Cruise Line Controversy: Increased Onboard Charges Spark Outrage Among Passengers

Princess Cruises is facing backlash from passengers after it increased onboard gratuities and service charges without making a public announcement. The service charge on extras like drinks and specialty dining has escalated from 18% to 20% throughout the cruise line’s 17-ship fleet. Additionally, the daily gratuity for crew appreciation has also increased: from $18 to $20 for suites, from $17 to $19 for mini-suites, cabanas, and reserve collections, and from $16 to $18 for all other staterooms.

Cruise enthusiasts have taken to online forums to voice their dissatisfaction regarding these hikes. A common sentiment among passengers is that such incremental charges lead to a perception that cruising is becoming less valuable, potentially deterring future travelers. Concerns have also been raised over the lack of transparency around these fee adjustments.

Princess Cruises has chosen to communicate these changes via explanatory letters left in staterooms and a bulletin posted on its website, rather than a broader announcement. Some passengers criticized this approach, commenting on a frustrating trend of unexpected increases without full disclosure from the company.

While many found the increase in charges burdensome—especially on longer cruises where gratuities can add up significantly—a few commenters noted that the additional charges could support the crew members who provide their service. Others highlighted the relatively small scale of the increases (for instance, a 30-cent hike on a $15 drink) and understood that these fees are often tied to operating costs.

Princess defended these changes by stating that they regularly review their pricing to ensure quality service can continue being provided while covering rising operational expenses. The cruise line emphasized that 100% of the gratuities collected go directly to the crew members, reiterating its commitment to delivering exceptional service.

As the cruise line adjusts its pricing approaches, it seems it is following industry trends, having aligned its service charge with competitors like Carnival, which raised their onboard service charge to 20% in 2025.

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