Royal Caribbean Gratuities: $18.50 and $21 Per Day

Where these numbers come from

Royal Caribbean has three tipping layers. A flat daily gratuity goes to the crew pool, a percentage service charge attaches to drinks and dining purchases, and a separate percentage applies to spa services. Seeing them apart makes the bill easy to predict.

The flat rate is $21.00 per guest per day in suites and $18.50 in every other stateroom category. The charges post to the SeaPass account each day unless you prepaid them at booking. The line pools the money and uses it toward crew pay, and you can change the amount at Guest Relations until the morning you leave the ship. The policy page lists no separate child rate.

Here is a worked total for a family of four on a 7-night cruise. Standard rooms: 4 x 7 x $18.50 = $518. Suites: 4 x 7 x $21 = $588, or $70 more. The parents then spend $400 at the bar, and the 18% charge adds $72. A $200 spa visit at 20% adds $40. The family's gratuity and service-charge layers total $518 + $72 + $40 = $630. The cruise gratuity calculator lets you change the headcount.

The 18% on beverage packages matters because it is not in the menu price. The line's FAQ says the charge is added to pre-cruise or onboard package purchases, except where law prohibits it. A package quoted at $83.99 a day therefore costs $99.11 once the charge is applied, which is the figure to use for break-even math. Guests can adjust that charge at Guest Relations too.

Gratuity practice differs by line. Royal Caribbean's standard rate is higher than Carnival's $17 and lower than Norwegian's $20 per day. Suites cost $2.50 more per guest per day than standard rooms here. Some suite programs may bundle gratuities, so check the terms on your own booking before assuming you owe the daily charge.

When does it change? The line can change these amounts, so check the page near sailing. For fares and dress rules see the Royal Caribbean overview, and for package break-even use the Royal Caribbean drink package page. The cruise cost calculator adds taxes and the fare.

Sources

• Royal Caribbean gratuity price and policy
• Royal Caribbean beverage package gratuity FAQ

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.