Royal Caribbean's automatic gratuity system and what you actually pay
Royal Caribbean adds gratuity to your bill automatically — typically $15 per person per day for dining room staff, $18 per day for suite guests, and $16 per day for specialty restaurants. This amount appears on your onboard account before you leave the ship. You do not choose whether to add it; the line includes it as a standard charge. What you can do is adjust it up, down, or remove it entirely by visiting the guest services desk or your stateroom's television billing system.
The automatic amount covers your waiter, busser, and head server as a shared pool. If you remove or reduce the automatic gratuity, those staff members receive nothing from your account. Most guests keep the automatic amount or increase it slightly if the service was exceptional.
Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean automatically charges $15 to $18 per person per day in gratuity depending on your cabin type, added to your onboard bill before disembarkation.
- You can modify, reduce, or remove the automatic gratuity through guest services or your cabin television billing menu at any point during the cruise.
- The automatic gratuity covers your dining room waiter, busser, and head server as a shared pool; removing it means they receive no tip from your account.
- Additional tips for bartenders, cabin stewards, and specialty services are separate and not included in the automatic dining gratuity.
- Tipping culture on Royal Caribbean is built into the automatic system, so most guests do not carry cash specifically for restaurant staff.
How the automatic gratuity breaks down by cabin type
Standard oceanview and interior cabins are charged $15 per person per day. Balcony cabins fall into the same category. Suite guests — including junior suites, grand suites, and owner's suites — are charged $18 per person per day. Specialty dining venues like Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, or Izumi charge $16 per person per day when you dine there, separate from your main dining room gratuity.
These amounts are calculated based on the number of guests in your cabin, not the number of people at your table. If you have four people in your cabin, you are charged four times the daily rate, even if only two of you eat in the main dining room on a given night.
The charge runs from your first night aboard through your final night. If you embark on a Friday and disembark on a Monday, you pay gratuity for all four days.
When and how to adjust your gratuity
You can change your gratuity amount any time during your cruise. The quickest method is through your cabin's television system: select the billing or account menu, find gratuity settings, and adjust the per-person daily amount or remove it entirely. Changes take effect when ready and show on your final bill.
If you prefer to speak with someone, visit guest services on the atrium level. Staff there can modify your gratuity, explain what the charge covers, or answer questions about specialty dining charges. Many guests visit guest services on their first or second day to confirm the amount or make adjustments.
You can also adjust gratuity after the cruise ends. If you notice an error or want to change the amount after you disembark, contact Royal Caribbean's guest services department by phone or through your online account within a set window — typically 30 days after your cruise ends.
Tipping beyond the automatic gratuity
The automatic dining gratuity does not cover bartenders, cabin stewards, or staff in specialty services like the spa or casino. Many guests carry small bills to tip these staff members directly. A common approach is $1 to $2 per drink for bartenders, $5 per night for your cabin steward, and $3 to $5 for room service deliveries.
Some guests prefer to add these tips to their onboard account instead of carrying cash. You can ask any staff member whether they accept account charges for tips, though most prefer cash because it goes directly to them without processing delays.
Specialty dining restaurants like Chops Grille or Giovanni's Table have their own gratuity charge ($16 per person per day), but many guests add an extra $2 to $5 per person if the service was particularly attentive or the meal was a special occasion.
What happens if you remove the automatic gratuity
Removing the automatic gratuity means your waiter, busser, and head server receive no tip from your onboard account. Royal Caribbean does not redistribute the money or add it to their base pay. If you choose this route, you are expected to tip in cash or add the amount to your account manually as a separate charge.
Most guests keep the automatic amount because it is straightforward and ensures staff are compensated. Removing it is an option if you experienced poor service or have financial constraints, but it is uncommon. If you had a genuine service problem, speaking with the dining room manager is often more effective than removing gratuity — they can address the issue and may adjust your charge if warranted.
How gratuity compares across cruise lines
Royal Caribbean's automatic gratuity rates are similar to those on Carnival and Disney Cruise Line, though the exact amounts vary slightly. Carnival charges $15 per person per day for standard cabins and $16 for suites. Disney charges $14.50 to $15 per person per day depending on the ship and cabin type. Norwegian Cruise Line includes gratuity in the base fare for some fare types but charges it separately for others.
The key difference is that all major cruise lines now use automatic gratuity systems rather than expecting cash tips. This means you are paying roughly the same amount across lines, but Royal Caribbean's system is transparent and straightforward to adjust through your cabin television or guest services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the automatic gratuity entirely?
Yes. You can reduce it to zero through your cabin television billing menu or by visiting guest services. However, your waiter and busser will receive no tip from your account if you do. Most guests keep the automatic amount or increase it slightly.
Does the automatic gratuity cover bartenders and cabin stewards?
No. The automatic charge covers only your dining room waiter, busser, and head server. Bartenders, cabin stewards, spa staff, and other service workers are typically tipped separately in cash or added to your account as individual charges.
What if I dine in specialty restaurants instead of the main dining room?
Specialty restaurants charge an additional $16 per person per day gratuity on top of your main dining room charge. This covers the specialty restaurant staff. You still pay the standard dining room gratuity even if you eat in specialty venues most nights.
Can I adjust gratuity after I get home?
Yes, within about 30 days of your cruise. Contact Royal Caribbean's guest services through your online account or by phone. They can review your charges and make adjustments if you have a legitimate reason to modify the amount.
Is the automatic gratuity included in the cruise fare advertised online?
No. The advertised cruise fare does not include gratuity. Gratuity is added to your onboard account separately and charged when you settle your bill at the end of the cruise or when you disembark.