🛳️ Cruise Automatic Gratuity, June 2026 update
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We covered cruise line tipping policies a few months ago in Cruise Automatic Gratuity or not to Gratuity. It remains a heated topic among passengers.
Here are a few updates that we’ve incorporated in that main article.
Margaritaville At Sea charges $22 per day per person and it’s mandatory. This isn’t new. But cruisers continue to be surprised they can’t remove it, since they can on other lines. Margaritaville is building a solid reputation as a better-than-expected cruise line with a budget price. Be sure to consider the required full tip fee when comparing cruise prices and make sure it’s in your budget.
Virgin Voyages is deceptive. When purchasing your cabin online they give you the option to pay for the gratuities (currently $20 per person per night). If you decline the option, you are NOT declining the automatic charge. You’re only passing on their early prepay discount. You’ll still be charged gratuities on your shipboard bill. You’ll have to go to customer service onboard to remove them.
We personally reject the automatic gratuities.
They can represent a surprisingly large percentage of overall cruise pricing.
Cruisers should tip service and cabin attendants just like they do at a regular restaurant or hotel.
Cruisers should not have to tip for services they don’t use.
It’s a deceptive and non-standard business practice. Cruise lines are requiring passengers to pay part of non-frontline staff compensation. If staff need to be paid more, then the companies need to pay it directly or include it in the cabin price.