Cruise tipping charges are ‘out of control,’say passengers as companies tout ‘exceptional service’

Several cruise lines have raised their gratuity or service charges in 2026 — and frustration among travelers is apparently mounting. (Horacio Villalobos/Corbis)

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The company says the gratuity is automatically added to each guest’s onboard account.

Guests who want to change the daily amount may adjust it at their discretion while onboard, the cruise line notes.

In addition, an 18% service charge is automatically applied to select purchases, includingbeverage items, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, for-purchase à la carte menu items, and spa and salon services.

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The charges are subject to change without notice, the company says, and guests are told to contact customer service for up-to-datedetails before sailing.

Regarding the “crew appreciation” fees, the Holland America spokesperson said that “100% goes directly to our shipboard team” and that the charge is “in line with the cruise industry competitive standards.”

Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to change its gratuity structure as new “crew appreciation” charges are added daily to travelers’ bills.(Marco De Swart/Anp/Afp)

MSC Cruises also recently updated its daily service charge.

“We can confirm that MSC Cruises updated its daily hotel service charge for new bookings made on or after May 11, 2026,�

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The change raises the charge by $1 per person per night for standard staterooms onCaribbeanand Alaska sailings, bringing the rate to $17.Guests at the MSC Yacht Club will see a higher increase, with $23 per person per night, the company said. 

“This update supports our dedicated crew members who deliver the exceptional onboard experience our guests expect,” the spokesperson said.

On cruise lines such as MSC (pictured here), food and drink packages can add up quickly.(Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for MSC Cruises)

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Carnival Cruise Line also raised its gratuities earlier this spring. 

That brought Carnival’s daily gratuities to $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites.

Carnival increased the price of a popular onboard package the same day.

The adult price for Bottomless Bubbles went up to $11.99 per day from $9.50 per day. 

A 20% service charge applies, according to the company’s website.

“Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional service,” a spokesperson said.“We believe our guests will agree this slight increase is well-deserved.”

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Cruise lines have long relied on automatic gratuities to compensate crew members who serve passengers throughout a sailing.(Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Carnival said guestsstill have some control over the charge.

Whilegratuities are automatically addedto guests’ shipboard accounts, the amount can be adjusted on board at the guest’s request, the spokesperson said.

Cruise lines have long relied on automatic gratuities.But in recent years, tipping fatigue has crept in across restaurants, coffee shops and other venues, especially those that use self-checkout screens.

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On Reddit’s cruise forums earlier this year, travelers complained aboutextra gratuities.

“I honestly feel the gratuity thing is going out of control,” one poster wrote.

Another user responded, “Gratuity everywhere is out of control.At self-checkouts,the machine asksfor a tip.For who, exactly?The only correct answer is to tap ‘0%.'”

“I honestly feel the gratuity thing is going out of control,” one poster wrote on Reddit earlier this year.(iStock)

A third said, “I just wish they’d pay the staff decently and include that in the fare.I hatetipping culture.”

The debate spilled onto Facebook as well.

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In oneFacebook group, a cruiser argued that companies should be more upfront about the full cost of a trip.

“I think they don’t include [specific item charges] to keep advertised prices looking lower,” the user wrote.