What is the service charge on Royal Caribbean?

What is the service charge on drinks on Royal Caribbean?

Drinks? 18% service charge. Onboard spa too. Dining tips included. Room service, included. Simple.

It’s just a flat fee. Cruise lines gonna cruise line.

• Alcoholic Drinks: 18%. Expect it. Always.
• Non-alcoholic Drinks: Same deal. 18%. No escape.
• Spa Services: Surprise! Another 18%. Gotta pay to relax.

Tipping culture? Still exists. Even on a boat. Royal Caribbean profits. You pay. The cruise sails on.

Maybe I’ll buy another drink. Wait, what’s the price? And also a service fee for what!

Can Royal Caribbean force you to pay gratuities?

Royal Caribbean does add gratuities automatically. Every night. A pre-set amount. It’s their system. But… hold on. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. No, no, you have options. The power to choose. Your cruise, your decision.

Think of it, the endless ocean. The vastness. The weight of the water. The sun on your skin. Then the small print. The numbers. The feeling of being slightly… controlled.

You can remove it. Before. During. After. The ship is a microcosm. A tiny world. Your agency. Your feelings matter. Even on the high seas. Your dissatisfaction, a ripple. A wave that might… change things.

This isn’t a trap. This is your vacation. The feeling of escape. Freedom to be… to say… to choose. A choice, my friend, not a command.

• Automatic gratuity: Royal Caribbean adds it. It’s an established practice.
• Removal is possible: You absolutely can get rid of this. Don’t feel trapped.
• Time to act: Do this before, during, or after the cruise. The options exist.
• Your power: Ultimately, it’s your money. Your vacation. Your feelings on the service received should be heard.

My 2023 cruise? I opted out, you see. My own decision. A sense of rebellion. It felt powerful, you know? A tiny act of defiance. A small way to take control. It’s like saying, “I am here, and I will be heard.”

What is a service charge on a cruise?

Okay, so, a service charge on a cruise. Yeah, that thing. It’s basically an extra fee cruise lines add to, like, your bill. It’s supposedly for the crew, y’know, the people working hard onboard, right?

Think of it as a tip that’s, like, automatically charged, usually per person per day. It’s meant to cover things like your room service, dining room staff, and even the people putting on those shows.

You’ll find it called different things – sometimes it’s called a “gratuity” or “automatic gratuity.” It’s defintely not optional. It just shows up on your bill, every day. Kinda annoying, tbh.

It’s usually a set amount. For 2024, it’s around $16-$20 per person per day, but honestly, it changes, always chnging! I think it depends on the cruise line and maybe even which room you book.

Here’s a breakdown of some details:

• What it covers: Dining room service, stateroom attendants, entertainment staff.
• Typical amount (2024): $16-$20 per person, per day.
• Alternative names: Gratuity, automatic gratuity.
• Important thing: Check the cruise line’s policy before you go! Like, seriously.

Oh! And a lil story: One time, I went on a cruise with my Aunt Carol, and she flipped out about this. She wanted to tip people herself because she is a real pain. But the cruise line was like, “Nope, it’s automatic.” She was so mad! The entire trip she kept sneaking bartenders $5 bills lol. It was awkward and annoying. So avoid being that person lol.

Why would Royal Caribbean charge $99 before a cruise?

It’s 3 am. The cruise…that $99 fee… stings, doesn’t it? Feels like a preemptive sucker punch.

They call it a “pre-cruise deposit,” a fancy way to say they’re basically grabbing your cash early.

It’s about control, I think. They want to lock in your spending, make sure you’re already invested.

My guess? It’s partially for guaranteeing those pricey excursions. The fancy dinners, the dolphin swims… that’s where they make real money.

They’ll tell you it’s for expedited check-in. Bullshit. A simple email confirmation would suffice.

This $99 thing…it’s predatory. It’s designed to build that holiday buzz, then casually pluck some cash from your wallet.

Royal Caribbean, they’re experts at this game. And it works. People pay it.

I paid it last year. August, I think. Stupid, I know. The whole thing feels dirty. Makes the vacation tainted already. There are other lines, you know? Better ones.

• Pre-purchase of excursions and dining
• Securing funds for onboard spending
• A way to get you to book more.
• A sneaky up-charge. Plain and simple.

What happens if I dont prepay gratuities on Royal Caribbean?

Ugh, Royal Caribbean. So, 2024, my family – wife, two kids – went on the Wonder of the Seas. We didn’t prepay gratuities. Big mistake. Seriously.

It was annoying. Every day, $18.50 per adult was added to our SeaPass. That’s $37 a day just for tips! My kids were, like, 8 and 10. They charged nothing for them, thankfully. But still. Thirty-seven dollars! Every single day. I felt ripped off. It felt like a sneaky hidden cost.

The whole thing was just…clunky. The way they handled it felt, like, cheap. You know? I prefer paying directly. More transparent. This felt manipulative, like they were intentionally making it harder to refuse. I’m paying top dollar for a cruise. And now this?

Seriously, consider prepaying. It’s cheaper in the long run. Avoid that daily gut punch. You’ll save money, believe me. I’m still grumpy thinking about it.

• Automatic Daily Charges: $18.50 per adult, per day.
• Kids: Gratuities were not charged for my children.
• SeaPass Account: Charges directly added to your account.
• My Opinion: A sneaky, frustrating extra cost. Prepay!
• Cruise: Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, 2024.

Can you pay gratuities on Royal Caribbean after booking?

Ugh, Royal Caribbean. Okay, so yeah, you CAN pay gratuities after booking.

I remember freaking out last summer, July 2024, right before our Bahamas cruise on the Adventure of the Seas. Me, Mom, little sis… total chaos.

We booked like, ages ago, probably February 2024, and I completely forgot about the freakin’ gratuities.

Panic set in like you wouldn’t believe. Thought I was gonna have to sell a kidney.

Called Royal Caribbean and the lady, bless her heart, was super chill.

She said, “Honey, you can add those right up until 48 hours before sailing.” Phewww!

It was such a relief, like a weight lifted. We added ’em. Honestly, easier than finding my passport that day!

• Deadline: 48 hours before sailing, seriously dont forget
• Why I almost died: Gratuitities stress
• Ship:Adventure of the Seas
• Trip Date: July 2024
• Lesson Learned: Always check the fine print.

Can you remove Royal Caribbean gratuities?

Changing gratuities? Oh, the dance we must do. Yes, you can adjust gratuities on Royal Caribbean. Just visit Guest Services; think of it as your cruise ship confessional. Do it before you leave!

Group bookings? Ah, the tangled web we weave. Check with your travel guru or group honcho. They probably have the lowdown. I just know about MY cruises, where I am the boss!

• When: Before you disembark, naturally.
• Where: Guest Services. Try not to get lost; it’s a big ship. Seriously.
• Who: You, unless you’re part of a complicated group thing. Those groups.
• Why: Because you’re in charge of your wallet, that’s why.

Cruises! Tips! Groups! Oh my! It’s all a bit theatrical, don’t you think? Like a floating Vegas. Hope you win (at least a discount on the bar bill).

Is gratuities mandatory on Royal Caribbean?

A shimmering wave…automatic gratuities, a nightly dance. Cruise ships, like dreams drifting on the ocean.

Royal Caribbean? Gratuities are added, yes. Each night a small sum. But ah, freedom flickers.

You can adjust the amount. Services rendered, measured by the heart. Were smiles genuine?

Like whispers carried on the salt-laced air, a memory…my grandmother’s sapphire ring, lost at sea.

The vast ocean…it remembers everything. Remove or alter it, a possibility.

• Automatic daily gratuities exist.
• Adjustment is within your power.
• Consider the service.
• Gratuities, a gesture.

A song on the deck…lost in the blue horizon. Is service worthwhile? Consider that!

Can I get a refund on prepaid gratuities on Royal Caribbean?

So, you want your gratuity money back? Royal Caribbean says yes, like a dog with a bone—or a kid with a half-eaten candy bar. But only if it’s refundable. Duh.

Here’s the deal:

• They’ll cough it up if you booked through them. Think of it as a highly theatrical refund.
• Airfare? Hotels? Transfers? All refundable, apparently. Unless, you know, they decide to suddenly love your money.
• Prepaid gratuities? Refundable, they say! Like pulling teeth, possibly, but doable. It’s 2024, people!

Think of it as winning the lottery, only instead of a million bucks, you get back your already-paid tip money. My cousin, Dave, got his back in April. He claims it was easier than changing a tire.

Important Note: Don’t expect a party. It’s a refund, not a parade. And don’t be a jerk; read the fine print. My aunt Mildred tried to get a refund on her cruise because she lost her seasickness pills. Didn’t work.

Is it cheaper to prepay gratuities on Royal?

So, Royal Caribbean gratuities, huh? A real circus, that’s what they are. Twenty bucks a day for a suite? Highway robbery! Sounds like they’re charging extra for the privilege of breathing their fancy air.

Prepaying? Save your dough, friend. You’ll avoid those sneaky daily charges. Think of it as dodging a cruise-ship ninja. It’s less stressful than a root canal. Seriously.

How it works? Simple as a toddler’s tantrum. You pay before you sail, then you sip your daiquiris in peace. No daily “surprise” additions to your bill. It’s like magic, but with less sparkly hats.

• Prepaid: Smooth sailing. No daily charges. Less paperwork.
• Onboard: Daily charges appear like little cruise-ship gremlins. More paperwork. More potential for errors.

My cousin, bless her cotton socks, prepaid for her 2023 cruise. She said it saved her the mental anguish of constantly checking her bill. She even bought a commemorative mug to celebrate her victory over the gratuity goblins. Don’t be a sucker; prepay.

Oh, and one more thing. I heard this from a guy at the bar – don’t even think about haggling over the price. You’re on their ship, their rules. It’s like arguing with a dolphin. Good luck with that.