Celebrity Cruises Gratuities And Service Charges: What You Actually Need to Know for 2026
Wondering how Celebrity Cruises handles gratuities and service charges? You're not alone - it's one of the questions our advisors field most often.
$18 per person, per day for Inside, Oceanview, and Veranda staterooms; $19 for Concierge Class and AquaClass; and $23 for guests staying in The Retreat. Reviewing your onboard account periodically during the cruise helps you keep track of gratuity and other charges before the final bill. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Rules can vary by ship, region, and promotion, so speaking with an advisor at +1-800-406-8495 before booking is always the safer move. Prepaying can simplify your onboard budget considerably if you'd rather not think about a daily charge while traveling. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are gratuities on Celebrity?
$18 per person, per day for Inside, Oceanview, and Veranda staterooms; $19 for Concierge Class and AquaClass; and $23 for guests staying in The Retreat. If your sailing includes an all-inclusive-style fare, double-checking whether gratuities are actually bundled in avoids double-paying. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Can I adjust or remove the automatic gratuity charge?
Adjusting the automatic gratuity is possible at Guest Services, though it's designed for exceptions rather than regular use, since the charge supports crew compensation. Reviewing your onboard account periodically during the cruise helps you keep track of gratuity and other charges before the final bill. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Are gratuities included if I prepay them before sailing?
You can prepay to secure the current gratuity rate, folding it into your upfront cost rather than seeing it as a daily onboard charge. This detail is easy to overlook when comparing headline cruise prices between lines, so it's worth factoring in early. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Do drink packages and specialty dining include a service charge on top of gratuities?
There's usually a separate service fee on drinks and specialty dining, commonly 15-20%, distinct from your daily cabin gratuity. Crew members genuinely rely on this income, which is part of why most lines discourage using the adjustment option as a routine practice. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Are gratuities different for children?
A handful of lines waive or reduce gratuities for the youngest kids, but most apply the standard per-guest rate once a child is past toddler age. Crew members genuinely rely on this income, which is part of why most lines discourage using the adjustment option as a routine practice. Worth keeping in mind either way.
How do gratuities on Celebrity compare to other lines?
For a side-by-side comparison of gratuity costs between Celebrity and other lines, reach out to +1-800-406-8495. It's worth checking your specific fare's inclusions before assuming gratuities are or aren't already covered. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I prepay gratuities before my Celebrity cruise instead of paying onboard?
Prepaying gratuities on Celebrity at final payment is common among guests who prefer to handle the cost before boarding. Reviewing your onboard account periodically during the cruise helps you keep track of gratuity and other charges before the final bill. Worth keeping in mind either way.
Do specialty restaurants have a separate gratuity from the daily charge?
Often yes - some specialty dining venues include a separate service charge on top of the standard daily gratuity, so it's worth checking the specific restaurant's policy. It's worth checking your specific fare's inclusions before assuming gratuities are or aren't already covered. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.
Are gratuities included in Celebrity fares booked through a promotion?
Sometimes - certain promotional Celebrity fares do bundle gratuities into the price, while standard fares usually add the daily charge separately, so it's worth confirming which applies to your booking. If your sailing includes an all-inclusive-style fare, double-checking whether gratuities are actually bundled in avoids double-paying. Good to know before you finalize anything.
What's a reasonable way to budget for gratuities on a weeklong cruise?
A simple way to budget is to multiply the current daily per-person rate by your cruise length and by the number of guests in your cabin, then add a bit extra for specialty dining or drink-package service charges. If your sailing includes an all-inclusive-style fare, double-checking whether gratuities are actually bundled in avoids double-paying. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.