Celebrity Cruises is facing passenger discontent after implementing a sudden increase in its automatic daily gratuity charges. The cruise line raised the per-person, per-day gratuity by $1.50, with the new rates taking effect on July 29 without significant advance notice.
Under the revised policy, guests in Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms now pay $19.50 per person, per day. Concierge Class and AquaClass guests will be charged $20.50 daily, while those in The Retreat will pay $24.50. These new amounts are an increase from previous rates, which were $1.50 lower across all stateroom categories.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises, stated that the gratuity program is integral to crew compensation and aligns with industry standards. The company also noted that guests frequently acknowledge the crew's role in enhancing their vacation experiences.
In addition to daily gratuities, Celebrity Cruises automatically adds a 20% charge to purchases made for beverages, specialty dining, room service, minibar items, and spa services.
Many passengers criticized the timing of the announcement, with some receiving notification on the same day the higher rates became effective. Online discussions revealed frustration over the lack of lead time, with some users suggesting they would have opted to prepay the gratuities at the old rate had they been given sufficient notice.
Several passengers voiced a preference for cruise lines to incorporate gratuities directly into the advertised fare, a practice they noted is common among luxury lines. Others expressed an intention to opt out of the automatic gratuities and instead provide cash tips directly to crew members. This approach, they explained, ensures that the gratuities go directly to the individuals providing service.
While a significant portion of passenger feedback expressed dissatisfaction, some acknowledged the value of the crew's service and did not object to the increase itself, though they suggested the rollout could have been handled more thoughtfully by the cruise line.