Understanding Gratuities on Royal Caribbean: What You Need to Know

When planning your cruise with Royal Caribbean, it’s essential to consider the cost of gratuities.

Depending on your cabin selection, the added cost of gratuities can add hundreds of dollars to your total cost of the cruise.

So, let’s break a few things down.

What are Gratuities?

Let’s start off by giving you a brief rundown of what exactly gratuities are.

Gratuities, often referred to as tips, are additional payments given to staff members who provide you with excellent service during your cruise.

Each passenger is charged a daily amount for gratuities. That total amount is then divided between the hard-working crew who help make your vacation enjoyable. Those crew members include Cabin Stewards, those in Dining and Culinary Services, those in Guest Services, and more.

Current Gratuity Rates

Additionally, an 18% gratuity will be automatically added to all pre-cruise and onboard purchases of beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service and mini bar purchases. A 20% gratuity will be automatically added to all pre-cruise and onboard spa and salon purchases.

When Do You Pay for Gratuities?

You have two options when it comes to paying for gratuities.

1. Pre-Pay Gratuities – To make budgeting easier, Royal Caribbean allows guests to pre-pay gratuities before your cruise. You can pre-pay gratuities during the booking process or through your cruise planner. Pre-paying can help you budget and avoid any surprises on your final bill.
2. Automatic Gratuities – If you choose not to pre-pay gratuities, once onboard, your SeaPass card will be charged a daily gratuity per guest, per day.

Do You Have to Pay Gratuities?

If for some reason you are not happy with the service onboard, you can adjust your gratuities at Guest Services. However, it is important to remember that the crew works hard to ensure that you have a great experience once onboard.

Can I Tip More Once Onboard?

Absolutely!

If you have a crew member go above and beyond and go the extra mile to make sure your requests are met, additional tips are more than welcome! You can leave cash directly with that crew member prior to disembarking.

Another way that you can recognize a wonderful crew member is by filling out the survey at the end of the cruise. It is a simple, quick survey that is painless to complete. The more positive feedback the crew members receive, the more likely they are to receive a raise and/or a promotion.

Our Experience

In our recent experiences, we have always pre-paid our gratuities at the time of booking. We find it much easier to budget and plan for our trip if we know the costs upfront.

If, once onboard, we have a crew member that makes our cruise more memorable, we make sure they know! We are not afraid to give them an extra tip at the end of the cruise. They are such hard workers, and they truly do appreciate the extra tips.

Our most recent cruise on the Oasis of the Seas was a phenomenal experience. The crew went above and beyond and made it extra special for our kids – great memories that they will hang on to forever!

The Wrap Up: Understanding Gratuities on Royal Caribbean

Understanding gratuities on Royal Caribbean is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience. By budgeting appropriately for tips, you’ll not only feel prepared but also contribute to the incredible service provided by the crew. Whether you choose to pre-pay or adjust gratuities onboard, remember that your tips help ensure that you and future guests receive the best service possible. Enjoy your cruise!