Princess Cruises Gratuities And Service Charges: What You Actually Need to Know for 2026
Booking with Princess Cruises soon? Let's walk through gratuities and service charges in plain English, the way a travel advisor would explain it over the phone.
$18 per person, per day for Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms; $19 for Mini-Suite, Cabana, and Club Class; and $20 for full suites. This detail is easy to overlook when comparing headline cruise prices between lines, so it's worth factoring in early. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Our licensed cruise advisors track these terms daily and can confirm the exact rules for your sail date - call +1-800-406-8495 for a free consultation. This is one of the areas where policies can shift between cruise lines even under the same parent company, so don't assume they match. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are gratuities on Princess?
$18 per person, per day for Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms; $19 for Mini-Suite, Cabana, and Club Class; and $20 for full suites. This is one of the areas where policies can shift between cruise lines even under the same parent company, so don't assume they match. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I adjust or remove the automatic gratuity charge?
Guest Services can usually modify the daily charge, though this is meant to be an exception-handling tool, not a standard practice, since it's tied to crew pay. Crew members genuinely rely on this income, which is part of why most lines discourage using the adjustment option as a routine practice. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Are gratuities included if I prepay them before sailing?
Prepaying gratuities bundles the charge into your total cost before sailing, locking in the current rate rather than paying day by day. This detail is easy to overlook when comparing headline cruise prices between lines, so it's worth factoring in early. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Do drink packages and specialty dining include a service charge on top of gratuities?
Expect an added service charge, often 15-20%, on drink packages and specialty dining that's independent of your daily gratuity. If your sailing includes an all-inclusive-style fare, double-checking whether gratuities are actually bundled in avoids double-paying. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Are gratuities different for children?
Gratuity discounts for children are inconsistent - some lines offer them for very young kids, while most charge full rate once a child ages out of toddlerhood. This is one of the areas where policies can shift between cruise lines even under the same parent company, so don't assume they match. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
How do gratuities on Princess compare to other lines?
An advisor at +1-800-406-8495 can help you understand exactly how Princess's gratuity structure compares to competitors. Crew members genuinely rely on this income, which is part of why most lines discourage using the adjustment option as a routine practice. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Can I prepay gratuities before my Princess cruise instead of paying onboard?
Yes, most lines including Princess let you prepay the daily gratuity charge at final payment, which some guests prefer for budgeting rather than seeing it added onboard. If your sailing includes an all-inclusive-style fare, double-checking whether gratuities are actually bundled in avoids double-paying. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Do specialty restaurants have a separate gratuity from the daily charge?
Frequently, specialty restaurants tack on their own service fee independent of your standard daily gratuity - confirm per venue. Reviewing your onboard account periodically during the cruise helps you keep track of gratuity and other charges before the final bill. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Are gratuities included in Princess fares booked through a promotion?
It depends on the fare - some Princess promotions include gratuities, while standard pricing typically bills them separately. Prepaying can simplify your onboard budget considerably if you'd rather not think about a daily charge while traveling. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
What's a reasonable way to budget for gratuities on a weeklong cruise?
The easiest estimate is daily rate times number of nights times guests in the cabin, plus some cushion for service charges on drinks or specialty dining. Crew members genuinely rely on this income, which is part of why most lines discourage using the adjustment option as a routine practice. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.