How much shouldyou tip on board?
The Cruise Tip Calculator — pick your cruise line and a few details to see exactly what you’ll pay, and which parts are genuinely optional.
Cruise gratuities: your questions answered
How this works
Estimate only, not a quote. This tool calculates an estimate based on gratuity and service-charge policies each cruise line has published, correct to the best of our research as of 18 July 2026. Rates can vary by ship, itinerary, region of booking and promotion, and the figure shown won’t necessarily match what appears on your final onboard account.
Adjustable vs compulsory. The daily hotel & dining charge (sometimes called “crew appreciation” or a “service charge”) is billed automatically but is a default most lines let you adjust or remove at Guest Services before the end of the cruise. The percentage added to drinks, and to spa and salon purchases, works differently — it’s added per transaction and every line covered here describes it as non-removable, so we treat it as compulsory.
Not official cruise line figures. This calculator is provided independently by CruisePriceSpy and isn’t affiliated with, endorsed by, or sourced directly from any cruise line named here. Always confirm the exact current rate on the cruise line’s own website or your booking confirmation before you sail.
Drinks and spa spend are rough estimates. Actual spend depends on venue, drink or treatment choice, and promotions. If you buy a drinks or spa package, the service charge is often already included in the package price and shouldn’t be added again on top.
Currency conversion is approximate and for guidance only. CruisePriceSpy accepts no liability for decisions made, or budgets set, based on figures produced by this tool.
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