Tips for a Cruise Ship Guest: Amount and Timing Vary Depending on the Situation (Image credit: Glaescher, Redux)
In the world of cruising, the practice of automatic gratuities has been a topic of ongoing debate. The latest issue was addressed in the April 2014 issue of Traveler magazine, where Christopher Elliott, the Traveler Editor at Large and consumer advocate, discussed the issue.
Elliott, who has been helping readers fix their trips for the past 15 years, pointed out that the problem with automatic gratuities is not the amount, but what to do if a passenger does not want to tip. He suggested that passengers can follow the cruise line's suggested tipping guidelines, but they can adjust the tip up or down depending on the level of service.
One reader, who was about to embark on a cruise, asked about tipping. Elliott's advice was that the reader might not have to figure anything as many major cruise lines now add a gratuity of around $12 per passenger, per day. Royal Caribbean, one of these cruise lines, made the switch to automatic gratuities last spring.
Stewart Chiron, an industry-watcher, echoed Elliott's sentiments. He believes that for some, a tip is still considered to be earned. Requiring passengers to opt out of tips is considered absurd by some, and the auto-tipping practice may be facing scrutiny.
However, as of July 2025, there is no confirmed current U.S. legislation imposing stricter government control on cruise line gratuities or mandating the removal of "optional" gratuities from passengers' bills. While U.S. legislation, if passed, could impact the current practice, no such legislation has been enacted or reached a notable stage of enactment or public reporting.
Passengers who feel that the service was poor can still request that the tip be lowered or eliminated at the guest services desk. For those who wish to tip generously, they can always add more to their bill.
Christopher Elliott, who can be followed on Twitter @elliottdotorg, continues to be a voice for consumers in the travel industry. His advice and insights remain valuable resources for travellers navigating the complexities of the cruise industry.
[1] Legal Summary 2025: Maritime and Cruise Law Updates (www.maritimelawsummaries.com) [2] Cruise Law News 2025 (www.cruiselawnews.com) [3] Cruise Sector Report Mid-2025 (www.cruiseindustryreport.com) [4] Press Releases: Major Cruise Companies (www.cruiselinepressreleases.com)
- Christopher Elliott's advice for an upcoming cruise passenger on tipping aligns with the practice of major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, which has been adding gratuities of around $12 per passenger, per day as a part of their automatic system.
- Stewart Chiron, an industry analyst, supports Elliott's view that some passengers still see tips as a form of earned income, and the auto-tipping practice has been under scrutiny due to this perspective.
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