Holland America Line has increased both its daily gratuity rate and its onboard service charge.

The daily crew appreciation fee is now $18 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins, up from $17. Suite guests will pay $20 per day, up from $19. Holland America last adjusted these rates in February 2024.

The one dollar increase breaks down to be a 5.9% increase for standard cabins ($17 to $18) and a 5.3% increase for suites ($19 to $20). 

Service Charge Also Increases

In addition to the increasing the daily gratuity that is automatically charged, Holland America raised its service charge on onboard purchases from 18 to 20 percent. That charge applies automatically to beverages, specialty dining cover charges, a la carte menu items, bar retail purchases, and spa and salon services.

The move mirrors what Carnival and Princess have recently done. Princess Cruises raised its service charge from 18 to 20 percent earlier this year, and Carnival made the same move.

No doubt aware that this type of change is never well received by the cruising public, Holland America opted not to make a formal announcement or send a press release. Rather, word began spreading amongst cruisers after they noticed an update to the line’s website outlining the changes.

How the Daily Gratuity Works

The daily fee is automatically added to each guest’s onboard account and pooled with charges from across the fleet. 

The cruise line’s website says, “Crew Appreciation is Holland America Line’s approach to gratuities, designed to recognize the many team members who support your journey, including those you see every day and those working behind the scenes.”

Guests can request an adjustment at Guest Services before their account is finalized prior to disembarkation.

How Holland America’s Rate Compares

For context, Princess Cruises currently charges $18 per day for standard cabins and $20 for suites, putting it on par with Holland America’s new rates. 

Celebrity Cruises charges $18 per day for most cabin categories, rising to $19 for Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $23 for The Retreat suites. Carnival Cruise Line’s updated rates also took effect April 2.

For a seven-night cruise, two guests in a standard cabin will now pay $252 in crew appreciation charges, up from $238 at the previous rate.

The death of a cruise ship guest prompted a police investigation in New Zealand. The incident was reported as a “sudden death” aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas during a 12-night cruise of Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand police investigate ‘sudden death’ on Anthem of the Seas

The death occurred during the ship’s approach to its first port call at Waitangi, Bay of Islands, at around 1:45 a.m. on March 25. New Zealand police were immediately notified and officers were waiting at the pier when the ship arrived several hours later.

At around 1:45 a.m., police were notified of a death on board the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship which was arriving from Sydney, Australia,” a New Zealand Police spokesperson said. “They are making enquiries into the person’s death on behalf of the coroner.”

Royal Caribbean says it is cooperating with NZ police

Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident and said it is cooperating with authorities. “We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We are supporting authorities in their investigation.”

No further details have been shared regarding the cause of death or the circumstances leading up to it. Police have not indicated whether the death is being treated as suspicious, and the identity of the passenger has not been released. It is unclear whether other guests aboard the ship have been informed.

The 12-night roundtrip voyage departed Sydney on March 22 and includes stops at Waitangi, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Dunedin, and Fiordland National Park before returning to Sydney on April 3.

Unrelated to the incident, the ship was forced to skip a scheduled port call at Tauranga due to severe weather from a subtropical low-pressure system.

The Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum Class ship that can accommodate up to 4,180 guests and approximately 1,500 crew members.