Most big cruise lines add a daily gratuity to your account for every guest, and the amount depends on your stateroom. As of October 2026, Carnival charges $17 per guest per day in standard staterooms and $19 in suites, Royal Caribbean $18.50 and $21, Norwegian $20 and $25, and Princess $18 for standard staterooms, $19 for mini-suites and $20 for suites.
Daily Gratuity by Cruise Line
- Carnival: $17.00 per guest per day for standard staterooms and $19.00 for suites, after a $1 increase that took effect April 2, 2026. Children under 2 aren't charged.
- Royal Caribbean: $18.50 per guest per day for all stateroom categories except suites, and $21.00 for any suite, according to Royal Caribbean's gratuity FAQ.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: $20.00 per person per day for Club Balcony Suite and below, and $25.00 for The Haven and Suites, for bookings made on or after January 1, 2023. The charge applies to guests aged 3 and older, per Norwegian's onboard service charge FAQ.
- Princess: $18 per person per day for standard staterooms, $19 for mini-suites and cabanas, and $20 for suites, after a $1 increase that took effect in early March 2026.
How They Work
Royal Caribbean says its gratuities are optional and that guests who don't prepay have the daily amount added to their SeaPass account. Carnival lets you prepay at booking, on carnival.com up to two days before sailing or through a travel agent, and the daily amount otherwise posts to your Sail & Sign account. Norwegian lets you add the charge through your travel professional up to 24 hours before sailing, and it's fully refundable if you cancel.
Drinks, Dining and Spa
Bar, specialty dining and spa purchases carry their own service charges. Royal Caribbean adds 20% automatically to onboard spa and salon services, beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and mini bar purchases. Carnival adds a separate 20% service charge to bar and beverage purchases and to specialty dining.
Changing the Amount
Royal Caribbean lets you change or remove a gratuity at the Guest Relations desk until the morning of disembarkation, and Carnival lets you adjust at Guest Services while you're on board. Once the sailing ends, the posted amount is final on both lines.
What to Do
Check your stateroom category before you budget, because the suite rate applies when you sail in a suite. Confirm the rate on your line's site when you book, since cruise lines can change these amounts, and decide before you sail whether to prepay or let the charge post to your account.
