Cruise Tipping Charges Are Out of Control, Say Passengers

Cruise passengers are getting hit with a familiar vacation surprise: the bill that keeps growing after they book.

Daily gratuities, drink-package service charges, specialty dining fees, and other automatic add-ons have become a flashpoint for travelers who say cruise vacations are being advertised one way, yet priced another.

Frustration is mounting as several cruise lines have raised their gratuity or service charges in 2026.

Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to change its gratuity structure. As of June 1, guests onboard Holland America ships will pay daily 'crew appreciation' charges of $18 per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $20 per day for suites.

Carnival Cruise Line also raised its gratuities earlier this spring, which brought Carnival's daily gratuities to $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites.

Cruise lines have long relied on automatic gratuities. But in recent years, tipping fatigue has crept in across restaurants, coffee shops, and other venues, especially those that use self-checkout screens.

Travelers are speaking out against the additional fees, saying that companies should be more upfront about the full cost of a trip.