MIAMI, Aug. 2 (Our Florida Times) — Cruise travelers booking with Celebrity Cruises should check the gratuity line in their fare and onboard account after the company raised its automatic daily charges by $1.50 per person across all stateroom categories.
The new rates took effect July 29, 2026, for guests who had not prepaid their gratuities, according to Celebrity Cruises’ gratuity policy. The change adds $10.50 per person over a seven-day cruise, before any other onboard service charges.
The increase has drawn criticism from some passengers, including guests who said they planned to remove the automatic charges and tip crew members directly in cash. But the available reports do not establish how many passengers did so, or whether Celebrity permits the charges to be removed under every booking arrangement.
How much does Celebrity charge?
Celebrity’s current daily gratuity rates are:
- Inside, Ocean View and Veranda staterooms: $19.50 per person per day
- Concierge Class and AquaClass: $20.50 per person per day
- The Retreat: $24.50 per person per day
For two people on a seven-night cruise, the daily gratuity alone would total $273 in an Inside, Ocean View or Veranda stateroom. The total would be $287 for Concierge Class or AquaClass, and $343 for The Retreat.
These charges are separate from other automatic gratuities. Celebrity’s policy also adds a 20% gratuity to purchases such as beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service, minibar items, and spa and salon services.
Why are passengers objecting?
Some Celebrity passengers criticized the higher automatic fee in comments reported by Fox News Digital. One passenger wrote, “I’ve started removing them and spending the exact same amount or more in direct tips.” The passenger added, “At least then I know what I’m paying is going directly to the workers.”
Those comments reflect individual passenger views, not a survey or an official statement that passengers are broadly removing the charges. The available reporting also does not identify the passengers or show whether they ultimately paid crew members directly.
A spokesperson for Miami-based Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity’s parent company, said the gratuity program is part of crew compensation and reflects industry standards. That explanation points to a central issue in cruise tipping: the daily charge is generally presented by cruise companies as a structured way to compensate onboard workers, rather than simply as a cash tip handed to one employee.
Is Celebrity the only cruise line raising charges?
No. Other cruise lines also reported higher daily gratuity or crew-appreciation charges in 2026, although the amounts and rules vary by company and stateroom category.
Holland America Line lists daily charges of $18 for non-suite staterooms and $20 for suites. MSC Cruises lists $17 for standard staterooms on Caribbean and Alaska cruises and $23 for MSC Yacht Club. Carnival Cruise Line lists $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites.
Holland America said its “Crew Appreciation” charge is a way for guests to recognize the service and dedication of its crew. The cruise lines describe these fees as part of their compensation systems, while some passengers view them as an added cost that should be shown more clearly when a trip is booked.
What should travelers check before sailing?
Travelers should review three separate parts of a cruise price:
- The fare: Check whether gratuities are included or must be paid separately.
- The daily charge: Confirm the rate for the booked stateroom category and whether the rate applies to each guest.
- Onboard purchases: Look for automatic gratuities on drinks, dining, room service, spa services and other purchases.
Guests who prepaid gratuities may have different terms from those who had not prepaid when Celebrity’s increase took effect. The supplied information does not specify how Celebrity notified passengers or describe a single removal process that applies to all bookings.
For Florida travelers, the practical effect is straightforward: a cruise advertised at one fare can carry a sizable additional gratuity bill, especially for two people or for longer sailings. Comparing the total expected cost—not just the base fare—can make competing cruise offers easier to evaluate.
