October 22, 2026
Ad Watchdog Backs Royal Caribbean's Gratuity Fine Print
The National Advertising Division found Royal Caribbean's booking flow clearly tells guests that gratuities are optional and removable, while recommending clearer disclosures in the learn-more tab and at checkout. Royal Caribbean says it has implemented the recommendations.
The advertising watchdog weighed in on Royal Caribbean's gratuity fine print on October 21. In its ruling, the National Advertising Division (NAD), part of BBB National Programs, found that the cruise line's booking flow clearly and conspicuously tells customers that gratuities are optional, that they can choose whether to prepay them, and that they can modify or remove them at any time before disembarkation.
NAD concluded the booking flow adequately tells guests the true all-in vacation cost, but recommended the same clarity in the learn more tab and on the final checkout page. In its advertiser statement, Royal Caribbean thanked NAD for its review and said it has implemented the recommendations.
