shore excursion tip

The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Tipping

Should you be ready to tip left and right can you just provide one lump gratuity at the end of your sailing afar’s special cruise correspondent weighs in on the dos and don’ts of tipping on a cruise..

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Seabourn is among the select luxury cruise lines that includes all gratuities in its cruise fares.

Courtesy of Seabourn

Cruise lines are very upfront about their tipping policies. Unless you are on an all-inclusive ship that covers gratuities in the cruise fare, such as luxury cruise lines Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, it is recommended that you tip the crew.

How much to tip on a cruise is actually easier to figure out than you may think, with major cruise lines providing precise tipping guidelines and even automatically adding a suggested gratuity amount to passengers’ onboard account. Some cruise lines even allow passengers to prepay gratuities before they board. Thus, there’s usually no need to determine how much to tip each individual crew member, such as the waiter or the housekeeper—you can often do it all in one lump sum at the start or end of the cruise.

Why are tips expected? The gratuities are supplemental income for the international crew, who often work for low base wages knowing that tips will help augment the amount they are paid—in a similar manner to the tips waiters at your local restaurant receive. While not technically required, tips are generally expected when noted by the cruise line.

No matter the suggested amount, you are free to visit the purser’s desk on your ship to adjust based on the service you were provided. Passengers who are impressed by the service they received might add more, if they make any adjustment at all.

Here’s what to know about tipping on cruise ships.

How much are the suggested gratuities on a cruise?

The total daily tipping rates for cruise waitstaff, cabin stewards, and other shipboard personnel are typically outlined both on the cruise line’s website and on passengers’ cruise documents that they receive prior to their cruise.

The average suggestions for cruise tips amount to between $12 and $16 per passenger, per day—which for a standard seven-night cruise comes to between $84 and $112 extra per person, or $336 to $448 extra for a family of four. There may be an additional suggested amount (typically another $4 per day) for those staying in a suite with a personal butler. Some cruise lines (but not all) will suggest waiving gratuities for children under the age of three.

Many river cruise lines include the gratuities, but for those that don’t, the suggested range is between $10 and $20 per passenger, per day. Similarly, some expedition cruise lines include gratuities while those that don’t recommend a gratuity of around $10 to $15 per person, per day.

The money collected for tips is divided up between the dining service team (servers and assistant servers, for instance) and the cabin steward team (the people responsible for tidying accommodations). In the past, passengers had an assigned table and the same waitstaff throughout the entirety of their cruise. But now, on most cruise lines, guests can choose to dine wherever and whenever they like—a tipping pool ensures that everyone who takes care of passengers receives a tip.

It’s not necessary, but a small tip can be offered for in-room dining.

Photo by Shutterstock

Personally, when I have a great housekeeper, even on a ship that includes gratuities, I will leave a small cash bonus (maybe $20 per passenger) at the end of the cruise. The same goes for waiters. It’s also a nice gesture to hand a small tip ($1 to $2) to room service attendants, especially if they come to your cabin with heavily laden trays when you, for instance, order breakfast in bed.

While the bulk of tips may be made by credit card at the end of the cruise, having some small bills on hand during your cruise vacation is never a bad idea for some of the added gratuities you may want to provide. For these smaller tips, U.S. dollars are typically fine, though it doesn’t hurt to offer it in the local currency if you have some available.

Bar, spa, and specialty dining tipping

Tips for bar personnel are usually included in the bar bill at a rate of 15 to 20 percent of the total bill. The same automatic tipping applies in shipboard coffee bars and ice cream shops. Note that there may be a space on the bill for a tip, which passengers can use to add anything extra on top of the included gratuity, but it’s not necessary.

Some cruisers like to give a bartender a tip of around $20 at the start of a sailing hoping that they will get extra attention, but of course this strategy is completely at each passenger’s own discretion. At the end of a cruise, some may also hand off a few dollars to a favorite bar waiter.

Whether or not to tip a cruise ship bartender is at each passenger’s discretion.

Big ships will automatically add a gratuity of about 18 percent to your massage at the spa or to a blowout in the salon. There may also be a space for an extra tip if you want to add one. Small ships might not automatically add a tip, so be sure to check the bill and leave around 15 to 20 percent if a gratuity wasn’t included and you feel the service warrants it. Also, the spa is one service for which a tip often isn’t included even on luxury cruises that cover all other gratuities. So again, be sure to take a close look at the line’s policy regarding tipping.

At specialty restaurants where meals costs extra, gratuities are typically (but not always) included in the added fee, so be sure to ask about whether or not they are. Even if included, you are free to add more for service that goes above and beyond.

Additional gratuities off the ship

On shore excursions, it’s expected that passengers tip tour guides and bus drivers. How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion. Bond with your snorkel guide? Up the tip to $20.

Also expecting tips of around $1 to $2 per bag are the porters who collect bags at the pier. If a cruise includes a pre- or post-cruise hotel night, consider leaving a gratuity for the housekeeping staff at the hotel—I typically leave $2 to $5 per day.

Don’t tip everyone on a cruise

While cruisers can get overwhelmed by the extraordinary service and generous amount of tipping that can take place on any given sailing, there are some circumstances under which reaching into your wallet is neither expected nor customary—for instance, it is generally considered bad form to try to tip the captain, officers, and the rest of the management team, such as the hotel director, cruise director, and executive chef.

Cruise ship entertainers—such as these performers on Royal Caribbean’s “Symphony of the Seas"—don’t expect a gratuity.

Photo by Roy Riley/RCCL

The same is true with the entertainment team, with the exception of a piano player performing at a bar who may have a bowl for both tips and song requests.

No tipping is expected for the youth counselors who watch children at onboard kids’ clubs, though passengers can offer a gratuity to them if they would like.

Tipping on a Cruise Ship – The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Gratuities

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Cruise line tipping policies vary from one cruise company to another. However, there are a few common practices and guidelines. Even though cruise gratuities technically aren’t mandatory, they are customary on most mainstream cruise lines.

If you’re new to cruising, you might be wondering who to tip on a cruise, how much to tip, and exactly how onboard gratuities work.

I’ve got you covered! I’ve been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare .

In this post, I’ll be going through the cruise tipping policies by cruise line and answer some of the most common questions people have about gratuities on a cruise.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

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How Gratuities Work on a Cruise

If you’re going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. This amount varies by cruise line, however the average daily gratuity is $14-15 US per day, per passenger for a standard cabin and $17-18 a day for guests in suites. Cruise gratuities are divided among your cruise cabin steward, waiters and other crew members who work as support behind the scenes.

Some cruise lines refer to the gratuities as a crew incentive or a service fee, but essentially these are tips for crew members that are used to augment their low wages. In addition to the automatic daily gratuities, a tip or service fee of 15-20% is added to drinks and/or drink packages as well as spa services on a cruise.

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Can You Prepay Cruise Ship Gratuities?

You also have the option to prepay your gratuities before your cruise. This is a convenient option for cruise passengers that don’t want to think about extra charges once onboard. We like to prepay gratuities when we make our final payment for our cruise, but this is optional.

Read more: Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard?

Can You Pay Tips in Cash?

If you don’t prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your onboard account. Typically, this is associated with your credit card which you’ll be prompted to set up when you complete your online check in. However, if you prefer to pay off your account and daily gratuities in cash, you can do so by going to guest services.

When you book your cruise, you’ll be charged your cruise fare, port fees and taxes. However, your cruise vacation expenses won’t end there. You’ll want to factor in the cruise line gratuity charge, sometimes called on board service charges (Norwegian Cruise Line) .

How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities?

The average daily gratuity on a cruise is $14-15 USD per person  – approximately $30 per day, per couple in a cabin. A couple should budget about $200 in gratuities for a 7 day cruise. Most cruise lines charge for children as well, although there are some exceptions for very young children on select cruise lines.

Cruise Tipping Guidelines by Cruise Line

Wondering how much gratuities are on a cruise? Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines.

Prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and cruise line gratuities may be referred to a daily service charge or crew incentive.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival’s daily gratuities are $13.99 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. $15.99 per person per day for guests in suites. There is no charge for children under 2 years of age.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises now includes daily gratuities in it’s Always Included cruise fare.

Costa Cruises

On Costa Cruises, service charges of $12.50 per person, per day are charged for cruises departing from the US. Cruises in Europe, World cruises and those departing from a non-US Caribbean port charge 10 Euros per person, per day. Other itineraries may differ. Please check Costa’s website for details.

Service charges for guests ages 4-14 are half of the adult rate. Children under 4 are not charged.

Cunard ‘s daily gratuities are set at $11.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney cruises has a suggested daily gratuity charge of $13.50 per person, per day for all guests.

Holland America Line

Holland America’s daily gratuity is $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $16.00 per person, per day for guests in suites.

MSC Cruises

The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Children aged 2-11 will be charged $6.25 per day. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age.

Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. There are different service charges for certain itineraries. Please check MSC’s website for details.

Oceania Cruises

The gratuities on Oceania Cruises are $16.00 per person, per day for most staterooms and $23.00 per person, per day for guests in suites.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line charges a daily service fee of $15.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person per day for guests in suites and The Haven. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises will automatically charge a crew incentive of $14.50 per person, per day for guests in inside ocean view and balcony cabins. The gratuity is $15.50 per person, per day for guests in mini-suites and $16.50 per person, per day for guests in suites.

Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess’ premium beverage package .

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s daily automatic gratuities are set at $14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $17.50 per person, per day for guests in suites.

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises gratuities are $15.00 per person, per day for all staterooms.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises daily gratuities are $12.00 per person, per day for all cabin types.

Cruise Lines that Include Gratuities

With the exception of a couple cruise lines on this list, most cruises that include gratuities are luxury lines.

Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however they’ll often include many valuable extras. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions.

Here’s a list of cruise lines that include gratuities:

Something to note is that although daily gratuities aren’t charged, there may be a service fee or tip added to certain services onboard.

• Celebrity Cruises 

Celebrity Cruises isn’t a luxury cruise line, however it is a top premium cruise line that markets itself as “modern luxury”. When booking a Celebrity cruise, tips are included in their Always Included program. A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities.

• Crystal Cruises
• Paul Gauguin
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seadream Yacht Club
• Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages does a lot of things differently than it’s mainstream peers. One of these differences is that cruise gratuities are included.

Cruise Gratuities: Who to Tip on a Cruise and How Much

When paying the automatic daily gratuities, cruise lines tell us this amount gets divided by your cabin attendant, waiter and other dining staff. In addition, a portion of the tips are given to those who work behind the scenes or may serve you in different areas of the ship. 

Are there additional tips charged onboard a cruise?

Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. This includes drinks at the bar or cafe, spa services and salon visits. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount.

Who Else Should You Tip on a Cruise?

While not obligatory, there are some of the workers you may want to recognize with a tip when cruising.

Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day . The porters will assist with your luggage and it’s customary to tip for their service.

We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship .

Room Service

You may want to give a small tip to the person who delivers your room service order.

Do you have a favorite bartender? You may want to give them a tip per drink or a larger tip at the end or even the beginning of your cruise. There will be an 18-20% tip automatically charged when ordering an individual drink, so no need to add more in most cases.

Specialty Restaurant Waiters

If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isn’t usually included. It’s customary to tip the waiters generously at specialty restaurants.

Shore Excursion Staff

If you go on a tour or shore excursion, it’s nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if you’ve appreciated their service. Have some small bills handy for these times.

Youth staff

Some cruise lines point out that you may wish to tip the kid’s club staff. If your kids have had a great time and you’ve appreciated the service, a few extra dollars are surely appreciated.

Cruise Gratuities Frequently Asked Questions

Can i opt out of paying gratuities or have them adjusted.

Most cruise lines allow guests to remove automatic gratuities . You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. If you choose to pay tips in cash, there are usually some envelopes available at the guest service desk.

There are some exceptions. Norwegian Cruise Line has onboard service charge will is charged automatically for guests 3 and up, and distributed among staff that serve you in various ways. Rather than reducing the amount payed, they point out on their website that they will work to resolve any service issues experienced.

The fact is, the tips that crew get from passengers make up a good part of their wage. Crew members work really hard and make the difference between an ok and a memorable cruise vacation. Since this is the current pay structure for most major cruise lines, removing tips really affects the cruise line workers.

I go into more detail about this topic in this post:  Can You Refuse to Pay Gratuities on a Cruise?

Is tipping on a cruise mandatory?

“Do I need to tip on a cruise or pay service charges” , is a question that comes up often. Although gratuities aren’t mandatory, and in most cases you can go to guest services and have the amount adjusted, most cruise lines do tend to discourage it.

Cruise Tipping Etiquette – Should I give more than the recommended or suggested amounts?

As much as some people opt to remove gratuities on their account, some give extra. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it.

This is a personal decision and I’m not sure if there’s a tipping etiquette for it. If you feel that you wish to give an extra amount to anyone who you feel has done a great job, they will be appreciative.

What I can say, on a personal level, is that we have found that the majority of cabin stewards, waiters, assistant waiters and ship staff have given us amazing service. In  fact, I think most would agree that cruise line staff make a huge difference in the cruise experience.

What to do if you’re not satisfied with the service on your cruise

This may be rare, however if there’s a problem with service or you have a complaint on your cruise , that you should bring this to the attention of the staff member, supervisor, or guest services when it occurs. The worst thing you can do is wait until you are home from your cruise to address it. It’s unlikely to do any good by this point.

In reality, the cruise staff on board want you to be satisfied, so this is the time address a problem. Not only will it improve your cruise experience, but you’re also allowing the cruise ship staff the opportunity to make things right.

Video: Cruise Gratuities Explained

Here’s a video which answers many questions that you may have about cruise gratuities and tipping on a cruise ship. It includes who to tip, who not to tip, and some tips to help as you plan your cruise vacation.

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Final Thoughts on Tipping on a Cruise & a Guide to Cruise Gratuities

In this post, we’ve gone over how tipping works on a cruise. In addition, we’ve included a list of daily gratuities per cruise line and who else you may wish to tip. As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff.

What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? Do you prefer to prepay your gratuities or to pay in cash? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy cruising!!

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18 Comments

Could you possibly make your articles printable? Our Hawaiian cruise in April will be the first we’ve been on in 15 years, so, obviously, things have changed a lot. I love reading your blog and learning, but I don’t often have time to sit down at the computer to read. It would be so helpful if I could print just the blog to read at random times–car trip, etc. Any chance of that?

I’m so glad you’re enjoying my blog and find the posts helpful and appreciate the feedback.

Having the articles in a printable format is a really interesting idea. I’ll definitely look into it and see how I can best do that on this site.

Your cruise in April sounds amazing! Is it the 15 day or the 7 day from Honolulu? Both beautiful cruise options!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave a comment!

Hi – this was helpful, thank you. We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it won’t be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. But I also feel like people will think I’m rude for not doing so – in reality tho, they are already being tipped 18%. Thoughts? Thanks!

So glad this was helpful. You’re right – an 18% gratuity is added each time you purchase a drink. I don’t think anyone will think you’re rude for not tipping over and above this. Of course, as always, it’s at your discretion.

Have a great cruise!

Still confused . We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. However ,usually you can have at least 2 cabin stewards. Given that most , all ? Are very professional, what should a tip look like at the end of a 10 day cruise?

If you’re booked with Celebrity’s Always Included, the gratuities are included. If you want to give an additional tip to your cabin steward (or two), I’m sure it’s very appreciated. The amount is very personal. I have a video on my YouTube channel about this and people have commented amounts they give so his could be helpful (just check YouTube and search cruise gratuities Life Well Cruised)

Have a great cruise,

It’s important to note that, especially on the luxury lines, tipping is not expected. After 50 cruises I know they really mean it! Also, if free gratuities are an amenity, you’re not expected to go beyond it unless someone goes way beyond what’s normally expected. The best advice I can give Americans and Canadians, if they are tipping questions arise either on the ship or ashore, follow the lead of Aussie’s and ask their advice. Most are experienced cruisers and, as a group, they’re very well-liked. They will seldom steer you wrong.

Great points about luxury lines and that gratuities are included. As for tipping above and beyond prepaid gratuities, I agree completely that there is no expectation. Thanks so much for your input on this.

We’ve been on 4 cruises with our 5th. one in 2023. We usually do the prepaid tipping and also give some extra at the end of our cruises. The thing that gets me so mad is we never were approached by the Maitre’d…..except the last night when the extra tipping comes in. We never gave him anything. I think it’s pretty bad when that’s the only night they make their presence be known. I’m not expecting him to kiss our butts, but come on.

That’s a funny thing that we’ve experienced in the past as well. I have to say, we simply prepay or leave the tips as is, so I really don’t pay attention these days. Our last few cruises on Celebrity and Princess, we actually had lots of interaction from the Maitre’d and we did appreciate the work they did.

Cruise line employees work their butts off to earn those tips. They are always pleasant and willing to do whatever they can for you. I always prepay the gratuities. I also tip constantly while on the cruise. The staff learns real quick who tips extra, and who does not. They will do extra for you after they realize you are a tipper! You will get great service either way. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! I give my room steward $5 at the very beginning of the cruise. That lets him / her know upfront that we tip, and there is more to come at the end of the cruise!

Cruise line employees are extremely hard working, I agree, and they go above and beyond so often. I don’t tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things.

Thanks for sharing.

I agree with Kelli. Having worked in the service industry, if people want to extra tip, then doing it at the beginning is the way to go. You just can’t help being extra nice or helpful when you know the people are going to be extra nice to you, ie the extra tips. If you wait to the end to tip, then the servers won’t know and you possibly missed out of knowing how wonderful the cabin steward or others could be. However, extra tipping and being a jerk do not go hand in hand. Extra tipping doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk, but if you are a jerk, you had better extra tip!

Love this! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

We always tip cruise staff but in cash not automatic tipping. We also always tip bar staff even when drinks are complimentary. Our concern is that the cruise lines take advantage by paying lower wages and then guilting passengers into higher tips. The industry should pay fair wages so that our tips are in fact tips and not wages.

Thanks for sharing your view on this. The cruise industry has worked this way for a long time, although the automatic gratuities are only the last few years. I would imagine we’d see prices increase overall if they did this, but perhaps it amounts to this anyway.

Could you please go into tipping for the haven ncl staff , butlers and more. Your articles are so helpful at navigating the cruise world.

This is a good question. I do think it’s a very personal choice, but we can talk about this in a future video for sure!

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Tipping on a Cruise Ship: What You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 26, 2021  - Last updated: June 3, 2022

If you’re new to cruising, or it’s been a while since your last cruise, it’s important to know about cruise tipping guidelines before you sail. Tipping on a cruise ship isn’t mandatory, but it is customary, and many crew members rely on tips as a large part of their income.

I’ll explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuities—from who you should tip, how much you should tip, and who you should never tip on a cruise ship.

Why is tipping on a cruise even a thing?

The practice of tipping is controversial, even in the United States where paying tips is part of the culture. In some service industries where wages are substandard, customers are expected to pay a gratuity, typically 15 to 20% of the bill, to augment the workers’ low hourly wages.

Tipping is supposed to encourage excellent customer service from workers, because (in theory at least) customers will tip generously for friendly, prompt service.

Most mainstream cruise lines have their headquarters in the US. So they follow this model with many of their crew members who perform services for passengers. Tipped crew on many cruise lines include housekeeping, dining, and laundry workers.

Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members’ earnings to a reasonable rate.

So why don’t cruise lines just increase the price of fares, and pay their crew a living wage with a decent hourly rate?

Cruise lines typically flag their ships in countries with lax employment laws. They pay their crew (usually recruited from countries with limited economic opportunities) per contract, not by the hour.

If mainstream cruise lines decided to abolish tipping and pay all crew members a reasonable rate per hour, they would have to significantly raise the cost of cruise fares.

Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a “tips neither expected nor required” policy. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. However, you might end up paying a similar total price on a mainstream line when you factor in gratuities, drink packages, shore excursions, and the like.

For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isn’t part of the culture, automatic gratuities aren’t added on to passenger bills. Instead, passengers can tip—or not—at their own discretion.

What are automatic gratuities?

Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. Some cruise lines refer to these tips as a “service charge”.

Until fairly recently, cruise passengers customarily tipped only in cash, in person. Cruisers would have to tip each of their service personnel (the cabin steward, restaurant servers, bartenders, etc.) separately, near the end of the cruise.

Now, with automatic gratuities, the process is much simpler and you don’t need to carry all that cash. The cruise line assesses a daily fee and divides the money among the tipped crew.

With the autograt system, many crew members who rarely received tips before now get a share—like the laundry or kitchen staff on some cruise lines.

On the flip side, passengers have less control over where their money goes with autogratuities. You can’t choose how much each crew member gets.

You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know

How much are automatic gratuities on a cruise?

Most mainstream cruise lines will charge you about $14 to $15 per person per day for automatic gratuities. Each passenger is charged for these tips, including kids. However, a few lines don’t add autogratuities for babies and toddlers under age two or three.

Here are some daily automatic gratuity costs for several popular ocean cruise lines in USD (prices accurate as of summer 2021):

• Carnival:  $13.99 per person, per day ($15.99 for suite guests). Gratuities waived for kids under 2.
• Celebrity: now includes gratuities in the fare. (guests who booked prior to November 17, 2020 will pay $15.50 per person, per day ($16.00 for Concierge Class and AquaClass guests, and $19.00 for The Retreat).
• Disney: $40.50 per person for 3-day cruises. $54.00 per person for 4-day cruises. $94.50 per person for 7-day cruises. (This equates to $13.50 per person, per day)
• Holland America:  $14.50 per person, per day ($16.00 for suite guests).
• MSC Cruises:  $12.50 per person, per day. Kids 2-11 pay $6.25 per day. Gratuities waived for kids under 2.
• Norwegian: $15.50 per person, per day ($18.50 for guests in suites, Concierge, and The Haven). Gratuities waived for kids under 3.
• Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests).
• Royal Caribbean: $14.50 per person, per day ($17.50 for guests in grand suites and above).
• Viking Ocean: $15.00 per person, per day
• Virgin Voyages: includes gratuities in the fare.

Should you prepay automatic gratuities?

Unlike with the deals you can get for prepaying for drink packages and some other add-ons, you won’t get a discount for prepaying your automatic gratuities. But many cruisers (including myself) choose to prepay to avoid a big charge at the end of the cruise.

I like knowing that my bill is all set before I sail! The only charges that should appear on my final tab are any extras I decided to add on during the voyage.

But if you don’t want to prepay, that’s fine too. The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then they’ll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise.

Can you remove or adjust autogratuities on a cruise?

On most cruise lines that collect automatic gratuities, you’re able to remove or adjust the charges by visiting the passenger services desk. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line . On NCL, passengers who don’t want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise.

For other cruise lines, you’ll be able to adjust your autogratuities at the Passenger Services desk. You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether.

What you can’t do is adjust or remove automatic gratuities for a specific crew member.

You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About

Why you shouldn’t remove autogratuities

Most cruisers wouldn’t dream of removing the automatic gratuities. It’s a part of our cruise vacation cost and helps the hardworking crew make a living. Tipped crew make the majority of their income from gratuities!

But let’s say you have a negative experience with your server in the dining room, or you feel that the cabin steward isn’t doing their job. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service.

Since you can’t remove the automatic tips for just that one crew member, removing or lowering your automatic gratuities hurts all the tipped employees. A better solution is to have a discreet word with the crew member’s supervisor about your concerns. You’ll likely get much better service by doing that instead of just removing the tip!

Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. They might feel that it gives them more control over tipping, rewarding the crew based on their level of service. Others just prefer the face-to-face experience of handing over a cash tip.

However, cruisers don’t always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities.

If you enjoy tipping in cash, consider giving an extra cash tip to the crew members who gave you excellent service on your cruise.

Who else should you tip on a cruise ship?

Automatic gratuities cover just about every tipped crew member on the ship. There are a couple of exceptions, though. If you order room service, it’s customary to give the person that delivers your tray about $1-2 per meal.

If your kids had a great time at the kids’ club on board, giving a tip at the end of the cruise to their favorite staff members is always appreciated.

It’s also a nice gesture to tip the maître d’ or head waiter in the main dining room, especially if they were helpful with special menus or seating arrangements.

Do you need to tip for drinks, meals, or snacks on a cruise?

Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that aren’t complimentary. If you don’t have a drink package, they’ll add the price of each drink plus the service fee to your onboard tab. There’s no need to add an extra tip for each drink.

With a beverage package, you’ve already paid the service fee when you bought the package, so the tip is included.

In the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and other dining venues, your tip is included in the automatic gratuities.

Some cruise lines employ a sommelier or wine steward in the main dining rooms, who isn’t included in the tipping pool. $10-20 at the end of the cruise is a nice gratuity for their service.

In for-a-fee specialty dining restaurants, you might see a spot on your bill (if you get one) to add a tip. Tips are either covered by the autogratuities or there’s a service fee tacked on, so you don’t need to tip again. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! Just remember that a cash tip goes to your server, and a charged tip gets added to the tip pool.

If you have a special in-room dining experience, like Ultimate Balcony Dining on Princess (which I highly recommend, by the way), it’s a nice gesture to add an extra cash tip for the servers who brought your meals up and made your dinner a special experience.

Do you need to tip at the spa on a cruise?

Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. Check your bill after your services to see if your tip is already included. If not, 15-20% of the bill (excluding any products that you buy) is customary.

Should you tip extra on a cruise? How much?

Many cruisers opt to give extra cash tips to crew members who made their vacation that much more enjoyable. You might want to reward your cabin steward, favorite bartender or MDR server, or any other crew member you think did a great job.

The amount you tip is up to you—I generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. For favorite bartenders or waitstaff, I give about $20 to each for a seven-day cruise.

Some cruisers swear by tipping at the beginning of the cruise to ensure excellent service. That’s up to you! I prefer waiting to see how the service is before deciding on an extra tip, but that’s just my preference.

You can just hand over folded cash, or use the tip envelopes you’ll find in your stateroom or at Passenger Services. It’s a good idea to hand over your tips the day before disembarkation. On disembarkation day, you probably won’t find your fave crew members in their usual spots!

What currency should you use to tip on a cruise?

When you’re tipping in cash on a cruise, it’s always best to use the official currency on the ship. Giving service staff tips in a currency they can’t easily use means they’ll have to pay a fee to change your cash tip into another currency.

Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay.

Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? Some cruise lines allow you to use your cruise card to deposit money in the casino. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier.

Who should you never tip on a cruise?

When you’re on a cruise, you shouldn’t tip the captain or the officers. These cruise line employees are highly compensated, and offering a tip isn’t necessary. Even if you try, they’ll likely graciously turn down your offer.

You also shouldn’t tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. One exception is the piano player in the lounge—most accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music.

What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation?

If there’s a crew member who goes above and beyond for you, there are some other ways to show your appreciation. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way.

Near the end of your cruise, you’ll probably receive some comment cards in your stateroom that you can use to leave feedback about a member of the crew. You don’t need to write a novel—just a few sentences about how the crew member made your cruise even better will do.

These feedback cards mean a lot and sometimes lead to a stellar crew member getting a raise or even a promotion!

If you don’t see the cards in your room, ask at the Passenger Services desk, or leave the feedback in your post-cruise survey. (You’ll often see a survey pop up in your email inbox a few days after your cruise.)

You can also leave a small gift for your favorite crew member. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. So something edible (maybe a favorite candy or snack from your home region?) will be more appreciated than something they would have to store.

But honestly, they’d prefer cash over a gift basket—no matter how yummy your treats are!

Other people you should tip during your cruise

During your cruise vacation, you’ll probably receive services from other people who aren’t cruise line employees—but you might not realize it! Here are some other people you should tip during your cruise.

1. Luggage porters

On embarkation day of my very first cruise, a porter came up to my taxi and whisked my luggage away, seconds after I got out of the car. I had prepaid my gratuities, and I assumed the porter was a cruise line employee, so I didn’t tip him.

Later I learned that the porters outside of the cruise terminal are not cruise line employees at all! In North America, most cruise terminal porters are longshoremen. At some North American ports, you’ll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. However, most cruisers do tip them for their service.

About $1-2 (or the equivalent in local currency) per bag is fine.

You may also like: Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers

2. Shore excursion guides and drivers

Even if you prepay for your shore excursions directly through the cruise line, it’s customary to tip your tour guides and drivers in cash after each excursion. Cruise lines just have contracts with their preferred shore excursion companies—the guides and drivers aren’t employees of the line.

Most cruisers tip anywhere from $2-$10 per person (or the equivalent in the local currency) to the tour guide, and hand a couple of dollars to the driver. You can adjust this based on the length and complexity of the tour. I’d give a much larger tip to a knowledgeable tour guide who led us on an intensive nine-hour experience compared to a guide who did a basic three-hour city walking tour.

If your shore excursion includes lunch, you generally don’t have to leave a tip—the tour company takes care of the lunch bill.

But if your excursions include free time where you eat lunch on your own, it’s a good idea to research the local tipping customs in the countries you’ll be visiting before your cruise.

You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise?

What do you think about the custom of tipping on a cruise ship? Do you tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities? Or do you remove them altogether? Let me know in the comments below!

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Alex Quenault

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Thank you, Carrie Ann. This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. In the UK, tips are completely discretionary and are only to reward service that goes above the normal expectations. For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Your article has done a lot to change my philosophy and increase my understanding of why there is this charge and what the implications of reducing it might be.

Thursday 11th of August 2022

Hi Alex, thanks so much for your lovely comment. It really made my day! The tipping culture in North America and on cruise ships is flawed, but (as you mentioned) reducing or eliminating tips only hurts the hardworking crew and their families - and does nothing to change the system. I'm so glad you found my post! Happy cruising :)

Janet Patrick

Sunday 28th of November 2021

I ALWAYS tip extra to the outstanding employees on every cruise I have ever taken. I just arrived on board for our 6th cruise, after my 5th cruise just 2 months ago. Our Stateroom Attendant on cruise #5 was fabulous, and I showed my appreciation by leaving him (thanks Mahbob!) a $200 gratuity on top of my prepaid gratuities. I also tipped my wait staff very generously in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, as well as my drink waiters! These kind, helpful, generous, employees work extremely hard to make sure guests like myself have a fabulous time, and since I do, the very least I can do is show my appreciation in a way that benefits them the most!

Cheers to the Staff of RCCL!

~ janet RCCL Crown & Anchor Diamond Member at the end of this cruise!

Monday 29th of November 2021

Hi Janet! I'm sure the crew appreciated your extra tips - they all work so hard! Congrats on reaching Diamond :) Happy cruising!

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Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Gratuities for 2024

Whether your cruise line calls them daily service fees, cruise ship gratuities or crew appreciation, it’s simply tipping on a cruise. Nearly every cruise line has a name for these automatically-added service fees. 

Most cruise lines add daily gratuity fees directly to your onboard account throughout your cruise. Plus, different onboard experiences, from using your stateroom mini-bar to dining in a specialty restaurant , have an added fee.

We’ve listed each cruise line’s per-person daily gratuity. We break down tipping on a cruise to what you’ll pay depending on your stateroom category, plus any additional service fees. 

What are Daily Cruise Ship Gratuities?

Every cruise line has a recommended amount that each guest should pay to the crew. Holland America calls it a “Daily Service Fee.” Princess calls it “Crew Appreciation.” Basically, it’s a gratuity fee; how much you’ll pay for tips on a cruise ship. 

Some cruise lines may call this a “Guest Services Fee” on your onboard account statement. While others simply add “Gratuity” to your onboard account. 

Tipping on a Cruise Begins Before Sailaway

Savvy cruisers know that gratuities begin before you board your ship. Why? If you plan to drop off your larger pieces of luggage, be prepared to give the portside luggage handler a $2- $5 tip per bag. The amount can depend upon size, weight and amount of luggage.

If you’re a solo traveler and only have one large bag to check, a $5 tip is appropriate.

Consider this tip as baggage delivery insurance.

Should I Pre-Pay Cruise Gratuities?

If you want to get the daily cruise tipping fees out of the way before your cruise and avoid last-night sticker shock, I always suggest that you pre-pay gratuities.

Also, if you pre-pay your gratuities, and should the cruise line raise the cruise tip amount before you sail, you are “grandfathered-in” at the previous lower rate. 

Don’t pre-pay gratuities and if there’s an increase, you’ll pay a bit more at the end of your cruise. For one person, it’s not too bad. If you’re paying for a family, it could be a very costly added expense.

Average Daily Cruise Line Gratuity

Roughly speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $11.50 – $20.00 per passenger per day for onboard gratuities. As mentioned, cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. 

Luxury lines like Azamara, Ponant, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Sea Dream, Virgin Voyages include gratuities in the cruise fare.

On cruise lines where gratuities are not included, you can monitor the charges on your shipboard bill either from the Front Desk or on your stateroom TV.

Sometimes cruise gratuities are only added at the very end of your cruise, too. Talk about sticker shock!

Cruise Line Gratuities for 2024

Here’s what you will pay per person per day for cruise ship gratuities/service fees/crew appreciation as of this writing. 

CARNIVAL:  $14.50 for Standard Staterooms; $16.50 for Suites. An 18% automatic charge is added to beverages at the bars, plus at Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Chef’s Table restaurants.

On April 1, 2023, Carnival raised its services fees to $16.00 per person per day for those in standard staterooms. Suite passengers now pay $18.00, an increase of $1.50 per day.

CELEBRITY:   $17.50 for Standard Staterooms; $18.00 in Concierge and Aqua Class staterooms. Those booked in the Retreat do not pay a daily gratuity fee. If you purchase Celebrity’s All Included plan, the gratuity is included. But you’ll pay 20% fee if you order a drink that’s not in your beverage package (Classic or Premium). There’s an 18% charge for the spa and salon services.

COSTA:   An automatic $12.50 service fee is added onto all U.S. departures. There’s €11 on Europe departures. 15% beverage charge. Kids 4-14yrs 50% less. Under 4, no charge.

CUNARD:   With a name change from “gratuities” to “hotel and dining service charge”, you’ll pay $11.50 for Britannia Class staterooms (inside, oceanview and balcony). Then, $13.50 for those in the Grill Suites. Pay a 15% beverage charge and 12.5% for a visit to the salon or spa.

DISNEY:  $14.50 is the suggested amount for those in standard staterooms. If you’re in a suite or concierge stateroom, Disney recommends a $15.50 gratuity fee. Disney doesn’t automatically post the fees to your account, however. 15% beverage charge and 18% for spa services

HOLLAND AMERICA:   $16.00 for those in standard staterooms. Suite guests will pay an automatic $17.00 per person per day fee. Gratuity charges for beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, and other non-included service fee amenities is 18%.

HURTIGRUTEN:   $12.00 – Suggested amount on expedition cruises. Norwegian coastal cruises there is no gratuity fee.

MSC CRUISES:  Valid until summer 2024:  $14.00 for adults 12 years and older. $7.00 for children ages 2 – 11 years. Under 2 years old, no charge. This applies to Caribbean, Canada and USA cruise departures. Cruises abroad, gratuities are in euros and at a comparable exchange rate. MSC website also states they do not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE:   Book a Club Balcony Suite and below and pay $20.00 per person per day. Reside in The Haven or above Suites and it’s $25.00 pppd. For children under three years, there’s no daily fee. There’s also a 20% beverage charge with each non-included drink you order. On Hawai’i sailings, there’s a 4.275% pre-paid service charge GET tax.

OCEANIA:  $16.00 for guests occupying standard staterooms. For Penthouse, Oceania, Vista or Owner’s Suites with Butler Service, gratuities of $23.00 per guest, per day will be added. An 18% service gratuity is automatically added to all beverage purchases, spa services and dinner at La Reserve.

PRINCESS: Now called “Crew Appreciation” the daily fee is as follows:  inside, oceanview or balcony staterooms are $16.00. Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection staterooms are $17.00. Book a suite and you’ll pay $18.00 pppd. There’s also a “service charge” of 17% for specialty dining that’s included in the cover charge. You’ll pay 18% for individual drinks and drink packages, corkage fee and spa services. 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:   Royal Caribbean automatic gratuity rates are $16.00 per person, per day for guests in non-suite staterooms. Book a suite and pay $18.50. Gratuities will be applied to each guest’s SeaPass account on a daily basis. There’s also an 18% charge for beverages, mini-bar items, and salon and salon purchases.

VIKING OCEAN CRUISES :  Simple here. $15.00 per day for all staterooms and a 15% beverage charge.

Should You Tip the Room Service Delivery Person?

Here’s another category that needs addressing; room service delivery fees.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian automatically add a room service delivery fee . Sometimes it depends on what you order. 

You can still directly offer a tip to your delivery person. He or she will appreciate it.

I always suggest to bring $1 and $5 bills from home. This way, you’re ready to personally hand it to the room service delivery person. 

Having several small bills is very handy, especially for early morning breakfast delivery. You don’t have to fumble around to find a tip. $2.00 to $5.00 is appropriate, depending on the food or how many meals ordered.

Who Gets a Share of the Gratuities?

Depending upon your cruise line and accommodation category, the amounts of who gets what may vary by a few dollars. But this should give you an idea as to where the cruise ship tips go and how it’s divvied up at the end. 

For this example, the amounts listed below are for standard (non-suite) staterooms, may vary by a dollar or so and subject to change every couple of years.

Also, these amounts will differ because the cruise lines stress that a portion of the service fees also goes to many crew members who work behind the scenes and/or towards a shared crew incidentals/emergency fund.

The top tier of crew recipients, however, are the waiters and stateroom attendants. Next, are the assistant waiters and staterooms attendants. The head waiter may or may not receive a cut in the share. 

Those hard-working crew members behind the scenes that you never see will get a small piece of the pie, too. 

Cruise Tips for Those Not on the Automatic Gratuity List

Some onboard services aren’t subject to automatically-included gratuities. Since these are people that you may interact with on a daily basis, it’s nice to add them to your gratuity list.

• Childcare provider: At your discretion, similar to your babysitter at home.
• Bartender: Plan to frequent the same bar throughout your cruise? Give your new favorite bartender a $10 – $20 upfront tip. If you’ve had excellent service, another tip at the end of the cruise is also appreciated.
• Wine sommelier: Based on their involvement, $10 or $20 at the end of the cruise is appropriate. Some cruise lines have done away with a sommelier and your waiter is responsible for keeping track of your wine bottles. Tip accordingly.
• Shore excursion guide: $2.00 – $5.00. Some passengers base their shore excursion tip on 10%-20% per person based on the cost of the tour.
• Shore excursion motor coach driver: $1.00 – $2.00, especially in Europe.
• Spa and Salon services: The spa will automatically add a 15% – 20% gratuity. Is there a need to tip your service provider? It’s up to you.

Read more:  Seven Stateroom Locations to Avoid

Personalize your tip-giving experience.

Many cruise passengers from Britain and a few European countries where tipping isn’t a common practice, prefer to have the automatically-added tips removed from their account. This can be requested at the Reception (Purser’s) Desk.

Hopefully, these folks will then hand out cash to those who have worked hard for them during the cruise. Others simply refuse to tip. And it’s not just non-Americans, either. 

Conversely, some guests who are familiar with and follow the tipping guidelines, prefer to hand out cash-filled envelopes to crew members.

Bring a stack of small bills from home and keep separate from your other cash, to avoid the last night panic line at the Purser’s Desk.

You can also visit the casino cashier to break your larger bills. Bring envelopes (and thank you notes) from home in case the ship’s front desk doesn’t have any to give for tips.

When in Europe, Euros are the preferred currency for tipping on both ocean and river cruises . Or you can usually put the gratuities directly onto your onboard account and credit card.

I always leave the automatic gratuities on my account. Then on the last night, if service was very good, at dinner I’ll bring envelopes with a little extra cash for my waiter, assistant waiter and sommelier.

Whether or not to tip the Maître d’ is up to you, depending on if you’ve actually communicated with this person. 

On the last night or on the morning of departure, I always give an extra tip to my room steward when I say goodbye.

Tipping After Your Cruise

After the cruise, if you ask a porter to load your luggage and wheel it to the outdoors or motor coach, you’ll need to dip into your wallet one more time.

In many ports or after a transatlantic crossing, you’ll get through the customs and immigration line quicker if you ask a porter to help with your luggage. 

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17 comments.

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your comment. I agree 100%!

Tipping is absolutely necessary on cruises. These people work for peanuts, and they work very hard with no days off for months. TIPS stands for To Insure Proper Service. When on land you tip at bars and restaurants, then why on the cruise ships should people question it and cheap out. When we get on the ship, we leave extra tip money in the safe. On the last night, we give the envelopes with cash in it to all the people that took such good care of us on our cruise. Be a good cruiser.

Hi Crissy, thank you for reading my article and for your question. Are you referring to the concierge that, for example, is in charge of a loyalty club lounge like the Royal Caribbean Diamond Plus or Pinnacle Club? On cruises where I’ve used the concierge’s services (for show or dinner reservations or help with shore excursions), I’ll usually give the concierge $20-$30 at the end of a seven-night cruise. On a luxury line, I would tip more, depending on how involved the person was with assisting me with reservations etc.

If you’re referring to your stateroom butler, the gratuity prices are set by the cruise line and of course you can always add to it for exemplary service.

I hope this is helpful info. Thank you again for reading the article and taking the time to ask your question. Happy cruising!

How much do you suggest tipping the suite concierges?

Hi Nick, That’s a great question and thank you for writing. Since this is your first time handling the financial ends of a cruise, I would suggest leaving the automatic gratuities on your accounts. It will make the cruise more seamless and you won’t have that last-minute scramble finding small bills to put into envelopes and then locating the people for whom the envelopes are intended. If someone goes above and beyond regular service, it’s perfectly fine to simply hand him or her an extra gratuity. This could be your room steward or bartender or waiter. Have a wonderful cruise and thank you again for writing. Sherry

I’m about to go on my first cruise with my girlfriend and not with my family. Prior to this cruise, I was never responsible for any of the “stateroom “ accounts since my father always took care of the monetary issues of the vacation. After reading the article and the responses I am confused as to whether or not to take the automatic gratuities taken off my account when I go on my cruise and just gave out envelopes at the end of my vacation. What do you think

Coworker used to work for Celebrity – they get NO SALARY from the cruise line, they rely on the gratuities. Removing the automatic gratuity and then not actually tipping at least that amount in cash is akin to participating in modern-day slavery ie expecting people to contentedly serve you for free.

Echoing Jeff’s comment about folk who stingily resent a few hundred dollars to the ones who need it most.

Hi Rachel, Very well written. Thank you for your comment. Sherry

Mandatory gratuities. I don’t know whether to characterize this as the third world corruption tax in action (being forced to pay civil servants, hospital nurses, etc. a bribe before they will do the job that they are hired and paid to do); or first world predatory capitalism in action. Pretty clearly the cruise lines have offloaded the responsibility for paying their employees a living wage (or any wage) directly onto passengers via mandatory gratuities. Why don’t they just call it “bribes” or “employee salaries” on the invoice instead of “mandatory gratuities.” It is ridiculous that on top of paying for a horrendously expensive cruise and shore excursions, you have to pay bribes/employee salaries in the form of mandatory gratuities. And in some cases you have to pay extra bribes in addition to, on top of, the mandatory gratuities. It all adds up to making a cruise a “once in a lifetime” experience rather than a repeat experience.

Hi Shannon, Congrats on your first cruise! For tipping, the amount may depend upon the cruise line and your stateroom category. After your automatic gratuities have been charged to your onboard account, you could hand your room steward $20-$30 (two people) in recognition for good service. I hope this helps. Happy cruising! Sherry

Hi Sherry, I’m going on my first cruise this summer. What’s an appropriate tip range for the room steward on a 7 day cruise?

Hi Jeff, Nicely said. I would like to think that a lot of the non-tippers or those who queue at the front desk on the last night to remove the service fee are from countries where tipping isn’t part of their culture. But not always so. Thanks for your comment. Sherry

I always wonder how someone can pay thousands for a cruise, airfare, and shore excursions and then be resentful of a few hundred dollars in tips for the lowest paid of those who make the trip enjoyable. The desire to stick it to the little people reminds me of the great quote from tax cheat, Leona Helmsley, who once said that, “Only the little people pay taxes”. The jury of” little people” had little trouble convicting her. The people who are put out with tips should find other ways to vacation.

I have my doubt where the cruise gratuities go to. You can never find out what a crew member earns or how much they actually receive out of gratuities paid and so that end I refuse to have gratuities added to my state room account. However the crew get do get paid to do a job and they knew the pay before they started, they get free food and board plus flights home and we as paying public have already paid for the service they provide. Assuming that all the gratuities are passed on. The ratio of crew member to passenger after removing the staff that are not part of the gratuity pot is about 4 or 5 to 1. On a 14 day cruise at $12.75 per person that adds up to $178.50 per person x 4 and the sum per fortnights holiday gives a bonus of $714 each. That for a 9 month contract would give them a bonus of around $13500 plus pay….Think about it

Found out that the cruise line does not give the gratuities to the crew , those tips are kept by the cruise line -ask a crew member, lies and rip off .

Hi Lisa, Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the article and I hope it was helpful.

Thanks, Scott!

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Updated on January 12, 2024 by Sherry Laskin

How Much To Tip On Cruise Excursions

By: Author Mona Marks

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

Categories Destination Tips , DESTINATIONS , Excursions

Tipping on cruise ships can be confusing. Depending on which cruise line you’re sailing, you have a variety of tipping issues to consider , such as who should receive a tip , adjusting automatic gratuities, options for prepaid gratuities, and whether you should tip extra . And that only covers when you’re actually on the ship. You should also think about tips you may want to when you leave the ship.

Here are our best suggestions for how much tip on cruise excursions if you want to show your appreciation.

Shore excursions are offered in many, if not all, ports of call, depending on the cruise. Since these activities are optional, the daily gratuity charge that may be added to your ship account does not cover excursions. This is true whether or not you book the excursion through the cruise line.

Tipping Tour Guides

A general guideline for a private tour is to tip 10% of the tour cost and up to 20% for exceptional service on independent tours. In this context, a private tour means one that you have arranged and for which you control who participates. So, for instance, if it is a tour that is only for your family and/or your travel companions.

For shore excursions, people will commonly book a group tour through the cruise line or through third-party tour operators. Tours can range in size from small groups of 10-15 or larger groups that fill a big bus. These are tours that are generally open to any cruise passenger who wants to make a reservation. When on a prepackaged group tour, a typical tip for a tour guide is $3-5 per person for a tour of a half-day or less and $5-10 per person for extended tours.

Tipping Bus Drivers

Many people who are generally inclined to tip will also tip the bus driver (if the driver and guide are not the same person). Generally, a typical tip for a driver is $1-2 per person. You should not assume that the tour guide shares tips with the driver. When in doubt, just ask.

Tipping for Beach Service

If you are going to the beach on a cruise excursion, you should plan to have small bills for tips as well. Who are the people you might want to tip at the beach? Someone who sets up a beach umbrella and chairs at your direction. Servers who bring drinks and/or food to you while you are lounging.

Tipping for Meal Service

If the price of your tour includes a meal, it is unlikely that additional gratuity is expected. However, if you are simply taken to a restaurant and you pay out of pocket, then you should leave a tip unless you are in a country where that is frowned upon. When in doubt, ask the tour guide.

When Should You Tip on Cruise Excursions

You typically tip when the service is concluded. So, you only need to tip the guide and driver at the end of the tour when you are returned to the pier or other point of origin.

What Currency Should I Tip on Cruise Excursions

If you are in the Caribbean, U.S. dollars are widely used and are great for tips. If you are in other locations, local currency would be ideal. This is particularly true if it’s someone who would not be collecting large quantities of tips in a given day. It can be challenging, and sometimes expensive, to attempt to change truly small quantities of currency.

Closing Thoughts

Tipping is generally the acceptable way to show your gratitude for a job well done in most countries around the world. Our guide for when and how much to tip tour guides, drivers, and vendors on shore excursions, will hopefully make showing your appreciation a little easier on outings while on your cruise.

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11 Helpful Tips for Booking Shore Excursions Independently

Planning and booking shore excursions for your cruise vacation? How do you book a shore excursion? What helpful cruise excursion tips will help you book and plan them independently?

Shore excursions are not included in your cruise fare . (At least not with budget cruise lines or mainstream cruise lines).

So, if you’re looking to do any activities or tours at port destinations, you’ll have to consider booking shore excursions.

You should keep a few things in mind when booking a shore excursion. It’s not always as easy as booking everything with your cruise line. Okay, maybe it is that easy. It’s appealing to book the shore activity with the cruise for its ease. But is booking a shore excursion via your cruise line the best way to go? 

Here are a few things you should think about when booking a shore excursion:

• What is the cost of booking through the cruise line vs. booking on your own?
• What is included in the price of the shore excursion?
• How big of a group will you be with?
• Will the tour company be able to pick you up and drop you back off in time?
• What is their refund and cancellation policy?

One thing is for sure, sometimes, booking with a cruise line doesn’t ensure the best quality. Booking a shore excursion with a local tour company or guide can often be a better experience… and it’s usually cheaper! And you can choose to book a private excursion or look for a tour that limits the excursion to a small group.

99% of the time, we tend to book independent shore excursions or plan do-it-yourself adventures at the port-of-calls. It’s not difficult booking a shore excursion independently, but it requires more research.

And you also have to have a sense of awareness, time management, and organization when booking a shore excursion because you MUST be back on the ship on time. If you’re not back on time, the ship will leave without you. And that would be a nightmare.

This article will give tips on booking a shore excursion to make the most of your time in your port destination. These cruise excursion tips will help you book a shore excursion on your own, so you can explore a new destination and make new memories – one of the many reasons we love to cruise .

What is a shore excursion? Simply put, it’s a tour, activity, and experience you can book to enjoy when the ship is at the shore in its port-off-call.

Table of Contents

Cruise Excursion Tips: FAQs

What are the things a passenger should know about shore excursions?

Shore excursions and tours are a fantastic way to explore a new place when you’re on a cruise. We love tours as much as we love exploring on our own. Sometimes with limited time at ports, tours help maximize your time and see the best of what a destination offers.

Tours can help simplify the worries of transportation, getting lost, and figuring out what to do. But you can’t just book any cruise excursion with any tour company. You want to find a reputable company with great reviews that offer the tour you’re looking for at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

How do you choose a shore excursion?

Choosing a shore excursion depends on your interests, activity level, and budget. You can narrow it down by researching things to do at the port destination and figuring out what interests you most.

What are some things to keep in mind when booking a shore excursion?

When booking shore excursions, always keep in mind and consider the start time and end time. Make sure you’re booking a tour that allows enough time to arrive at the meeting point and return to the ship.

How much do you tip on cruise excursions?

Tipping your guide at the end of a tour is as important as tipping on a cruise . Unless the tour company specifies that the tip is included, expect to tip the guides $5-10 per person or 15-20% of the tour cost. It all depends on the tour and the level of service you received.

Tips for Booking Shore Excursions

1. research your port destination.

When booking a shore excursion, you first need to research the port destination and figure out what there is to do.

You can also research by reading:

• travel blogs
• ask your cruise roll call
• cruise critic ports-of-call forum
• Facebook groups specific to that destination

2. Determine the Type of Tour or Activity

Do you want to book a shore excursion that is action-packed and full of adventure? Do you want to book a shore excursion that is more relaxed and cultural? Maybe you want to explore the port on your own.

There are endless possibilities of what you can do on a shore excursion. And the options might be overwhelming, but that’s okay. Determining the type of tour or activity you want to do will make finding something that suits your interests easier.

3. Consider the Cost

The cost of booking a shore excursion can vary greatly. It depends on what you want to do and how many people are in your group. If it’s a large group, sometimes the cost is hiring a private tour guide with a van to show the group around or take you to a certain activity.

Also, when booking a shore excursion, you need to consider the cost and compare it to booking through the cruise line. It may be worth booking it directly with the cruise line if it’s comparable.

What is Inclu ded in a Cruise?

What is included in a cruise ship vacation? And, what is not? We break down what the cruise fare includes and why it’s mostly an all-inclusive vacation. We also include cruise tips along the way so you can book the best cruise for you and your family.

4. Check the Reviews

When booking a shore excursion with a local tour company or guide, it’s important to check their reviews. See what others have said about their experience. This will give you an idea of what to expect and whether booking with them is worth booking. If the tour company reviews are terrible, you can strike them off your list and look for another one.

You can check reviews on:

• TripAdvisor
• Cruise Critic

5. Determine the logistics

While researching shore excursions and activities that interest you, it’s important to consider the logistics. A tour far away from the cruise port may not be ideal. Most itineraries allow us just 6-7 hours at port. Some even less.

And if the port destination is a tender port, you have to consider the extra time it will take you to get to the port.

• Is the meeting point near the cruise port?
• How will you get to the meeting point?
• Will they pick you up and drop you off near the cruise port?
• How long is the tour or activity? What time does it start and end?

6. Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions about booking a shore excursion or the tour itself. You can contact the local tour company or guide; they should be more than happy to answer any questions.

Here are some questions you can ask the tour company or yours before booking:

• Can you accommodate our group size?
• What is included in the tour/activity?
• What time does the excursion start and end? How long is the excursion?
• Is there anything else we need to know or bring? (i.e., sunscreen, hat, water bottle, etc.)
• Is there a dress code ?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Do they offer discounts for large groups?
• What kind of payment do they prefer? (Sometimes, they prefer cash at the end of the tour.)

7. Consider Customizing Your Own Tour

If you have a hard time finding a tour that meets all your criteria or if you’re traveling with a large group, you may want to consider customizing your own tour.

Working with a local guide or company can be very helpful. They can put together a tour that meets your specific needs and interests. Sometimes this can cost more or even less than a cruise line tour with a similar itinerary.

8. Do Not Wait to Book

How far in advance should you book cruise excursions?

You can book a cruise excursion independently as early as six months in advance. Do not wait.

If there is an excursion you have your heart set on, do not wait to book it when you get on the cruise or at the port. Chances are the tour or activity you want to do is already booked by then, or you will end up with a mediocre tour company.

When we decided to book a golf cart to drive around in Bonaire , it was four months before our cruise, and they were already booked. Four months out! We got lucky and eventually did get a golf cart because they were kind enough to add us to a waiting list, and someone canceled.

If you plan to cruise to Alaska, the most popular tours are booked months in advance. So, if you’re set on doing a specific tour, don’t wait to book.

122 Quick & Helpful Cruise Tips

We’ve gathered 122 of our top cruise tips and cruise hacks to help make your planning process smoother and your cruising experience even more fabulous.

9. Sometimes, it Okay to Negotiate at the Port

Alright, we are back peddling here, as we just said not to wait to book a tour. However, if you’re just looking to do a simple city or island tour , you can likely negotiate with a tour company or taxi driver at the port.

Sometimes it’s a per-hour rate, or you negotiate a time for a set price. But make sure that you agree on the cost before starting the tour.

In Costa Maya , we once were able to negotiate a golf car rental during a last-minute spontaneous decision.

Once in St. Thomas, we took an island tour because we wouldn’t be at port long enough to book anything adventurous.

Recently, at Cabo San Lucas cruise port , we negotiated with a tour operator right outside the terminal for a low price for a whale-watching tour and a tour of El Arco. We had a great tour and got to see many whales.

10. Make sure you’re back on the ship on time!

This is probably the most important tip. No matter what shore excursion or activity you are about to book, ensure you’re back on the ship on time.

The last thing you want is to be stranded in a port because you missed your ship. To avoid this, give yourself plenty of time to return to the port.

11. Booking Your Shore Excursions

Sometimes booking excursions can be as easy as booking them online. Sometimes you have to make arrangements via email with a local guide.

Before you do:

• Make sure it’s with a reputable tour company; if hiring a local guide, make sure they are legit. Check reviews. See if any other cruisers have used them before. Etc.
• Make sure you understand what’s included in the tour/activity.
• Where is your meeting point? Are you going to be picked up?
• Determine how long the tour is and if it matches your time at the port.
• Ask about payment options and methods.
• Understand the company’s cancellation policy.

Once you have booked and confirmed your cruise excursion, note the booking, date, time, and meeting point in your travel itinerary. And make a copy of the confirmation to add to your cruise documents.

Don’t hesitate to contact the tour company to ask them questions or make any changes you may need.

Cruise Excursion Tips

• Always be aware of your surroundings and use caution during all your travels.
• Do not carry all your valuables with you on the tour. Leave them locked up safely in your cruise ship cabin or stateroom.
• Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Water shoes may be necessary depending on the tour.
• If you’re taking a tour that includes snorkeling, bring your own snorkel gear if you have it. Most tours will provide gear, but it’s often not the best quality. Check out our beach packing list .
• Always wear sunscreen.
• Make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you’re going to be participating in physical activities in the heat.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, communicate with the tour company or guide ahead of time if food is included.
• Bring cash. You may have to pay for the tour with cash at the end, so if you do, make sure you have enough to cover that. If not, at least a small amount of cash for tips and other miscellaneous expenses, like souvenirs. Not everyone takes credit cards. But most ports due take American dollars.
• Follow the rules and instructions of the tour guide. They are there for a reason and want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

How to Plan a Cruise Vacation

Planning a cruise can seem daunting, but if you take it one step at a time and follow these simple steps to plan a cruise, you’ll have a fantastic cruise booked in no time.

Shore excursions are a lot of fun and part of what makes cruising fun ! We don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity or pay too much for an experience you could have booked cheaper by booking shore excursions independently.

We hope these tips helped. Don’t forget to check out our tips on How to Prepare for a Cruise .

Do you have any other tips for booking shore excursions? Do you prefer booking cruise ship-sponsored excursions or booking independent shore excursions? Share in the comments below!

You can also check out these helpful cruise articles:

Pack these Cruise Essentials Influential Travel and Cruise Quotes What NOT to Wear on a Cruise Cruise Luggage Tags Cruises or All-inclusive Resorts

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Editor's Note

Cruise lines offer shore excursions for your convenience. Instead of spending hours reading up on a port, crafting the perfect eight-hour activity schedule or researching local tour guides, you can simply choose from a list of curated tour options. Easy peasy ... except you can still screw it up.

If you want the perfect day in port, you need to be savvy about your tour planning. Avoid rookie mistakes, and never do these 10 things when booking shore excursions for your next cruise.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Don't skip the destination research

Cruise line shore excursions try to cover the most popular sights and attractions in a destination, but your ship might not offer a tour to every interesting spot in or near the port. If you don't do your own destination research and only make your tour decisions based on what the cruise line is offering, you might miss out on an activity you'd enjoy more.

Take the time to do some independent sleuthing for each port on your itinerary before deciding how to spend your limited, precious time ashore. Perhaps you'd prefer a local hike you can do on your own, a religious site that's especially meaningful to you, or an attraction or tour that relates to one of your specific hobbies or interests.

Related: Tips and tricks to make your first cruise go smoothly

Don't ignore the reviews

Can you tell the difference between an overcrowded tourist trap and a fabulous site from the shore excursion description? I can't, and neither can anyone else. The marketing copy is designed to sell the tour.

Read what other travelers have to say about a specific excursion or attraction before plunking down your money and signing up for that tour. You don't even need to seek out a third-party site. Some cruise lines have shore excursion reviews right on their websites.

Don't gloss over the fine print

Cruise lines provide a lot of details about a shore excursion, from how long it lasts to how much physical activity is involved and how you'll be exploring. Yet so many cruisers don't bother to read the full description or the fine print. If you skip this step, you won't realize that the bus tour only passes by, rather than stops at, a famous cathedral or museum. Or, you might miss a note explaining that there's no free time or food included.

I went on a tour in Cagliari, Sardinia, sold as a long morning of walking on cobblestoned streets. One elderly passenger, struggling and out of breath, turned to me and said, "I had no idea this tour would involve so much walking!" I had to bite my tongue. Who would have guessed that about a tour called "Exploring Cagliari On Foot?"

If you want to know exactly what you're booking, take the time to read the complete description.

Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts

Don't neglect the independent option

Cruise line tours are convenient, but they're not always the most customizable or economical options. If you're traveling as a family or with a group of friends, you might be better off hiring your own guide for the day. Not only could it be less expensive than five or six shore excursion tickets, but you'll also be able to create a tour based on your interests.

Even couples traveling alone might find more affordable group tours offered by independent operators or tour options not offered by the cruise line. Online message boards and Facebook groups can be great resources for finding other travelers on your cruise ship interested in joining you on a private tour.

Don't book your excursions too late

Not all shore excursions are large group bus tours with multiple departures. Boat trips and cycling tours might have caps on the number of participants, and some tour times are more popular than others. In some ports, cruise lines might arrange a special experience — such as Cognac blending or pasta making — that is meant for a small group.

If you have your heart set on a particular tour, don't assume it will have space available if you wait to book until you board your cruise ship. Look over the shore excursion options in advance, and be ready to reserve your spot online as soon as they open for booking. If not, you risk losing out on the opportunity to have that cool once-in-a-lifetime experience, such as salmon fishing in Alaska or wagyu sampling in Japan.

Related: What can you do if your cruise cancels port calls?

Don't ignore your personal limitations

Easily carsick? Hawaii's winding Road to Hana is not for you. Not physically fit? Skip the hiking and biking tours, no matter how fun they sound. Usually the first to get seasick? A catamaran ride is the wrong choice.

Don't let the romance of a tour description convince you to overlook your physical limitations. Overdo it, and you'll waste a vacation day feeling miserable — or, worse, end up with an injury. No beautiful waterfall or ancient ruin is worth that.

Don't assume you need an organized tour

Don't feel compelled to take a tour just because one is offered. Plenty of ports don't require a shore excursion. Some — like St. Tropez or Mykonos — are truly lovely places to wander, get lost in the shop-lined streets and end up at an alfresco restaurant for a long, wine-soaked lunch.

Just be sure to read up on the area around the dock so that you know whether you'll be pulling right up to the center of the action or if sightseeing on your own requires a shuttle or a cab. Grab a tourist map, or use a map app on your phone so you don't get lost.

Related: 16 things you shouldn't leave a cruise ship without trying once

Don't go-go-go all day, every day

In a misguided attempt to maximize their vacation time, some cruise travelers make a point to book all-day tours on every port day, exhausting themselves with endless sightseeing or active endeavors in the hot Caribbean sun. Especially on port-intensive itineraries, this can lead to excursion burnout.

Your best vacation is made up of activities that make you happy. When you're in the sun-drenched Caribbean , it's perfectly OK to skip the waterfall hike or the visit to a rum distillery and book a resort pass to spend the day on a cushy lounge chair by a quiet pool, frozen drink in hand.

Don't cancel at the last minute

Most cruise lines allow you to cancel your shore excursion plans with a certain amount of notice. You can take advantage of that flexibility by booking tours early to reserve a spot and canceling if you find a more interesting private tour or decide that you'd rather have a day to wander on your own.

If you don't want to forfeit the price of the tour, however, you need to cancel in advance, usually one or two days before that port of call. If you contact the shore excursion desk that morning to say you're not feeling well and want to skip out, you'll still get charged on your final cruise bill.

Related: 15 ways the cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish

If you came all this way on a cruise to see the local sights, don't let the cost of exploring limit that experience. Staying on the ship — or wandering the sometimes-sad area right by a port — is no way to get good value from your cruise vacation.

Budget wisely for in-port exploration when you plan your sailing so you can experience the attractions and activities that sold you on the destination in the first place. If you have to, skip that massage or cocktail — things you can easily get back home — in order to afford a couple of excursions. After all, who knows when you'll be back in that part of the world again?

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

14 Best Shore Excursion Packing Tips

By Carnival Cruise Line

• Don’t forget your fanny pack
• Keep in step
• Skip the short shorts
• Get ready for horseback riding
• Bring on the heat
• Bring shoes and shirts for no problems
• Prepare for pics
• Shield your peepers
• Safeguard your skin
• Mind your head
• Bring a reusable water bottle
• Remember the little things
• Consider cards and cash

Pools, restaurants, shows, activities — there’s a lot to do on board a cruise ship. But you can give your cruise vacation to Mexico , The Bahamas, or the Caribbean some extra spice by adding shore excursions to your itinerary.

There are certain items you’d definitely need to bring with you when you debark the ship, but you don’t need to lug your whole suitcase either. Here are 14 shore excursion packing tips to help you prepare for fun.

1. Don’t Forget Your Fanny Pack

Or tote bag, or backpack, or whatever you like to carry. You’ll need this essential for obvious reasons — to hold your personal effects — but consider throwing in a collapsible bag, which may come in handy for toting those exotic souvenirs, gifts, or pre-packaged snacks you’re likely to buy at local shops on a city tour.

Will you get wet on your adventure? Throw a zip-top plastic bag or reusable wet bag into your carryall for when you change out of youlisar wet things and into a dry change of clothes.

2. Keep in Step

Planning to bring a single pair of sandals for the whole cruise and call it good? Sandals will get you by (for the most part) on board the ship, but you’ll likely want more substantial footwear for your excursion. Shoes, however, add bulk as well as weight to luggage, so you don’t want to pack shoes that you aren’t going to wind up wearing on shore. Give it an extra moment of thought.

Sneakers or a comfortable pair of walking or running shoes are suitable for the vast majority of excursions. If you’ve already booked a tour, then scan the excursion details to see the recommended footwear, such as closed-toe shoes. You might also want to pack hiking boots if you expect to encounter rough terrain.

3. Skip the Short Shorts

You can sport just shorts and a T-shirt for many shore pursuits, whether you’re tromping through the colonial villages of Mexico or exploring the  Xunantunick Mayan ruins or zip lining in the Caribbean. Leggings and capri pants are other good alternatives. If outdoor temperatures are hot then wear shorts instead.

If you’re going zip lining though, pass on the short shorts. You’ll be wearing a harness that sits high on both legs, and it could grab at the shorts. Knee-length shorts are more comfortable. You’ll also need closed-toe shoes. The stations are a pulse-pounding climb, and you don’t want your shoes to fall off from a height.

4. Get Ready for Horseback Riding

Cowboy boots, a pair of chaps, and a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy hat might put you in the spirit for horseback riding , but they’d sure take up a lot of space in your bag. Unless you plan to be out on the trail all day, a pair of sturdy jeans will serve you well for riding that bronco, and protecting your legs from brambles.

Also, wear a t-shirt that is long enough that it won’t ride up. Most sturdy shoes or boots will serve you well for riding. Swimwear is also an option if your horseback excursion takes you into the water.

5. Bring on the Heat

Mom is right when it comes to this shore excursion packing tip; you do need a jacket. That is, you may want a jacket if your itinerary includes air-conditioned stops like museums or craft breweries, which are a welcomed change from the heat. A sweater or light jacket can even come in handy if the indoor temperatures at a restaurant get chilly.

Beyond that, evenings and mornings can feel rather nippy in The Bahamas and the Caribbean , especially when a breeze kicks up. Outdoor temperatures can also dip pretty low in Mexico, especially at night, depending on the region and time of year.

6. Bring Shoes and Shirts for No Problems

If there’s a restaurant you want to try at a certain onshore destination, make sure you’ve got the right clothing for the joint. Don’t plan on walking into an eatery in just your bathing suit. Bring along a top, some bottoms, and shoes just in case. You know the drill.

It’s possible that one of the ports is home to upscale restaurant on your bucket list. Check to see if you need to bring something a little nicer to wear so that you don’t miss out.

7. Stay Dry

Every generally sunny resort area has a rainy season, or so it seems. In Mexico, it lasts from around November through May. It’s rainiest in The Bahamas and Caribbean in summer and fall. But don’t worry, the rain comes and goes fairly quickly, so you shouldn’t worry about being stuck inside!

A lightweight, waterproof hooded jacket should be all you need to stay dry in a regular afternoon drizzle. Be sure to also take it along on deep-sea expeditions, water tours, or any other time you’ll be aboard a boat.

8. Prepare for Pics

Packing tips for your shore excursion extend beyond your wardrobe. Undoubtedly you’ll want to take selfies, snapshots, and videos during your cruise vacation. So, in addition to your smartphone and digital camera, don’t neglect to bring your all-terrain action camera, selfie stick, or a waterproof camera bag.

Speaking of waterproofing, if an unexpected wave crashes on you at the beach, the smartphone in your pocket is in danger. Any plastic or waterproof bag may come in handy for simply keeping your electronics extra safe while you’re on that catamaran or sailboat.

9. Shield Your Peepers

As lovely as a sunny day can be, you don’t want to be squinting into the landscape. Sunglasses are a must. Polarized lenses cut down on glare, and be sure your shades are the kind that shield you from UV rays.

10. Safeguard Your Skin

Sure, you want to return from your cruise vacation with a gorgeous tan, but you certainly don’t want to resemble a boiled lobster. Sunscreen is essential when you’re on the cruise ship as well as on shore excursions. Ditto for insect repellant. Don’t let bug bites get in the way of your fun.

Be aware, though, that certain shore excursions, such as the Dolphin Close Encounter in Freeport, The Bahamas, forbid the use of either suntan oil or excessive amounts of sunscreen.

11. Mind Your Head

It’s never a bad idea to stash a hat in your bag. Bucket hat, baseball cap, fedora, scarf, or visor, you’ll be glad you brought one along. Also, tours of some churches may require women to cover their heads.

If the sun is sizzling, consider bringing along a cooling cap, bandana, or scarf. Put it on ice in your room before debarking, and it’ll keep you feeling fresher longer in the tropical heat.

12. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

Bring bottled water with you wherever you go or bring along money to purchase bottled water on shore. It’s important to stay well hydrated in any hot climate, so you may even feel that it’s worth it to tote along your favorite water bottle from home to ensure you always have a container to keep refreshments close at hand.

13. Remember the Little Things

When it comes to shore excursion packing tips, sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. For example, a bandage or a travel pack of pain reliever can go a long way toward making you feel more comfortable when a blister appears on your heel or a headache suddenly attacks. The same principle holds for tissue, a granola bar, and hand sanitizer. It’s the little things.

14. Consider Cards and Cash

You don’t want to bring valuables ashore, such as expensive jewelry, but do carry some cash and cards. About $50 in cash should get you through for incidentals, and consider smaller bills for tips. Leave your passport aboard the ship for safekeeping, but take your driver’s license along with you for ID purposes.

If you’re thinking about bringing your debit or credit card, check with your bank to see what fee, if any, is applied to using your card abroad. In case of emergency, it’s always a good idea to have a credit card on hand to handle any last-minute needs.

With these packing tips for your shore excursion, you’ll be ready to have the time of your life. A little planning can keep worries, disappointments, or inconveniences at bay so you can enjoy your time on shore to the fullest.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by  ship  and destination.

Related articles

Explore off ship.

https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I book my excursions through ShoreExcursion.com?

We offer you more choices. No need to search all over the internet for the best tours in each port. We’ve done the hard work for you, and created this site that shows all of your best options. You have a limited amount of time in each port you visit during your cruise, so you want to make the most of it. We’ve selected the best tour operators, at competitive prices. You can book online, or call us. Our staff can also help you select the best shore excursions to fit your needs. Although we are internet based, we firmly believe in providing excellent service and we’re here to help you in any way we can.

Does ShoreExcursion.com have the best prices?

We guarantee that our shore excursion rates are the best you can find. If you find a better price elsewhere for the same shore excursion that we offer, we will match it. However, the “Price Match Guarantee” will not apply if the lower price is obtained via an agency rebate, coupon, or membership discount.

Is there more risk of us missing the ship if we don’t book directly through the cruise line?

The cruise lines often try to scare you into thinking that you have to purchase all of your excursions directly through them, or you risk being left behind. This simply is not true. Just like the tour operators that the cruise lines use, we guarantee to get you back to your ship on time, often with extra time to spare. If by chance there is an unlikely event such as an accident or mechanical failure of a tour bus, we have cellphones to communicate with the port agent in order to alert the ship. If the ship departs without you, we guarantee that we will pay the full cost associated with the delay and will make all the necessary arrangements to get you to the next port of call, just as if you had bought the tour through the cruise line.

How do I reserve my shore excursions through ShoreExcursion.com?

From our home page, just enter the name of your cruise line, the ship name, and the sailing date. We’ll show you the specific tours applicable to that sailing. If you do not have a cruise booked yet, you can also search by destination to see which shore excursions are offered in each port of call. You can purchase the shore excursions securely online, or call our toll-free number to get help over the phone. It’s easy!

Will I receive a booking confirmation and voucher to prove that I paid?

Yes. Shortly after you make a reservation for a shore excursion, we will email your confirmation to you. This email will include your tour vouchers as well as specific instructions on how, where, and when to meet up with your tour guide at the specific port for that tour. We recommend that you print your voucher, just in case you do not have cellphone service at the port.

What is your policy regarding cancellation?

You will receive a full refund when you cancel a tour 14 days or more before the tour departure date. Once you are within the 14 day departure window, the tour becomes non-refundable. This is because our operators have reserved space to accommodate your request and may not be able to fill that space with another party so close to departure. If there are any exceptions to this policy, they will be clearly noted in the tour description. If you would like to cancel a tour, simply give us a call during regular business hours, and we will be happy to assist you.

What if I miss my tour because the ship is late or cannot make it into port? Will I get a refund?

Yes. You will receive a full refund if you cannot make a tour departure due to a ship delay or a missed port call. You will also receive a full refund if weather or an equipment problem prevents the tour operator from providing the tour. Please let us know via email or phone call within two weeks after the date of the tour, and we will issue a full refund.

Can I protect my tour purchase, just in case I can’t take the tour?

Yes. For a small fee, we offer an “Excursion Protection Plan”. This provides a full refund if you are unable to participate in your tour for any of the following reasons: you miss your ship due to transportation problems (airlines, car, bus, etc.), you become sick or have some other medical issue, or you are unable to disembark the ship for immigration reasons. Please contact us for additional information.

How soon in advance should I reserve my excursions?

Some excursions sell-out early, so we recommend reserving your excursions as soon as possible once you confirm your cruise. We don’t want you to be disappointed. While it is always best to book early, if your plans should change later, we have a flexible cancellation policy.

How close to the tour departure date can I make a reservation?

We ask that you make a reservation at least three days before your ship’s departure. This does not include the cruise departure day. This will ensure that all of the tour arrangements are confirmed, finalized, and communicated.

If I want to book at the last minute, less than three days before departure, do I have any options?

Yes. For a small $25 USD Expedite Fee, you may book within 3 days of your cruise start date.

What should I wear on my excursion?

We try to include recommended attire for each tour. We always recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen to protect you if your tour is outdoors. If the tour includes a religious site, such as a cathedral or mosque, we recommend that you bring something to cover your bare shoulders.

What is included in the price of the excursions?

Most tours include transportation directly from the pier area, a tour guide, entrance fees, and transportation back to the pier after the tour. A complete description of exactly what is included in each tour will be provided. Some excursions also include meals and drinks, while others do not, so be sure to read the full description.

Will I know how much physical activity is involved in each of these tours?

The activity levels vary for each tour. Each tour description has detailed information about each activity and what you should expect. We also include activity levels and descriptions on each tour as follows:

Easy/Minimal Physical Activity: Light walking. No major climbing required. There may be a few steps to negotiate.

Moderate Physical Activity: Fair amount of walking is required. There may be full flights of steps or uneven terrain.

Difficult/Significant Physical Activity: Large amount of walking and/or climbing is required. Expect strenuous activity. There will most likely be unpaved and uneven terrain. You should be in good physical health if you reserve one of these tours.

If you have more specific questions, please contact one of our Shore Excursion Experts during normal business hours.

Where do I go to meet my tour once I get off the ship?

Your booking confirmation email will provide clear instructions on the time and place to go to start each of your tours. In the unlikely event that you have difficulty meeting up with your guide, we include instructions on what to do.

What currency are the shore excursion prices shown in on your site?

All prices are in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated in the tour details. The site allows you to change the currency displayed to Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, British Pounds Sterling, and Euros.

Am I expected to tip the tour guide and/or driver?

Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional but greatly appreciated by those professionals who guide you through your tour. The standard suggestion for tips is $3.00 USD per person for a half-day tour and $5.00 USD per person for a full-day tour.

What if I need to cancel or make changes to a reservation I already made?

If you need to make changes to your reservation or to cancel a tour, please contact one of our Shore Excursion Experts during regular business hours and they will be happy to assist you.

Are there special prices for children?

Yes. Many of our tours offer discounted prices for children under the age of 12 years. Toddlers aged 2 and younger who sit on a parent’s lap (do not occupy a seat), are not charged for most tours. Please see the individual tour descriptions for pricing specifics.

Are there any age restrictions on some tours?

Guests under the age of 18 years are typically not permitted to participate without a parent or guardian. Some tours of Moderate or Difficult physical activity will have age restrictions. In some cases, an unaccompanied minor may be permitted on a tour if a waiver is signed by the parent. Please call us for detailed information on specific tours.

Is there time for me to take more than one excursion in one day at a port of call?

Yes. For Alaska tours, please allow at least 30 minutes between each tour. In all other regions, please allow a minimum of 60 minutes between each tour.

Are there tours for physically challenged passengers?

Please refer to the Restrictions section of each detailed tour description for recommendations for physically challenged passengers. We recommend tours designated as requiring a Low level of activity for those passengers that are able to do some easy walking. Be aware that the transportation on some tours may be able to accommodate a collapsible wheelchair stored below the bus; however, scooters or motorized wheelchairs are often too large to be stored on the transportation used for the tours. If passengers are non-ambulatory, we generally recommend independent transportation for their comfort and convenience. We also recommend that non-ambulatory passengers be accompanied by someone who is able to assist them throughout the duration of the tour. Our Shore Excursion Experts can suggest tours that will fit your needs .

Do you offer custom shore excursions for groups?

Yes! If you have a group of 10 or more people cruising together we can customize shore excursions for you. Just visit our “Groups” link from the home page and answer a few questions so we can help.

Berlin Shopping & History Shore Excursion from Warnemünde and Rostock Port

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

This semi-private shore excursion is for those who want an overview of Berlin’s history and most important monuments, and also to spend some time shopping in the German capital’s slickest stores and districts. You will have the chance to shop in Germany's most celebrated luxury department store, and visit some of the most exciting independent, contemporary concept stores – without skimping on the city's main sites. This experience is adjusted to each ship’s docking times and starts promptly after your vessel’s arrival, returning with plenty of time to spare before its departure. Our expert team has been organizing these tours for nearly a decade. We have never missed a cruise ship’s departure and imparted our knowledge and enthusiasm for our unique and beautiful city to thousands of satisfied passengers!

Ticket Options

2 Options Available

Private Tour & Shared Transfer: $191

Semi-Private Tour: This tour includes shared bus transportation to and from Berlin. Upon arrival to Berlin, you will be provided your own private car and guide.Pickup included

Private Shore Excursion: $153

This tour includes private transportation for the entire duration. Upon arrival to Berlin, you will be provided with your own private guide.Pickup included

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Upon your arrival in Berlin: private modern, air-conditioned vehicle, driver and a professional tour guide for the entire duration of the tour in Berlin – approximately 5-6 hours
• Professional tour guide for the entire duration of the tour in Berlin – approximately 5-6 hours
• Private modern, air-conditioned vehicle and a professional driver for the entire duration of the tour – approximately 12 hours
• Shared transportation on a bus to and from Berlin (you will be sharing the bus with other passengers)

What's not Included

• Food and beverages
• Entrance fees (none will be required during your tour)

Cancellation Policy

• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional Info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Our private tours can be custom tailored to your exact specifications. You can make all the decisions where to stop and where to spend your time. It is hands down the most flexible way to see the German capital. We can also organize tickets for and/or private tours of museums, palaces or galleries upon request.
• Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
• Infants under 3 years old require a seat, rental seats must be ordered in advance
• The route of the tour and time spent in Berlin is subject to ship’s docking times, traffic, special events and any other circumstances out of our control. Please note we will not be able to provide a refund if the touring time has to be shortened because of any of the above.

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The 16 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions for 2024

A cruise to Alaska is one of the best ways to visit many parts of the 49th state, including the Inside Passage and the southeastern port towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. You can also see dozens of glaciers on a cruise, plus remote places reachable only by water, like Glacier National Park & Preserve. Traveling by ship allows you to get closer to one-of-a-kind experiences in Alaska's interior, especially if you extend your vacation with a cruisetour (a package that includes the cruise and a land portion either before or after your voyage).

When it comes to excursions, many cruise lines offer the same experiences ashore for larger ports of call, often with a slight variation in the itinerary. The most popular tours highlight the best activities and attractions, such as the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour in Juneau, the Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway. You'll also find entertaining offerings from cruise lines that call on smaller, less visited ports, like Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Sitka, Seward and Haines.

While some tours cost less than $100, don't be surprised to find over-the-top experiences that run about $750 per person – such as heli-flightseeing tours, where you'll land on a glacier and go dog-sledding with a team of Alaskan huskies. If you're comfortable with going it on your own, you might find lower prices on some excursions by booking directly with tour operators. Alaskan outfitters are used to working around cruise ship arrival and departure times, so their tours tend to fit into those schedules.

U.S. News has compiled this list to help you find the best Alaska cruise excursions, from the most popular (and affordable) options to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

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Even though it's surrounded by water and mountains – and there's no road into town – Juneau is one of the most visited ports in Alaska, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer. You'll find plenty to do in Alaska's capital, including whale watching tours, salmon bakes and more.

Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the top attractions in Juneau, so many tours include a visit to the Tongass National Forest to view the 12-mile-long sheet of blue ice. Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises , offer self-guided trekking excursions that include a ride on the Juneau Goldbelt Tram, which affords views of the Chilkat Mountains and other panoramic scenery. You can also opt to see the glacier from the water by boat or kayak, or on a float trip.

However, if you're going to splurge on any one excursion, it's this one: Sign up for a helicopter landing on Mendenhall Glacier, followed by a dog-sledding adventure with a team of Alaskan huskies. During the approximately 30-minute helicopter ride, you'll fly over rainforests and spectacular summits, but the real fun is when you arrive at the camp to go zipping through the snow led by your team of dogs and a professional musher.

The Mendenhall Glacier helicopter excursion is offered on Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises.

Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest

Whale watching is another top activity when visiting Juneau, and many cruise lines offer several options for tours. Holland America Line has a five-hour, small-group excursion for just 20 guests; you'll search for humpback whales on a safari vessel, then hike on Mendenhall Glacier where you can look for beavers, Arctic terns, porcupines and black bears. If you prefer an even smaller group, Princess Cruises offers a 3.5-hour private whale watching tour for six people. Possible sightings include humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, eagles, harbor seals, lighthouses, glaciers and maybe even a bear along the shoreline.

One of Viking Ocean Cruises ' excursions, the Best of Juneau, lasts more than six hours and takes guests on a naturalist-led whale watching cruise by catamaran. Before heading back to shore, you'll have a lunch of local wild-caught Alaska salmon on remote Colt Island, followed by a scenic drive to Mendenhall Glacier to end the day.

Alaska whale watching and wildlife excursions are offered on Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

Taku Lodge Salmon Bake

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 3.5-hour Taku Glacier Lodge Flight & Feast excursion that will tick several quintessential Alaska adventures off your bucket list. After flying over the Juneau Icefield (the fifth-largest ice field in North America) in a classic De Havilland seaplane, guests will land in the river at the historic Taku Glacier Lodge across from Juneau's largest glacier, the 5-mile-wide Taku Glacier.

A traditional Alaska salmon bake (with all the fixings) and drinks made with glacier ice are another highlight of the day. You might even see a black bear sniffing around for leftovers after your feast. Following lunch, take a walk in the lush Tongass National Forest before heading back from the wilderness.

Salmon bake excursions are offered on Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

Ketchikan sits at the southernmost entrance to Alaska's Inside Passage. It is one of the most visited ports in Alaska, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Visitors come to this part of the state for the beautiful scenery, Alaska Native culture and fresh seafood, including Alaska salmon and king crab. And they just might enjoy an entertaining lumberjack show or floatplane ride to kick off their day while in town.

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Watch Alaska's hearty lumberjacks battle British Columbia's tough woodsmen in a head-to-head competition to see who can win the title of "Bull of the Woods." The thrill-a-minute show – a guest favorite – features a 50-foot tree climb, ax throwing, log rolling, buck sawing and springboard chopping, along with plenty of lumberjack lore. Some lines, like Princess Cruises, offer just the show; it lasts a little over an hour, so there will be plenty of time for a self-guided tour of Ketchikan before heading back to the ship. You may also be able to book a combination tour that includes the show and an ax throwing lesson (plus a competition of your own), or a trip to Totem Bright State Park, where you'll learn about the significance of totem poles and the Native Tlingit and Haida cultures.

Holland America Line offers a tour with the lumberjack show and a feast of local Dungeness crabs. For another culinary option, check out the 3.5-hour excursion with Norwegian Cruise Line . It includes a visit to Saxman Native Village, where you'll sample smoked wild game meats, dine on chef-selected dishes prepared with regional ingredients, and taste local wines and beers.

Lumberjack shows are offered on Alaska voyages with Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises , Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour

Embark on the Aleutian Ballard, the Bering Sea fishing boat made famous by the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" television series. The approximately three-hour excursion gives guests a firsthand experience of what it's like to sail on the vessel as a Bering Sea crab fisherman and catch massive king crabs, octopuses and other marine life with 700-pound crab pots. The boat may also stop at nearby Annette Island, where you'll have the chance to see whales, sea lions, seals and bald eagles soaring overhead (one may even try to snag your catch!). You may also get to watch local fishermen at work.

Some lines that offer the fisherman's tour include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

Misty Fjords by Floatplane or Cruise

The more than 2 million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the top attractions in Alaska . Described by naturalist and author John Muir as "the Yosemite of the North," the awe-inspiring destination is best viewed from above on a floatplane. From the sky, you'll see towering 1,000-foot waterfalls, the volcanic Revillagigedo Island, snowcapped peaks, verdant forests and 3,000-foot walls of granite descending into the fjords. On a floatplane tour, you'll also have the chance to land on the water and take in the spectacular scenery from another viewpoint.

If you're not a fan of small planes, some lines offer the option of taking a cruise from Ketchikan's harbor. You'll sail into Behm Canal surrounded by the scenery of Misty Fjords, and you may even see wildlife or bald eagle nests. You'll also cruise by Eddystone Rock, a massive volcanic spire emerging from the sea, as well as waterfalls and 3,000-foot cliffs sculpted by glaciers.

Cruise lines that offer floatplane or cruisetours of Misty Fjords include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Viking Ocean Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

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Skagway is another busy and popular cruise port in Alaska. It's one of the most popular towns on the Inside Passage itinerary; its fascinating Klondike Gold Rush history dates back to 1897. Take notice of the historic false-front shops reminiscent of the gold rush days as you explore. Many of these buildings are part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and you may even see people strolling down the streets dressed in period costumes.

White Pass & Yukon Route

One of the top-rated attractions in Skagway is the White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad journey through Alaska's wilderness. The narrow-gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – an honor shared by the Panama Canal, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Dating back 125 years, the historic railway features vintage rail cars and climbs to a steep 2,865 feet at the summit over just 20.4 miles. Along the way to the summit – located at the official international border between the U.S. and Canada – you'll listen to the history of the Klondike Gold Rush while passing by Inspiration Point, Dead Horse Gulch and Bridal Veil Falls. After making a loop at the top, the train will head back down the mountain. You might even see snow on the ride if your cruise to Alaska is early in the season .

Excursions on some lines combine the rail journey with other activities, like biking on the Klondike Highway from the summit or visiting Liarsville, a gold rush trail camp. Others include a stop (and a cold beer) at the Skagway Brewing Company. In addition, some cruise providers offer the train ride in a luxury class rail car, which includes complimentary beverages, snacks and a private guide who will explain the history of the railroad as you watch the scenery pass by.

Norwegian Cruise Line's six-hour excursion features a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route, a salmon bake at Liarsville and an adult beverage with one of the "madames" at the renowned Red Onion Saloon. Meanwhile, Silversea Cruises ' new 5.5-hour tour includes the train ride; a trip to the Yukon Suspension Bridge, which sits 65 feet above the white water rapids of the Tutshi River; and a hearty lunch of bison chili.

Cruise lines that offer the railroad (and combination) tours include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Musher's Camp and Sled Dog Discovery

If you want to cuddle with Alaskan husky puppies, then this excursion is for you. Norwegian Cruise Line's approximately three-hour excursion takes guests to a professional musher's summer camp in Dyea Valley, where they train sled dogs for the Yukon Quest and Iditarod races. After a thrilling ride into the rainforest on a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you'll head out on a summertime dog sled with 16 Alaskan huskies at the helm. Before puppy play time, you'll learn how the mushers care for the dogs and prepare for the races. Depending on the cruise line, some tours may end with roasting s'mores by the fire.

Some lines that offer this excursion are Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Chilkoot Trail Hike and Float Adventure

The historic Chilkoot Trail was the main route for those in search of untold riches during the famous gold rush years. Today, the trail, located in Gold Rush National Historical Park, is a rainforest full of birds and wildflowers. Excursions to the park include hikes with river floats on the Taiya River (there are no rapids) or bike tours of the trail. There are also wilderness kayaking outings to Chilkoot Lake, which is home to the five species of Pacific salmon, waterfowl, bald eagles and one of the largest brown bear populations in southeast Alaska.

Some cruise lines that offer these excursions include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Sitka is the only community in the Inside Passage that sits on the Pacific Ocean. The small city – home to just 8,500 residents – was owned by Russia before the U.S. purchased the land in 1867. Today, you'll find remnants of this Russian heritage, like onion-shaped domes and Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Sitka also has a strong Tlingit culture. In terms of shore excursions, you'll find plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing surrounded by pristine landscapes.

Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest

Royal Caribbean International's three-hour jet boat cruise on Sitka Sound features panoramic scenery (including snow-capped peaks) and the chance to see abundant wildlife. During the tour, look for playful sea otters, whales and brown bears walking along the coast. The line also offers another tour – Sea Otters, Raptors and Bears Oh My – that features a naturalist-guided catamaran cruise followed by visits to the Alaskan Raptor Center (a rehabilitation center for birds of prey) and the Fortress of the Bear (a rescue operation for orphaned bears).

In comparison, Carnival Cruise Line 's VIP wildlife quest in search of whales, sea otters, coastal brown bears and more concludes with a feast of wild salmon cooked over a wood-fired grill, Alaska crab and prime rib at the Fin Island Lodge. Following a wildlife Zodiac cruise around the archipelago, Holland America Line's version of this excursion also visits the lodge for lunch in partnership with Food & Wine magazine.

You can find this excursion on Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

The Best of Sitka

Several cruise lines offer a version of this tour, which features an exploration of the top attractions in Sitka. On this excursion, you'll visit the Fortress of the Bear in Tongass National Park to learn about the facility's work with orphaned bears. There's also a stop at Sitka National Historical Park, where the 1804 "Battle of Alaska" between the Russians and the Tlingits was fought. Here, you'll see handcarved totem poles created by skilled Tlingit artists and get to meet local Native artists to learn more. The excursion also includes a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center.

Lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)

Icy Strait Point in Hoonah may be a much smaller port than others on this list, but it is a jumping-off point for endless outdoor explorations, including whale watching tours and searching for coastal brown bears. Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native-owned and -operated and is home to the largest Native Tlingit village in Alaska. While here, explore the wilderness areas of Chichagoff Islands, visit the 1912 cannery museum, and grab lunch with fresh Alaska king and Dungeness crabs before taking a ride on the world's largest ZipRider. (Or, play it safe and plan to take that ride down the mountain before lunch.)

Whale Watching & Bear Search

The waters surrounding Icy Strait Point host the largest summer population of humpback whales in the state, especially around the Point Adolphus area. If you purchase a tour directly with the Icy Strait Point website, they'll even guarantee you'll see whales – or they'll refund your money. During the tour, look for orcas, Steller sea lions, porpoises and seals. But be sure to also gaze overhead for bald eagles and search along the shore for bears; the Spasski River Valley in the remote wilderness of Chichagof Island has one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world. Some cruise lines offer a variation of this excursion that includes a boiled seafood feast back on shore at Icy Strait Point.

You can find this excursion on voyages with Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Scenic Mountain Ascent & World's Largest ZipRider

Thrill-seekers (who love heights) will jump at the chance to ride the world's largest and longest zip line, which sits more than 1,300 feet above sea level at the top of Icy Strait Point. The ride to the summit on the SkyGlider mountaintop gondola is also a rush, but the real excitement comes as you zoom down 5,330-foot zip lines with five other riders at 60 mph – with views of the forest below and Glacier Bay National Park in the distance. A break-activated landing on the beach brings riders safely back to the ground. The price also includes unlimited rides on the gondola.

Cruise lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

A less visited port than some others on this list (according to CLIA), Seward is the ancestral home to the Alutiiq, or Sugpiaq, people. Its breathtaking natural beauty – with mountains on one side and Resurrection Bay on the other – has been shaped by glaciers over thousands of years. Top attractions in Seward include the Alaska SeaLife Center and a charming downtown area. It also offers access to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

During your stop in Seward, take a full-day excursion to see the astounding beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park. The impressive fjords are surrounded by mountains standing more than 6,000 feet tall and an ecosystem rich in wildlife. While there, watch for a variety of whale species, sea otters, porpoises and sea lions, and onshore, you might see bears and mountain goats. There are also 191 documented species of birds in the park and many glaciers. As you get up close to Holgate Glacier, listen as chunks of blue ice calve into the water.

Some cruise lines, such as Viking Ocean Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offer this as an individual tour, while others like Holland America Line include it as part of a cruisetour. You can also book the excursion directly with a local tour operator if you're embarking or disembarking in Seward.

Haines, a small port about 20 miles north of Skagway, is best known for its Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The 49,000-acre preserve has the largest natural gathering of eagles during the late salmon runs and boasts pristine forests, marshlands and rivers brimming with wildlife.

Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

Norwegian Cruise Line's five-hour excursion takes guests on an adventure into the wilderness by boat while cruising North America's deepest and longest fjord, the upper Lynn Canal. You might even see breaching whales and playful sea lions en route to Glacier Point, where you'll disembark at the beach upon arrival. After a drive through the forest and a hike in the woods, you'll have unforgettable, up-close views of the Davidson Glacier by canoe.

Lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises. Holland America Line offers this excursion from Skagway.

Eagle Preserve Rafting Float Adventure

Look for bald eagles soaring overhead as you raft down the gentle Chilkat River through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The waters are overflowing with salmon that come to spawn, serving as food for as many as 400 bald eagles living in the Chilkat Valley. Don't be surprised to see brown bears or 1,600-pound moose coming to feast along the riverbank during your rafting adventure.

Some lines that offer this excursion include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Lin e. Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises host this excursion from Skagway.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is a U.S. News & World Report contributor and an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times both by land and sea to view wildlife and chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She's even considered moving to The Great Land as a full-time resident. Pratesi used her deep knowledge of Alaska and the cruise industry to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
• Alaska Cruise Packing List
• The Best Alaska Cruises for Families
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

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Russian National Ballet Show with Dinner

Private Borsch and Beef Stroganoff Cooking Class

Private Moscow City Tour and Scenic River Cruise

Private Traditional Russian Home-Cooking Experience