Princess Quietly Hikes Gratuity Fees – How Much More Will You Pay?

Princess Cruises has recently increased its daily gratuity charges for all stateroom categories, a change that impacts passengers across the fleet. This quiet hike, which took effect immediately, sees a $1 increase per person, per day for all guests.

The new rates are now $17 for standard staterooms (including balconies, ocean views, and interiors), $18 for mini-suites, cabanas, and club class staterooms, and $19 for suites.

While the increase may appear modest, it can add up, especially for families. For instance, a family of four on a 7-night cruise will now pay an additional $28 in gratuities.

However, passengers who have booked the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages will not be affected by this increase, as their gratuities are already included in the fare.

Princess Cruises did not make a formal announcement about this price adjustment, which is typical for minor increases across the industry. The new rates were quietly updated on the cruise line’s official website and are applicable to all future sailings.

It’s important to note that guests have the option to adjust or remove these charges while onboard if they choose, though it’s generally discouraged as gratuities support the hardworking crew members.

Any changes must be made before disembarkation, as refunds are not available after the cruise.

This adjustment brings Princess Cruises’ gratuity rates closer to those of other major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, which already have higher daily charges.

The move may indicate a broader trend within the industry, with other cruise lines potentially following suit.

For passengers looking to avoid future increases, prepaying gratuities at the time of booking remains a viable option.