The issue of tipping has long been a thorn in the side of British cruise customers, leaving a sour taste for the unwary who can be hit with unexpected charges running into hundreds of pounds.

As the popularity of cruising has grown, more passengers have become accustomed to this quirky tradition that takes its cue from an era when cash was traditionally placed in envelopes and personally handed to crew members.

Now, ocean lines largely follow an American-style tipping system with daily service charges automatically added to passengers’ on-board accounts, though gratuity policies and amounts between lines vary.

Not surprisingly, charges among US lines are higher. The gulf between these and equivalent rates of other cruise brands widened following the Covid pandemic, when a cluster of increases fuelled suspicions that this was a convenient way to boost finances decimated by the pandemic, though lines stress the money goes to a wide variety of crew members.

Since then, sporadic increases have followed, normally sparked by one company increasing rates and others following in a predictable sequence.

Over the last few years, gratuities jumped from a ballpark daily per person figure of $14 (£10) to $18 (£13) post-pandemic, but a spate of recent announcements means they are creeping up again.

Royal Caribbean is now charging $18.50 (£14) for regular staterooms and $21 (£16) for suites, while Princess Cruises has added a dollar to its gratuity rates, which now start at $18 (£13).

Carnival Cruise Line’s gratuities are some of the lowest among the mainstream lines, though these have recently risen by a dollar to $17 (£12.50) and $19 (£14) for suites. It’s a similar story for Cunard, which has quietly pushed up its rates by the same amount, also to $17 (£12.50) and $19 (£14).

Disney Cruise Line tipping levels have risen significantly more than than those of other major lines over the last 18 months.

While the standard stateroom fee has risen at a slightly higher rate of $1.50 (£1), the resulting charge of $16 (£12) is still less than the industry average.

However, the major hike affects Disney’s concierge staterooms and suites, which have risen from $15.50 (£11) in summer 2024 to a whopping $27.25 (£20). This means a family of four staying in premium accommodation on its ships would pay £80 a day or £560 for a week.

After hiking gratuity rates dramatically following the pandemic, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has held off subsequent changes, though its standard rate of $20pppn (£15) still makes it one of the highest in the industry.

So a family of four taking a two-week cruise needs to fork out $1,120 (£832) on top of the holiday price, while a week-long voyage adds another $560 (£416).

As if that’s not enough, for families treating themselves to a suite or a stay in NCL’s luxury Haven complex, the nightly cost rockets even further to $25 (£19), topping £1,000 for a fortnight or at least £500 for a week.

Interestingly, Virgin Voyages, which previously included gratuities in the overall price, is now charging $22 (£16), though this reduces to $20 (£15) for those who pay this charge in advance.

There are also reports that Holland America Line’s gratuities will rise from June 1 by $1, taking them to $18 (£13) and $20 (£15) for suites.

It is difficult to avoid such charges, though passengers can adjust them once aboard through guest relations. In reality, staff may make it awkward to do this and will want customers to justify their request, for example, detailing whether they’ve experienced poor service.

Another American-inspired charge that has never sat comfortably with Britons is the imposition of service fees, levied on spa treatments and other services and, most controversially, drinks bills. In line with gratuity increases, these have also risen and are increasingly kicking in at 20 per cent, though Cunard stands out with one of the lowest service charges at 15 per cent.

Passengers can lessen the pain by opting for lines with lower gratuities, such as Ambassador Cruise Line, which levies £7pppn or £6 on longer voyages. Children under 12 do not pay gratuities at all, and youngsters from 12 to 17 on multi-generational sailings pay £4.

Alternatively, opt for one of the growing number of cruise companies that now include gratuities and the like in the overall price, thus taking the sting out of onboard bills. Alternatively, opt for one of the growing number of cruise companies that now include gratuities and the like in the overall price, thus taking the sting out of onboard bills.

While luxury “six-star” lines such as Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) have long boasted all-inclusive pricing that encompasses tips, others featuring these in the upfront fare are P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, Marella Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, among others. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has recently joined their ranks by including gratuities in the overall price from this year.

Several river cruise lines, such as Uniworld, and APT Group also include them, and, among those that don’t, it is left to the customer’s discretion, with suggested rates starting from €5-10 per person per day.

Nonetheless, if you are set on cruising with a company that still charges gratuities, there are other ways to ease the burden. Several lines enable guests to pay for these ahead of their cruise. While it seems odd to pay in advance for a service you have yet to receive, it enables passengers to budget more easily and protects them from any future gratuity rises before their sailing date.

Another option is to keep an eye out for the raft of special cruise deals. It’s a competitive market out there, and some lines offer free gratuities or on-board credits which could be the tempter that clinches the deal.

This piece was originally published in June 2023 and has been revised and updated.