Holland America Raises Crew Gratuities to $18 a Day in 2026

Holland America Line will raise its pre-paid “crew appreciation” gratuity amounts by $1 per person, per day for cruises departing on or after June 1, 2026, increasing what travelers see on onboard accounts or when selecting pre-paid gratuities in advance.

The change comes amid a broader wave of gratuity adjustments for 2026 departures across the cruise industry, including new increases from MSC Cruises, following similar moves from Carnival Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea.

Holland America’s new crew appreciation amounts and higher onboard service charges

For sailings departing on or after June 1, 2026, Holland America Line’s updated crew appreciation amounts are:

• $18 (USD) per person, per day for most staterooms, a $1 increase that applies to itineraries departing on or after the effective date.
• $20 (USD) per person, per day for suites, also reflecting a $1 increase for departures on or after June 1, 2026.

Travel agents have said the updated pricing applies to all itineraries departing on or after the effective date. The adjustment has also been appearing in booking flows for guests adding or confirming pre-paid gratuities, rather than being introduced through a widely circulated announcement.

Separately, Holland America Line is increasing onboard service charges tied to restaurant and beverage purchases from 18% to 20% of applicable charges. Unlike the discretionary crew appreciation gratuity, these service fees are treated differently and are not designed to be removed or adjusted.

What guests can adjust onboard, and what they cannot

Holland America Line’s crew appreciation charge is added automatically for convenience, but it remains discretionary for guests. Travelers who want to change the amount can request an adjustment, including customizing or removing it if desired.

The higher 20% service charge on dining and drink purchases is fixed, and reports describe it as separate from discretionary gratuities.

How the $1-per-day increase can add up on longer itineraries

While the daily change is small, the total can be more noticeable on longer cruises or for families. On a seven-night sailing, the increase adds $7 per guest in standard stateroom categories.

One example provided by travel agents: a family of four on a seven-night Holland America Line cruise in a balcony stateroom would pay $476 in gratuities under the old rate, and $504 under the updated rate starting with June 2026 departures.

How Holland America describes the crew appreciation distribution

Holland America Line has described its crew appreciation as a pooled amount that supports a wide range of shipboard team members, including guest-facing roles and behind-the-scenes positions that contribute to the onboard experience.

Guests who want to recognize specific crew members can also provide additional cash tips, and those extra gratuities are kept by the recipients.

MSC Cruises increases gratuities for Caribbean and Alaska sailings

MSC Cruises is also raising its hotel service fees, commonly referred to as gratuities, with changes effective May 11, 2026. The increase applies to Caribbean and Alaska routes, and MSC’s gratuity fees vary across other destinations it serves.

Under the updated policy, MSC will increase gratuities by $1 per guest, per night for standard staterooms and by $3 per night for MSC Yacht Club suites. The new rates are $17 per night for regular cabins and $23 per night for suites, while children under two remain exempt.

MSC has said guests who prepay gratuities prior to May 11 will keep the current rates, with the line committing to honor prepaid amounts for reservations booked before the policy change. Guests who are dissatisfied with service may request onboard adjustments through the Guest Relations Manager.

How the latest gratuity levels compare across major lines

The recent changes align with a pattern of automatic gratuities rising in $1 or $2 increments across several brands for 2026 departures.

• Carnival Cruise Line implemented a $1 per person, per day increase effective April 2, 2026, applying across stateroom types.
• Royal Caribbean’s daily gratuity level is listed at $18.50 per person, per day in available comparisons.
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s daily gratuity level is listed as higher, at up to $20 per person, per day.
• Margaritaville at Sea raised its rates effective Feb. 1, 2026, to $22 per person, per night for standard rooms and $25 for suites, and one comparison notes the line’s policy does not allow removal of the charge.

Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line are both part of Carnival Corporation & plc, although they operate as separate brands with different onboard policies and pricing decisions.

Available reports did not include an official public statement from Holland America Line on the timing or rationale for its updated gratuity and service-charge amounts. For travelers planning 2026 trips, the key dates flagged by the cruise lines are May 11 for MSC Cruises’ Caribbean and Alaska sailings and June 1 for Holland America Line departures, along with Holland America’s new 20% service charge applied to applicable restaurant and beverage purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do Holland America Line’s new gratuity rates take effect?

The updated crew appreciation amounts apply to sailings departing on or after June 1, 2026.

Can Holland America Line guests remove or adjust the crew appreciation charge?

Yes. The crew appreciation gratuity is discretionary and can be adjusted, including being customized or removed if a guest chooses to do so.

Are the new 20% service charges the same as gratuities?

No. The 20% service charges on restaurant and beverage purchases are treated differently than discretionary gratuities and are not meant to be adjusted or removed.

Are MSC Cruises’ gratuity increases applicable to all routes?

No. The new MSC rates described apply to Caribbean and Alaska sailings, while gratuity fees for other destinations vary by region.

How do MSC Yacht Club suite gratuities compare to standard stateroom charges?

Starting May 11, 2026, MSC Yacht Club suite gratuities will be $23 per guest, per night, while standard stateroom charges will be $17 per guest, per night. Children under two are exempt.