7 per guest (over age 12) per day for gratuities to ensure all crew members are fairly rewarded for their service. It is not possible to pre-pay tips with P&O so the final gratuities cost will be added to your bill. However this option is voluntary and gratuities can be taken off your account at the Reception desk on-board at any time.  From May 2019, tips & services charges will be removed. 

Celebrity Cruises – For customer convenience, Celebrity Cruises automatically add gratuities for dining and stateroom services to your on-board SeaPass account. These tips are available to be pre-paid before you embark on your cruise. The prices charged can also be altered at your discretion if you feel you have experienced exceptional service.

Norwegian Cruise Line – All guests older than 3 years pay gratuities on-board an NCL cruise – these costs can be pre-paid for your convenience. If you choose not to pre-pay gratuities they will be charged to your on-board account.

Carnival Cruises – For your convenience, recommended gratuities are added to all guests Sail & Sign accounts on embarkation day. At your discretion, you can adjust gratuities at any time whilst on-board by getting in touch with Guest Services. Gratuities can also be pre-paid at the time of booking or at anytime up to the sail date. All guests above the age of 2 must pay the set gratuities price.

Fred Olsen – Gratuities at Fred Olsen are not included in the cost of your holiday, and are charged to your on-board account. Generally they are set at £8 per person (above age 12) per day. Gratuities on-board Fred Olsen are voluntary and can be adjusted or removed at Guest Services on-board the ship.

MSC Cruises – A daily service charge is added to your on-board account for the service you will receive whilst on-board. Alternatively it can be pre-paid and added to the cost of your cruise when booking.

Princess Cruises – A gratuity charge is added to your on-board account on a daily basis. A 15% gratuity is added to your bar bill and in restaurants. Gratuities are added at your discretion in the casino and in the spa.

Cunard – Bar bills include a 15% gratuity charge and a discretionary charge will be added to your on-board account daily. This can be removed or adjusted at the ships reception desk.

Holland America – There is a 15% gratuity charge added to bar bills when buying wine in the on-board restaurants. A daily service charge will also be added to your final on-board account bill.