Royal Caribbean has updated its official gratuity policy to make clear that passengers can remove automatic service charges on drinks, dining and spa treatments, while also addressing confusion over reports of a possible increase in gratuity rates.
The revised wording, introduced in October 2026, explicitly states that gratuities are optional and can be adjusted or removed at the passenger’s discretion.
This includes the 18% gratuity automatically applied to beverages, drinks packages, speciality dining, room service and minibar purchases, as well as the 20% charge on spa and salon services.
Although these charges continue to be added automatically, passengers can now refer to the cruise line’s published policy for confirmation that they are not compulsory.
The clarification comes alongside a separate issue involving Royal Caribbean’s UK website, which appeared to suggest that gratuities on drinks and dining had increased from 18% to 20%.
However, the cruise line has confirmed that the higher figure was published in error and that the existing rates remain unchanged.
Royal Caribbean Makes Gratuity Removal Policy Clearer
The most significant development is the wording now included in Royal Caribbean’s official gratuity guidance.
Previously, the cruise line’s website explained that gratuities could be modified, without explicitly stating that passengers could remove them entirely.
An archived version of the policy from 5th October 2026 used the more limited wording, suggesting that some adjustments were possible but leaving the extent of those changes unclear.
The revised policy goes considerably further, stating:
“Gratuities are optional. Guests may adjust or remove them entirely at their sole discretion.”
The same clarification appears in the section covering charges on individual onboard purchases, confirming that the policy applies beyond the standard daily gratuities collected to compensate crew members.
This means passengers who purchase alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, beverage packages or speciality restaurant meals can request that the associated gratuities be removed.
The policy also covers room service and minibar purchases, along with spa and salon treatments.
Under the published arrangements, passengers must visit the Guest Relations desk onboard to request any adjustments.
Changes can be made during the cruise, provided they are requested before the morning of disembarkation. Once the sailing has ended, gratuity adjustments are no longer available.
Importantly, the updated wording does not mean that Royal Caribbean has stopped automatically adding gratuities to purchases.
The charges remain part of the standard onboard billing process, and passengers who are happy to pay them do not need to take any action.
Instead, the clarification establishes that passengers have the option to challenge, reduce or remove those charges rather than being required to accept t
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