Are cruise gratuities mandatory?

Gratuities are added to your onboard account automatically, every day. In US cruising especially, tipping is expected — it is how much of the crew are paid. You can prepay before you sail to lock today's rate and keep it off your onboard bill. Some luxury and river lines include gratuities in the fare instead.

Is a cruise drinks package worth it?

Every cruise line requires both adults in a cabin to buy the drinks package — you cannot buy it for just one person. So it only pays off if it works for both of you; if one is a light drinker, it usually won't. The package covers more than alcohol — sodas, specialty coffees and bottled water count too, which lowers your break-even. The CruiseClarify calculator works out the break-even for the line you pick.

Why does the drinks package change your cruise total more than anything else?

A typical premium drinks package runs about $80 a day per person — roughly $1,120 for two over a week. On most lines the 18 to 20 percent service charge is already included in that price, so you do not add it again. That is often more than gratuities, Wi-Fi and a specialty dinner combined, which makes it the single biggest optional cost.

What does the surcharge column on the onboard cost table mean?

Most lines add an automatic service charge of about 18 to 20 percent to drinks, specialty dining and spa treatments. So a $12 cocktail on the menu becomes about $14 on your bill. It is easy to overlook because the menu price never shows it.

Cruise Costs by Line: Gratuities, Wi-Fi & Drinks Packages

Q: How much should I budget on top of the cruise fare?

Gratuities are the only must-pay charge — about $220 to $350 for two over a week. Wi-Fi adds roughly $100 to $200 if you want it. Drinks, specialty dining and shore excursions sit on top, and that is where the total really grows. Use the CruiseClarify calculator for your own number.

Q: Which onboard costs are unavoidable, and which are optional?

Only gratuities are added to your account automatically, every day. Wi-Fi, drinks, specialty dining and the spa are all optional — you choose whether to buy them. So the large extra totals are mostly costs you control.

These are not cruise fares

Every figure is the total extra you pay on top of your cruise fare — gratuities, Wi-Fi and drinks.
The cruise ticket itself is separate.

How to read it

Each row is one cruise line — read across.
The shaded column leads with gratuities + Wi-Fi for two — the everyday baseline; the drinks package is shown below it as an optional add-on.
The drinks figure assumes the line's standard alcohol package for both guests — pay per drink or skip alcohol and your total is lower.
Specialty dining and service surcharges aren't included in these figures.

Where the figures come from

Each line's own website — what a guest actually pays, per person, per day. Last checked June 2026, reviewed quarterly. Independent and affiliate-free.

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Cruise Line	⊕	Gratuities per person / day	Wi-Fi per device / day	Specialty Dining cover charge / person	Drinks Package alcohol pkg / day (pre-cruise)	Surcharge on drinks / dining / spa	Extra on top of fare EXAMPLE · 2 people, 7 nights · drinks optional

Tip: tick ⊕ on up to 3 lines to compare, or open View details for the full cost breakdown.

Tip: tick the ⊕ box on up to 3 cruise lines to compare them side by side.

Cruise Line	Gratuities per person / day	Wi-Fi per device / day (pre-cruise)	Specialty Dining cover charge / person	Drinks Package alcohol pkg / day (pre-cruise)	Surcharge on drinks / dining / spa	Extra on top of fare EXAMPLE · 2 people, 7 nights · drinks optional
🇺🇸 US / International
💳 Gratuities in this market: Auto-charged daily · $16–$25 per person · not included in advertised fare on most lines · Australian homeport sailings: not charged — tipping not culturally expected
Mainstream
Royal Caribbean Calculate →	$18.50 $21 suites	$18–35 Surf+Stream (single plan) · typ. ~$20 · $39 onboard	$45–70 Chops ~$50 pre-cruise · premium venues $110–200	$75 +18% grat on top Deluxe Bev Pkg fleet median · per-ship $49–90	18% Drinks · mini-bar · 20% spa	+$539 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,778 if you add the drinks package — incl. its 18% gratuity
Carnival Calculate →	$17 $19 suites	$20–26 Social $20 · Value $24 · Premium $26	$20–63 JiJi $24 · Steakhouse $62.40 all-in	$83.94 grat included Cheers! incl 20% grat · $89.94 onboard	20% Drinks · specialty dining · spa	+$574 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,749 if you add the drinks package
Norwegian (NCL) Calculate → Highest add-on cost	$20 $25 Haven / suites	$30–40 Browse $30 · Streaming $40	$30–59 Cagney's ~$40 · Teppanyaki ~$39	$28.50 Free at Sea: pkg "free" but $28.50/day grat mandatory · standalone $109+20%	20% Drinks · specialty dining · spa	+$1,099 minimum Gratuities + Wi-Fi, plus a mandatory $399 drinks-package gratuity — even though the drinks are "free"
MSC Cruises Calculate →	$17 Caribbean · €12 Europe · $23 Yacht Club Caribbean 🇬🇧🇮🇪 UK & Ireland bookings: service charge included in the cruise fare — nothing added on board	$16–21 Browse $16 · Stream $21	$25–65 Varies by ship	$85 grat included Premium Extra 7+ nights · grat folded in	15% Individual drinks only · not on packages	+$462 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,652 if you add the drinks package
Disney Cruise Line Calculate →	$16 $27.25 Concierge	$30–49 Browse $30 · Stream $49	$55–145 Palo $55 · Remy $145	No package Individual drinks only · no unlimited pkg	18% All bar purchases	+$644 Gratuities + Wi-Fi no unlimited drinks package add ~$60–80/day per person if you drink
Premium
Celebrity Cruises Calculate → Has a drinks surcharge	$18 $19 AquaClass · $23 The Retreat	$20–35 Basic $20 · Premium $27–35	$58–169 Fine Cut $58–67 · Chef's Table $135–169	$90 +20% grat on top Classic ~$90 · Premium ~$110 · varies by ship & sail date · +20% grat on top	20% Drinks · specialty dining · spa · room service	+$532 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$2,044 if you add the drinks package — incl. its 20% gratuity
Cunard Calculate → 🔺 Bar charge raised to 18% Jun 2026	$18 $19 Grill Suites · USD to all guests, incl. children	$24–36 Basic $24 · Premium $36	$40–75 Grill class guests: included	$76.50 grat included Beverage Collection ($49.50–$94.50 by length) · caps $13.50 / $20	18% Bar & restaurant (food too, from Jun 2026)	+$588 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,659 if you add the drinks package
Princess Cruises Calculate → 🔺 Gratuities raised Mar 2026	$18 $19 Mini-Suite · $20 Suites Japan sailings: still charged (crew appreciation, not a tip)	$25–45 Classic $25 · Max $45	$55–115 Standard venues $55 flat ($60 on Sun & Star, children 3-11 half price) per princess.com FAQ · Chef's Table $115. Cover charge only; 20% service charge added when paying out of pocket (see surcharge). Was Crown Grill $39 — verified 23 Jul 2026 (princess.com Crown Grill FAQ).	$77.99 grat included Plus Beverage Pkg — standalone ($64.99+20%) incl grat	20% Drinks · specialty dining · spa	+$602 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,694 if you add the drinks package
Holland America Calculate →	$18 $20 suites	$18–36 Surf $18 · Premium $24 · Stream $36	$20–45 Pinnacle Grill $45 · Tamarind $30	$61.14 grat included Signature $50.95+20% all-in	20% Drinks · specialty dining	+$504 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,360 if you add the drinks package
Virgin Voyages Calculate →	$20 $22 onboard · from Oct 2025	✓ Included Basic Wi-Fi incl · Premium ~$30/day	✓ Included All 20+ restaurants	Bar Tab — unused credit lost Sold in $200–$1,000 tiers with bonus credit (e.g. pay $500, get $600) · leftover credit is forfeited, not refunded	None No auto-surcharge	+$280 Gratuities only · $20/day Wi-Fi & dining incl · drinks via Bar Tab
Premium Plus
Viking Ocean Calculate →	$20 +15% on bar tabs separately	✓ Included	✓ Included	Wine/beer at meals incl Meals only · Silver Spirits ~$27/day adds spirits/cocktails anytime · both guests must buy	15% Bar tabs beyond inclusion	+$280 Gratuities only · $20/day Wi-Fi, dining & drinks largely incl
Oceania Cruises Calculate →	✓ Included Since Jan 2025	✓ Included	✓ Included	Prestige Select ~$30/day Non-alc always incl · wine/beer meals-only & only if chosen over excursion credit · spirits need Prestige	20% Bar purchases beyond inclusions	+$420 Drinks upgrade only · $30/day Grats, Wi-Fi & dining all incl
Azamara Calculate →	✓ Included	$18–25	$49.95 Prime C & Aqualina · Veranda Plus: 1/cruise incl · suites: all incl	Standard drinks incl (all day) Bars & lounges, not just meals · Premium ~$32/day · Ultimate ~$40/day	None Menu price is final on drinks · 18% spa/salon only	+$308 Wi-Fi only · $22/day Grats & drinks largely incl
Windstar Calculate →	$16 Auto-added · not optional	~$35/day 1 device · cheaper voyage plans · Starlink	✓ Included Rare special dinners extra	$99/day All-In pkg · or à la carte ~$10/drink +18%	18%	+$1,386 All-inclusive · $99/day — drinks, Wi-Fi & gratuities included
Luxury / Ultra-Luxury
Regent Seven Seas 🏆 Most Inclusive Overall — Excursions Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Seabourn	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Silversea	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Crystal Cruises	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Ponant	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Explora Journeys	✓ Included MSC's luxury brand · global incl. US	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	$0 Everything included in fare
Expedition
Lindblad / Nat Geo	✓ Included	✓ Included Limited in polar regions	—	Wine & beer incl with meals Spirits extra	~18%	~$0 Grats & Wi-Fi incl · spirits extra
Quark Expeditions	~$15–18	$20–30 Limited polar coverage	—	~$50 Packages vary by voyage	~15%	+$574 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +$1,274 if you add the drinks package
Australian Homeport Sailings
Carnival Australia	✓ Included Not charged — tipping not expected	A$20–30	A$25–45	A$90 Cheers! equiv incl service charge	20%	+A$350 Wi-Fi only +A$1,610 if you add the drinks package
Royal Caribbean (AU)	✓ Included Built into AU/NZ pricing	A$20–35	A$40–65	A$115 Deluxe Bev Pkg mid	18%	+A$392 Wi-Fi only +A$2,002 if you add the drinks package
Princess Cruises (AU)	✓ Included Not charged on AU homeport sailings	A$25–45	A$40–120	A$95 Plus package mid	20%	+A$490 Wi-Fi only +A$1,820 if you add the drinks package
🇬🇧 UK-Based
💳 Gratuities in this market: Mostly included in fare · P&O, Marella, Saga: no separate charge · Cunard charges in USD · Fred. Olsen: included from Jan 2026 departures · Ambassador: £6–7/day flat
Mainstream
P&O Cruises (UK)	✓ Included Since 2019	£15–20	£20–45	£50 Classic package mid	None P&O removed auto service charges on drinks	+£238 Wi-Fi only +£938 if you add the drinks package gratuities included in fare
Marella (TUI) 🏆 Best UK Value	✓ Included	£10–18	£15–35 Most dining included	✓ Included	None	+£196 Wi-Fi only · £14/day Grats & drinks incl in fare
Ambassador Cruise Line	£6–7 Flat daily · varies by cruise duration	£10–15 Approximate — plan pricing varies	£15–30 Indicative range · not re-verified July 2026	£42.95–49.95 grat included Pre-purchase tiers · price includes gratuities	None Flat daily gratuity — no % added to purchases	+£259 Gratuities + Wi-Fi +£769 if you add the drinks package package price includes gratuities, so the daily charge drops out
Premium
Cunard bills entirely in USD, so it is listed under 🇺🇸 US / International → Premium above. Read the Cunard gratuities & drinks guide →
Fred. Olsen	✓ Included In fare for Jan 2026+ departures (was £5 discretionary)	£9–12 £63/week ≈ £9/day · daily plan £12	£20–25 Chef's Table ~£100 — separate premium experience	£40 Approximate daily rate	None found No first-party basis for an auto % charge	+£126 Wi-Fi only +£686 if you add the drinks package gratuities included in fare (Jan 2026+ departures)
Saga Cruises	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	£0 Everything included in fare
Luxury
Hebridean Island Cruises	✓ Included	✓ Included Signal limited on Scottish coast	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	£0 Everything included in fare
🌍 International & River
💳 Gratuities in this market: River cruising: mostly included · Expedition: mostly included · Hurtigruten Coastal: optional · Costa: €11/day — treatment varies by booking market; in fare for new UK bookings
International Ocean
Costa Cruises	€11 Varies by booking market · €12 for Dec 2026+ departures booked after Jun 2025 · in fare for new UK bookings (Jun 2026+ departures)	€12–20 Packages sold per voyage · secondary-sourced	€25–50 Indicative range · first-party pricing not publicly accessible	Via Cruise Plus Drinks fares My Drinks bundled into fare tiers · standalone pricing not published	Check sailing Individual-drink service charges may vary · current rate not first-party verified	+€322 Gratuities + Wi-Fi €11/day basis · drinks sold via fare tiers, no standalone price to add
Celestyal Cruises	✓ Included Port fees & grats in Celestyal One fare	✓ Included Essential Wi-Fi in all fares	Via CelestyalPay wallet	Select drinks incl with meals Cocktails & extras via prepaid wallet	None Wallet model — no auto-surcharge	~€0 Grats, Wi-Fi & meals incl Extras via CelestyalPay wallet
Luxury
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	None	€0 Everything included · Europa / Europa 2 Among highest-rated ships globally
Expedition
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) 🏆 Best Expedition Value	✓ Included	✓ Included Limited in polar regions	✓ Included	Wine & beer incl with meals Spirits extra	~15%	~$0 Grats, Wi-Fi & dining incl · spirits extra
Aurora Expeditions	✓ Included	✓ Included Limited polar/remote regions	—	Wine & beer incl with meals Spirits extra	~15%	~A$0 Grats & Wi-Fi incl · spirits extra
Hurtigruten Coastal	Optional No auto-charge · Scandinavian norm	~$20–30	~$20–45	~$52 Packages available	None Tipping not expected — prices include service	+$350 Wi-Fi only +$1,078 if you add the drinks package gratuities optional

🚢 River cruises — a different model

River cruising is largely all-inclusive, so the ocean-cruise columns above (specialty-dining covers, drinks-package surcharges, big 7-night extras) don't apply in the same way. Putting them next to ocean lines would suggest a comparison that isn't really there. On most river lines, gratuities, Wi-Fi, dining and wine or beer with meals are already in the fare.

Cruise Line	Gratuities	Wi-Fi	Drinks with meals	What's included
AmaWaterways	✓ IncludedShore-guide gratuities extra	✓ Included	Wine & beer with mealsSpirits extra · ~15% on premium	Most things included; spirits extra
Viking River	✓ IncludedGuide/driver gratuities extra	✓ Included	Wine & beer with mealsSpirits & cocktails extra	Most things included; spirits extra
Scenic River 🏆 Best River Value	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ All drinksIncl spirits — rarest in river	All-inclusive, spirits included
Tauck River	✓ Included	✓ Included	✓ Included	Everything included
CroisiEurope	€7–10Discretionary	€10–15	Wine & beer with mealsSpirits extra	Dining & meal drinks included

This is a reference table. Want to calculate your specific cruise? Enter your fare, nights and preferences for a personalized total.

Calculate my cruise →

What's not in your fare — the 5 biggest onboard charges ▼

The advertised fare covers less than many people expect. These five charges appear on virtually every mainstream ship's onboard account, so it's worth knowing them before you book.

💳

Daily Gratuities

Gratuities are added automatically — $16–$20 per person, per day. On a 7-night cruise for two that's $224–$280 before you order a single drink. Some lines include them; most don't.

Read the full gratuities breakdown →

📶

Wi-Fi Is Per Device

Wi-Fi is charged per device, not per cabin — so a couple who each connect a phone pays double. Onboard rates also run 20–40% higher than pre-cruise prices.

Read the full Wi-Fi breakdown →

🍹

Drinks Package Gratuity

Drinks packages add an 18–20% gratuity on top — automatically. A $100/day package becomes $118–$120 per person; over 7 nights for two, that's an extra $252–$280.

Read the full drinks-package breakdown →

🍽️

Specialty Dining Cover Charge

Specialty restaurants charge a cover even when dining is "included" — typically $40–$75 per person, per visit.

Read the full dining breakdown →

💆

Spa Service Charge

Spa treatments carry an automatic 18–20% service charge. A $150 massage becomes $177–$180 before you leave the room — it's always in the small print.

Read the full spa breakdown →

Common questions about onboard costs

How to read the table — what you have to pay, what's optional, and how to tell if an extra is worth it.

How much should I budget on top of the cruise fare? ▼

Gratuities are the only must-pay: about $220–$350 for two over a week.
Want Wi-Fi? Add roughly $100–$200.
Drinks, dining and excursions sit on top — that's where the total really grows.
The calculator gives your own number.

Which onboard costs are unavoidable, and which are optional? ▼

Unavoidable: gratuities — added automatically, every day.
Optional: Wi-Fi, drinks, specialty dining, spa — all your choice.
So the big "extra" totals are mostly things you control.

Are gratuities mandatory? ▼

Added to your account automatically, every day.
In US cruising especially, tipping is expected — it's how much of the crew are paid.
You can prepay before you sail to lock today's rate and keep it off your onboard bill. Some luxury and river lines include them in the fare instead.

Is a drinks package worth it? ▼

Every line makes both adults in a cabin buy it — you can't buy just one.
So it only pays off if it works for both; if one's a light drinker, it usually won't.
It covers more than alcohol — sodas, specialty coffees and bottled water count too, which lowers your break-even.
Our drinks-package guide and the calculator work out the break-even for the line you pick.

Why does the drinks package change your total more than anything else? ▼

A typical premium package runs about $80 a day per person — roughly $1,120 for two over a week.
On most lines the ~18–20% service charge is already in that price, so you don't add it again.
That's often more than gratuities, Wi-Fi and a specialty dinner combined.
The single biggest optional cost in the table.

What does the "surcharge" column mean? ▼

Most lines add about 18–20% to drinks, specialty dining and spa.
A $12 cocktail on the menu becomes about $14 on your bill.
It's the cost people forget — the menu price never shows it.

How these figures work

The calculation: per person, per day × 7 nights × 2 people, at pre-cruise rates.
The two numbers: the headline is gratuities + Wi-Fi — the baseline most guests pay. The drinks package (mid-range, both guests) is the optional add-on shown beside it; the combined figure adds the two together at the payable package price — where a line charges the package gratuity on top (Royal Caribbean 18%, Celebrity 20%), that gratuity is included in the combined figure.
Not included: specialty dining, spa and shore excursions.
$0 / £0 / €0 lines: those costs are built into the fare (each cell is marked "Everything included in fare") — so compare the total voyage price, not just the extras.
Solo travelers: gratuities, Wi-Fi and drinks are charged per person (roughly half the two-person totals here), but most lines add a 150–200% single-occupancy supplement to the fare itself — so the all-in cost per person is usually far higher than half.
Currencies: all amounts USD unless stated (£ = GBP · € = EUR · A$ = AUD).
Freshness: data reviewed quarterly — always verify on your specific booking.

Comparing:

What are you trying to figure out?

What cruise lines charge on board

🚢 River cruises — a different model

Common questions about onboard costs