Celebrity Cruises has raised its automatic gratuity charges with little notice, sparking criticism from passengers. As of July 29, guests who do not prepay the gratuities will automatically pay between $19.50 and $24.50 per person, per day, depending on their stateroom category.
Gratuity Policy
The increase raises the daily gratuity by $1.50 per person across every stateroom category. Guests staying in Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms will pay $19.50 per person, per day. Concierge Class and AquaClass guests will pay $20.50, while those staying in The Retreat will pay $24.50.
The cruise line also automatically adds a 20% gratuity to purchases, including beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service, minibar items, and spa and salon services.
Passengers have expressed support for the idea of tipping crew members but have criticized the timing of the announcement, saying they were notified on the same day the higher rates took effect. Some passengers plan to opt out of the automatic gratuities and instead hand cash directly to crew members.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
