Royal Caribbean adds gratuities automatically, and the amount depends on your cabin type and length of cruise
Royal Caribbean charges gratuities (tips) as a daily fee added to your onboard account. The standard rates are $15.50 per person per day for inside, ocean view, and balcony cabins, and $17.50 per person per day for suite cabins. These amounts are automatically charged unless you adjust or remove them before your cruise ends.
The total gratuity bill depends on how many people are in your cabin and how many nights you sail. A family of four on a seven-night cruise in a standard cabin would see roughly $434 in gratuities ($15.50 × 4 people × 7 nights). You can modify these charges onboard at the guest services desk, and Royal Caribbean allows you to reduce, remove, or increase them based on your satisfaction with service.
Key Takeaways
- Standard cabins are charged $15.50 per person per day, and suites are $17.50 per person per day, applied automatically to your account.
- The total amount you pay depends on cabin occupancy and cruise length — a four-person cabin for seven nights costs around $434 in gratuities.
- You can change gratuity amounts at the guest services desk anytime during your cruise without penalty.
- Gratuities cover housekeeping, dining staff, and other service crew, but specialty restaurants and bar staff may expect additional tips.
How gratuities are calculated and charged
Royal Caribbean calculates gratuities per person, per day. The rate is the same whether you sail for three nights or fourteen — you pay the daily rate multiplied by the number of nights and the number of people in your cabin. A solo traveler in a balcony cabin on a five-night cruise pays $77.50 total ($15.50 × 5 nights). A couple in the same cabin type pays $155 ($15.50 × 2 people × 5 nights).
Suite cabins — which include junior suites, grand suites, and royal suites — are charged at $17.50 per person per day. This higher rate reflects the additional services and amenities suite guests receive, such as priority dining reservations and concierge access. The charge appears on your final bill and is deducted from your onboard account before you leave the ship.
When gratuities are added and how to modify them
Royal Caribbean adds gratuities to your account automatically on the first day of your cruise. You do not have to do anything — the charges begin accruing when ready. However, you retain full control over the amount. Visit the guest services desk (also called the purser's desk) at any point during your cruise to adjust, reduce, or remove gratuities entirely.
Many guests choose to modify gratuities on the final day of their cruise after experiencing the service firsthand. If you had exceptional service and want to increase the tip, you can do that. If you felt service was lacking or you prefer to tip differently, you can lower the amount or remove it. Royal Caribbean does not penalize you for making changes, and the adjustment takes effect when ready on your account.
What gratuities cover and what they do not
The automatic gratuity charge covers the crew members who provide your main dining room service, cabin housekeeping, and other general service staff. This money is distributed among these employees as part of their compensation structure. Without these gratuities, Royal Caribbean crew members in these roles would earn significantly less.
Gratuities do not cover specialty restaurants (like steakhouses or Italian venues), beverage packages, spa services, or casino staff. If you dine in a specialty restaurant, you will typically see an automatic 18 percent gratuity added to that bill separately. Bar staff, spa therapists, and other specialized service providers often expect additional tips beyond the automatic charges — many guests add $1 to $2 per drink at bars and 15 to 20 percent for spa services.
Comparing gratuity costs across cabin types
| Cabin Type | Daily Rate Per Person | 7-Night Cruise (1 Person) | 7-Night Cruise (2 People) | 7-Night Cruise (4 People) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | $15.50 | $108.50 | $217 | $434 |
| Ocean View Cabin | $15.50 | $108.50 | $217 | $434 |
| Balcony Cabin | $15.50 | $108.50 | $217 | $434 |
| Suite Cabin | $17.50 | $122.50 | $245 | $490 |
The difference between standard cabins and suites is $2 per person per day. Over a week-long cruise, a suite guest pays $14 more per person than a standard cabin guest. For a couple in a suite, that adds up to $28 extra in gratuities over seven nights. This reflects the higher level of service and amenities included with suite accommodations.
Prepaying gratuities before your cruise
You can prepay gratuities when you book your cruise or anytime before you sail. Some guests prefer to handle this at home rather than onboard. To prepay, log into your Royal Caribbean account, find your booking, and look for the option to add gratuities. You can also call Royal Caribbean directly to prepay over the phone.
Prepaying does not lock you in — you can still modify the amount at the guest services desk during your cruise if you change your mind. The advantage of prepaying is that it spreads the cost across multiple payments if you are financing your cruise, or it simplifies your final bill if you prefer to settle everything before boarding. There is no discount or penalty for prepaying versus paying onboard.
Understanding gratuity policies for different guest types
Children in your cabin are charged the same gratuity rate as adults — $15.50 per day for standard cabins. There is no reduced rate for infants or very young children. If you have three children and two adults in a cabin, all five people are charged at the standard rate. Some cruise lines offer discounts on gratuities for children, but Royal Caribbean does not.
Guests traveling with Royal Caribbean's loyalty program (Crown and Anchor Society) do not receive gratuity discounts based on membership tier. However, some promotional offers or group bookings may include gratuities as part of the package — check your booking confirmation to see if gratuities are already covered. Military personnel and other special groups sometimes receive offers that bundle gratuities into the cruise fare, so review your specific booking details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove gratuities entirely?
Yes. You can visit guest services and request to have gratuities removed from your account at any time during your cruise. Royal Caribbean does not require you to pay gratuities, though crew members depend on them as a significant part of their income. You are free to adjust the amount to whatever you feel is appropriate.
Do gratuities increase if I stay longer than seven nights?
No, the daily rate stays the same regardless of cruise length. A 14-night cruise straightforward charges $15.50 per person per day for 14 days instead of seven. Longer cruises do not have a higher daily gratuity rate — you just pay for more days.
What happens if I prepay gratuities and then want to change them?
You can modify prepaid gratuities at the guest services desk during your cruise. Bring your account details or cabin key card, and staff will adjust the amount. If you are reducing gratuities, the difference will be credited back to your onboard account.
Are gratuities included in the cruise fare advertised online?
No. The advertised cruise price does not include gratuities. Gratuities are added separately and appear as a line item on your final bill. When comparing cruise prices between lines or promotions, remember to factor in gratuities as an additional cost.
Do I tip specialty restaurant servers separately if I already paid gratuities?
Specialty restaurants add an automatic 18 percent gratuity to your bill, separate from the daily gratuity charge. You do not need to tip twice, but you can increase the specialty restaurant gratuity if you received exceptional service. The daily gratuity and specialty restaurant gratuity are two different charges.