Royal Caribbean Will Raise Gratuity Rates Next Month

Above, dinner on board Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the
 Seas (now in mothballs somewhere in Greece) in 2019.

  

Last week, I mentioned Norwegian Cruise Line's gratuities when ordering a cocktail from the Norwegian Sky smoking area bar. It was $20 a pop.

It looks like Royal Caribbean will be raising their gratuity rates starting next month.

USA Today reported:

Royal Caribbean International guests may face steeper bills on their next cruise. The cruise line will raise its recommended gratuity rates next month, according to the company.

Passengers staying in suites will pay $21 per guest each day, up from $20.50, while rates for all other cabin categories will increase from $18 to $18.50.

The changes take effect Nov. 1. Travelers who book and pay their gratuities ahead of that date can lock in the current rate, the cruise line told USA TODAY in an email. 

Gratuities are automatically added to passengers’ onboard accounts, but can be adjusted up or down before they disembark. Those funds are “distributed to crew members, including dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, hotel services teams as well as others onboard who work to enhance the overall cruise experience,” according to the line’s websi

I took a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas in 2919. I don't recall the gratuity amount.  

To read more, go here.