Royal Caribbean increase their tips twice in a year.

Royal Caribbean are again increasing their gratuity charge, having only last increased them 10 months ago.

Now whether tips should be charged at all is a very contentious subject but I personally think that increasing the figure twice in less than a year is wrong, especially when the cruise line are actively encouraging customers to book their cruises 18 months in advance.

The charge will increase to $13.50 per person per night for a standard cabin and $16.50 for suite guests. This is only 55 cents pppn so will not break your bank and will probably go unnoticed by many guests but I still think it has been introduced too soon after the previous 95 cent increase.

If you’ve ever wondered how the gratuities are split across the cruise staff they have advised that of the $13.50 paid  $8.30 will go to the dining and culinary staff, $3.85 to the cabin attendant and $1.35 will go to housekeeping staff.

If you are currently booked on  a Royal Caribbean sailing and haven’t prepaid your gratuities you can do so before the 14th April at the current rate in sterling.