MSC to increase key onboard fee
Although most major cruise lines have yet to raise cruise costs by adding fuel surcharges to help offset rising oil prices in 2026, several cruise lines have recently increased their standard rates for a key fee that's automatically charged to all passengers.
These rate increases are making sailings on some of the most budget-friendly cruise lines seem a little less affordable when you add rising cruise fees on top of competitive cruise fares. When you're budgeting for a cruise, it's important to always factor in additional costs beyond the base cruise fare, especially onboard fees, so you aren't shocked by unexpected charges at the end of your cruise.
One of the most important onboard costs to consider is daily gratuities, or automatic service charges that cruise lines charge to all passengers as tips for stateroom attendants, dining staff, and other crew members who contribute to their cruise experience. On most major cruise lines, cruise gratuity rates range from $16 to $20 per passenger, per day, but that range is shifting higher in 2026 as multiple cruise lines adjust their rates in line with industry trends.
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MSC Cruises increasing daily gratuity fees for Caribbean, Alaska cruises
MSC Cruises is the latest cruise line to increase its daily gratuity fees, which it refers to as hotel service charges. As a global cruise line, MSC's service charge rates vary by region, and as the cruise line begins its first Alaska cruise season this May, its raising gratuity rates for sailings departing from North America.
As of May 11, the hotel service charge for Caribbean and Alaska cruises will be $17 per passenger, per night for most stateroom categories, up $1 from the current rate of $16, according to the MSC Cruises website.
For passengers sailing in MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line's ship-within-a-ship concept, the hotel service charge will increase from $20 to $23 per passenger, per night on Caribbean and Alaska sailings.
Related: How much to tip your cruise cabin attendant
Hotel service charges are automatically added to onboard accounts for all passengers two years of age and older. Those with Caribbean and Alaska cruises booked can contact MSC or their travel agent to prepay hotel service charges now to lock in the current rates before fees go up in May.
"We are happy to honor the current Hotel Service Charge for guests who have already paid, as well as those who choose to prepay before the policy change on May 11, 2026," MSC states on its website.
Once the new rates take effect, a family of four sailing in a standard stateroom will pay $476 in service charges on a seven-night Caribbean or Alaska cruise rather than $448 at the previous rate - an increase of $28.
Other budget-friendly cruise lines recently increased gratuity rates
MSC's gratuity rate increase follows increases by other popular cruise lines for budget-conscious cruisers like Carnival and Margaritaville at Sea. MSC will continue to charge the same standard gratuity rate as Carnival, which raised its gratuity rate to $17 for standard staterooms as of April 2.
Despite having some of the lowest base cruise fares in the industry, Margaritaville at Sea now charges the highest daily gratuity rate - $22 for most stateroom categories, as of Feb. 1.
Additionally, Carnival's Princess Cruises and Holland America Line both recently increased their daily crew appreciation gratuity fees from $17 to $18 for most stateroom categories.
Related: 4 new ways to cruise to Alaska this summer
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 10:54 AM.