Celebrity Cruises is increasing gratuity rates from January 2, 2018 affecting all guests and sailings.
Celebrity Cruises is increasing the automatic gratuity rates by $1 following sister cruise line Royal Caribbean which posted the hike during Christmas. For standard staterooms, the amount will go up to $14.50, the new rate for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms will be $15.00 and suites will have an increased rate of $18.00.
The cruise line has stated that any pre-existing bookings will have until January 2 to purchase their gratuities at the old rate. Bookings from Jan 2 and for those guests wanting to pay gratuities on the ship from that date will have to pay the new automatic rates.
Celebrity Cruises site states:
As of January 2, Celebrity Cruises will be adjusting the automatic daily gratuity for all new bookings made on or after January 2, 2018.
The new gratuity amounts will increase as follow:
- $14.50 per person, per day in standard accommodations
- $15.00 per person, per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms
- $18.00 per person, per day in suites
Pre-existing bookings confirmed prior to January 2nd, 2018 will have until the time of sailing to pay their gratuities at the old rate. After January 2nd, 2018, gratuities paid while onboard are subject to the new, increased rates.
The per day per guest cruise gratuities are automatically taken off the onboard SeaPass account but guests can still change the gratuities at the end of the cruise if they really want to. The gratuities are paid and shared among crew members in the housekeeping, dining room and bar departments.