Royal Caribbean raises gratuity charge

Royal Caribbean International on Jan. 2 is implementing a $1 increase to the daily gratuity, to $14.50 per guest, for cruise passengers in stateroom accommodations.

Suite guests will pay $17.50 per day, also a $1 increase.

Guests who book before Jan. 2 can pre-pay gratuities before their sailing at the current rate.

The daily gratuity, automatically added to guest accounts, is shared among dining and bar servers, stateroom attendants, and hotel services teams who work behind the scenes.