Starting from May 1, 2017, guests on board Holland America Line ships will be charged according to the new prices of daily gratuities. According to the cruise company, passengers occupying the suites will pay $15 per guest per day, instead of the current $13.50, and guests staying in all other staterooms will be charged $13.50 per day instead of $12.50. Last time Holland America Line raised the graduates was in December 2015.

This amount is distributed among the crew members such as restaurant personnel, stateroom stewards, and behind-the-scenes support crew which is compensated by a combination of salary and the graduates. 

Holland America Line policy states that if a passenger feels that the provided service was not satisfactory, the charges can be removed at the end of the voyage. Keeping in mind that the crew works 7 days a week, for 6 months away from their family and their biggest share of salary comes from the guest's graduates it is a shame to remove the service charge. As the saying goes “If you can’t afford to tip, don’t cruise.”

In comparison, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity cruises charge $13.50 per person per day and Princess Cruises daily graduates are $12.95.