Cruise Lines Increasing Gratuities-What You Need to Know

You may have read in recent news stories that many of the major cruise lines have or soon will be increasing their gratuity (tip) fees. Here is a summary of what you need to know.

Which Cruise Lines  Have Announced Gratuity Increases and By How Much?

For example, Holland America Line which is part of the large Carnival Corporation will be increasing rates slightly on sailings starting on February 1, 2023. The increase will be $.50 per guest per day in all stateroom categories.

Holland America describes these fees as “a daily amount for each guest that will be automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of our guests”.

Norwegian Cruise Lines (“NCL”) announced an increase is their gratuity rates starting on January 1, 2023. On that date daily gratuity rates will increase from $20 a day to $25 a day to those in the Haven Suites, from $18 to $20 in the Club Balcony Suites, and an increase of $4 per person per day in other stateroom categories.

Princess Cruise Lines raised their gratuity rate by $1.50 per person per day in all stateroom categories as of December 14, 2022.

Other cruise lines particularly those in the Carnival Corporation corporate group including Carnival, Cunard and Seabourn are likely to follow suit.

The cruise lines that are part of the Royal Caribbean Group including Celebrity and Silversea have not announced an increase but they had increased rates earlier in 2022.

Why Are Cruise Lines Doing This?

Cruise lines like others have felt the pinch of inflation not to mention extra charges that they have incurred including the cost of Covid-19 tests for crew members since the pandemic. The raise in gratuity rates comes along with increases in other fees such as for WIFI.

Reportedly, however the increase in gratuities may over time result in something welcome to passengers which is better staffed cruise ships with appreciative crew members. Those of us who have cruised since the pandemic have witnessed the difficulties cruise lines (along with hotels, restaurants and other hospitality industry businesses) have had in having a full crew.

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