Royal Caribbean will increase its daily gratuities by fifty cents per person on all stateroom categories starting November 1, 2024.
This increase follows the previous gratuity hike of $2 per day, which took effect last year.
New Royal Caribbean Gratuities (November 2024)
| Type of Stateroom | Current Rate (USD) | New Rate (USD) | Percent Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside, Ocean View, Balcony, Junior Suite | $18.00 | $18.50 | 2.78 |
| Suites (Sky Junior Suites, Grand Suites, and above) | $20.50 | $21.00 | 2.44 |
The updated gratuity rates will automatically apply for any cruises booked after November 1, 2024.
Read More: Are Cruise Gratuities Fair for Passengers?
Other onboard gratuity policies remain the same – an 18% gratuity will be automatically added to purchases for bar service beverages, room service, and mini-bar items, and a 20% gratuity will be automatically added to purchases for spa & salon services. These will be itemized on their receipt at the end of each purchase.
Who Receives the Gratuities?
Royal Caribbean explains that gratuities are shared among staff members, including dining, bar, culinary services, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams.
While these gratuities are automatically added to guests’ folio accounts, passengers can adjust the amounts by visiting Guest Services onboard.
This is the second gratuity increase in the past 12 months. The cruise line notes that the gratuities help recognize the hard work of its onboard staff, who provide the high level of service Royal Caribbean guests have come to expect.
Royal Caribbean vs Other Cruise Line Gratuities
| Cruise Line | Standard Cabins (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony) | Suite Cabins |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | $18.50 per person, per day | $21.00 per person, per day |
| Carnival Cruise Line | $16.00 per person, per day | $18.00 per person, per day |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | $20.00 per person, per day | $25.00 per person, per day |
What Royal Caribbean passengers are saying
While it may be only fifty cents, one of the main complaints on social media is that these charges are not included in the upfront price, leaving passengers feeling like they’re facing hidden costs. Some argue that gratuities should be bundled into the cruise fare like Virgin Voyages, rather than presented as an additional fee.
Others feel that the service remains excellent despite the increases, with many passengers reporting positive interactions with staff and being happy to give more.
This will cost a family of four in a balcony cabin an additional $14 per week.
