Royal Caribbean Blog reports that a fabricated press release dated October 19, 2026 has been making the rounds on social media, claiming that daily gratuity charges can no longer be removed or adjusted at Guest Services for sailings departing on or after that date. The document carries a 'daily gratitude (gratuity)' typo and an unnamed spokesperson quote, two of several tells that it never came from the cruise line.
The real policy is unchanged: guests may modify or remove any gratuity by visiting the Guest Relations desk at any time before the morning of disembarkation, and that covers daily gratuities as well as the 18% service charges on drinks and specialty dining and 20% on spa and salon purchases. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed to Royal Caribbean Blog that gratuity rates have not changed. Bottom line: check the cruise line's own website before believing a screenshot.