Celebrity Cruises guests may pay a steeper bill next time they sail.
The cruise line is raising its automatic gratuity rates later this month. Charges for standard staterooms will increase from $17.50 to $18 per passenger, per day, while those in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms will pay $18.50 per guest each day, up from $18.
Guests in The Retreat suites will pay $23 per passenger, per day, an increase from $21. The changes will take effect July 11.
“The change is in keeping with industry standards and directly recognizes both the exceptional work by our crew to deliver unforgettable vacations every day and the friendly, yet, tailored relaxed luxury experience that Celebrity is known for,” a Celebrity spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
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The cruise line automatically adds gratuities to passengers’ onboard accounts, unless they have an Excluded Booking that include stateroom and restaurant service gratuities and a 20% beverage package tip, according to the line’s website. That applies to Celebrity’s All Included rate, as well as AquaClass staterooms and The Retreat suites.
The changes come as other cruise lines have raised prices in the wake of inflation and the industry’s continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have increased gratuity prices, and lines such as MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line have also increased fees for beverage packages.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
