MSC Cruises Bumps Up Gratuity Fees Starting This M...

Following related hikes by different cruise strains, MSC Cruises is quietly elevating the charges for its “lodge service cost” (aka, gratuities) for all friends. The brand new charges will go into impact for all sailings on or after Could 11, 2026.

Booked friends have been emailed in regards to the price improve, whereas the cruise line’s website does have the brand new price listed. The change is a rise of $1 per evening per visitor for traditional staterooms, and $3 per visitor per evening for the unique MSC Yacht Membership.

The rise makes the brand new charges $17 (beforehand $16) for traditional staterooms, and $23 (beforehand $20) for MSC Yacht Membership suites.

No lodge service costs are assessed for youngsters underneath the age of two, no matter stateroom kind.

There are restricted choices for friends to regulate the lodge service payment onboard if they want. Whereas the cruise line states that the day by day quantities have been calculated with excessive service requirements in thoughts and “can’t be modified,” friends can contact the Visitor Relations Supervisor onboard in the event that they want to take away any of the costs as a result of unsatisfactory service.

As a result of MSC Cruises is a strongly international line, the lodge service cost charges do fluctuate in numerous crusing areas. This particular improve is just impacting Caribbean and Alaska charges.

Cruise Hive has already reported that MSC Poesia, just out of a dry dock refreshment, is now on her solution to start the road’s first-ever season in Alaska. That first departure from Seattle is on Could 11, the identical day the lodge service cost improve takes impact.

Friends on upcoming sailings who’ve already pre-paid for gratuities is not going to have to make up any distinction, even when their cruise departs after Could 11.

“We’re glad to honor the present Lodge Service Cost for friends who’ve already paid, in addition to those that select to prepay earlier than the coverage change on Could 11, 2026,” the cruise line states.

In different crusing areas, MSC Cruises’ lodge service costs usually are not altering. The speed ranges from $14-19 (USD) for traditional staterooms and from $19-23 for MSC Yacht Membership staterooms in numerous areas. In some areas, youngsters ages 2-11 have barely decrease service cost charges, however youngsters youthful than 2 by no means have the costs assessed.

Different Traces Additionally Making Gratuity Changes

A number of cruise strains have been making gratuity changes in latest weeks. Margaritaville at Sea was one of many first to lift charges with a rise from February 1, 2026. Normal staterooms now pay $22 per particular person, per evening whereas suites pay $25 per particular person, per evening.

Carnival Cruise Line introduced a rise to $17 for normal staterooms and $19 for suites in early February. That value change took impact on Thursday, April 2.

Extra From Cruise Hive

Holland America Line has additionally introduced a $1 per particular person, per day gratuity improve for all stateroom sorts, although that change is not going to impression friends till June 1, 2026.

Price range-savvy cruise friends who could also be undecided between completely different cruise strains can calculate their gratuities and compare across lines to determine what charges work greatest for his or her trip plans.

Whereas small will increase of only a greenback or two a day could not look like a lot, they’ll add up considerably for a weeklong household cruise when all members of the family are assessed gratuities. Any such funds planning is much more essential when different service costs and facilities, equivalent to specialty eating and drink packages, add up as nicely.

It’s not unusual for a number of cruise strains to regulate gratuity charges all inside a couple of weeks, and extra cruise strains could but be planning price will increase of their very own quickly.