Tipping on a Cruise

How much and who on your cruise should be tipped? When and how should tips be given? The whole custom can be the source of considerable anxiety.

Generally, you should plan to tip your room steward $3.50 to $5.75 per person, per day, depending on your cabin type. Plan to tip $3.50 for your dining room waiter and $2.00 for the assistant waiter.

Tip the maitre d' or dining room captain $.75 per person, per day. A 15% tip is included on beverage orders.

Individual ship profiles found under the "Cruise Ships & Ratings" heading above will provide precise guidelines for tipping on any ship. Guidelines will be repeated onboard, probably by your ship's cruise director. Gratuities are placed in envelopes from your cabin's stationery supply. Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.

Tips on Tipping

Cabin steward
$3.50 to $5.75 per person per day

Waiter
$3.50 per person per day

Assistant waiter
$2.00 per person per day

Bartender, wine and deck stewards
15% of the bill

Maitre d'
$.75 per person per day