Cruise Gratuities, Taxes and Fees: Planning the Total Cost
Plan the total from the fare plus the rows the fare leaves extra. A single taxes-and-fees figure is Not listed, and gratuities are a separate charge on several standard fares.
It’s All Cruises · October 25, 2026
The number on the sailing is not the full trip until gratuities, taxes and the extras you will use are in the same total. Taxes and port fees are Not listed as one amount in these fare tables. Gratuities are described, and on some fares they are included.
Quick facts
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Taxes and fees, one number | Not listed |
| Royal Caribbean gratuities | Extra. Daily service charge added separately |
| Carnival gratuities | Extra. Daily service charge added separately |
| Princess Plus and Premier | Gratuities included |
| MSC, every recorded tier | Extra. Hotel service charge separate |
| Viking ocean, US bookings | Extra, including with Silver Spirits |
Gratuities on fares people compare
| Item | Royal Caribbean | Carnival | Norwegian Free at Sea | Free at Sea Plus | Princess Plus | Have It All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | Extra. Daily service charge added separately | Extra. Daily service charge added separately | Extra. Daily service charge separate unless a specific offer includes it | Included. Standard daily service charge; optional-service gratuities extra | Included | Extra. Daily crew appreciation separate |
| Wi-Fi | Extra. VOOM sold separately | Extra. Internet plans sold separately | Partly. 150 minutes per guest, one device | Included. Unlimited streaming, one device per eligible guest | Included. One device | Included. Surf plan; streaming excluded |
| Shore excursions | Extra | Extra | Partly. US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1 | Partly. US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1 | Extra | Partly. US$100-300 credit per guest by voyage length |
Have It All still lists daily crew appreciation as extra. Early Booking Bonus offers can add gratuities, and those are separate promotional terms.
Build the total in order
- Start with the sailing's cruise fare and its as-of date. Add taxes and fees from the quote, because they are Not listed here.
- Add gratuities only if the fare column says extra. Princess Plus, Princess Premier and Norwegian Free at Sea Plus include the standard charge.
- MSC charges the hotel service charge on Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club.
- Viking's ocean fare and Silver Spirits add-on both leave gratuities separate for US bookings.
- Wi-Fi and a shore excursion are often a second invoice. Count them only if you will buy them.
- Flights, hotels and parking sit outside the cruise fare. Port Canaveral parking is recorded separately at US$20 per day plus tax, checked October 6, 2026.
Inclusion rows checked September 20, 2026 unless a line note above says otherwise. Fares elsewhere in these guides are marketing prices, confirmed when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Are gratuities the same as a drink-package tip?
No. The daily service charge is its own row. Norwegian also notes extra gratuities on the beverage package.
Does Have It All include gratuities?
Not on the recorded Have It All column. Crew appreciation is separate. A promotion can add them, and that promotion is not this column.
Where do taxes appear?
They are Not listed as a dollar amount in the inclusion tables. Read them on the sailing quote rather than guessing a percent.
Does a higher fare label remove fees?
No. Luxury and premium labels do not fill in a missing taxes line. Oceania does include room and dining gratuities on its recorded choices. Regent's inclusion table is Not listed.
Filed under ocean, budget, write first