Royal Caribbean calls on passengers to tip staff 20% more

By Gene Sloan
December 11, 2010

Royal Caribbean today sharply hiked the amount of gratuity it suggests passengers give to the staff on its ships.

The line says that, effective for voyages booked this week that depart on or after July 1, it is calling on passengers to give out tips of $11.65 per day while on its vessels. That's up nearly 20% from the $9.75 it has recommended as a gratuity in recent years.

While Royal Caribbean says gratuities on its ships are voluntary, passengers who elect to prepay gratuities at the time of booking (a majority, according to a spokesperson) and those who select the line's "My Time Dining" flexible dining program automatically will be levied the higher rate starting with new bookings taken after 12:01 am ET on Dec. 11 for sailings on or after July 1.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean notes the increase in its suggested gratuity is its first in 13 years and puts its rates in line with competitors.

The new gratuity suggestion is per passenger and applies to cruisers of all ages. A family of four sailing on a week-long cruise who follows Royal Caribbean's newly suggested rates will now pay $326.20 in gratuities during the voyage -- $53.20 more than in the past.

Many major cruise lines rely on passenger-paid gratuities and service charges to provide a significant portion of the pay of their ships' waiters, housekeepers and other entry level on-board workers.

Of the $11.65 per day in gratuities, Royal Caribbean suggests $3.75 should be given to one's waiter, $2.15 to one's assistant waiter and $.75 to the head water. Royal Caribbean suggests the remaining $5.00 go to its housekeeping staff.

The line today also is raising the amount of gratuity it recommends passengers in suites give to staff from $12 to $13.90.

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