MSC Cruises has the lowest automatic gratuity rates among major cruise lines at around $14.99–$16.99/person/day, while Virgin Voyages charges zero in gratuities (tips are included in the fare). Carnival and Royal Caribbean sit at $18–$20/person/day, with Disney and Celebrity at the top end near $18–$21/person/day.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Gratuities are one of the sneakiest cost additions in cruising — a 7-night sailing for two can tack on $250 to $350 in automatic charges you never agreed to at booking. Here's the full, honest breakdown of what every major cruise line actually charges in 2025.
Cruise Line Gratuity Rates Compared (2025–2026)
These are the standard automatic daily gratuity rates charged per person, per day, across all major lines. Rates apply to standard cabins unless noted.
| Cruise Line | Daily Gratuity (per person) | 7-Night Cost (2 people) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Voyages | $0 | $0 | Gratuities included in fare |
| MSC Cruises | $14.99–$16.99 | $209–$238 | Lower rate for inside/ocean view |
| Norwegian (NCL) | $20.00 | $280 | Often bundled in Free at Sea promo |
| Carnival Cruise Line | $18.00–$20.00 | $252–$280 | Suite guests pay more |
| Royal Caribbean | $18.00–$20.50 | $252–$287 | Suite/Sky class higher |
| Princess Cruises | $17.00–$18.00 | $238–$252 | Plus/Premier fares include gratuities |
| Holland America | $17.00–$19.00 | $238–$266 | Neptune/Pinnacle suites pay more |
| Celebrity Cruises | $18.00–$21.00 | $252–$294 | Retreat guests pay $21/day |
| Disney Cruise Line | $14.50–$15.50 | $203–$217 | Lower rate, but fares are higher overall |
| Cunard | $15.00–$17.00 | $210–$238 | British-style service model |
Bottom line: Virgin Voyages wins on gratuities outright, but their base fares are higher. For budget-conscious cruisers who want low add-on fees, Disney and MSC post the lowest auto-grat rates among traditional lines.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Key Factors That Drive Gratuity Costs
1. Cabin Category Every major line charges higher gratuities for suite guests. Royal Caribbean's Sky Class and Star Class guests pay $20.50/day vs. $18/day for standard cabins. Celebrity Retreat guests pay $21/day. If you're splurging on a suite, factor this in.
2. Promotions That Include Gratuities Norwegian's "Free at Sea" promotion frequently includes prepaid gratuities — which sounds great until you realize the daily rate is $20/person, so you're paying for them indirectly in the package price. Princess's Plus and Premier fare bundles also fold gratuities in, at $17–$18/day. It's not free — it's bundled.
3. The "Adjustable" Gratuity Loophole Almost every cruise line except Virgin Voyages allows you to walk to guest services and reduce or remove your automatic gratuities. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian explicitly permit this. I'm not recommending you stiff the crew — the people who depend on these tips are not the executives setting the prices — but the policy exists.
4. Bar and Spa Gratuities Are Separate The daily rate covers your cabin steward and dining staff. Beverage packages add an automatic 18–20% gratuity on top. A $99/day drink package becomes ~$117/day after gratuity. Spa treatments add another 18–20%. These are separate charges and add up fast.
5. Currency and Itinerary Some MSC sailings in Europe are priced in euros, and gratuity structures can differ slightly by homeport region. Always check in the currency of your booking.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Practical Tips to Minimize Gratuity Costs
Prepay Before You Sail Lock in today's rate. Multiple lines have raised gratuities mid-year in recent years. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL all increased rates in 2023–2024. Prepaying at booking protects you from future hikes.
Choose Fares That Bundle Gratuities Princess Plus ($60/day) and Princess Premier ($80/day) include gratuities, Wi-Fi, and drinks — this often comes out cheaper than paying all three separately. Do the math for your specific sailing before you book.
Sail Virgin Voyages If You Drink a Lot Virgin includes gratuities and basic beverages (non-alcoholic, some alcoholic events) in the fare. For couples who would otherwise buy a drink package plus pay $280 in gratuities, Virgin often wins on total cost. Compare apples to apples.
MSC for the Budget-First Crowd If you want a traditional cruise experience with the lowest automatic daily fee, MSC's $14.99 rate is hard to beat. Their Yacht Club is a notable exception — rates are higher there.
Avoid Adding Specialty Dining Packages Restaurant gratuities are often added on top of specialty dining packages — an $89 dining package might include an automatic 18% service charge. Read the fine print at checkout.
Skip the Spa (or Tip in Cash) Spa treatments add 18–20% automatically. If you want a massage, ask whether you can tip in cash directly to the therapist and have the auto-grat removed from the treatment. Some lines allow it, some don't.
Which Cruise Line Is Best for Which Type of Traveler
| Traveler Type | Best Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute lowest gratuities | Virgin Voyages | $0/day, included in fare |
| Low fees, traditional experience | MSC Cruises | $14.99–$16.99/day |
| Bundle-everything simplicity | Princess Cruises (Plus fare) | Grats + Wi-Fi + drinks in one price |
| Suite travelers | Disney Cruise Line | Lower suite grat rate than Celebrity/RC |
| Family cruising | Disney or Carnival | Predictable costs, no major surprises |
If keeping total cruise costs under control is your priority, start by comparing gratuity structures before you even look at cabin prices — it's one of the fastest ways to find hidden savings. Use CruiseMutiny to run a full cost breakdown across cruise lines, including gratuities, drink packages, and port fees, so you see the real total before you book. You can also compare sailings side-by-side at CruiseHub to find the itinerary where the numbers actually work in your favor.