Spit balling here ...
I am wondering if the removal of gratuities from the AI package is part of an upcoming plan to make Celebrity a "Tipping Built Into The fare/Additional Tipping Discouraged" cruise offering (like some land resorts).
Celebrity might have tipped their hand with their "Tipping? Don't - we have it covered" mantra with Suites.
This change would be in-sync with Americans' (and others'?) frustration with a out-of-control tipping culture that started with the Pandemic and now a hand-out is requested/mandated(?) with almost every bill, in paper receipts and with almost every electronic transaction.
I could imagine a "We Feel Your Pain" campaign.
The "devil is in the details" would apply, but this could benefit both crew and pax, if done right. The crew would be able to have a proper and reliable wage, without having the need to artificially "kiss butt" to their customers, but, rather, provide an authentic experience for all. I propose that the crew would still give their usual friendly and competent service, with an eye to excellence rather than expedience.
Just a thought.