Cruise fees and drink-package rules by line
Gratuities, service charges and drink-package rules for six mainstream cruise lines, each with the page it came from and the date we read it. Last verified: 2026-10-17. "Not verified" means we did not confirm it, so we show nothing instead of guessing.
Prices change. Example: in April 2026 Carnival raised daily gratuities by $1 (Cruise Hive, Apr 3 2026). Treat this page as a starting point and confirm on your own booking.
| Line | Daily gratuity per guest | Percentage service charges | Drink package covered | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | $17 (suites: $19) USD per guest per day | Drinks 20%; specialty dining 20%; spa not verified | CHEERS! | details & sources |
| Royal Caribbean International | $18.5 (suites: $21) USD per guest per day | Drinks 20%; specialty dining 20%; spa 20% | Deluxe Beverage Package | details & sources |
| Celebrity Cruises | $19.5 (suites: $24.5; Concierge and AquaClass staterooms: $20.5; The Retreat suites: $24.5) USD per guest per day | Drinks 20%; specialty dining 20%; spa 20% | Classic Drink Package | details & sources |
| Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) | $20 (suites: $25) USD per guest per day (ages 3 and up) | Drinks 20%; specialty dining 20%; spa 20% | Unlimited Open Bar (Free at Sea promotion) / Premium Beverage Package | details & sources |
| Holland America Line | $18 (suites: $20) USD per guest per day | Drinks 20%; specialty dining 20%; spa 18% | Signature Beverage Package | details & sources |
| Princess Cruises | $18 (suites: $20; Mini-Suites, Cabanas and Club Class: $19) USD per guest per day | Drinks 20%; specialty dining not verified; spa not verified | Plus Beverage Package (also bundled in Princess Plus / Premier) | details & sources |
Download the data as JSON (same numbers, with sources).
Carnival Cruise Line
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$17 per guest per day (standard cabins); $19 suites. Called 'recommended' by Carnival; added to the onboard account unless prepaid, adjustable onboard. Effective for sailings on/after Apr 2 2026.
news report of the line's own guest notice (carnival.com gratuity page would not load for our reader) Sources: USA Today, Feb 4 2026: Carnival raises gratuity and drink package rates Cruise Critic news: Carnival increases gratuities and drink package rates Cruise Hive, Apr 3 2026: increases now in effect
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Carnival's CHEERS! page prices the package as 'plus 20% service charge'. Cruise Hive reports the add-on service charge moved from 18% to 20% in Dec 2025.
Sources: Carnival CHEERS! page Cruise Hive, Apr 3 2026
Drink package: CHEERS!
- Price: $69.95 per person per day. US$69.95 per person per day pre-cruise, US$74.95 onboard, plus 20% service charge, per the page. Must be bought for the entire cruise.
- Everyone in the cabin? Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program (guests must be 21+).
- Limits: Up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours; drinks over US$20 get a 25% discount instead of being covered; state/local taxes may be charged in US waters.
Sources: Carnival CHEERS! page
Royal Caribbean International
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$18.5 per guest per day (standard cabins); $21 suites. Official FAQ: gratuities are optional and can be adjusted or removed at Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation; applied daily to SeaPass account if not prepaid.
official line page Sources: Royal Caribbean FAQ: gratuity price and policy
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Official FAQ: 20% gratuity auto-added to spa/salon, beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar; optional and adjustable.
Sources: Royal Caribbean FAQ: gratuity price and policy
Drink package: Deluxe Beverage Package
- Price: No default price recorded. Price varies by ship and sailing; not recorded here. Enter the price from your own booking.
- Everyone in the cabin? Anyone buying the Deluxe Beverage Package must buy it for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom (official FAQ). A Royal Caribbean spokesperson, quoted by Royal Caribbean Blog, said exceptions ended Aug 1 2025.
- Limits: Per the line's package PDF: covers single drinks up to a stated value (US$14 on select ships and dates); excludes room service, minibar, souvenir glassware and super-premium drinks above the cap.
Sources: Royal Caribbean FAQ: does everyone in my stateroom need the Deluxe package Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package PDF Royal Caribbean Blog, Aug 2 2025: exception rule dropped (third-party report)
Celebrity Cruises
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$19.5 per guest per day (standard cabins); $24.5 suites; Concierge and AquaClass staterooms: $20.5; The Retreat suites: $24.5. Official FAQ: US$19.50 for Inside, Oceanview and Veranda; US$20.50 Concierge and AquaClass; US$24.50 The Retreat. Optional, adjustable before the morning of disembarkation.
official line page Sources: Celebrity FAQ: gratuity program
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Official FAQ: 20% gratuity auto-added to spa/salon, beverages and packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar.
Sources: Celebrity FAQ: gratuity program
Drink package: Classic Drink Package
- Price: No default price recorded. Price varies by ship, itinerary and length; 20% gratuity is added at checkout. Enter your own booking price.
- Everyone in the cabin? All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must buy the same package (pre-cruise or onboard). The FAQ lists some exceptions; read the FAQ for the current list.
- Limits: Classic covers drinks up to a per-serving value stated in the FAQ (US$12 at last read).
Sources: Celebrity beverage packages FAQ Celebrity drink packages page
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$20 per guest per day (standard cabins); $25 suites. Official FAQ: for bookings made on/after Jan 1 2023, US$25 for The Haven and Suites; US$20 for Club Balcony Suite and below. Called an onboard service charge; can be prepaid; NCL says its service charge is refundable if you cancel.
official line page Sources: NCL FAQ: what is the onboard service charge NCL FAQ: how do gratuities work
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Official FAQ: 20% gratuity/service charge on beverage purchases, specialty dining and spa/salon.
Sources: NCL FAQ: how do gratuities work
Drink package: Unlimited Open Bar (Free at Sea promotion) / Premium Beverage Package
- Price: $45 per person per day. US$45 per person per day plus 20% gratuity plus taxes/fees is the ONBOARD price for the Unlimited Open Bar, purchasable in the first two days of the cruise (NCL FAQ). Pre-cruise and promotional pricing varies by sailing; enter your own booking price if different.
- Everyone in the cabin? NCL says the package applies to all guests 21 and older in the stateroom, and all guests in the stateroom must choose the same offer. Guests under 21 get soda/juice instead of the alcohol package (per NCL pages).
- Limits: NCL's promotion terms state limits such as two beverages per person per transaction, packages are personal and not shareable, and $15 off drinks in the Connoisseur's Collection/Signature Selection. Read the current terms for per-drink value caps.
Sources: NCL FAQ: who does the Unlimited Open Bar apply to NCL FAQ: buying Unlimited Open Bar onboard NCL promotional terms and conditions NCL beverage packages page
Holland America Line
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$18 per guest per day (standard cabins); $20 suites. Official FAQ ('Crew Appreciation'): US$18 non-suite, US$20 suite; adjustable; 'subject to change without notice'.
official line page Sources: Holland America FAQ: Crew Appreciation rates and charges
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Official FAQ: 20% on beverages, bar retail, specialty cover charges and a la carte items; 18% on spa and salon.
Sources: Holland America FAQ: Crew Appreciation rates and charges
Drink package: Signature Beverage Package
- Price: $55.95 per person per day. US$55.95 per guest per day pre-cruise per the FAQ; 20% service charge applies per the terms page.
- Everyone in the cabin? All adults of legal drinking age for the itinerary in the same stateroom must buy the same package for the whole cruise; underage guests must buy the Quench package.
- Limits: 15 drinks per day; Signature covers drinks priced up to US$12.
Sources: Holland America FAQ: beverage package options Holland America FAQ: non-drinking companion Holland America beverage package terms
Princess Cruises
Last verified 2026-10-17
Daily gratuity / service charge
$18 per guest per day (standard cabins); $20 suites; Mini-Suites, Cabanas and Club Class: $19. Official FAQ ('Crew Appreciation'): US$18 most staterooms, US$19 Mini-Suites/Cabanas/Club Class, US$20 Suites. Adjustable before you settle your account; not refundable after the cruise. The page notes a US$1 prepay discount that ended Mar 8 2026. (An older Princess policy page still shows US$17/18/19, so numbers differ by page; the FAQ above is the newer one.)
official line page Sources: Princess FAQ: onboard experience (Crew Appreciation)
Percentage charges on drinks, dining, spa
Princess beverage page: 'An 20% service charge will be applied to all itineraries excluding Australia' on beverage package prices. Specialty and spa rates not verified.
Sources: Princess beverages page
Drink package: Plus Beverage Package (also bundled in Princess Plus / Premier)
- Price: No default price recorded. Princess lists a 'value of $64.99 per day' for the Plus beverage package on its page, but pricing varies by sailing and is bought for the full length of the voyage; not used as a default. Enter your own booking price.
- Everyone in the cabin? Princess requires guests 1 and 2 on the reservation to buy the same Plus or Premier package; guests 3 and 4 are not required to (Princess Plus/Premier page).
- Limits: Plus: drinks up to US$15 each, 15 beverages per 24 hours (specialty coffee/tea and bottled water counted separately). Premier: drinks up to US$20 each, no daily limit on included alcoholic drinks. Packages cannot be shared. Terms updated Jan 14 2026 per Princess.
Sources: Princess Plus & Premier packages Princess Plus & Premier terms Princess beverages page