Celebrity Cruises joined sister line Royal Caribbean in hiking gratuities for 2018.
Effective January 2, the Miami-based cruise line is increasing the automatic gratuity for staff it tacks on final bills by over 7% to US$14.50 per person, per day for guests staying in most cabins. Celebrity Cruises current rate is US$13.50.
Passengers staying in AquaClass and Concierge Class rooms will pay US$15 per person, per day (up from US$14). Passengers in suites will pay US$18 (up from US$17).
After the increase, a family of 4 in a standard Celebrity stateroom will pay more than US$400 in automatic gratuities on a typical 7-night cruise, one of the highest industry's levies.
Among other major cruise lines, Carnival adds US$12.95 per person, per day in service charges to bills. Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises add US$13.99 and US$13.50, respectively.
Celebrity's increase matched one that takes effect on the same day at sister cruise line Royal Caribbean.