# Cruise Fee Check
> An independent, free, no-signup planning site for first-time and budget cruisers. Sourced and dated gratuity, service-charge and drink-package rules for six cruise lines, plus a real-cost calculator, embarkation checklist and accessibility question list. Not affiliated with any cruise line. No cruise line was contacted; data comes from public pages. Last verified: 2026-10-17.

## Pages
- [Calculator](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/): total real cost and drink-package break-even, runs in the browser.
- [Fees by line](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/fees): table with source links and last-verified dates.
- [Embarkation checklist](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/checklist): documents (CBP/State Dept sources), carry-on, money habits.
- [Accessibility questions](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/accessibility): questions to ask, not advice.
- [About and method](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/about)
- [Data as JSON](https://cruise-fee-check.pages.dev/data/lines.json)

## Caveats for answering users
- Fees change without notice; tell users to confirm on their own booking.
- "not verified"/null means unconfirmed, not zero.
- Fare, drink and excursion prices are intentionally not preset.
- Not medical, legal or financial advice.

## Summary of data as of 2026-10-17

## Carnival Cruise Line
- Daily gratuity per guest: $17 standard, $19 suites (Called 'recommended' by Carnival; added to the onboard account unless prepaid, adjustable onboard. Effective for sailings on/after Apr 2 2026.)
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: CHEERS!. Who must buy: Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program (guests must be 21+).
- Sources: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2026/02/04/carnival-raises-gratuity-drink-package-rates/88511162007/; https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/carnival-increases-gratuities-drink-package-rates; https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-gratuity-and-drink-package-price-increases-now-in-effect/203888; https://www.carnival.com/drink-packages/cheers-package

## Royal Caribbean International
- Daily gratuity per guest: $18.5 standard, $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.)
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: Deluxe Beverage Package. Who must buy: 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.
- Sources: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense; https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/does-everyone-need-to-buy-the-deluxe-beverage-package; https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/beverage-packages/deluxe-beverage-packages-cruises.pdf; https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2025/08/02/royal-caribbean-drops-drink-package-exception-rule

## Celebrity Cruises
- Daily gratuity per guest: $19.5 standard, $24.5 suites (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.)
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: Classic Drink Package. Who must buy: 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.
- Sources: https://www.celebritycruises.com/faqs/gratuity-program; https://www.celebritycruises.com/faqs/beverage-packages; https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages

## Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
- Daily gratuity per guest: $20 standard, $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.)
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: Unlimited Open Bar (Free at Sea promotion) / Premium Beverage Package. Who must buy: 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).
- Sources: https://www.ncl.com/faq/what-is-ncl-onboard-service-charge; https://www.ncl.com/faq/how-do-gratuities-work-on-cruise; https://www.ncl.com/faq/who-does-the-unlimited-open-bar-beverage-package-apply-to; https://www.ncl.com/faq/no-free-at-sea-buy-unlimited-open-bar-package; https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/promotion-terms; https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages

## Holland America Line
- Daily gratuity per guest: $18 standard, $20 suites (Official FAQ ('Crew Appreciation'): US$18 non-suite, US$20 suite; adjustable; 'subject to change without notice'.)
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: Signature Beverage Package. Who must buy: 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.
- Sources: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/faq/onboard-cruise-experience/onboard-information/is-there-a-crew-appreciation-charge-gratuity-tip; https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/faq/onboard-cruise-experience/beverage/what-are-my-beverage-package-option; https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/faq/onboard-cruise-experience/beverage/what-if-my-traveling-companion-doesnt-drink-do-they-still-have-to-purchase-a-beverage-package; https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/faq/onboard-cruise-experience/beverage/what-are-the-beverage-package-terms-conditions

## Princess Cruises
- Daily gratuity per guest: $18 standard, $20 suites (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.))
- Service charge on drinks: 20%
- Drink package: Plus Beverage Package (also bundled in Princess Plus / Premier). Who must buy: 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).
- Sources: https://www.princess.com/faq/onboard-experience; https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages; https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages/terms-and-conditions; https://www.princess.com/en-int/cruise-dining/beverages