Cruise tipping charges are ‘out of control,’ say passengers as companies tout ‘exceptional service’

Article excerpt

Cruise lines are adding aggressive automatic tipping charges to passenger bills, with Holland America now imposing a $20-per-day "crew appreciation" fee on suite guests. Passengers increasingly push back against what they call ballooning gratuity expectations, while cruise companies defend the charges as compensation for exceptional service. The practice reflects broader industry tensions: lines say staff deserve higher pay, but travelers argue they're being nickel-and-dimed on already expensive vacations. Holland America and competitors like Royal Caribbean have quietly expanded these mandatory additions, which can easily exceed $100 per week for a family cabin.