Royal Caribbean Drink and Spa Gratuities Are Now Optional
Royal Caribbean's policy now says the 18-20% gratuity on drinks, drink packages, spa and specialty dining is optional and can be removed onboard.
Correction, October 19, 2026: An earlier version of this post reported that Royal Caribbean raised its UK drink and dining gratuity to 20%. Royal Caribbean says that figure was an FAQ error and the rate remains 18%.
Royal Caribbean has updated its official gratuity policy to state that the automatic gratuity on drinks, drink packages, specialty dining, room service, minibar, spa and salon purchases is optional and can be removed onboard. The cruise line has not announced the change.
What Changed
The policy now begins: "Gratuities are optional. Guests may adjust or remove them entirely at their sole discretion."
After listing the purchase gratuities (18% on beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service and minibar; 20% on spa and salon), it adds: "These gratuities are optional and may be adjusted or removed at the guest's sole discretion."
Guests can make changes at the Guest Relations desk any time before the morning of disembarkation. Changes cannot be made after the sailing ends.
As recently as October 5, 2026, the same page said only that gratuities "may be modified." It did not call them optional or say they could be removed.
The 20% UK Rate Was an Error
The UK version of the page lists a single 20% gratuity on all purchases, including beverages, packages and specialty dining.
Royal Caribbean told Royal Caribbean Blog the 20% figure was an FAQ error: "Gratuities for beverages and dining remain at 18% as previously communicated." The US and Australian pages list 18%.
What Stays the Same
Daily gratuities remain $18.50 per person, per day, and $21.00 in suites. Those are also optional. For where that money goes, see how Royal Caribbean gratuities offset crew pay.
Highlighting in screenshots added by Figured It Out.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you remove the gratuity on a Royal Caribbean drink package?
- Yes. Royal Caribbean's updated policy says gratuities on beverages and beverage packages are optional and may be adjusted or removed at Guest Relations before the morning of disembarkation.
- Can you remove the 20% spa gratuity on Royal Caribbean?
- Yes. The updated policy says the 20% spa and salon gratuity is optional and may be adjusted or removed at Guest Relations.
- Did Royal Caribbean raise the drink gratuity to 20%?
- No. The UK policy page listed 20%, but Royal Caribbean told Royal Caribbean Blog this was an FAQ error and that gratuities on beverages and dining remain 18%.
- Are Royal Caribbean daily gratuities still $18.50?
- Yes. Daily gratuities remain $18.50 per person, per day, and $21.00 in suites.
