Windstar Cruise Gratuities
On Windstar, gratuities take the form of a daily Hotel Service Charge of $16.00 per guest, the same in every cabin, added to your onboard account. The optional All-In package folds it in with drinks and Wi-Fi. Here is how it works on these small ships.
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Yes, Windstar charges a daily Hotel Service Charge.
Windstar applies a daily Hotel Service Charge of $16.00 per guest, the same across all cabins, added to your onboard account. The optional All-In package, about $99 per guest per day, folds the service charge in along with unlimited drinks and Wi-Fi.
Windstar gratuities at a glance
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The verdict and key numbers are above. From here, check the rate table, learn how to prepay or adjust, see how drinks and extras are charged, then compare the nearby lines.
Windstar daily gratuity rates
Windstar’s daily Hotel Service Charge is per guest and is the same across staterooms and suites. The rates below are current as of June 2026.
| Stateroom type | Daily rate |
|---|---|
| All staterooms and suites | $16 per guest, per day |
The daily amount is charged for every guest in the cabin, for every night of the sailing.
What Windstar gratuities cost for the whole trip
Use this grid to budget the full gratuity before you book. Figures use the standard stateroom rate of $16 per guest, per day.
Ready to price it? Compare Windstar sailings at CruiseDirect.
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| Sailing length | Solo (1) | Couple (2) | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | $48 | $96 | $192 |
| 4 nights | $64 | $128 | $256 |
| 5 nights | $80 | $160 | $320 |
| 7 nights | $112 | $224 | $448 |
| 10 nights | $160 | $320 | $640 |
These figures cover the daily gratuity only. Bar and spa service charges are added separately; room service and specialty-restaurant meals are included.
The Windstar gratuities guide system
Use this page as the central Windstar gratuities guide, then jump to the section that answers your question. Each card links to a detailed breakdown below.
How Windstar gratuities actually work
These cards group Windstar gratuities around the decisions guests actually make: what posts to your account, how to prepay or adjust it, and how drinks, spa, and extra tips fit in.
The daily gratuity, explained
Windstar posts the gratuity to your onboard account every day of the sailing. It is a single per guest amount that covers the people who keep the cruise running.
The Hotel Service Charge functions as gratuities and is paid to the crew across dining and housekeeping.
Prepay before you sail or adjust onboard
Windstar adds the Hotel Service Charge to your onboard account rather than offering a prepay rate lock. The optional All-In package, about $99 per guest, per day, bundles the service charge with drinks and Wi-Fi.
The Hotel Service Charge functions as gratuities and is treated as the standard amount. Like most lines, it can be discussed at Guest Services if there is a service issue.
Bar, beverage package, and dining
A beverage service charge, commonly 18%, is added to bar and wine purchases. The All-In package covers it. Specialty dining on Windstar is generally included with no added gratuity.
Windstar’s pre-departure guide says its specialty restaurants have no cover charge; chargeable beverage purchases remain separate.
Spa, salon, and other add ons
Spa and salon services usually add a gratuity at checkout.
Windstar lists complimentary 24-hour room service. Photos and shore excursions are priced separately and are not part of the daily gratuity.
Kids, third guests, and suites
Windstar is a small ship line with few children. The $16 daily Hotel Service Charge applies to all guests.
The daily Hotel Service Charge applies per guest in the cabin.
Adjusting or removing the gratuity
Windstar treats the Hotel Service Charge as standard, though it can be raised at Guest Services for a service concern.
Crew rely on the pooled gratuity as part of their pay, so most guests leave the standard amount in place and tip extra for service that stands out.
The daily gratuity is per guest, not per cabin, and it is separate from the service charge on drinks. Room service and specialty-restaurant meals are included. Budget both, and decide before you sail whether to prepay or settle it onboard.
How Windstar gratuities compare
Daily gratuities are one of the clearest ways to compare cruise lines on real onboard cost. Here is how Windstar lines up with the nearby brands; use the billing units and fare-inclusion conditions stated for each line.
Windstar
Daily Hotel Service Charge, the same in every cabin.
Jump to the ratesViking Ocean
Premium small to mid ship peer. Standard U.S. guidance recommends $20 per guest, per night where gratuities are not already included. UK guidance includes gratuities; qualifying U.S. World Cruise fare benefits can include them too. Check your booked inclusions.
See Viking Ocean gratuitiesAzamara
Premium peer that includes gratuities in the fare.
See Azamara gratuitiesCarnival
Mainstream comparison, $19 in suites.
See Carnival gratuitiesWindstar charges in US dollars on its small yachts and sailing ships. The All-In package is the clean way to make the cruise effectively all inclusive, bundling the service charge with drinks and Wi-Fi.
Windstar gratuity sources
These rates come from Windstar official guidance, cross checked against reputable cruise sources and verified in June 2026. Always confirm the exact amount for your sailing at booking. Room-service and specialty-dining inclusions were checked October 4, 2026 against Windstar’s official pre-departure guide and fare-inclusions guidance. The uniform daily charge across staterooms and suites was also checked October 4, 2026 against that guide. The Viking comparison’s billing unit and market/fare inclusions were also checked October 4, 2026. This scoped update does not revalidate the other fee amounts or historical statements.
Cruise lines do not cover medical evacuation. EKTA travel insurance covers it from about 1 dollar a day.
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Windstar gratuities questions
How much are gratuities on Windstar Cruises?
Windstar charges a daily Hotel Service Charge of $16.00 per guest, the same across all cabins, added to your onboard account, plus a beverage service charge of about 18% on drinks.
Are gratuities included in Windstar pricing?
Not in the base fare. The $16 daily Hotel Service Charge is added to your onboard account. The optional All-In package, about $99 per guest per day, folds it in along with drinks and Wi-Fi.
What does the Windstar All-In package include?
The All-In package, about $99 per guest, per day, bundles the Hotel Service Charge with unlimited beverages and Wi-Fi, making the cruise effectively all inclusive.
Can you adjust Windstar gratuities?
The Hotel Service Charge functions as gratuities and is treated as standard. Like most lines, it can be discussed at Guest Services if there is a service issue.
How much are gratuities for a 7 night Windstar cruise for two?
About $224 (2 guests times 7 nights times $16). The 18% beverage service charge on drinks is separate, unless you buy the All-In package.
Keep planning your Windstar cruise
Gratuities are one line in the budget. Use the Windstar fleet guide to choose the right ship, then come back here before you sail to prepay or adjust your gratuities with confidence.
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