Most cruise lines either include gratuities or they don’t. MSC are slightly different in that they do include gratuities for some people but not for others.
In this post, we will cover who has gratuities included within the cruise fare, and how much these gratuities may be if you do have to pay extra.
Do MSC Cruises Include Gratuities?
Gratuities are included in MSC cruises booked from the UK. MSC does not encourage guests to tip more than the amount included in the cruise fare.
MSC Cruises do not include gratuities if booked from the USA. When booking from the US, MSC’s Gratuities cost around $14.50 per person per day.
This depends on where you are sailing to and which cabin you have booked.
If booking an MSC cruise from other European countries, gratuities are not usually included.
| Gratuity Cost – MSC Cruises | |
| UK | Included in Cruise Fare |
| USA | $14.50-$20 Per Person Per Day (Location Dependant) |
| Europe | Often Included in Promotions |
What Are Gratuities?
Gratuities are charges automatically added to your onboard account during a cruise. These are usually priced per person per day, and they go to provide tips for the staff on board.
The cost of gratuities varies by cruise line, but $16 per person per night would be a reasonable charge.
On most cruise lines, you are able to remove this charge if you wish, but doing so usually requires going to the cruise ship’s reception when onboard and asking to have it removed.
To learn more about gratuities, including how to pay or remove them, check out this post:
Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers
Booking an MSC Cruise From The UK and Ireland
In June 2019, MSC Cruises made the move to include gratuities in the prices of cruises booked from the UK.
Any cruise booked since will include gratuities regardless of whether it was booked through a travel agent or directly with MSC.
Many cruise lines from the UK have adopted a gratuity-inclusive pricing structure, with P&O and Marella also including gratuities.
SERVICE CHARGES / GRATUITIES
Service Charge / Gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
Before this change, MSC gratuities were around €10 per person per night, but this price varied depending on the cruise’s location.
Booking an MSC Cruise From The USA
If you are booking an MSC cruise from the USA, gratuities will be automatically added to your onboard account in the usual way.
With some cruise lines these can be removed, although I wouldn’t recommend doing this. Many staff members work behind the scenes in the laundry, kitchens etc and by tipping only the crew you see these members lose out.
For your convenience, MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided.
MSC Cruises
The Hotel Service charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests. The daily amounts below have been calculated with this in mind and cannot be modified. However, should you wish to remove any of the daily Hotel Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager onboard.
Pre Paying Gratuities
When booking an MSC cruise from the USA, it is possible to prepay the gratuities at the time of booking the cruise.
I recommend you take this option if it is offered to you. It’s horrible having a big bill at the end of your cruise!
If you have booked through a travel agent, they should ask if you want to prepay.
If you’ve booked directly you’ll usually be able to prepay online or ring MSC to do so.
Booking a cruise around America, Canada, and the Caribbean from the US
The adult gratuity price for cruises in this part of the world is around €12
Booking a cruise around Europe or the Middle East from the US
The adult gratuity price for cruises in this part of the world is around €10 per night. There are no current plans to increase this.
Booking a cruise around South Africa from the US
The adult gratuity price for cruises in this part of the world is around $10 per night.
Booking a cruise around South America from the US
The adult gratuity price for cruises in this part of the world is $14.50 per night.
Do Children Have to Pay a Gratuity with MSC?
Children under two do not have to pay any gratuities when cruising with MSC.
Children aged 2+ have to pay a gratuity at a reduced rate. This is usually 50% of the adult price, but it does vary based on the cruise’s location.
This is based on the child’s age on embarkation day, so if the child turns two mid-way through the cruise, they won’t have to pay gratuities.
Booking an MSC Cruise From The Rest of Europe
When booking an MSC cruise from Europe (excluding the UK/Ireland) gratuities will be automatically added. Many promotions will include gratuities.
MSC often included gratuities when purchasing certain cabin grades. Most of MSC’s cabins are either Fantastica or Bella grade, with Fantastica being the more expensive.
MSC sometimes run promotions where gratuities are automatically included with Fantastica cabins.
If this is the case it can sometimes be cheaper to book a Fantastica cabin which includes gratuities than a Bella cabin which does not.
Can You Tip With Cash on an MSC Cruise?
If you do want to you can tip the staff with cash however MSC actively discourages this.
On some other cruise lines tipping in cash will be actively encouraged and you’ll find tipping envelopes in your cabin/at dinner on the last night.
Many people tip in addition to the automatic gratuities for staff members who have gone above and beyond by providing exceptional service. The crew will always be grateful for extra tips, and anything is appreciated.
To learn more about using cash on a cruise, including when it’s not usually recommended, check out this post: Cruise Ships Are Cashless Societies – Here’s Why
Who Are MSC Cruises Good For?
I consistently recommend MSC cruises for families and younger cruisers.
MSC has a very high proportion of families on their cruises, and the average age is lower than that of the rest of the industry.
MSC really do provide excellent value for money, particularly when booking from the UK. I have been on some very cheap MSC cruises in the past and would always be happy to sail with them again.
When I took three first-time cruisers on a budget MSC cruise, they loved it. We paid just under £400 for a week-long cruise, which was incredible. Find out about that here:
To learn more about why I consistently recommend MSC, including my thoughts on the food, check out the recommended cruise lines page here:
Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)
MSC Ships Are Impressive!
I have sailed on many MSC ships over the years, and I always find them to be impressive.
They seem to introduce new ships to the cruise market very regularly. The ships are modern, bright – and sparkly!
I sailed recently on MSC World Europa, one of their biggest ships. Find out what i thought of her here:
Yacht Club
MSC have a ship within a ship offering – MSC Yacht Club.
A ship within a ship is a luxury area on a cruise ship that offers guests a private club experience while still giving them access to the rest of the ship’s amenities.
Many of the big cruise lines have these areas. For example:
- The Haven – Norwegian Cruise Lines
- The Retreat – Celebrity
- Cunard – Princess Grill and Queen Grill
- Royal Caribbean – Royal Suite Class/Star Class
I was recently lucky enough to stay in MSC Yacht Club onboard MSC Euribia. I had my own Butler!
It was a very different experience to my other MSC sailings. Find out all about that here:
Before You Go
I sailed on Symphony of the Seas, then MSC World Europa. Both ships are very similar, although MSC’s was far cheaper. Find out more about that here:
MSC vs Royal Caribbean – I Cruised on The Biggest Ships: (Differences)
Find out about the cruise tips that enable me to get the best value for money out of my MSC cruises here:
19 Essential MSC Cruise Tips That I Use Everytime (Freebies, Money Saving & More)
Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide
Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.
This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.
Whenever I take a cruise I order a print of my trip. It uses the real satellite data from the cruise and is always a great conversation starter!
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