For Less Than a Dollar a Day, You Can Give Your Cruise Ship Crew a Raise

Cruise lines are increasing their daily tip charge, offering a modest boost to some of the industry’s lowest-paid workers, as U.S. fast-food, retail, and airport workers push for raises of their own.

Two of the three largest cruise lines are raising their automatic gratuity charges by 95¢ a passenger. Royal Caribbean Cruises, the second-largest line, said it will add $12.95 per guest per day for all Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sailings that depart July 1 and after; cruisers who stay in suites are assessed $15.95 a day. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings imposed a 95¢ increase effective March 1, with the charge for guests in suites rising to $14.95 a day. A couple on a weeklong cruise in a balcony or inside cabin would pay $181, with a family of four paying $363.