Royal Caribbean Will Raise Automatic Daily Gratuities For Guests Starting in September

Cruise lovers get into this. Starting next month, passengers aboard  Royal Caribbean cruises will have a higher daily gratuity automatically charged.

Instead of the current $14.59 charge, passengers will soon be charged $16.00 per person daily.

The charges will automatically be charged to the passenger’s SeaPass account, travel and leisure reported.

For those staying in suites, there will be a 5% increase; guests will be charged $18.50 per day.

“The gratuity applies to individual guests of all ages and stateroom categories,” the cruise line wrote in its guidance. “As a way to reward our crew members for their outstanding service, gratuities are shared among dining, bar & culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams who work behind the scenes to enhance the cruise experience.”

The cruise line noted that the gratuity is “based on customary industry standards,” however, passengers can request a modification to the amount. An additional 18% gratuity is automatically added to all beverages, mini bar items, spa services, and salon purchases.

The new tip charges have also exceeded some other major cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line charges less, recommending $14.50 per person for standard staterooms and $16.50 when it comes to their suites. In comparison, Celebrity Cruises charges $15.50 per person for passengers in standard staterooms, $16.00 per person for passengers in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms, and $19.00 per person for passengers in The Retreat.