Carnival and Royal Caribbean Among Cruise Lines Raising Fees in 2018

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are among cruise lines that are raising rates on incidentals on their cruise ships in early 2018. In order to keep our readers up on the latest changes made by cruise lines, here is a list of fees that are going up in price to start 2018.

Carnival Cruise Line is raising the price of their CHEERS! beverage program effective January 1, 2018.  The new price will be $51.95 per day per person plus 15% gratuity if you choose to pre-purchase it before your cruise. This is a $2 per day increase.  If purchased onboard the ship, the new price will be $56.95 per day per person, plus 15% gratuity.  This program allows cruisers up to 15 alcoholic drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks each day.

Royal Caribbean is hiking the price of daily gratuities with the new rates going into effect on January 2, 2018.  The gratuity amounts are going up by $1 per day, per person and will be as follows:

• $14.50 per day, per passenger
• $17.50 per day for passengers staying in suites

Guests who already have a cruise booked with Royal Caribbean in 2018 can prepay at the old rates as long as they pay by January 1, 2018.

Celebrity Cruises, a sister cruise line to Royal Caribbean, is following Royal Caribbean and is also raising daily gratuities. They are raising rates by $1 per day, per person.  The new rates will be as follows on cruises on Celebrity:

• $14.50 per person, per day in standard accommodations
• $15.00 per person, per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms
• $18.00 per person, per day in suites

Pre-existing bookings confirmed prior to January 2, 2018 will have until the time of sailing to pay their gratuities at the old rate. After January 2nd, 2018, gratuities paid while onboard are subject to the new, increased rates.