Cruise Tipping UK: How Much to Tip on Every Cruise Line (and When You Don’t Need To)

Tipping is the one question almost every UK cruiser asks before they book, and the answers vary more than they should. Some lines roll gratuities into the fare. Some apply a daily auto-charge that you can remove. Some leave it open. The honest short answer is: how much you tip depends entirely on which line you sail with, and what’s already been included in the price you paid.

This guide breaks down current tipping policy line by line, in pounds where possible, with notes on what’s included and what’s discretionary. Bring it with you when you compare fares.

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If you sail with a UK-focused line (P&O Cruises, Marella, Fred Olsen) or with MSC Cruises in the UK, gratuities are included in the fare and there’s nothing extra to add. If you sail with an American or international line (Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Holland America, Cunard, and now Virgin Voyages), expect a daily auto-gratuity of around $15 to $25 USD per person (or local currency equivalent), charged to your onboard folio. Most luxury all-inclusive lines (Regent, Silversea, Explora, Scenic, Emerald, Azamara) still include gratuities in the base fare.

At a glance: tipping by cruise line

Figures are correct at the time of publishing (28 May 2026) and currency-converted from each line’s published rates. Cruise line gratuity policies and rates change frequently. Virgin Voyages, for example, introduced its current daily charge as recently as October 2025. For the most up-to-date figures and exactly what applies to your booking, speak to your Paramount Cruises agent or call 020 7947 0270.

Lines where gratuities are included in the fare

The simplest model. Nothing extra is charged onboard, and you don’t need to budget for daily tips. You’re still free to give cash to crew members who go above and beyond, but no one expects it.

P&O Cruises removed gratuities from onboard charges in 2019 and now includes service in the fare. The same applies to Marella Cruises and Fred Olsen, both UK-flagged lines that recognised UK passengers prefer to know the total cost upfront.

MSC Cruises (UK) also includes service charges and gratuities in the cruise fare for UK passengers. MSC explicitly states it does not recommend tipping individual crew members. Outside the UK market MSC operates a daily Hotel Service Charge model, so the policy you experience depends on where you booked.

At the luxury end, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic and Emerald all include gratuities in the published price. Azamara joined the no-tip model in 2022. Virgin Voyages previously fell into this group but introduced a daily service gratuity in October 2025 (see below).

Lines with daily auto-gratuities

Most American-headquartered lines add a daily service charge to your onboard account. It covers your stateroom attendant, dining room servers and behind-the-scenes crew. You can ask Guest Services to adjust it, but unless you have a specific reason most passengers leave it as is.

Cunard applies an automatic Hotel and Dining Charge of around £14 per person per day for Britannia-class staterooms and around £16 for Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites. Suites and Grills passengers receive a higher tier of service, which is why the charge is higher. The charge can be adjusted at the Purser’s Office.

Princess, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America all follow the same model. The rate varies by cabin category. Suite passengers pay a higher rate because they’re served by a larger crew (butler, concierge, suite attendant).

Norwegian Cruise Line calls its daily charge a Service Charge. NCL often includes the Service Charge in Free at Sea Plus upgrade, which prepays the Service Charge alongside drinks, dining and Wi-Fi at the time of booking. The base Free at Sea promotion does not include the Service Charge; if your fare is base Free at Sea (or no promotion), expect a daily charge of $20 USD per person added to your onboard folio.

Virgin Voyages changed its policy on 7 October 2025 and now charges a daily service gratuity of $22 USD per Sailor (approximately £17), applied automatically to your onboard folio. If you pre-pay before the voyage you pay $20 USD per night instead. Unlike most American lines, Virgin does not add extra gratuities to drinks, spa or speciality dining; the daily charge covers everything.

Lines with bundled-fare options that prepay gratuities

Increasingly the major lines are bundling gratuities into upgraded fare tiers, so you pay them at the time of booking and never see them on your onboard account.

• Princess Plus and Princess Premier: Both packages include gratuities, plus drinks, Wi-Fi and more.
• Celebrity All Included: Drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi rolled into the headline fare (rebranded from “Always Included” in 2022).
• NCL Free at Sea Plus: Includes prepaid daily Service Charges alongside drinks, dining and Wi-Fi (the base Free at Sea promotion does not include the Service Charge).
• Oceania Simply More: Includes gratuities plus shore excursion credits, Wi-Fi and drinks (replaced “Your World Included”).
• Cunard Fare Plus: Bundles the Hotel and Dining Charge with the Beverage Collection at the time of booking.

If you would pay for drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi anyway, these bundles often work out cheaper than buying them separately. We can run a side-by-side comparison for any booking.

Speciality dining, bars and spa: the extra tips

The main daily auto-gratuity covers cabin attendants and main dining staff. Three other areas may add an additional service charge automatically:

• Bar drinks: An 18 to 20 per cent gratuity is added to every drink bill on most American lines. If you have a drinks package, the bar service charge is usually included in the package, but check with your Paramount Cruises agent to confirm exactly what is covered on your specific fare. P&O, Cunard and other British lines do not add an extra charge at the point of sale because the service charge is already included in the listed drink price.
• Speciality restaurants: Cover charges are usually inclusive of service. Premium dining experiences (Chef’s Table, multi-course tasting menus) sometimes have gratuity added.
• Spa treatments: An 18 per cent gratuity is added to every spa bill on most American lines.

River cruise tipping is different

River cruise lines split into two camps. The mostly-American luxury operators (Uniworld, Avalon, Tauck, Scenic, Emerald) include all gratuities in the fare and there’s nothing to add. The European and mid-market operators (Viking, AmaWaterways) suggest gratuities at the end of the cruise, usually in two parts: one envelope for the ship’s crew and a separate one for the cruise director. Expect around €12 to €15 per person per day for the crew, plus €3 to €5 per day for the cruise director on Ama or Viking river cruises.

If you’re planning a river cruise, factor those amounts into your trip budget. They’re not usually charged to a cabin account; cash or card payment is requested at the end.

Can you remove or adjust the auto-gratuity?

On every line that uses an auto-gratuity model, yes, you can often adjust the charge. However, this is not a quick task. You will need to visit Guest Services in person, explain why you want to change the charge, and you may be asked to complete a waiver form before the adjustment is applied.

Cash tips: when they still matter

Even when gratuities are included or auto-charged, many UK cruisers carry small denomination notes to tip crew members for specific moments: the bartender who remembers your order, a butler who arranges a surprise, the kids’ club staff at the end of the cruise. Around £5 to £10 in an envelope, handed over at the end, is appreciated and standard. It’s not expected on top of the daily charge but it’s customary.

“We tell every client the same thing on the phone: look at the headline fare and ask what gratuities will add to it before you compare two lines. Two cruises at the same price can be £200 to £300 apart by the end of the week.” Caitlin Richardson, Cruise Specialist, Paramount Cruises

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to tip on a cruise?

It depends on the line. On UK-focused lines like P&O Cruises, Marella and Fred Olsen, gratuities are included in the fare and you don’t need to tip extra. On most American and international lines, a daily auto-gratuity is added to your onboard account. You can adjust this at Guest Services but it’s customary to leave it in place because it forms part of crew pay.

How much should I budget for tipping on a cruise?

Roughly £12 to £18 per person per day on lines that use auto-gratuities, plus an 18 to 20 per cent service charge on bar drinks and spa treatments on American lines. For a two-week cruise for two adults, that’s around £350 to £500. Lines that include gratuities in the fare add nothing.

Are tips already included on P&O Cruises?

Yes. P&O Cruises rolled gratuities into the fare in 2019 and no longer adds a daily service charge to onboard accounts. You’re free to tip individual crew members in cash if you wish, but it’s not expected and not necessary.

Do I tip on bar drinks if I have a drinks package?

On most American lines (Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity, Princess, Carnival, Holland America), an 18 to 20 per cent gratuity is added to every drink, including those covered by your drinks package. Some packages prepay this gratuity; others apply it at the time of order. If you have (or are considering) a drinks package, ask your cruise agent to confirm exactly how gratuities apply on your specific fare. On P&O Cruises and Cunard, no extra gratuity is added at the point of sale because the service charge is already included in the listed drink price. Virgin Voyages also adds no extra gratuity to drinks; their daily $22 USD service gratuity covers everything onboard.

Should I tip in cash or use the auto-gratuity?

Both. The auto-gratuity covers the wider team in a fair way. Cash tips on top, given personally at the end of the cruise, recognise specific people who made the trip for you. Around £5 to £10 in an envelope to a favourite waiter, bartender or cabin attendant is standard practice.

What’s the tipping policy on luxury cruise lines?

Most all-inclusive luxury lines (Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic, Emerald, Azamara) include all gratuities in the fare. There’s nothing to add. Some luxury lines explicitly state a no-tipping policy and ask passengers not to offer cash to crew. Cunard Grills and Oceania Cruises sit between this category and the auto-gratuity model.

Did Virgin Voyages start charging gratuities?

Yes. From 7 October 2025, Virgin Voyages applies a daily service gratuity of $22 USD per Sailor, charged automatically to the onboard folio. If you pre-pay before the voyage you pay $20 USD per night. Unlike most cruise lines, Virgin does not add extra gratuities to drinks, spa or speciality dining; the daily charge is the only gratuity-related amount you will be asked to contribute.

For help choosing a cruise where gratuities are clear upfront, browse our cruise lines or call our cruise experts on 020 7947 0270. We’ll tell you exactly what’s included in any fare we quote.