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Royal Caribbean increases automatic service charge starting November

Royal Caribbean increases automatic service charge starting November
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Danyal Ahmed Credit card writer | The Points Guy

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.

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Since early 2015, Royal Caribbean's gratuity fees have surged by 54%, outpacing U.S. inflation by about 19 percentage points during the same period as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index.

Most large cruise lines add these fees automatically to passenger bills with options for prepayment or onboard billing at the end of sailings. However, some smaller and luxury operators include these charges within their base fares instead.

Royal Caribbean offers passengers with existing reservations an option to lock in current rates if they prepay before November 1. Passengers can adjust their onboard account gratuities if unsatisfied with service by visiting Guest Services during their sailing; however, this is not possible for those who prepaid.

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