Royal Caribbean to Increase Gratuity Rates Next Month: Here’s What to Expect.
Guests of Royal Caribbean International should prepare for higher costs on their upcoming cruises as the cruise line is set to hike its recommended gratuity rates next month.
For those staying in suites, the fee will rise to $21 per guest per day, an increase from $20.50, while other cabin categories will see their rates go up from $18 to $18.50.
This adjustment kicks in on November 1. However, travelers who reserve and pay their gratuities before this date can secure the current rates, as per an email from the cruise line to YSL News.
Gratuities are automatically added to guests’ onboard accounts but can be adjusted up or down before leaving the ship. According to the cruise line’s website, these gratuities are shared among various crew members, including those in dining, bar, and culinary services, stateroom attendants, hotel service teams, and others who contribute to the overall cruise experience.
Cruise lines typically raise gratuity rates in response to “external influences” such as inflation or shifts in the economy, as explained by Danny Genung, CEO of Harr Travel.
“When you consider the costs of hotels, transport, fuel, and food, it seems like a natural reaction,” he shared with YSL News last fall. “It’s about compensating staff and managing the increased expenses.”
Princess Cruises has also recently increased its crew appreciation charge, implementing the new rates on its ships starting in August.