Cruise Gratuities Explained for Canadians: Prepay or Not
Gratuities are the line on a cruise bill people understand least, and for Canadians there's a currency twist worth real money. The short version: expect roughly US$16–20 per person per day, budget for it in Canadian dollars from the start, and prepay if you can.
How automatic gratuities work
Each night the ship adds a set amount for every guest to your onboard account. The money is pooled and shared among dining staff, cabin attendants and the behind-the-scenes teams in the galley and laundry. It's a real part of how crew are paid, not an optional extra.
Suites usually pay a little more. Children are charged on most lines. And it's separate from the 18–20% service charge added to drinks, spa treatments and some specialty dining.
How much are gratuities by cruise line?
Recent daily rates per person in US dollars. Lines raise them from time to time, so confirm before you sail.
| Line | Standard cabins | Suites | Full details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | ~$18–19 | ~$21 | Royal Caribbean gratuities |
| Carnival | ~$17 | ~$19 | Carnival gratuities |
| Norwegian | ~$20 | ~$25 | Norwegian Cruise Line gratuities |
| Princess | ~$17–18 | ~$19 | Princess gratuities |
| Celebrity | ~$19.50 | ~$20.50 Concierge/AquaClass; ~$24.50 Retreat | Celebrity gratuities |
| Holland America | ~$18 | ~$20 | Holland America gratuities |
| MSC | ~$17 | ~$23 Yacht Club | MSC Cruises gratuities |
| Disney | ~$16 | ~$27.25 concierge | Disney Cruise Line gratuities |
Some bundled fares include gratuities, such as Princess Plus and Premier. Celebrity's All Included stopped covering them in late 2023, and Holland America's standard Have It All package doesn't either, though its Early Booking Bonus version has. The other policies that shape your bill are in cruise line policies compared.
Should you prepay gratuities?
Prepaying at booking, or on most lines any time up to a few days before sailing, has three advantages:
- Rate lock. If the line raises its rate before you sail, prepaid bookings usually keep the old one.
- Exchange-rate certainty. You pay at today's rate rather than whatever the dollar is doing on the last night. If your booking is priced in Canadian dollars, ask whether the gratuities can be too.
- A smaller final bill. Disembarkation morning is less of a shock.
The only real downside is paying months early. For most Canadians, certainty wins. "Free prepaid gratuities" also turns up as a booking promotion, worth several hundred dollars on a family cabin.
Extra tips worth budgeting
Bring a small stack of US dollar bills, ones and fives, for:
- Terminal porters: about US$1–2 per bag in Florida or Seattle. In Vancouver, Canadian dollars are fine.
- Room service: a few dollars per delivery, where no delivery charge is added.
- Tour guides and drivers ashore: many people tip a few dollars per person on a half-day tour, more on a full day.
- Standout crew: a personal tip in an envelope on the last night for someone who went beyond the job.
Bar drinks and spa treatments already include a service charge, so there's no need to add more unless you want to.
Can you adjust or remove them?
Yes, at guest services on most lines. Reserve it for a genuine service problem, and explain what happened so it can be fixed. Removing the charge and handing out cash instead doesn't help the behind-the-scenes crew who share the pool.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →The simple plan
Prepay gratuities by default, budget them in Canadian dollars, use a no-foreign-fee card for the rest of the onboard account, and carry a few small US bills for porters and guides. Before booking, it's worth asking whether any sailing on your dates comes with gratuities included. For the full onboard budget, see how much spending money to take on a cruise.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Can you remove automatic gratuities on a cruise?
Most lines let you adjust them at guest services, but the pooled charges fund dining, cabin and behind-the-scenes crew wages, so removing them shortchanges people who served you. Adjust only for a genuine service failure, and tell guest services why.
Do you tip extra on top of automatic gratuities?
It's optional and common in moderation: a dollar or two per bag for terminal porters, a few dollars for room service, and something personal for a standout crew member at the end of the week. The automatic charge covers the essentials.
Do children pay cruise gratuities?
On most lines, yes, at the full adult rate from the first night, which is why gratuities add up quickly for families. MSC charges the full rate from age 2 on its North American sailings, and Disney charges every guest, babies included. Confirm your line's current policy.
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Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)