Royal Caribbean Hikes Daily Gratuities—What You Need to Know Before Your Next Cruise

Royal Caribbean is quietly raising its daily gratuity charges for the second time in less than a year.

Beginning November 1, 2024, passengers will see a 50-cent increase in the daily gratuity rate, bringing the new total to $18.50 per person per day for standard cabins, and $21.00 for suites.

This increase will apply to all passengers, regardless of age, and includes a wide range of stateroom types such as interior, ocean-view, balcony cabins, and Junior Suites. Full suites, including Sky Junior Suites and above, will see the higher gratuity rate.

Guests who have already booked their cruise can avoid this increase by prepaying their gratuities before November 1. However, if the gratuities are paid onboard after this date, the higher rate will automatically apply to their onboard account.

The new rates are part of Royal Caribbean’s strategy to support its crew members, with the gratuities shared among dining, stateroom, and hotel services staff.

In addition to the daily gratuity increase, Royal Caribbean has also raised the service charge for spa and salon services to 20%, aligning with other cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises. The 18% gratuity for beverage packages, room service, and specialty dining remains unchanged.

Other cruise lines have also adjusted their gratuity policies. Celebrity Cruises charges $18.00 per day for standard staterooms, while Carnival Cruise Line sets their gratuity at $16.00 per person per day.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line stands out with a rate of $20.00 for standard staterooms and $25.00 for suites.

For those planning to sail with Royal Caribbean soon, it’s advised to prepay gratuities to lock in the current rate before the November 1 increase.