Gratuities have always been a hot topic in the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean is increasing its automatic gratuities. Here is everything you need to know.
Starting November 1, 2024, the cruise line will increase its automatic gratuity rate by $0.50 per person per day. Previously, the gratuity amount was $20.50 per person per day for suite passengers and $18.00 per person per day for non-suite passengers, which includes inside staterooms, balcony staterooms, ocean view staterooms, and junior suites.
Following the increase, the gratuity for suite passengers will become $21.00 per person per day, while the gratuity for non-suite passengers will be raised to $18.50 per person per day. However, passengers who have already booked their cruises have the option to lock in the old gratuity rate by prepaying before November 1, 2024.
It’s important to note that the gratuities collected are distributed to various crew members, such as dining, bar, and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and hotel services team members.
This increase of $0.50 may seem modest in comparison to the previous increase of $2 per person per day in October 2023. For a family of four on a 7 day cruise, the additional $14 only amounts to the price of a drink. It’s possible that Royal Caribbean is implementing smaller, more gradual increases to lessen the impact on passengers.
This change brings Royal Caribbean’s automatic gratuity rate closer to that of Norwegian Cruise Line, which currently has the highest automatic gratuity rate among mainstream cruise lines. Norwegian charges $20 per person per day for passengers staying in Club Balcony Suite and below, and $25 per person per day for The Haven and Suite guests.
Below is a breakdown of gratuity rates of other mainstream cruise lines:
Celebrity Cruise
Celebrity Cruise charges $18 per person per day for inside, ocean view, and veranda staterooms. AquaClass and Concierge guests will be charged $19 per person per day. Meanwhile, Retreat guests are charged $23 per person per day.
Carnival Cruise
Carnival Cruise charges $16 per person per day for passengers staying in standard cabins, while suite stateroom guests are charged $18 per person per day. Gratuity is charged to all guests 3 years and older.
Princess Cruise
Princess Cruise charges $17 per person daily for passengers staying in standard staterooms. Guests staying in Mini-Suites, Cabanas, and Club Classes will be charged $18 per person daily. Suite guests will be charged $19 per person per day.
MSC Cruise
MSC Cruise charges $16 per person per night for standard cabins and $20 per person per night for Yacht Club guests on North America and Caribbean cruises.
For European Cruises, they charge 12 Euro per adult per night for standard cabins and 16 Euro per adult per night for Yacht Club guests, with children aged 2-11 paying 50% of the adult rate. For Asia Cruises, there is an $18 per person per night fee for standard cabin guests and a $20 per person per night fee for Yacht Club guests.
Holland America
Holland America charges $17 per person per day for non-suite stateroom guests. Meanwhile, suite passengers will be charged $19 per person per day.
Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise charges $14.50 per person per day for standard cabin guests. Concierge staterooms and suites will be charged $15.50 per person per day. All guests, including infants and children, must pay gratuity.
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