Margaritaville at Sea Gratuities: $22 or $25 Per Night

Where these numbers come from

Margaritaville at Sea keeps its gratuity structure simple: a fixed nightly amount per guest, plus a service gratuity on optional purchases. The nightly amount is added automatically to your stateroom account. The FAQ puts it at $22 per person per night for staterooms and $25 per person per night for suites.

The line states that all of the guest-paid gratuity goes to the crew, and that additional tips are welcome but not required. The ticket contract adds that the service gratuity is pooled and distributed at the carrier's discretion. In practice this means you do not need to hand out cash tips to cover the basics.

One rule matters for families: children are charged the same daily rate as adults. A 3-night sailing for two adults and two children in a standard stateroom costs 4 x 3 x $22 = $264. In a suite the same party pays 4 x 3 x $25 = $300. The kids club covers ages 3 to 17, so the charge buys the same service for every guest. The cruise gratuity calculator handles other party sizes.

The contract also says specialty beverages, alcohol and sodas are not part of the base fare and carry service gratuities. The percentage is not stated on the pages checked, so ask before you budget bar spend. The Cruise+ bundle is the exception that is easy to price: it lists all cruise fare, taxes, fees, port expenses and service charges as included.

Worked comparison for a couple on a 4-night suite cruise. Nightly gratuity: 2 x 4 x $25 = $200. Staterooms would be 2 x 4 x $22 = $176, so the suite costs $24 more. Add a bar tab of your own choosing and expect the service gratuity on top of it. Read the drink package page to see which packages cover that.

Compare this structure with a line that embeds tips in menu prices by reading the Virgin Voyages overview. For a full fare estimate, use the cruise cost calculator. Figures can change, so confirm the nightly rate on your booking summary. Late arrivals that miss port closing times count as no-shows, which can trigger cancellation penalties, so allow extra travel time.

Sources

• Margaritaville at Sea FAQ
• Margaritaville at Sea ticket contract
• Margaritaville at Sea Cruise+ bundle

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.