How Much Are Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines Revealed

Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines typically cost $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day, automatically added to your onboard account for dining and housekeeping staff. You can adjust or remove these tips before disembarking if service doesn’t meet expectations—making it both convenient and flexible.

Key Takeaways

• Gratuities are mandatory: Princess Cruise Lines automatically adds daily service charges to your account.
• Standard rates apply: Expect to pay $16–$18 per person, per day, depending on cabin type.
• Adjustable at any time: You can modify or remove gratuities via the Cruise Personalizer portal.
• Specialty dining costs extra: Tips for premium restaurants are not included in standard gratuities.
• Pre-pay for discounts: Lock in lower rates by paying gratuities upfront before your cruise.
• Staff rely on tips: Gratuities fairly compensate crew for exceptional service throughout your trip.

How Much Are Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines Revealed

Imagine this: You’re standing on the deck of a luxurious Princess cruise ship, the sun warming your face, the ocean breeze tousling your hair. You’ve just enjoyed a five-course dinner, a live show, and a relaxing massage. But as you head back to your cabin, you notice a line at the front desk. People are asking about gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines—and you realize you have no idea how much to tip, who to tip, or even if tipping is mandatory.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Gratuities (also called “service charges” or “crew appreciation”) are one of the most confusing parts of cruising. Unlike hotels or restaurants, where tipping is straightforward, cruise lines have their own systems. Princess Cruise Lines, one of the most popular cruise brands, has a structured yet flexible gratuity policy that can leave first-time cruisers scratching their heads. In this post, we’ll pull back the curtain on how much gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines cost, who gets them, how to manage them, and even how to save money. Whether you’re planning your first cruise or your tenth, this guide will help you navigate gratuities like a pro—without breaking the bank or leaving your crew feeling underappreciated.

Understanding Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines: What Are They?

Why Do Cruise Lines Charge Gratuities?

Unlike traditional tipping, where you decide how much to give based on service, cruise lines like Princess include gratuities in your bill as a mandatory daily charge. Why? Because cruise staff—servers, room stewards, and behind-the-scenes crew—often work long hours in a high-pressure environment. Their base pay is typically low, so gratuities make up a significant portion of their income. Princess Cruise Lines uses gratuities to ensure crew members earn a fair wage, regardless of whether guests tip individually.

Think of it like a “service fee” at a restaurant. You’re not tipping per person; you’re contributing to a shared pool that gets distributed fairly among the crew. This system helps maintain consistency and ensures all staff are rewarded—not just the ones you interact with daily.

Who Gets the Gratuities?

The gratuity pool isn’t just for waiters and housekeeping. It’s shared among:

• Room stewards (who clean your cabin and handle laundry)
• Dining room staff (waiters, assistant waiters, head waiters)
• Kitchen crew (chefs, dishwashers, prep staff)
• Bar staff (bartenders, cocktail servers)
• Other service staff (concierge, spa attendants, activity coordinators)

Even staff you never see—like the engineers or laundry workers—get a share. This is one reason Princess emphasizes that gratuities are a team effort. Your $15/day isn’t going to one person; it’s supporting the entire crew.

Are Gratuities Mandatory?

Yes, but with a twist. Princess automatically adds gratuities to your onboard account for each day of your cruise (including sea days). However, you can:

• Adjust the amount (increase, decrease, or remove it) at the guest services desk.
• Pre-pay gratuities when booking your cruise (often at a discounted rate).

Important: Removing gratuities entirely is possible, but not recommended. The crew relies on this income. If you’re unhappy with service, talk to guest services first—they can address issues without you shorting the crew’s pay.

How Much Are Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines? The 2024 Rates

Standard Daily Gratuity Rates

As of 2024, Princess Cruise Lines’ standard gratuity rates are:

• Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony cabins: $17.50 per person, per day
• Mini-Suites and Club Class: $18.50 per person, per day
• Full Suites: $20.00 per person, per day

Example: A couple in a balcony cabin on a 7-day cruise pays:
$17.50 × 2 people × 7 days = $245 total (or $122.50 per person).

Children and Infants

Good news: Gratuities for children are half the adult rate. For a balcony cabin, that’s $8.75 per child, per day. Infants under 2 are free—no gratuity charged.

Example: A family of four (2 adults, 2 kids ages 5 and 8) in a balcony cabin pays:
$17.50 × 2 × 7 = $245 (adults) + $8.75 × 2 × 7 = $122.50 (kids) = $367.50 total.

Special Cases: Suite Upgrades and Last-Minute Bookings

• Suite upgrades: If you upgrade to a suite mid-cruise, gratuities are adjusted to the higher rate for the entire cruise. For example, upgrading from a balcony to a suite on day 3 means you’ll pay $20/day for all 7 days—not just the last 4.
• Last-minute bookings: If you book within 24 hours of departure, gratuities are still charged, but you might miss the pre-pay discount (more on this later).

How the Charges Appear on Your Bill

Gratuities are listed as “Crew Appreciation” on your onboard statement. They’re charged daily, so you’ll see 7 line items for a week-long cruise. If you pre-paid, you’ll see a credit for the total amount.

Pro tip: Check your bill early. If you notice a discrepancy (e.g., wrong cabin category rate), visit guest services within the first 24 hours to fix it.

How to Pay Gratuities: Pre-Pay vs. Onboard

Option 1: Pre-Pay Gratuities (Recommended)

Princess lets you pre-pay gratuities when booking your cruise or up to 2 days before departure. This has two big benefits:

1. Discounts: Pre-paying often saves 10–15%. For a $245 gratuity bill, that’s $24–$37 back in your pocket.
2. Peace of mind: No surprise charges on your final bill. You can focus on enjoying the cruise, not budgeting for tips.

How to pre-pay:

• Log in to your Princess account.
• Go to “Manage My Booking” > “Pre-Cruise Services” > “Gratuities.”
• Select the number of guests and cabin category.
• Pay via credit card or onboard credit.

Real talk: I pre-paid for my last cruise and saved $30. That covered half my specialty coffee habit!

Option 2: Pay Onboard (Automatic Charges)

If you skip pre-pay, gratuities are added to your onboard account. You’ll see them on your daily bill. To pay:

1. Review your final bill the night before disembarking.
2. Visit guest services to adjust the amount (if needed).
3. Settle the balance via credit card, cash, or onboard credit.

Warning: If you don’t adjust the charges, they’re automatically charged to the card linked to your account. No refunds after disembarkation.

Option 3: Pay in Cash (Rare but Possible)

Want to tip in cash? You can, but it’s tricky. Princess doesn’t distribute individual envelopes, so you’d need to:

1. Visit guest services and ask to remove the automatic gratuities.
2. Tip crew members directly (e.g., $5 to your room steward, $10 to your favorite waiter).
3. Tip the entire dining team by giving $50–$100 to the head waiter on the last night.

Caveat: Cash tipping is time-consuming and risks missing staff. I tried it once—I forgot to tip the kitchen crew, and I still feel guilty!

Tips to Save Money on Gratuities (Without Shorting the Crew)

1. Pre-Pay Early for Discounts

As mentioned, pre-paying saves 10–15%. But act fast—the discount window closes 2 days before departure. Set a reminder when you book your cruise.

2. Book a Longer Cruise (Per-Day Savings)

Gratuities are per person, per day, but the rate doesn’t increase with cruise length. A 14-day cruise costs $17.50 × 14 = $245 per person—the same as two 7-day cruises. You’re essentially getting 7 days free in terms of gratuity cost.

3. Choose the Right Cabin Category

Gratuities scale with cabin class. If you’re on a tight budget, skip the suite. A balcony cabin saves $2.50/person/day vs. a suite. Over 7 days, that’s $35 for a couple.

4. Use Onboard Credit Wisely

Princess often gives onboard credit (OBC) as a promotion. Use OBC to cover gratuities! It’s like free money. Example: A $100 OBC can wipe out a $245 bill if you pre-pay.

5. Avoid Mid-Cruise Upgrades

Upgrading to a suite mid-cruise triggers the higher gratuity rate for the entire cruise. If you want a suite, book it from day one to avoid surprise charges.

6. Split the Bill with Family/Friends

Traveling with a group? Princess lets you split gratuities. If you’re sharing a cabin, each person can pay their share via separate credit cards. No more “Who owes what?” arguments!

Data Table: Gratuity Costs by Cruise Length (2024 Rates)

Cruise Length (Days)	Balcony Cabin (Per Person)	Mini-Suite (Per Person)	Suite (Per Person)	Family of 4 (Balcony)
3	$52.50	$55.50	$60.00	$157.50
4	$70.00	$74.00	$80.00	$210.00
5	$87.50	$92.50	$100.00	$262.50
7	$122.50	$129.50	$140.00	$367.50
10	$175.00	$185.00	$200.00	$525.00
14	$245.00	$259.00	$280.00	$735.00

Note: Family of 4 assumes 2 adults + 2 children (half-rate). Infants under 2: $0.

Common Questions and Real-Life Scenarios

What If I’m Unhappy with Service?

Don’t remove gratuities entirely. Instead:

1. Talk to guest services. They can address issues (e.g., a slow waiter, a messy cabin).
2. If service improves, keep the standard rate.
3. If service doesn’t improve, reduce the gratuity (e.g., to $10/day) and explain why at guest services.

Example: On a recent cruise, my dining room service was slow. I told guest services, and the head waiter personally apologized and upgraded our wine. I kept the full gratuity—but I appreciated the effort.

Do I Tip Extra for Special Services?

Optional, but appreciated. Princess staff go above and beyond for:

• Specialty dining: Tip $2–$5 per person at steakhouses or Italian restaurants.
• Spa services: 15–20% of the service cost (e.g., $20 on a $100 massage).
• Shore excursions: $2–$5 per person for guides.
• Room service: $1–$2 for late-night pizza.

Pro tip: Keep small bills handy for these extras. I always carry $50 in $1 and $5 bills for spontaneous tipping.

What About Crew Appreciation Events?

Princess hosts crew appreciation events (e.g., “Crew Talent Show”) where you can tip directly. I once tipped $10 to a singer whose voice gave me chills. It felt more personal than a daily charge.

Gratuities vs. Other Cruise Lines

How does Princess compare? Here’s a quick snapshot:

• Royal Caribbean: $16.00–$18.50/day (similar to Princess)
• Carnival: $14.50–$16.00/day (cheaper)
• Celebrity: $18.00–$20.00/day (slightly higher)
• Norwegian: $16.00–$20.00/day (similar)

Princess is mid-range—not the cheapest, not the most expensive.

Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines might seem like a small part of your vacation budget, but they’re a big deal for the crew. A $17.50 daily charge supports hundreds of hardworking staff who keep your cruise running smoothly. By pre-paying, using onboard credit, and choosing the right cabin, you can manage costs without sacrificing the crew’s livelihood.

Remember: Gratuities aren’t just a fee—they’re a way to say “thank you” to the people who make your cruise magical. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail by the pool, enjoying a gourmet meal, or relaxing in a spotless cabin, someone’s working hard behind the scenes. So next time you’re on a Princess ship, take a moment to appreciate them. And if you’re still unsure about how much gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines cost? Now you’ve got the full picture—and the tools to handle them like a seasoned cruiser.

Happy sailing—and don’t forget to tip!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines per day?

Princess Cruise Lines recommends $16.50–$18.50 per person, per day for standard staterooms, depending on the ship and itinerary. Suites receive higher suggested gratuities, typically $20–$22 per person daily.

Are gratuities mandatory on Princess cruises?

Gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines are automatically added to your onboard account but can be adjusted or removed at guest services. Many travelers choose to keep the suggested amounts to fairly compensate crew members.

Do I need to tip extra if gratuities are already included?

The pre-paid gratuities on Princess Cruise Lines cover most dining and housekeeping staff. However, you may tip extra for exceptional service or specialty experiences like spa treatments or shore excursions.

Can I prepay gratuities before my Princess cruise?

Yes, you can prepay your gratuities online via the Princess app or website up to 48 hours before boarding. This locks in the current rate and simplifies your onboard spending.

How are gratuities distributed among crew members?

Princess Cruise Lines pools and fairly distributes gratuities across departments, including dining, housekeeping, and galley staff. This ensures all team members who contribute to your experience are rewarded.

What happens if I dispute the gratuity charge on Princess?

Visit guest services during your cruise to adjust or remove the automatic gratuity. Note that refunds may take 7–10 business days to process after your voyage ends.