If you’ve ever booked a cruise, you’ve probably spotted automatic gratuities appearing on your onboard account. One minute you’re congratulating yourself on finding a bargain, the next you’re wondering why your bill has mysteriously grown by another £150.
Few cruise topics can start an argument faster than automatic gratuities. Mention removing them in a cruise Facebook group and you’ll have hundreds of comments, a heated debate about workers’ rights, and at least one person announcing they’ll never sail with that cruise line again.
But what actually happens if you decide to remove automatic gratuities? Would it save you money? How would the crew react? And perhaps most importantly, why do some passengers even consider doing it in the first place?
I decided to dig into this topic because tipping on cruises is far more complicated than it first appears. Here’s what I found.
Why Cruise Lines Use Automatic Gratuities
Cruise lines didn’t introduce automatic gratuities by accident.
The first reason is fairly simple. It helps ensure that hardworking crew members receive a steady and predictable income for the services they provide. Many crew members rely heavily on gratuities as a significant part of their earnings, as base pay can often be relatively low. That’s a whole separate discussion for another day.
The second reason is convenience.
Rather than expecting passengers to work out how much to tip their cabin steward, dining staff, assistant waiters and everyone else who contributes to their holiday, the cruise line handles the process automatically.
No awkward maths. No envelopes. No wondering if you’ve accidentally forgotten someone.
At least, that’s the idea.
Why Some Passengers Remove or Refuse Automatic Gratuities
Here’s where things get a little spicy.
Not everyone is thrilled about automatic gratuities, and there are several reasons why passengers choose to remove them.
Some cruisers feel that automatic gratuities take away their control. Their view is simple: if someone provides exceptional service, they’ll happily tip generously. If they don’t, why should everyone receive the same amount regardless of performance?
Others dislike what they see as a hidden charge.
After all, cruise fares are already packed with taxes, port fees, Wi-Fi packages, drinks packages, speciality dining and excursions. For some passengers, gratuities feel like yet another extra appearing after they’ve already booked.
Budget-conscious travellers and families can also feel the impact. Daily gratuities might not seem like much at first glance, but over a two-week cruise for a family of four, the total can quickly add up.
And then there are passengers who simply don’t agree with tipping culture at all.
Understanding Tipping Culture on Cruises
Part of the challenge is that cruise ships bring together people from all over the world.
In countries like the United States, tipping is deeply embedded into everyday life and is often considered an expected part of paying for a service.
In other countries, including much of Europe, tipping tends to be far less common. It’s often viewed as a reward for exceptional service rather than something that automatically accompanies every transaction.
Cruise ships operate somewhere in the middle.
Many crew members come from countries where cruise employment provides valuable income opportunities, and gratuities form an important part of their compensation. For crew, gratuities aren’t simply a nice bonus. They’re often a meaningful part of what they take home each month.
Understanding that context doesn’t mean you have to agree with the system, but it does explain why discussions around gratuities can become surprisingly emotional.
What Actually Happens When You Remove Automatic Gratuities?
So let’s get to the question everyone wants answered.
What happens if you head down to Guest Services and ask for them to be removed?
Check The Cruise Line’s Policy First
Not all cruise lines handle gratuities the same way.
Some cruise lines allow passengers to adjust, reduce or remove gratuities during the cruise. Others have moved towards making gratuities mandatory or including them in the cruise fare from the outset.
Before you sail, it’s worth understanding exactly how your cruise line handles service charges.
Crew Members May Notice
Let’s be realistic.
Crew members aren’t standing behind reception refreshing a spreadsheet showing who removed their gratuities.
However, gratuities are often pooled and distributed among various departments. Removing them does ultimately reduce the amount of money flowing into that system.
If you remove gratuities and don’t replace them with direct tips, the crew will feel the impact financially, even if they never know exactly who removed them.
Will Your Service Change?
This is probably the biggest fear passengers have.
Despite what some cruise forums might suggest, your cabin steward isn’t going to hide your towels, and your waiter isn’t going to suddenly forget your drink order because you visited Guest Services.
The overwhelming majority of crew remain professional regardless of whether a passenger removes gratuities.
That said, gratuities exist to reward service. Some passengers feel more comfortable leaving them in place because they know the crew are being compensated fairly through the established system.
Tips For Managing Gratuities Your Way
If you’d prefer a more hands-on approach to tipping, there are ways to do it respectfully.
Research Your Cruise Line’s Policy
Before boarding, understand whether gratuities are optional, adjustable or already included in your fare.
Tip Individually
Many passengers who remove automatic gratuities choose to tip crew members directly in cash.
This allows them to personally reward staff who made a positive impact on their holiday.
Be Polite
If you decide to remove gratuities, there’s no need to make a dramatic speech at Guest Services.
A simple, polite conversation is all that’s needed.
Budget For Tips
If you’re planning to tip independently, set money aside before you travel so you’re not scrambling for cash at the end of the cruise.
Is Removing Automatic Gratuities Worth It?
The answer really depends on your priorities.
If you want complete control over who receives your tips and how much they receive, removing automatic gratuities may appeal to you.
If you prefer simplicity, convenience and knowing that crew members are receiving their share through the existing system, leaving them in place may feel like the better option.
Neither approach is universally right or wrong.
Should We Scold People Who Remove Gratuities?
Personally, no.
Cruise gratuities have somehow become the cruising equivalent of discussing politics at Christmas dinner. Everyone has an opinion and everyone seems convinced they’re right.
As someone from the UK, I completely understand why some people look at automatic gratuities and raise an eyebrow.
We’re simply not used to tipping culture being quite so intense. Most Brits are happy to leave a tip for excellent service, but being told exactly how much you’ll be tipping before you’ve even met your waiter can feel a little unusual.
I also think we need to give people some grace.
Not everyone comes from a culture where tipping is expected, and not everyone understands how cruise gratuities work the first time they sail.
There’s also the uncomfortable elephant in the room.
Shouldn’t cruise lines simply pay crew enough that gratuities aren’t necessary in the first place?
It’s a fair question.
The problem is that until the industry changes, removing gratuities doesn’t really punish the cruise line. It primarily reduces the income of the people cleaning cabins, serving meals and working incredibly hard to make your holiday enjoyable.
One Reddit user summed it up perfectly:
“You don’t have to agree with how cruise workers are paid, but don’t make it worse for them, especially when they are working their asses off to give you a great vacation.”
It’s hard to argue with that.
Cruise Lines With Tips Included
One noticeable trend in recent years is the number of cruise lines that have moved towards including gratuities in the fare.
For passengers who dislike thinking about tipping altogether, this can be a huge selling point.
Luxury & All-Inclusive Cruise Lines
Azamara – Gratuities included in the fare.
Crystal Cruises – Tips for dining staff, butlers and cabin attendants included.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Gratuities fully included.
Silversea Cruises – Tips included in the fare.
Seabourn – Gratuities included throughout the onboard experience.
Scenic Ocean & River Cruises – Gratuities included.
Explora Journeys – Service charges and gratuities included.
Premium & Mainstream Cruise Lines
Virgin Voyages – All gratuities included. No daily service charges and no expectation to tip.
Marella Cruises – Gratuities included.
P&O Cruises – Service charges included since 2019.
Celestyal Cruises – Gratuities included across fares.
Saga Ocean Cruises – Gratuities included as part of their all-inclusive approach.
Geographic Exceptions
MSC Cruises – Service charges are often included on UK and European bookings, but may still apply on some US bookings.
What About You?
At the end of the day, cruise gratuities sit in that awkward grey area where nobody is entirely wrong and nobody is entirely right.
Some passengers see them as a fair way to reward hardworking crew members.
Others see them as a hidden charge that should have been included in the cruise fare from day one.
Personally, if I’d rather not think about tipping while I’m on holiday, I’d rather book a cruise where it’s already included and be done with it. My blood pressure doesn’t need another onboard debate.
If you’re looking for a cruise where tipping isn’t expected, there are more options than ever before, especially in the premium and luxury market.