Celebrity Cruises Is Raising Gratuity Prices

Inflation is being felt everywhere these days, even on cruises.

Celebrity Cruises is hiking its automatic gratuity rates later this month, according to a notice on the cruise line’s website.

Celebrity automatically adds gratuities to guests’ onboard SeaPass account and the new information on the company’s website says that as of July 11 gratuity charges for standard staterooms will increase from $17.50 to $18 per passenger, per day for Ocean View and Veranda rooms.

For travelers staying in Concierge, and AquaClass staterooms meanwhile, the cost of gratuities will increase from $18 per day to $18.50. And finally, guests of TheRetreat will see gratuity rates increase to $23 per person, per day (up from the current $21).

“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 told USA Today in a statement.

Gratuities are not added to trips booked as part of Excluded Bookings, such as staterooms that are booked at the All Included rate (formerly the Always Included rate).