Royal Caribbean Clarifies Which Extra Charges Passengers Can Remove From Their Cruise Bills

Royal Caribbean has clarified its gratuity policy, confirming that passengers can request the removal of several automatic charges added to their cruise bills, including those on drinks, dining, and spa treatments.

The clarification comes amid confusion over reports that the cruise line had increased some gratuity rates from 18% to 20%. Royal Caribbean has since confirmed that no increase has taken place, while its updated policy wording provides a clearer explanation of passengers’ options.

Royal Caribbean Makes Its Gratuity Policy Clearer

Royal Caribbean has updated the wording of its official gratuity policy, making it clear that passengers can remove more than just the daily tips charged to their onboard accounts.

The updated guidance, published in October 2026, explicitly confirms that gratuities are optional, including those automatically added to drinks, dining, spa treatments, and other onboard purchases.

The cruise line’s official gratuity policy now states:

“Gratuities are optional. Guests may adjust or remove them entirely at their sole discretion, as described below.”

This clarification is important because the previous wording explained that gratuities could be modified without explicitly stating that passengers could remove them altogether.

The policy also confirms that the option to remove gratuities applies to certain purchases made before and during the cruise, not just the daily service charges. These include the 18% gratuity added to beverages, drink packages, specialty dining, dining packages, room service, and minibar purchases, as well as the 20% gratuity on spa and salon treatments.

However, this doesn’t mean Royal Caribbean has stopped adding these charges automatically. Passengers will still see them included in their bills unless they request an adjustment.

A guest services crew member in a navy uniform smiles while assisting a middle-aged male passenger at a cruise ship reception desk. The setting is modern and warmly lit, creating a professional yet welcoming atmosphere.

It’s also unclear whether the updated wording reflects a change in how gratuities are handled onboard or simply provides a clearer explanation of an existing policy. Royal Caribbean hasn’t announced a broader change to its gratuity practices.

How Passengers Can Have the Charges Removed

Passengers who want to reduce or remove automatic gratuities must visit the Guest Relations desk while onboard their Royal Caribbean cruise.

According to the updated policy, adjustments can be requested at any point during the sailing, but they must be completed before the morning of disembarkation. Once the cruise has ended, passengers can no longer request changes to these charges.

The amounts involved can add up, particularly when purchasing drinks packages or other extras. For example, an 18% gratuity on a $500 drinks package adds another $90, bringing the total to $590.

A tropical cocktail being served on a Royal Caribbean cruise, garnished with a fresh sprig of mint and a slice of orange, presented in a uniquely textured tiki glass, suggesting an inviting and refreshing beverage experience.

Under the clarified policy, passengers can request that the $90 gratuity be reduced or removed. The cost of the drinks package itself would still apply.

The same applies to gratuities on individual drinks, specialty restaurant meals, room service, minibar purchases, and spa treatments.

Passengers who are happy to pay the standard gratuities don’t need to do anything, as the charges will continue to be applied automatically.

The updated wording simply makes it clearer that passengers have a choice, provided they request any changes through Guest Relations before leaving the ship.

Royal Caribbean Denies Reports of a Gratuity Increase

The updated gratuity policy has also caused some confusion after a version of Royal Caribbean’s website appeared to show that service charges on drinks and dining had increased from 18% to 20%.

The discrepancy appeared on Royal Caribbean’s UK website, which displayed a 20% gratuity on onboard purchases. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Australian versions of the policy continued to show an 18% rate for drinks and dining.

The incorrect information sparked speculation on social media that the cruise line had quietly raised its gratuity rates. Some passengers were concerned that drinks packages, specialty dining, and other onboard purchases would become more expensive.

However, Royal Caribbean has confirmed that no increase has taken place.

In a statement provided to Royal Caribbean Blog on October 19, 2026, a spokesperson said the online FAQ contained incorrect information and confirmed there had been no change to gratuity rates.

The spokesperson added:

“Gratuities for beverages and dining remain at 18% as previously communicated.”

Royal Caribbean said the FAQ had been corrected and apologized for the confusion.

This means passengers will continue paying the existing 18% gratuity on drinks, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service, and minibar purchases, unless they request an adjustment.

Spa and salon treatments will also retain their existing 20% gratuity rate.

Daily Gratuities Are Staying the Same

Royal Caribbean’s standard daily gratuity rates have not changed, despite the recent confusion over charges on drinks and dining.

Passengers staying in regular staterooms are charged $18.50 per person, per day, while those staying in suites pay $21 per person, per day.

For two people sharing a regular cabin on a seven-night cruise, that works out to $259 in gratuities. A couple staying in a suite on the same sailing would pay $294.

These daily charges are normally added to passengers’ onboard accounts unless they’ve already prepaid them. According to Royal Caribbean, gratuities are pooled and used toward crew compensation, including dining and bar staff, kitchen teams, stateroom attendants, and other crew members who help look after passengers.

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Under Royal Caribbean’s updated policy, passengers can also request that these daily gratuities be adjusted or removed by visiting Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation.

However, daily gratuities are separate from the percentage-based charges added to individual purchases. The daily amount depends on the number of guests and nights onboard, while the 18% or 20% charges apply to specific products and services.

This means passengers may see both types of gratuities on their cruise bills, depending on what they’ve purchased and whether they’ve prepaid their daily charges.

For more on how tipping works at sea, see our guide to cruise gratuities and what crew members think about them.

What This Means for Passengers

For Royal Caribbean passengers, the main thing to know is that gratuity rates haven’t increased, and the cruise line has made it clearer which charges can be adjusted or removed.

Anyone who’s happy to pay the automatic gratuities doesn’t need to take any action. The charges will continue to be added as normal, whether they’re daily crew gratuities or percentage-based tips on drinks, dining, and other onboard purchases.

However, passengers who want to make changes should check their onboard accounts and speak to Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation. Once the cruise is over, adjustments are no longer available.

The updated policy gives passengers clearer information about their options when reviewing their cruise expenses, particularly those who purchase drinks packages, specialty dining, or spa treatments.