Royal Caribbean recently announced a significant increase in its automatic gratuity charge, impacting the fees that passengers will pay on future cruises. Starting November 1, the daily gratuity fee will rise to $18.50 per person per day for those in standard cabins, and $21 per person per day for suite passengers. This increase comes just under a year after the last hike, marking a nearly 14% jump within a year and a total increase of 54% since 2015.
Understanding the New Gratuity Rates
The new gratuity fees are an essential consideration for cruise passengers, especially families, as these charges quickly add up over a cruise’s duration. For instance:
- Standard Cabins: The fee will rise from $18 to $18.50 per person per day.
- Suites: The charge will increase from $20.50 to $21 per person per day.
For a family of four, this means paying over $500 in gratuities on a seven-night cruise. This additional cost is among the highest in the industry and puts Royal Caribbean above most other major cruise lines.
How Does Royal Caribbean Compare to Other Cruise Lines?
Royal Caribbean’s gratuity increase follows a trend among cruise lines, where service charges and gratuities are added to passenger bills. Here’s how Royal Caribbean compares to others in the industry:
- Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America: Service charges range from $13.50 to $16 per person per day for standard cabins.
- Celebrity Cruises: Gratuity charges start at $18 per person per day, making it closer in price to Royal Caribbean.
While some luxury cruise lines, like Azamara, Ponant, and Seabourn, include gratuities in their base fares, most major lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival opt to add service fees as separate charges. This has become a standard practice, with many cruise lines increasing these fees every one to two years.
Why Do Cruise Lines Charge Gratuities?
Gratuities cover services provided by crew members, from dining room servers to housekeeping staff. Including these fees as part of the bill is intended to simplify the tipping process for passengers. In the past, cash tipping was the norm, but now gratuities are automatically added to bills and can be prepaid for convenience.
For those unhappy with onboard service, Royal Caribbean allows adjustments to gratuities posted to onboard accounts, provided they haven’t prepaid. To make adjustments, passengers can visit the Guest Services desk during their cruise.
Options for Managing Your Gratuity Costs
If you want to lock in the current, lower gratuity rates, Royal Caribbean offers an option to prepay gratuities before November 1. Here are some steps you can take to manage these fees:
- Prepay Your Gratuities: Prepaying allows you to secure the lower rate and avoid potential price hikes in the future.
- Adjust Onboard: If you’re not fully satisfied with the service, you can adjust your gratuities at Guest Services, but this is only available if you haven’t prepaid.
- Check Included Gratuities: When booking, see if any onboard packages or offers include gratuities as part of the fare. This can be a good way to save on these charges.
Long-Term Trends and Implications for Cruise Passengers
Royal Caribbean’s gratuity charge has risen substantially since 2015, far outpacing inflation rates over the same period. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, inflation has increased by about 35% since 2015, whereas Royal Caribbean’s fees have jumped by 54%. This trend points to an ongoing challenge for cruise passengers as travel costs continue to climb.
For families, these increased gratuity charges mean additional budgeting considerations, as the costs of a cruise vacation continue to rise. If you’re considering booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean, it’s crucial to factor in these gratuity costs as part of your overall travel budget.
Conclusion: Is a Royal Caribbean Cruise Still Worth It?
While Royal Caribbean’s gratuity charges are now among the highest in the industry, many passengers find the convenience and service levels worth the expense. However, those considering future cruises should carefully review these charges and explore options for locking in lower rates or adjusting gratuities onboard.
Royal Caribbean’s fee increases highlight an industry trend, with major cruise lines routinely raising service charges to cover operational costs. If you’re planning a cruise, factoring in gratuity fees and evaluating them against the total cost of your vacation can help you make an informed decision.
