Short answer
On most large cruise lines you do not have to calculate a tip for your room steward yourself, because a daily gratuity is added to your onboard account. Amounts of around $15 to $22 per person per day are commonly quoted for major lines, but the figure varies by cruise line, cabin type and year, so check yours. That charge is shared among service staff, including your room steward.
Beyond that, tipping extra in cash is optional. Many cruisers who want to say thank you give something in the range of roughly $40 to $100 per cabin for a week, with $50 often mentioned as a common choice. Treat this as a rule of thumb, not a requirement. There is no official amount.
What the automatic gratuity covers
Cruise lines usually pool automatic gratuities for staff such as room stewards, dining room servers and other behind-the-scenes crew. Which departments are included, and how the money is split, depends on the cruise line. Check the cruise line’s explanation of its gratuity policy for your sailing; Carnival’s daily gratuities are one example. Drinks often carry a separate service charge, which is normally included in the price and covers the bar staff.
Because the daily charge adds up over a week, include it in your budget at the time of booking. See the hidden costs of a cruise for a longer list of extras.
Optional extra tip: common amounts
Cruisers’ habits vary. Examples reported on cruise forums and in cruise guides include:
- A modest cash tip at the end of the cruise for good service
- A larger tip if you have special requests, extra cleaning or a large group in the cabin
- A small tip on the first day and the rest at the end for stewards who go above and beyond
None of these is a rule. Give what fits your budget and the service you received.
Example for a 7-night cruise
Say two guests sail for seven nights on a line that charges $16 per person per day in automatic gratuities. That is $16 x 2 x 7 = $224 added to your account, shared among service staff. If you decided to add a cash tip for an especially helpful steward, you might choose something like $20 to $50 on top. The numbers are only an illustration. Use your cruise line’s actual daily rate.
When and how to give it
- End of the cruise: Many people give the tip on the last night, in a sealed envelope with the steward’s name on it, or hand it over in person. Some lines supply envelopes.
- Start of the cruise: Some travelers tip a small amount on the first day if they have special requests. This is optional.
- Cash or card: Cash is simple. Ask guest services if you want to add an amount to the steward’s gratuity through your account.
- Name them on the survey: Mentioning your steward by name on a post-cruise survey or comment card is a way to recognize good service.
When to tip more or less
You might tip more if:
- You have extra needs, such as frequent towels, a crib, cabin changes or dietary or medical equipment
- You are in a suite with extra service
- Your steward went out of their way
- You stay in a larger family cabin or a longer cruise
You might tip less if the service did not meet expectations. In that case, speak with guest services so the cruise line can address the problem.
Can you remove automatic gratuities?
Cruise lines generally allow guests to ask at guest services to adjust or remove them. Most experienced cruisers advise against it, because crew pay often relies on gratuity income. If you remove them, plan to give cash to the people you want to thank, and note that specific complaints are better handled in conversation with management than by removing all gratuities.
Lines that include gratuities
Some cruise lines, particularly premium and luxury ones, include gratuities in the fare or in package deals. Always check your booking rather than assuming. If gratuities are included, an additional tip is still optional.
Other ways to thank your steward
- Leave a short thank-you note
- Be tidy and keep your “do not disturb” sign use sensible
- Tell them early what you need so they can plan
- Name them on your feedback survey
If you are comparing the cost of different trips, the number of days matters too. See how many days is ideal for a cruise.