What’s the deal with tipping on Princess Cruises?

Before you set sail on a cruise, you want to be clear on exactly what to expect in terms of tipping as each cruise line varies. So if you’re wondering about tipping on Princess Cruises we’re here to assuage any concerns, answer your questions and give you all of our top…tips.

If you book a standard fare with Princess Cruises, tipping is compulsory, yes. Daily gratuities are added to your onboard account each day, “to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of all guests,” states the cruise brand.

Tips can either be pre-paid using Princess Cruises’ ‘Manage Booking’ feature, or else at the end of your holiday. 

While many popular cruise lines now include tips in their overall price, Princess cruise tips are still a requirement for travelers booked under a standard fare. 

However, guests who book one of Princess’ upgraded packages such as ‘Princess Plus’ and ‘Princess Premier’ receive several included benefits like drinks, wi-fi, and also gratuities. 

So, one way of avoiding a large tip bill at the end of your Princess cruise holiday is to treat yourself and upgrade, thereby getting a whole host of other benefits thrown in too – winning!

– READ MORE: Princess Cruises’ new all-inclusive package –

If for any reason you’re particularly unhappy with your service and experience during a Princess cruise, it is possible to adjust the ‘Crew Appreciation’ fee at your own discretion. This can be actioned at any time during the trip, up to the point at which you settle your onboard account before disembarking. 

Word of warning: if you don’t choose to adjust the daily charge while onboard, your payment becomes final and nonrefundable.

How much is tipping on Princess?

The daily amount for guests traveling under a standard fare starts at $17pp per day. For guests staying in suite accommodation, the fee is a little higher at $19pp per day.

On top of this, there is a non-refundable service charge of 18 percent (ouch!) that’s automatically added to optional purchases of things such as beverage packages, drinks, specialty dining, private group functions, and other chosen products, services or amenities that aren’t included in the original cruise fare.

What happens if you don’t tip on a cruise? 

Time to walk the plank! Well, not quite, but we would strongly counsel against it, as, for the most part (in this case Princess Cruises in particular), crew are renowned for their attentive and friendly service, so it’s a nice gesture of thanks to all of their hard work – a lot of which goes on behind the scenes. 

In actual fact, nothing happens. You are at liberty to remove your Princess Cruises tips at any point during your cruise if you are dissatisfied, and the same goes for all other major cruise lines where tips aren’t included.

– READ MORE: Inside Princess Cruises 360 immersive dining experience –

While you may wish to bring cash on your Princess cruise, it is by no means necessary. Princess Cruises accept every form of payment, from American Express to even cheques! Old school, we like it.

Princess Cruises tips in cash are possible, however, the cruise line has a strict policy whereby any individual cash tips must be turned in by the crew member and shared out among the team, so the individual crew member won’t get to keep it all. 

Lots of holidaymakers also like to bring cash for shore excursions as some destinations might have cash-only venues, but again, this is entirely optional. 

What’s included on a Princess cruise?

For guests booking a standard Princess cruise fare, though tips may not be included, there’s lots of other great stuff that is. All accommodation, meals (excluding specialty restaurants), entertainment, onboard activities, selected soft drinks such as tea, coffee, lemonade and iced tea, and most fitness activities are included.

Every guest also receives the ‘MedallionClass experience’: a futuristic medallion which you can wear as a necklace, bracelet or lanyard and use to receive personalized service, unlock doors, and even track down your fellow cruise companions.