MIAMI, Aug. 2 (Our Florida Times) — For travelers booking a Celebrity Cruises trip from Florida or elsewhere, the advertised cruise fare is not the only cost to check. The cruise line has raised its automatic daily gratuity by $1.50 per person across all stateroom categories, according to Celebrity’s gratuity policy.
The new rates took effect July 29, 2026, for guests who had not prepaid their gratuities. Some passengers criticized the change and said they planned to remove the automatic fees and give cash directly to crew members instead. The reports do not establish how many passengers did so.
What Celebrity now charges
Celebrity’s daily gratuity depends on the type of stateroom:
- 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
These charges apply automatically to guests who have not prepaid gratuities. For a seven-night trip, the daily charge alone would total $136.50 per person in an Inside, Ocean View or Veranda stateroom, before other onboard spending.
Celebrity also adds an automatic 20% gratuity to several purchases. Those include beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service, minibar items, and spa and salon services.
That means a traveler can face both a daily crew gratuity and additional gratuities tied to purchases during the cruise. The exact total depends on the stateroom, trip length and onboard spending.
Why some passengers objected
The criticism centers on the automatic nature of the charge and how the money reaches crew members. One passenger quoted by Fox News Digital said:
“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 reactions, not a survey or a confirmed change in Celebrity’s policy. The supplied reports do not identify the passengers or show whether they successfully removed the fees.
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. The company’s position differs from the concern expressed by passengers who prefer to hand tips directly to individual workers.
The available information does not explain the precise process for adjusting or removing Celebrity’s gratuity, so travelers should check the cruise line’s current policy or ask Celebrity before sailing rather than assume cash tipping can replace the charge.
Is this happening across the cruise industry?
Celebrity’s increase comes amid other 2026 changes by major cruise operators, according to the cruise lines’ policies and company information cited in reports by Fox News Digital and the New York Post.
Reported daily charges include:
- Holland America Line: $18 for non-suite staterooms and $20 for suites
- MSC Cruises: $17 for standard staterooms on Caribbean and Alaska cruises, and $23 for MSC Yacht Club
- Carnival Cruise Line: $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites
The timing and conditions of these charges vary by cruise line and booking. The supplied information does not clearly establish all conditions attached to MSC’s reported May 11 change.
Cruise companies generally describe these fees as a way to compensate or recognize crew members. Holland America, for example, called its charge “Crew Appreciation” and said it acknowledges the service and dedication of its crew.
What travelers should check before booking
The practical issue for cruise shoppers is not just the base fare. Before comparing itineraries, travelers should check:
- The daily gratuity for the selected stateroom category
- Whether gratuities are included, prepaid or added later
- Whether the rate differs for children or other guests under the booking’s terms
- The automatic percentage added to drinks, dining, room service and spa services
- Whether the cruise line allows adjustments and what procedure applies
Prepaying may lock in a rate or make the final bill easier to estimate, but the applicable terms should be confirmed before payment. Travelers should also distinguish between a daily gratuity and the separate 20% charges added to certain purchases.
Royal Caribbean Group is based in Miami, but the available information does not identify a specific Florida port, ship or local government response connected to the dispute.
