Tipping on a Cruise

How much and who on your cruise should be tipped? When and how should tips be given? The whole custom can be the source of considerable anxiety.

Individual ship profiles found under the "Ships & Ratings" heading above will provide precise guidelines for tipping on any ship. Guidelines will be repeated onboard, probably by your ship's cruise director. Gratuities are placed in envelopes from your cabin's stationery supply. Generally, passengers on cruises of 10 days or less will tip at the end of the cruise. On longer voyages, tipping weekly may be the norm.

In order to make tipping as convenient as possible, Costa now charges gratuities to your account automatically.

Tips on Tipping

Cabin steward
$3.50 to $4.00 per person per day

Waiter
$3.50 to $4.00 per person per day

Assistant waiter
$1.50 to $2.00 per person per day

Bartender, wine and deck stewards
10-15% of the bill

Maitre d'
$5.00 to $10.00 tip for each special service