You're planning your Royal Caribbean cruise and wondering exactly how much you'll pay in gratuities? I've sailed on dozens of Royal Caribbean ships, and I can tell you that understanding their tipping system upfront saves you from awkward surprises at Guest Services. Here's everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean's 2026 gratuity rates, including the real costs by ship class and how to adjust them if needed.
As of 2026, Royal Caribbean charges $16.00 per person per day for interior, ocean view, and balcony staterooms, and $18.50 per person per day for suite guests. These rates apply to all guests 2 years and older - yes, even your toddler gets charged the full amount.
Here's what a 7-night cruise costs in gratuities:
I learned this the hard way on Harmony of the Seas in 2024 when I assumed my 3-year-old wouldn't be charged - wrong! The charges automatically hit your stateroom account on the second-to-last day of your cruise.
Here's something Royal Caribbean doesn't advertise clearly: gratuity rates are the same across all ship classes. Whether you're sailing on the massive Icon of the Seas or the smaller Enchantment of the Seas, you'll pay identical daily gratuity rates.
However, what does vary is the service level you'll experience:
Icon and Oasis Class ships (Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas): You'll encounter more crew members throughout the day - pool deck attendants, specialty restaurant staff, and suite concierges are more visible.
Voyager and Explorer Class ships (Mariner of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas): Mid-sized ships with solid service ratios, though you might wait longer for cabin steward requests.
Smaller ships (Enchantment, Rhapsody of the Seas): Often better crew-to-guest ratios, meaning more personalized attention from your room steward and dining staff.
The bottom line? You're paying the same gratuities regardless, but larger ships spread those tips among more crew members.
Your daily gratuities don't go to a general pool - they're distributed to specific crew members who serve you directly:
On my recent cruise on Allure of the Seas, I asked my dining room waiter Marco about gratuity distribution. He confirmed these amounts are pooled among the dining team but emphasized that most of their income comes from these prepaid gratuities.
You can modify your prepaid gratuities at Guest Services on Deck 4 (on most ships) or Deck 5 on newer vessels. Here's the reality of each option:
Increasing Gratuities: Simply visit Guest Services and request an increase. Many cruisers add $2-5 per day when they receive exceptional service.
Decreasing Gratuities: Possible, but you'll need to explain why to the Guest Services agent. Valid reasons include poor cabin service or dining room issues. They'll ask for specifics.
Removing Gratuities Entirely: You can do this, but understand you're expected to tip individual crew members in cash. I've seen this work well for cruisers who prefer controlling exactly who gets tipped and how much.
Pro tip: If you remove prepaid gratuities, budget at least the same amount in small bills. Your room steward alone deserves $4-6 per day, and your dining team expects similar amounts.
Your daily gratuities don't cover everything. Here are the additional charges that'll hit your account:
Specialty Restaurants: 18% automatic gratuity on all specialty dining bills. On a $75 dinner at 150 Central Park, expect an extra $13.50 in tips.
Beverage Packages: 18% gratuity added to all drink package prices. The Deluxe Beverage Package costs around $88 per day, so add $15.84 daily in gratuities.
Spa Services: 18% automatic gratuity. A $120 massage becomes $141.60 with gratuities.
Room Service: $7.95 per order delivery fee (this is considered a gratuity and goes to crew).
I track these charges religiously because they add up fast. On a recent 7-night cruise with beverage packages and two specialty dinners, we paid an extra $267 in automatic gratuities beyond our daily charges.
After 40+ cruises, here are my tested strategies for handling Royal Caribbean gratuities:
Strategy 1: Prepay Before Boarding
Pay your estimated gratuities when you complete online check-in. This prevents sticker shock on your final bill. For a couple on a 7-night cruise, budget $225-260 depending on your cabin type.
Strategy 2: Bring Extra Cash for Exceptional Service
I always pack $100-150 in $5 and $10 bills. When my room steward on Navigator of the Seas arranged a surprise birthday decoration, I handed him an extra $20 directly.
Strategy 3: Monitor Your Account Daily
Check your account balance at Guest Services or the Royal Caribbean app. Automatic gratuities from spa visits and specialty dining can add up quickly.
Strategy 4: Understand Suite Perks
Suite guests pay higher daily gratuities ($18.50 vs $16.00) because you receive additional services like concierge access and priority reservations. The extra $2.50 per day covers these enhanced services.
I've adjusted gratuities both up and down based on service quality. Here's when it makes sense:
Increase When:
Consider Decreasing When:
On Wonder of the Seas last year, our room steward Maria remembered my wife's coffee preference and brought fresh towels twice daily without being asked. We increased her portion of our gratuities by $5 per day and handed it to her directly on the last night.
Budget $16-18.50 per person per day for basic gratuities, plus 18% on all specialty services. For a typical couple on a 7-night cruise with beverage packages and one specialty dinner, expect $400-500 total in gratuities and service charges.
The system works well when you understand it upfront. These crew members work incredibly hard for modest base wages, and your gratuities make up a significant portion of their income. Whether you pay the standard rates or adjust them, factor these costs into your cruise budget from the start.
Remember: you can always visit Guest Services to modify gratuities, but do it thoughtfully. The crew members serving you depend on these tips to support their families back home.
Have questions about Royal Caribbean's gratuity policies or want to share your own tipping experiences? Join the discussion in our Royal Caribbean forum where experienced cruisers share real-world advice about managing cruise costs and getting the best service onboard.
Royal Caribbean's 2026 Daily Gratuity Rates
As of 2026, Royal Caribbean charges $16.00 per person per day for interior, ocean view, and balcony staterooms, and $18.50 per person per day for suite guests. These rates apply to all guests 2 years and older - yes, even your toddler gets charged the full amount.
Here's what a 7-night cruise costs in gratuities:
- Standard staterooms: $112 per person ($224 for a couple)
- Suites: $129.50 per person ($259 for a couple)
- Family of four in standard room: $448 total
- Family of four in suite: $518 total
I learned this the hard way on Harmony of the Seas in 2024 when I assumed my 3-year-old wouldn't be charged - wrong! The charges automatically hit your stateroom account on the second-to-last day of your cruise.
Ship Class Breakdown: Does Your Ship Matter?
Here's something Royal Caribbean doesn't advertise clearly: gratuity rates are the same across all ship classes. Whether you're sailing on the massive Icon of the Seas or the smaller Enchantment of the Seas, you'll pay identical daily gratuity rates.
However, what does vary is the service level you'll experience:
Icon and Oasis Class ships (Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas): You'll encounter more crew members throughout the day - pool deck attendants, specialty restaurant staff, and suite concierges are more visible.
Voyager and Explorer Class ships (Mariner of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas): Mid-sized ships with solid service ratios, though you might wait longer for cabin steward requests.
Smaller ships (Enchantment, Rhapsody of the Seas): Often better crew-to-guest ratios, meaning more personalized attention from your room steward and dining staff.
The bottom line? You're paying the same gratuities regardless, but larger ships spread those tips among more crew members.
Who Actually Gets Your Gratuity Money
Your daily gratuities don't go to a general pool - they're distributed to specific crew members who serve you directly:
- Room Steward: $4.75 per day (the person cleaning your cabin)
- Dining Room Staff: $4.75 per day (your waiter and assistant waiter)
- Head Waiter: $0.75 per day
- Other Hotel Services: $5.75 per day (includes housekeeping supervisors, galley staff, and other behind-the-scenes workers)
On my recent cruise on Allure of the Seas, I asked my dining room waiter Marco about gratuity distribution. He confirmed these amounts are pooled among the dining team but emphasized that most of their income comes from these prepaid gratuities.
How to Adjust or Remove Gratuities
You can modify your prepaid gratuities at Guest Services on Deck 4 (on most ships) or Deck 5 on newer vessels. Here's the reality of each option:
Increasing Gratuities: Simply visit Guest Services and request an increase. Many cruisers add $2-5 per day when they receive exceptional service.
Decreasing Gratuities: Possible, but you'll need to explain why to the Guest Services agent. Valid reasons include poor cabin service or dining room issues. They'll ask for specifics.
Removing Gratuities Entirely: You can do this, but understand you're expected to tip individual crew members in cash. I've seen this work well for cruisers who prefer controlling exactly who gets tipped and how much.
Pro tip: If you remove prepaid gratuities, budget at least the same amount in small bills. Your room steward alone deserves $4-6 per day, and your dining team expects similar amounts.
Additional Gratuity Charges to Expect
Your daily gratuities don't cover everything. Here are the additional charges that'll hit your account:
Specialty Restaurants: 18% automatic gratuity on all specialty dining bills. On a $75 dinner at 150 Central Park, expect an extra $13.50 in tips.
Beverage Packages: 18% gratuity added to all drink package prices. The Deluxe Beverage Package costs around $88 per day, so add $15.84 daily in gratuities.
Spa Services: 18% automatic gratuity. A $120 massage becomes $141.60 with gratuities.
Room Service: $7.95 per order delivery fee (this is considered a gratuity and goes to crew).
I track these charges religiously because they add up fast. On a recent 7-night cruise with beverage packages and two specialty dinners, we paid an extra $267 in automatic gratuities beyond our daily charges.
Smart Strategies for Managing Cruise Gratuities
After 40+ cruises, here are my tested strategies for handling Royal Caribbean gratuities:
Strategy 1: Prepay Before Boarding
Pay your estimated gratuities when you complete online check-in. This prevents sticker shock on your final bill. For a couple on a 7-night cruise, budget $225-260 depending on your cabin type.
Strategy 2: Bring Extra Cash for Exceptional Service
I always pack $100-150 in $5 and $10 bills. When my room steward on Navigator of the Seas arranged a surprise birthday decoration, I handed him an extra $20 directly.
Strategy 3: Monitor Your Account Daily
Check your account balance at Guest Services or the Royal Caribbean app. Automatic gratuities from spa visits and specialty dining can add up quickly.
Strategy 4: Understand Suite Perks
Suite guests pay higher daily gratuities ($18.50 vs $16.00) because you receive additional services like concierge access and priority reservations. The extra $2.50 per day covers these enhanced services.
When Gratuities Are Worth Adjusting
I've adjusted gratuities both up and down based on service quality. Here's when it makes sense:
Increase When:
- Your room steward goes above and beyond (remembering preferences, special occasion setups)
- Dining staff accommodate dietary restrictions expertly
- You're in a suite and receive exceptional concierge service
- Crew members provide outstanding customer service during issues
Consider Decreasing When:
- Cabin cleaning is consistently poor despite requests to management
- Dining room service is regularly slow or inattentive
- Room service requests are ignored or handled poorly
- You've had to escalate service issues to Guest Services multiple times
On Wonder of the Seas last year, our room steward Maria remembered my wife's coffee preference and brought fresh towels twice daily without being asked. We increased her portion of our gratuities by $5 per day and handed it to her directly on the last night.
The Bottom Line on Royal Caribbean Gratuities
Budget $16-18.50 per person per day for basic gratuities, plus 18% on all specialty services. For a typical couple on a 7-night cruise with beverage packages and one specialty dinner, expect $400-500 total in gratuities and service charges.
The system works well when you understand it upfront. These crew members work incredibly hard for modest base wages, and your gratuities make up a significant portion of their income. Whether you pay the standard rates or adjust them, factor these costs into your cruise budget from the start.
Remember: you can always visit Guest Services to modify gratuities, but do it thoughtfully. The crew members serving you depend on these tips to support their families back home.
Have questions about Royal Caribbean's gratuity policies or want to share your own tipping experiences? Join the discussion in our Royal Caribbean forum where experienced cruisers share real-world advice about managing cruise costs and getting the best service onboard.