Another Cruise Line Set to Increase Gratuities
Celebrity Cruises just announced its plan to increase the daily gratuities in 2020. The new per person rate will begin on January 6, 2020.
Celebrity is adjusting the automatic daily gratuities charge for all new bookings made on or after January 6, 2020. Guests currently booked that have not yet prepaid their gratuities, will have until January 5, 2020 to do so at the current rate. If you’ve already prepaid your gratuities for a cruise that departs on or after January 6, 2020, you will not be charged the increase.
Celebrity gratuities Fee beginning January 6, 2020
On and after January 6, 2020, Celebrity gratuities will increase $1.00 per person per day (pppd). That means if you are booked in a standard stateroom, the gratuity will then be $15.50 per person per day. If you are in AquaClass or ConciergeClass staterooms, you’ll pay $16.00 pppd. Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have reserved a Suite accommodation, the daily gratuity is $19.00 pppd.
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After January 6, 2020, gratuities paid while onboard are subject to the new, increased rates. However, if you prepay your gratuities by January 5, 2020, they will remain at the current rate of $14.50 pppd for a standard accommodation. AquaClass and ConciergeClass will stay at $15.00 pppd and Suite accommodation gratuities will still be $18.00 per person per day.
According to Celebrity on their travel agent site, “If not prepaid prior to sailing, the new gratuity rate will be automatically applied to the guests folio onboard”.
Not seeing an increase as yet, the 18% gratuity will continue to be charged to all beverages, mini bar, and spa and salon purchases made onboard.
How tips are divvied up
Aboard Celebrity, as well as with most other cruise lines, the daily gratuity is shared among dining and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other housekeeping services personnel. Staff from other departments working behind the scenes also receive a small portion of the gratuity pool.
Hi Roxanne,
Thank you for reading my article and taking the time for your question. I really don’t know of a “good” way to tell Guest Relations that you want to opt out of the automatic gratuities being added to your account. If you tip on your own terms, then all the behind the scenes workers (laundry, stage, kitchen, bar staff etc.) will not be included to receive a portion of your auto-gratuity. That’s assuming that you want to personally hand-deliver tips to those with whom you have had direct contact, like your room attendants and main dining room waitstaff if you have set dining seating. My suggestion would be to leave the auto-gratuities in place and then personally give extra tips to those crew members who have worked extra hard for you during your cruise. You can ask the front desk for envelopes or even bring thank-you cards from home.
Again, thanks for sending your question. I’m sure it’s on the minds of many cruisers who prefer to tip only those who they have interacted with during their cruise.
What is the best thing to say when u want to opt out of auto tipping.
I want to tip of course but on my terms. Looking for a polite but firm response at the Guest Relations desk.