Gratuities

Most mainstream and premium cruise lines add a daily gratuity, sometimes called a service charge, to your onboard account on standard fares. Who is charged, age rules and whether a fare or promotion already includes gratuities differ by line, so check your line's rules for eligible guests. It is shared among the crew who look after you, such as cabin stewards and dining staff, and it applies per person per night, so it adds up for families. A few luxury lines include gratuities in the fare; most mainstream lines, including all five in our Caribbean collection, do not. Drink purchases often carry a separate automatic service charge. You can usually prepay gratuities when you book.

What is included, and what is extra

Cruise fares bundle a lot, but rarely everything. The surprises are usually small charges that add up over a week, and gratuities are the biggest of them.

Gratuities by line

• Royal Caribbean: its FAQ lists what the fare includes; gratuities are not on that list.
• Celebrity: the optional All Included fare covers Basic Wi-Fi and the Classic Drink Package, including the drinks package's gratuities. Celebrity says daily onboard staff gratuities are charged separately, and you can prepay them.
• Carnival: gratuities are not in the fare but can be added when you book, and drinks carry a service charge.
• Disney: gratuities can be prepaid before the voyage or settled at the end.
• Virgin Voyages: since 7 October 2025 a daily service gratuity is added to each sailor's account, or prepaid. Virgin says it adds no extra tips on drinks, dining or spa. Older articles saying Virgin includes tips are out of date.

Usually included on the big lines

Your cabin, the main dining room and buffet, many shows, pools and most activities. Royal Caribbean also lists its Adventure Ocean youth program, Disney its youth clubs, and Carnival its Camp Ocean program for ages 2 to 11.

Often extra

• Drinks beyond basics, unless your fare or a package covers them.
• Specialty dining.
• Some attractions: Carnival lists BOLT as an additional cost, and at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Thrill Waterpark and Coco Beach Club cost extra.
• Childcare for the youngest: Disney lists its nursery as an extra.
• Shore excursions, Wi-Fi beyond any included tier, and spa treatments.

Building a budget

• Ask us for the current gratuity terms on your line and fare.
• Decide early which extras matter and which you can skip.
• Check your onboard account mid-cruise to avoid end-of-trip surprises.

Sources

• Virgin Voyages VoyageFair Choices FAQ (checked 9 October 2026)
• Celebrity All Included FAQs (checked 9 October 2026)
• Carnival gratuities (checked 9 October 2026)
• planDisney, what is included (checked 9 October 2026)
• Royal Caribbean, what is included (checked 9 October 2026)
• Perfect Day at CocoCay cost (checked 9 October 2026)
• Carnival BOLT (checked 9 October 2026)

Line policies, prices and inclusions change. We check the current terms for your sailing rather than quoting fixed figures.