Gratuities on a Cruise Ship: How Much, to Whom – and Can You Opt Out?

Hardly any topic causes more confusion among cruise beginners than gratuities. Sometimes they are included in the price, sometimes they land automatically on the onboard account, sometimes you are supposed to pay in cash. This guide brings order to the system.

Why gratuities at all?

On international cruise ships, a large part of the crew – cabin stewards, restaurant staff – is traditionally paid a low base wage. The gratuity is a firm part of their income, not just a bonus. That is why most cruise lines have turned it into a fixed, automatically billed service charge.

The service charge by cruise line – an overview

• TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff): the gratuity is fully included in the travel price. Nothing extra is charged on board.
• AIDA Cruises: no mandatory gratuity. Those who wish can give something voluntarily – it is not expected.
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: gratuity included in the travel price.
• Costa Crociere: a service flat rate of around 10–12 euros per person per day, automatically on the onboard account.
• MSC Cruises: around 10–16 euros per person per day, depending on the cruising area.
• Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival: 16–22 US dollars per person per day, billed automatically. For suites sometimes higher.

With US cruise lines this adds up noticeably: on a 7-night trip a couple quickly pays 220–310 US dollars in service charge alone.

German vs. international cruise lines

The rule of thumb: with German cruise lines (TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, and largely AIDA too) you hardly need to think about gratuities – they are included or voluntary. With international cruise lines the service charge is a fixed, calculable cost item that you should plan for from the outset.

Can you opt out of the service charge?

With most US cruise lines, the automatic service charge can in theory be reduced or removed at the guest services desk. However, this is not recommended. The money benefits the crew who work for you every day. If you are dissatisfied with the service, you should raise it specifically rather than cutting everyone's gratuity across the board. A legitimate reason to adjust it exists at most in the case of demonstrably poor service.

Should you also give a cash gratuity?

The automatic service charge covers the standard. An additional cash gratuity is voluntary and customary only for special service – for example if the cabin steward was outstanding over the week. The usual amount is then 10–20 euros at the end of the trip, handed over directly.

Gratuities on drinks

At the bar and restaurant, a service surcharge of 15–18 percent is often added automatically to drinks – separate from the general service charge. A further gratuity is then not necessary.

Conclusion & recommendation

With international cruise lines, treat the gratuity as what it is: a fixed component of the travel price. Plan for it from the start and there will be no surprise on the onboard account. Anyone who wants to avoid the gratuity topic entirely should book a German cruise line such as TUI Cruises or Hapag-Lloyd – there everything is included in the price.