Margaritaville at Sea Is Increasing Gratuity Rates

The gratuity rates on Margaritaville at Sea are increasing.

Moving forward, the rates will be $20 per guest, per night for travelers in staterooms. Those traveling in suites will now pay $24 per person, per night. The new rates are outlined on the Margaritaville at Sea website in the Frequently Asked Questions section.

The website says the new gratuity rate took effect February 1 and will be automatically added to each passenger’s account.

In a statement obtained by USA Today, a spokesperson for Margaritaville at Sea said:

“Margaritaville at Sea focuses on providing exceptional guest service onboard.This change allows for [MVAS] to continue to provide an incredibly high-level of service to our guests for quick getaways and longer vacations.”
The increases follow in the heels of similar rate hikes from Disney Cruise Line in January and Royal Caribbean in November.

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) quietly raised its recommended gratuity rate from $14.50 per person, per day to $16. In addition, cruise passengers in concierge staterooms and suites now pay $27.25 per person, per day, an increase from the $23.50 gratuity rate previously listed.

DCL’s website states that travelers can pay the gratuities ahead of time or they can be added to their onboard accounts. The cruise line said the charges are “distributed among crew members,” and it is “customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service, which you’ll receive in abundance aboard the ship.”

Disney Cruise Line previously updated its gratuity rates in July 2022.

As for Royal Caribbean’s rate hikes, which went into effect in November 2024, guests in suites pay $21 per person, per day, up slightly from the current rate of $20.50. For passengers in other cabin categories, the daily gratuity increased from $18 to $18.50.

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore