Royal Caribbean cruisers are about to start spending a little more on board. Starting next month, the cruise line will be bumping up its automatic daily gratuities. Whether you like it or not, you’re about to become a bigger tipper.
On November 1, Caribbean’s auto-gratuity will increase to $18.50 per person per day (up from $18) for those staying in interior, oceanview, balcony staterooms and junior suites. Guests in larger suites will see their gratuities rise to $21 per person per day (up from $20.50).
Unless you ask to modify or remove them, these tips are automatically added to your room bill each day. It’s just a 50-cent increase, but it adds up. Royal Caribbean charges extra gratuities on things like drink purchases and specialty dining. Fortunately, it’s for a good cause: the gratuities go toward rewarding the hard-working crew, including dining and bar staff, stateroom attendants, and other behind-the-scenes teams who help make the cruise experience seamless.
Royal Caribbean isn't alone in this auto-gratuity increase. Celebrity Cruises, also part of the Royal Caribbean Group, upped its gratuities last year, ranging from $18-$23 per day. Other cruise lines like Princess Cruises have also raised their daily tip amounts, but at a slightly lower rate—about $17 per person for interior and oceanview staterooms. Some high-end lines, like Regent Seven Seas, include gratuities in the total cruise fare.
You don’t need to carry extra dollar bills around with you, but be prepared to pay a little more each day when you’re cruising Royal Caribbean.