Royal Caribbean Says No Gratuity Change After Slip and Fake Letter
Key Aspects:
Royal Caribbean has acknowledged a temporary error on its FAQ that listed gratuities incorrectly but has confirmed there is no gratuity change at this time.
The gratuities FAQ has been updated to clarify that guests are able to adjust the 18% automatic gratuity added to drinks and specialty dining if they wish.
A fake press release claiming guests can no longer adjust daily gratuities while onboard their Royal Caribbean sailing has also been debunked by the current FAQ.
Royal Caribbean has sparked immediate concern among guests for what has turned out to be a simple error on its website that seemed to indicate a gratuity increase for drinks and specialty dining.
The cruise line’s service gratuity policy FAQ was recently updated, and for a short period, indicated a 20% automatic gratuity for beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service, and minibar purchases, as well as a 20% automatic gratuity for spa and salon services.
While the 20% gratuity rate for spa and salon services is accurate, the beverage and dining gratuity rate actually remains at 18% with no increase.
Cruise Hive reached out to Royal Caribbean for confirmation of the error and received a statement acknowledging the mix-up.
“We recently identified an error in an FAQ that incorrectly stated gratuity information. To clarify, there has been no change to our gratuity rates. Gratuities for beverages and dining remain at 18% as previously communicated,” the cruise line said. “The FAQ has been corrected, and we apologize for any confusion this error may have caused.”
What has changed on the FAQ, however, is guests’ ability to adjust those automatic gratuities if they wish. In addition to some slight rewording, an entirely new line has been added to the FAQ, noting that:
“These gratuities are optional and may be adjusted or removed at the guest’s sole discretion.”
While guests have always been able to adjust or remove the daily gratuities added to their onboard SeaPass accounts, it was not clear previously whether the percentages added to drinks and dining could be adjusted as well. Now, the cruise line has provided that clarification.
More Gratuity Rumors Circulating
An even bigger rumor has also been circulating about Royal Caribbean gratuities: that guests will no longer be able to remove the daily automatic gratuities once they board their ship.
A seemingly authentic press release has been posted to social media and quickly spread, claiming the change.
“Effective immediately, daily gratitude (gratuity) charges added to guest accounts can no longer be removed or adjusted at Guest Services desks while onboard,” the notice reads. “This change applies to all Royal Caribbean International sailings departing on or after October 19, 2026.”
The message goes on to explain that guests previously could remove or modify charges, but that will no longer be permitted.
“Under the updated policy, these charges are now non-removable once applied to the guest account,” the notice states.
Where the message gets muddy is that it explains guests can still prepay gratuities prior to sailing or “make alternative arrangements through the Royal Caribbean app or website before embarkation” but does not describe what those alternative arrangements may be.
Even more peculiar is that the message goes on to note, “this change does not affect the ability of guests to provide additional discretionary tips for exceptional service, which remain welcome and appreciated by the crew.”
Read Also: How Much Should You Tip Crew Members?
Well, who wouldn’t welcome and appreciate an extra tip? Nevertheless, the “release” is a bogus one. While the message is free of the typos and poor grammar that often give fake notices away, and it even lists media contact information for the cruise line, one big clue is right at the top.
The message opens with the Royal Caribbean International trademarked logo. The only problem is that the cruise line retired that logo in September 2024, when it dropped “International” and introduced a modernized design with a brighter blue and a standalone crown and anchor with a slightly adjusted shape.
While it would be understandable for some overlapping use between old and new logos shortly after such a switch, there is no reason the old logo would be on a press release that was supposedly published more than two years later.
Royal Caribbean’s gratuities FAQ still boldly states, right at the top, “Gratuities are optional. Guests may adjust or remove them entirely at their sole discretion, as described below.”
The description then later notes that, “Guests may modify or remove any gratuity by visiting the Guest Relations desk onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation,” clearly debunking this false press release.
Royal Caribbean Says No Gratuity Change After Slip and Fake Letter