Cruise gratuities used to be something you handed out in envelopes on the last night. Today, they’re automatic, unless you go to Guest Services and ask to remove them.
But some guests are doing just that.
This post looks at why some cruisers skip gratuities entirely, how it works, and what it means for everyone else, including the crew and future cruise pricing.
👉 Not in the mood to read? No worries, here’s the quick TikTok version ⬇️
Why Some Cruisers Tip No One:
- They want control. These guests prefer to decide who earns a tip and how much, not have it auto-distributed across hundreds of crew members.
- They don’t use certain services. If they don’t eat in the Main Dining Room or skip daily stateroom cleaning, they don’t feel responsible for tipping those teams.
- They’re reacting to rising cruise costs. With base fares, drink packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and gratuities, some cruisers feel they’re being nickel-and-dimed and want to cut back somewhere.
- They come from non-tipping cultures. In many countries, tipping is rare or even considered offensive, and that mindset can carry over to cruise vacations.
- They believe crew wages should be the cruise line’s responsibility. Some feel strongly that tipping should not be used to subsidize staff salaries.
How Royal Caribbean’s Gratuities Work:
Gratuities are automatically charged per guest, per day, depending on the type of stateroom:
- $18.50/day for standard rooms
- $21.00/day for suites
These gratuities are distributed to crew across many departments, including:
- Dining room servers
- Bar staff
- Culinary teams
- Stateroom attendants
- Hotel services teams
- And behind-the-scenes crew you may never meet
Guests can prepay these gratuities before sailing, or they will be added daily to your onboard SeaPass® account.
Modifications:
You can go to Guest Services at any time before disembarkation to adjust or remove them. This should be done in person.
What About Other Service Charges?
Royal Caribbean also applies an automatic gratuity to many onboard purchases:
- 18% on beverages, drink packages, specialty dining, room service, and mini bar items
- 20% on spa and salon services
These are separate from your daily service gratuity and cannot be removed.
What This Means for the Cruise Experience:
- For guests: There’s growing debate about whether gratuities feel more like tips or hidden fees. Some think they should be built into the fare; others value the flexibility to opt out.
- For crew: Many rely on the pooled system to earn a consistent income, especially team members not in guest-facing roles. Some prefer cash tips — but automatic gratuities help ensure no one is missed.
- For cruise lines: Automatic gratuities allow companies to advertise lower base fares while maintaining service standards, but it’s a model that continues to stir conversation.
FAQ:
Q: Can I remove automatic gratuities on Royal Caribbean?
Yes, visit Guest Services before disembarkation. You can modify, reduce, or remove them entirely.
Q: Can I direct my gratuities to a specific person?
Sometimes. You can ask Guest Services to note a specific crew member, but results may vary by sailing.
Q: Do crew members keep cash tips?
Yes. In general, cash tips are theirs to keep. Some cruisers give extra cash to room attendants or bartenders for exceptional service.
Q: Are kids and babies charged gratuities?
Yes. Royal Caribbean charges the same daily gratuity per guest regardless of age, even infants.
Q: What happens if I don’t prepay?
If not prepaid, gratuities are automatically added to your SeaPass account each day and appear on your final bill.
Q: Are gratuities mandatory?
Technically, no. You can remove them. But many cruisers choose to keep them in place to support the crew.
Final Thought:
Whether you tip in cash, keep automatic gratuities, or adjust them based on your experience, the most important thing is to be informed. Understanding how the system works helps you make decisions that align with your values and can lead to a better experience for everyone onboard.
Charity Bradley 
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