Celebrity Cruises quietly raised its automatic daily gratuities on July 29, 2026, bumping rates up by $1.50 per person across all cabin categories. Guests in standard staterooms — Inside, Oceanview, and Veranda — will now pay $19.50 per day, Concierge and AquaClass guests move to $20.50, and those booked in The Retreat will see $24.50 per day. Because the change was announced the same day it went into effect, there was no window to lock in the old rate by prepaying — though anyone who already prepaid gratuities at the previous amount should be honored at that rate.
The gratuities are distributed among dining, bar and culinary teams, stateroom attendants, and other crew who contribute to the onboard experience. Celebrity describes them as discretionary, but in practice they function as a standard, expected cost of sailing. They also don't cover tips added for drinks or spa services, which are billed separately.
Celebrity isn't alone in nudging rates upward this year. Carnival raised its daily gratuity to $17 for standard cabins in April, Princess followed with an $18 standard-cabin rate, and Holland America adjusted its rates in June. Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity's sister line under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, last changed its gratuity in October 2024 — a modest 50-cent increase — leaving current rates at $18.50 for standard cabins and $20.50 for suites. Historically, rate changes at one Royal Caribbean Group brand have tended to ripple across the others, though no announcement has been made.
Interestingly, Royal Caribbean recently surveyed past guests about tipping preferences, asking whether they prepay, let gratuities post to their onboard account, or opt out entirely. Whether that survey signals a coming policy shift remains to be seen.
This report was originally published by Royal Caribbean Blog.
