Behind every smooth cruise experience is a crew working nonstop to make sure your vacation feels effortless. But when it comes to tipping, many cruisers are left wondering: is it still necessary? With gratuities automatically added to most cruise bills, some argue there’s no need to tip extra.
On the other hand, some feel strongly that tipping in cash is the only real way to show appreciation. Online forums are filled with heated debates—should you remove the automatic charges and tip who you want directly? Should you leave the daily charges on and assume that’s enough? Or do both?
That leads to the bigger question: what do the crew members themselves actually think? The people working 12-hour days, away from home for months at a time, how do they really feel about prepaid tips, extra envelopes, and the guests who opt out entirely?
To answer this, I looked into what crew members have shared firsthand, how the system actually works behind the scenes, and the small gestures that can matter just as much as money.
What Crew Members Really Think About Tipping
Cruise guests often debate whether tipping truly matters—but for the crew, it’s not much of a debate at all. In a popular Reddit post, a Royal Caribbean crew member shared their honest perspective after working multiple contracts on Adventure, Allure, and Wonder of the Seas. They wrote:
“Your cash tips, no matter how big or small help us (most especially crews from ‘developing’ countries like myself) tremendously. We are paid a livable wage, and well! But every dollar is something extra we can bring back home to our families.”
The comment points out something many cruisers might not think about—that tips often help support crew members’ families back home. Whether it’s a few dollars or a larger gesture, that money can mean groceries, school supplies, or even savings for loved ones.
At the same time, the crew member offered an understanding view for those who might be cruising on a tight budget:
“But if you prefer not to tip, that is completely okay!!”
Not everyone can tip extra, and that’s okay. What matters just as much is how you treat the crew—simple kindness and recognition can really make their day.
How Cruise Gratuities Actually Work
On most major cruise lines, gratuities are automatically added to your account—usually $14 to $20 per person, per day—to help fairly compensate the crew members who clean your cabin, serve your meals, and work behind the scenes.
Rather than going to just one person, these automatic tips are pooled and split among various service staff, including your room steward, main dining room servers, and even less-visible roles like kitchen staff and laundry crew. How tips are divided varies, but the goal is to support everyone who keeps the ship running.
Some cruise lines allow you to opt out of automatic gratuities—but doing so sends a strong message. While it may seem like a way to take control or tip individually, the reality is that removing tips can reduce the earnings of crew members who don’t get the chance to interact with you directly.
Even with prepaid gratuities, if a crew member goes above and beyond, a little extra in cash is always appreciated. Also, some cruisers will leave an envelope for their steward or dining team on the final night as an extra thank-you—on top of the standard gratuities already in place.
What You Can Do Instead of Tipping (Or In Addition)
Tipping isn’t the only way to show appreciation on a cruise—and for some guests, it’s not always possible. Whether you’re looking to go the extra mile or simply want to say thanks in a more personal way, there are plenty of small gestures that can mean just as much to the crew.
Mention Their Name in the Post-Cruise Survey
If there’s one simple thing that can truly change a crew member’s day, it’s mentioning their name in the post-cruise survey. This tiny act of recognition can lead to perks like a day off, special rewards like the VIC (Very Important Crew) scratch card, or even being nominated for Employee of the Month.
One Royal Caribbean crew member explained that survey mentions can unlock extras like free internet, special meals, or even bonus money. As they put it: “Being mentioned by name in surveys means the world to us. You have no idea what that recognition can unlock.”
Write a Personal Note or Thank-You Letter
Never underestimate the power of a handwritten thank-you. Many crew members treasure personal notes from guests, sometimes keeping them in their wallets or taping them to their cabin walls as a reminder of why they do what they do. Even a few thoughtful words can go a long way.
Call Them by Name and Say Thank You
Saying “thank you” is always appreciated—but saying it with someone’s name takes it to the next level. On a ship with thousands of crew members and thousands of guests, it’s rare for a staff member to be remembered by name.
That’s why it means so much. If you can’t recall every name, no worries—many cruisers take photos of name tags or jot down notes in their phones. As one crew member put it: “We remember you. If you remember us too, it makes us feel seen.”
Be Thoughtful with Gifts (But Also Cautious)
While small gifts like chocolates or souvenirs may seem thoughtful, cruise lines have strict rules about what crew can accept. Alcohol, large items, or anything from onboard shops can put crew at risk unless approved by a manager and recorded on CCTV.
If you want to give something, it’s best to first check with a supervisor to avoid getting the crew in trouble. As one crew member noted: “We can’t bring shop items home unless we have a receipt. Please be careful—it could cost someone their job.”
Treat Them Like People, Not Staff
Sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can do is treat the crew with genuine kindness. Ask about their home country, share a smile, or say thank you in their language. Many are away from family for months, working long hours—so a small gesture or friendly conversation can truly brighten their day.
Do Crew Members Actually Get Your Tips?
Many cruisers wonder, “Where does that daily gratuity actually end up?” The good news is, it does go to the crew. On most cruise lines, those automatic charges are pooled and then distributed across a range of service staff, including your stateroom attendant, dining room team, and even crew behind the scenes like kitchen workers and laundry staff.
The cruise line itself doesn’t take a cut, but it does handle the distribution, which some guests feel isn’t entirely transparent. Still, for many crew, these gratuities are not just appreciated—they’re essential.
Most crew members, especially those working as waitstaff or cabin stewards, do receive a base salary, but it’s typically quite low by Western standards. Gratuities (whether automatic or cash) make up a significant portion of their total income, and in many cases, they count on tips to earn a decent income.
Some passengers, especially those from countries without tipping cultures, are surprised to learn how much crew rely on these contributions. There’s sometimes a belief that gratuities are just a kind gesture on top of a full salary—but for many crew members, it’s the core of their earnings.
And when guests remove or reduce those tips, even with good intentions, it can have real consequences. It’s worth remembering that the few dollars you save might be money that someone else was counting on to support their family.
Prepaid Gratuities vs. Cash Tips: What’s Better?
Both prepaid gratuities and cash tips have their place, and the best approach often depends on your style of cruising. Prepaid tips are simple and consistent—they’re automatically added to your onboard account, help with budgeting, and ensure that everyone working behind-the-scenes gets a fair share.
On the other hand, cash tips can feel more personal and allow you to recognize standout crew members directly. Some crew say these gestures mean more because they know exactly who it came from and why. Many cruisers actually do both: they leave the automatic gratuities in place, and then offer extra cash to those who went above and beyond.
Why Some Passengers Remove Tips—and What Happens When They Do
Some passengers remove daily gratuities because they’re on a tight budget—and for a 7-day cruise, that can mean saving over $250 for a couple. Others do it as a form of protest, frustrated that cruise lines rely on guests to cover worker pay instead of raising wages themselves.
Still, it’s important to know that gratuities are often divided among a large team, including behind-the-scenes staff who depend on them. Removing tips might save you $100–$150, but for crew, it can be a big hit to their weekly income.
If you’re unhappy with service, speak with Guest Services instead of quietly removing the charge. But if you’re open about your reason—especially financial—most crew will understand.
Wondering if you can skip cruise gratuities? Here’s what you need to know.
The Bottom Line
Tipping on a cruise isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a key part of how crew members earn a living. Whether you leave the automatic gratuities in place or prefer handing out cash to those who went above and beyond, the important thing is showing appreciation in some form.
Keep in mind that most crew members aren’t expecting extravagant gifts or large tips. They just want to feel acknowledged for the hard work they do, often for long hours, far from home.
If you truly can’t afford to tip extra, that’s okay. A kind word, a handwritten note, or mentioning someone’s name in the post-cruise survey can go a surprisingly long way. Removing gratuities might feel like a stand against the cruise line, but in most cases, it ends up impacting the people who made your vacation smooth and enjoyable.
Many experienced cruisers leave the daily tips in place and still take time to thank the crew personally. After all, your twenty dollars might be their pizza night, a phone call home, or a small gift for their child. So if someone made your trip special, find a way to make their week a little brighter in return.
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