It’s been four years, and Royal Caribbean is increasing the gratuity rate that cruise passengers will pay for the service they receive from crew members on its ships.
Each passenger pays a daily gratuity that covers the services of the crew members with whom they interact the most, and this daily rate is charged automatically unless paid in advance by the guest before the cruise.
From September 7, 2022, the automatic daily tip collection will increase:
Standard Cabin (Junior Suites and below) ranges from $14.50 to $16.00 per day per person
The tip price will change from $17.50 to $18.50 per day per person
Royal Caribbean last raised gratuities on January 2, 2018.
Daily tips are shared among restaurant, bar, and culinary staff, cabin attendants, and other hotel service teams working behind the scenes.
Royal Caribbean provides that in the unlikely event that a guest on board who is charged a daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, the guest may request to amend the daily amount at their discretion by visiting Guest Services on board until the morning of departure.
For new bookings, adjusted gratuity amounts are effective September 7, 2022.
Guests booked prior to September 7, 2022, may elect to pre-pay gratuities prior to departure to take advantage of current rates. On or after September 7, 2022, regardless of when the reservation was made, gratuities paid on board will be subject to the new, increased rates.
Pre-existing reservations confirmed prior to September 7, 2022, will not be subject to the increased guidelines as long as gratuities are paid prior to departure. If guests choose not to pay gratuities until boarding, they will be subject to the newly proposed gratuity amounts.
This automatic gratuity does not cover other purchases on board. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, mini bar items, and spa and salon purchases.