Vicki Parmelee, owner of Jumby Bay Island Grill in Jupiter, Florida, tells Fox News Digital that tips should be earned, not expected, and reveals the common scenario that she says makes many restaurant customers "uncomfortable."

Cruise passengers are getting hit with a familiar vacation surprise: the bill that keeps growing after they book.

Daily gratuities, drink-package service charges, specialty dining fees and other automatic add-ons have become a flashpoint for travelers who say cruise vacations are being advertised one way, yet priced another.

Frustration is said to be mounting as several cruise lines have raised their gratuity or service charges in 2026.

POPULAR CRUISE LINE'S BIKINI CRACKDOWN COULD SURPRISE PASSENGERS AT ISLAND PORTS

Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to change its gratuity structure.

As of June 1, guests onboard Holland America ships will pay daily "crew appreciation" charges of $18 per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $20 per day for suites.

"Crew Appreciation is a meaningful way for guests to recognize the exceptional service and hard work our crew provides every day," a Holland America spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Several cruise lines have raised their gratuity or service charges in 2026 — and frustration among travelers is apparently mounting.  (Horacio Villalobos/Corbis)

The company says the gratuity is automatically added to each guest’s onboard account.

Guests who want to change the daily amount may adjust it at their discretion while onboard, the cruise line notes.

In addition, an 18% service charge is automatically applied to select purchases, including beverage items, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, for-purchase à la carte menu items, and spa and salon services.

OUTRAGED CRUISE PASSENGERS BLAST COMPANY'S 'IDIOTIC' NEW DRESS CODE CRACKDOWN

The charges are subject to change without notice, the company says, and guests are told to contact customer service for up-to-date details before sailing.

Regarding the "crew appreciation" fees, the Holland America spokesperson said that "100% goes directly to our shipboard team" and that the charge is "in line with the cruise industry competitive standards."

Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to change its gratuity structure as new "crew appreciation" charges are added daily to travelers' bills. (Marco De Swart/Anp/Afp)

MSC Cruises also recently updated its daily service charge.

"We can confirm that MSC Cruises updated its daily hotel service charge for new bookings made on or after May 11, 2026," an MSC Cruises spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

CHAIR-HOGGING WARS HEAT UP AS CRUISE TRAVELERS USE SNEAKY TACTICS AMID CRACKDOWNS

The change raises the charge by $1 per person per night for standard staterooms on Caribbean and Alaska sailings, bringing the rate to $17. Guests at the MSC Yacht Club will see a higher increase, with $23 per person per night, the company said. 

"This update supports our dedicated crew members who deliver the exceptional onboard experience our guests expect," the spokesperson said.

On cruise lines such as MSC (pictured here), food and drink packages can add up quickly. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for MSC Cruises)

Carnival Cruise Line also raised its gratuities earlier this spring. 

That brought Carnival’s daily gratuities to $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Carnival increased the price of a popular onboard package the same day.

The adult price for Bottomless Bubbles went up to $11.99 per day from $9.50 per day. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

A 20% service charge applies, according to the company's website.

"Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional service," a spokesperson said. "We believe our guests will agree this slight increase is well-deserved."

Cruise lines have long relied on automatic gratuities to compensate crew members who serve passengers throughout a sailing. (Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Carnival said guests still have some control over the charge.

While gratuities are automatically added to guests’ shipboard accounts, the amount can be adjusted on board at the guest’s request, the spokesperson said.

Cruise lines have long relied on automatic gratuities. But in recent years, tipping fatigue has crept in across restaurants, coffee shops and other venues, especially those that use self-checkout screens.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

On Reddit’s cruise forums earlier this year, travelers complained about extra gratuities.

"I honestly feel the gratuity thing is going out of control," one poster wrote.

Another user responded, "Gratuity everywhere is out of control. At self-checkouts, the machine asks for a tip. For who, exactly? The only correct answer is to tap ‘0%.'"

"I honestly feel the gratuity thing is going out of control," one poster wrote on Reddit earlier this year. (iStock)

A third said, "I just wish they'd pay the staff decently and include that in the fare. I hate tipping culture."

The debate spilled onto Facebook as well.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

In one Facebook group, a cruiser argued that companies should be more upfront about the full cost of a trip.

"I think they don't include [specific item charges] to keep advertised prices looking lower," the user wrote. 

Jessica Mekles is an editor on the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 

A look at the top-trending stories in food, relationships, great outdoors and more.

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News 
        Privacy Policy
       and 
        Terms of Use
      , and
      agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can
      opt-out at any time.

Subscribed

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!