Gratuities on a Cruise: Who Gets How Much at Sea?

The Onboard Gratuity Jungle

Your cruise is booked, the excitement is building, and your suitcases are almost packed. But there is one question that leaves many travelers scratching their heads beforehand: How does tipping onboard actually work? Who gets how much, what is already included in your cruise fare, and what is the best way to show your appreciation for excellent service?

Rules on the high seas are as diverse as the itineraries themselves. To ensure you know exactly what to do on your next trip with the PortStory app in your pocket, we are shedding some light on the world of onboard gratuities.

Included, Automatic, or Cash? The Three Models

Depending on which cruise line you are sailing with, the system differs fundamentally. Broadly speaking, the market can be divided into three models:

• Gratuities included: With many European and especially German cruise lines, tips are already fully included in your cruise fare. You do not have to worry about it during your daily routine. Nevertheless, the crew always appreciates personal recognition.
• Automatic service charge: Especially with American and international cruise lines, a fixed daily amount per guest is automatically charged to your onboard account. This sum is billed via your registered credit card at the end of the cruise and distributed internally among the various service departments. You can have this amount adjusted at Guest Services if the service did not meet your expectations.
• Voluntary tipping: There are no fixed guidelines or automatic charges. You decide completely freely who you want to tip, how much, and whether to do so at the end of the cruise or directly after the service.

Who Gets How Much? Guidelines for the Crew

If you would like to bring a personal smile to individual crew members despite automatic charges or included services—or if you are traveling on a voluntary tipping system—these guidelines will help you find your bearings:

• Stateroom stewards: They are the good spirits who tidy up your cabin twice a day. An amount of 2 to 5 Euros or US dollars per day is a lovely gesture here. It is best to hand this amount over personally in the middle or at the end of your cruise.
• Restaurant staff: If you have a fixed table and the same waiters every evening in the main dining room, personal connections develop quickly. Here, 2 to 5 Euros or US dollars per day for the team is appropriate.
• Bartenders and bar servers: With many international cruise lines, an automatic service charge of 15 to 20 percent is added to drink orders. If this is not the case, or if the service was outstanding, you can tip 1 to 2 Euros or US dollars in cash directly with each order or round up the receipt accordingly.

The Right Currency and Handover

Which currency is best for tipping? The rule of thumb is: use the onboard currency of the ship or the currency of the destination you are sailing in. On ships that bill in US dollars, US dollar bills (please no coins) are the most popular. On European ships, the Euro is your best choice.

An important tip: Crew members often find it very difficult to pay with or exchange foreign coins onboard. Therefore, it is better to use small bills for your personal thank you. You can put the money in a small envelope and add a short, handwritten thank-you card. This shows genuine appreciation.

Myths Debunked: What You Should Know

Persistent rumors surround the topic of tipping. We clear up the two most common myths:

Myth 1: "If I remove the automatic service charge and give cash instead, it is better for the crew." Unfortunately, this is often not true. With some cruise lines, the crew is contractually obliged to pay any cash tips received into a shared pool if the guest has canceled the automatic daily charge. Removing the automatic charge is therefore more likely to hurt than help.

Myth 2: "Tips are only for the visible staff." Behind the scenes, hundreds of people work in the laundry, the galley, or the engine room whom you will never see. A portion of the automatic service charges is also distributed to these crew members. A cash-only tipping system often excludes these essential workers.