Grand Princess Gratuities, tipping, and service charges on a Princess Cruise are a topic many guests have questions about before their cruise. Princess charges a crew appreciation gratuity to guests that is automatically applied to their onboard spending account based on the stateroom type and number of cruise days. There are also service charges that are assessed for onboard services & amenities not included in the base cruise fare. In my latest post I take a look at Princess Cruises' gratuity and service charge policies as of September 2024.
Last Updated: 9/15/2024
Last Updated: 9/15/2024
Princess Cruises Daily Gratuity
The daily gratuity rate onboard Princess Cruises' ships is referred to as "Crew Appreciation" by the cruise line. This crew appreciation gratuity is added to each guest's onboard account and is a per person per day amount. Crew members from various departments will receive a portion of this gratuity. Princess Cruises pools the gratuity (net of any credit card transaction fees) and distributes to crew members across bar, dining, entertainment, housekeeping, guest services, galley, and onboard revenue areas. According to Princess Cruises' website, the pooled funds from the gratuity are paid as a form of compensation which could include as a bonus.
How much is the Princess Cruises daily gratuity?
This varies by the type of stateroom you are staying in for the cruise. As of 9/15/2024 the daily gratuity rates are as follows:
Interior, Oceanview, & Balcony Rooms - $17 US dollars per day
Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Club Class - $18 US dollars per day
Suites - $19 US dollars per day
The daily gratuity rate onboard Princess Cruises' ships is referred to as "Crew Appreciation" by the cruise line. This crew appreciation gratuity is added to each guest's onboard account and is a per person per day amount. Crew members from various departments will receive a portion of this gratuity. Princess Cruises pools the gratuity (net of any credit card transaction fees) and distributes to crew members across bar, dining, entertainment, housekeeping, guest services, galley, and onboard revenue areas. According to Princess Cruises' website, the pooled funds from the gratuity are paid as a form of compensation which could include as a bonus.
How much is the Princess Cruises daily gratuity?
This varies by the type of stateroom you are staying in for the cruise. As of 9/15/2024 the daily gratuity rates are as follows:
Interior, Oceanview, & Balcony Rooms - $17 US dollars per day
Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Club Class - $18 US dollars per day
Suites - $19 US dollars per day
Can I adjust the amount that is automatically applied to my onboard spending account?
Princess Cruises does allow guests to adjust the amount of the crew appreciation gratuity. However, this must be done while on the ship before disembarkation. Generally, guests who pre-pay the crew appreciation gratuity or purchased through Princess Plus cannot make adjustments downward onboard.
Can I prepay my crew appreciation gratuity before the cruise?
Yes, Princess Cruises allows guests to pre-pay the crew appreciation gratuity before the cruise. According to Princess Cruises guests who pre-pay the gratuity will not have the charges automatically added to their onboard spending account. If you do pre-pay your crew appreciation gratuity just make sure to double-check your spending account while on your Princess Cruise to verify you didn't accidentally get charged again.
How does the gratuity work for Princess Plus guests?
If you are a Princess Plus customer your gratuity payment for crew appreciation has been bundled into your cruise fare. Generally, this amount is non-refundable unless otherwise allowed by Princess Cruises' refund policy. You should not be charged again for crew appreciation onboard.
Princess Cruises does allow guests to adjust the amount of the crew appreciation gratuity. However, this must be done while on the ship before disembarkation. Generally, guests who pre-pay the crew appreciation gratuity or purchased through Princess Plus cannot make adjustments downward onboard.
Can I prepay my crew appreciation gratuity before the cruise?
Yes, Princess Cruises allows guests to pre-pay the crew appreciation gratuity before the cruise. According to Princess Cruises guests who pre-pay the gratuity will not have the charges automatically added to their onboard spending account. If you do pre-pay your crew appreciation gratuity just make sure to double-check your spending account while on your Princess Cruise to verify you didn't accidentally get charged again.
How does the gratuity work for Princess Plus guests?
If you are a Princess Plus customer your gratuity payment for crew appreciation has been bundled into your cruise fare. Generally, this amount is non-refundable unless otherwise allowed by Princess Cruises' refund policy. You should not be charged again for crew appreciation onboard.
Princess Cruises Services Charges
Princess Cruises also has service charges that are assessed as part of making purchases for various services or amenities not found in a typical cruise fare.
Specialty Dining & Specialty Food Items
Guests purchasing specialty dining or specialty food items will be charged a 17% service charge. However, this category of service charges is unique as the 17% service charge is already built into the total cover charge. Guests will not be assessed anything for service charges additional beyond the stated cover charge price.
Drinks, Drink Packages, & Beverages
Drink packages and drinks will incur an 18% service charge that is added on top of the stated menu price.
The corkage fee is 18%, but is already built into the menu price of the item so guests should not be charged extra for the corkage fee.
Private Group Functions
Guests who have a private group function will be charged 18% of the total cost of the function.
SPA Services
The service charge for SPA Services is 18%. One thing to note about SPA services is the service charge is not pooled amongst crew members for the fleet.
Princess Cruises also has service charges that are assessed as part of making purchases for various services or amenities not found in a typical cruise fare.
Specialty Dining & Specialty Food Items
Guests purchasing specialty dining or specialty food items will be charged a 17% service charge. However, this category of service charges is unique as the 17% service charge is already built into the total cover charge. Guests will not be assessed anything for service charges additional beyond the stated cover charge price.
Drinks, Drink Packages, & Beverages
Drink packages and drinks will incur an 18% service charge that is added on top of the stated menu price.
The corkage fee is 18%, but is already built into the menu price of the item so guests should not be charged extra for the corkage fee.
Private Group Functions
Guests who have a private group function will be charged 18% of the total cost of the function.
SPA Services
The service charge for SPA Services is 18%. One thing to note about SPA services is the service charge is not pooled amongst crew members for the fleet.
For more information about Princess Cruises' crew appreciation gratuities or service charges please click here for Princess Cruises' onboard FAQ (link will take you away to Princess Cruises' website). Please keep in mind policies around gratuities, services charges, and tipping are subject to change at any time so make sure you check out Princess Cruises' information for the latest.