Royal Caribbean has announced an increase in its automatic service charge, a fee added to passenger bills, effective from November 1. This adjustment will see the daily gratuity charge rise to $18.50 per person for most cabins and $21 for suites. The current rates are $18 and $20.50, respectively.
This change marks the second increase in under a year, contributing to a cumulative one-year rise of nearly 14%. In comparison, last year's charges were set at $16 for most cabins. The new rates mean that a family of four staying in a typical cabin on a seven-night cruise will now pay over $500 in automatic gratuities.
Other major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America have lower service charges ranging from $13.50 to $16 per person daily. Celebrity Cruises' gratuity fee stands at $18 per person per day.