Cruise Tipping Guidelines

A general rule of thumb is to plan for about $2.50 to $3.00 per person per day for your room steward and dining room waiter, and about half that amount for your busboy. (A few cruise lines include tipping in the price and will so inform you.)

Other ship personnel can be tipped for special services at your discretion. Some recommendations include $1.50 per day per person for your assistant waiter, and a total of $2.50 per person for your head waiter on three- and four-night cruises (for seven-night and longer cruises, head-waiter gratuities are at your discretion). All gratuities must be paid in cash. (Note that a 15 percent gratuity is often added automatically to your bar bill or wine tab when you are served.)

Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver on shore excursions is strictly optional. But keep in mind that in some countries, these personnel may expect that if you are pleased with their services, you will reward them. A commonly accepted guideline is $1 per person for a half-day tour and $2 per person for a full-day tour.