Deals & Booking

Princess Cruises Gratuities: How Much Per Day and Can You Prepay

Published 20 May 2026 · 2 min read · Cruise Questions Canada editorial team

Quick answerPrincess charges a daily "crew appreciation" of roughly $17 USD per person in interior and oceanview cabins, about $18 in balconies and around $19 in suites (recent rates — confirm current figures); it's prepayable at booking and is included automatically in Princess Plus and Premier fare packages.

Princess names its gratuity "crew appreciation" and, unusually, bakes it into its package fares.

The rates by cabin

At recent rates, roughly $17 USD per person per day in interior and oceanview cabins, about $18 in balconies and around $19 in suites, charged to all guests. Confirm the current figure before sailing. A balcony couple on a 7-night Alaska cruise: roughly $250 USD.

Princess Plus and Premier

Both package fares include crew appreciation, plus drinks and wifi (Premier adds more). For couples who'd buy all three, the package often costs less than the pieces — which is why a "cheaper" standard fare can be a worse deal, as covered in Cruise Line Sales Decoded.

Prepaying a standard fare

On a standard fare, crew appreciation can be prepaid before sailing through your booking, locking the rate and, for Canadians, the exchange — per Cruise Gratuities Explained for Canadians.

Separate charges

A service charge (around 18%) applies to bar purchases, specialty dining and spa services outside any package. Porters and excursion guides are tipped in cash by convention.

Adjusting on board

Guest services can adjust crew appreciation for a documented issue; removing it wholesale is discouraged.

More Princess policies

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Choosing between standard and Plus with gratuities in mind

For an Alaska couple, whether Princess Plus beats a standard fare plus prepaid gratuities depends on your drinking and wifi habits — a quick comparison a consultant can run against your actual sailing's pricing.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is Princess crew appreciation per day?

Roughly $17–19 USD per person per day depending on cabin category at recent rates, for all guests. Check Princess's current figure, which the line adjusts from time to time.

Are gratuities included in Princess Plus?

Yes — Princess Plus and Princess Premier fares include crew appreciation along with drinks and wifi, which is a large part of their value for couples who'd pay all three anyway.