Carnival Daily Gratuities and Internet Increase in 2023

Table Of Content

• How much is gratuity on a Carnival cruise ship?
• Are gratuities included in the cruise fare?
• I would rather tip staff individually rather than pay this fixed amount per day – can I do that?
• Popular: 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies
• Carnival Cruise Gratuities: Understanding the Policy and Tips for a Smooth Experience
• Do you have to pay gratuities on cruise?

In addition, guests will pay an 18% gratuity on all beverages, mini bar items, and spa & salon purchases. The exact charge for these cruise gratuities do vary by cruise line and by stateroom category. While gratuities are part of the cruise fare on some luxury lines, cruisers should plan to pay the following fees on the majority of major cruise lines. If you believe that the service provided by the crew members deserves additional recognition, you can choose to increase the gratuity amount. This can be done by visiting the guest services desk onboard and informing them of your intention to add extra gratuity for exceptional service. On Carnival Cruise Line, the automatic gratuity rate is $16 (USD) per person, per day as of April 1, 2023.

How much is gratuity on a Carnival cruise ship?

Gratuities can be included during the booking process or at any time leading up to the sailing date. Those who made direct bookings with Carnival can conveniently add their pre-paid gratuities on the cruise line’s website. For guests who booked through a travel agent, reaching out to their travel professional enables them to include pre-paid gratuities in their reservation. The pre-paid gratuities will be visible in the 'Miscellaneous Charge' section in the guest's E-Documents and on the confirmation. For example, Norwegian offers a complimentary Open Bar drinks package for travelers who book its Free at Sea promotion.

Are gratuities included in the cruise fare?

In other words, you can add your gratuities and pay them off like the rest of the cruise fare. While you can adjust the automatic gratuities charged each day, there is no way to change the automatic 18% charge on things like drinks. If there was a legit reason to pay less, you could take it up with Guest Services, but wanting to pay 15% instead of 18% — simply because you think that’s more reasonable – can’t really happen.

I would rather tip staff individually rather than pay this fixed amount per day – can I do that?

This is usually done in at a set daily rate, and may be posted to guests’ accounts each day, or in one or two lump sums during the cruise. As a general recommendation, it is advisable not to modify the gratuity amount set by the cruise line. The cruise ship staff exerts considerable effort to enhance your vacation experience, and these gratuities constitute a significant portion of their compensation. Nevertheless, it is possible that there may be occasions when you are dissatisfied with the service received.

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If not paid in advance or bundled into an “all-in” style package, the amount is charged to the stateroom account daily, adding to the total bill due at the end of the cruise. This means that all staff members get that extra monetary recognition through the automatic gratuities, whether pre-paid or added to guests’ accounts during the cruise. Remember that tipping is not limited to the crew members who directly interact with you. Behind the scenes, there are numerous individuals working tirelessly to maintain the ship’s operations and amenities. These individuals, such as the galley staff and the laundry team, often go unnoticed but contribute significantly to the overall cruise experience.

It's worth noting that, like many cruise lines, Carnival periodically increases gratuity amounts, with the most recent adjustment occurring in May 2022, prior to the April 2023 increase. However, an 18% service charge still applies to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, and Lotus Spa services. These charges serve as a means to reward the hard-working crew for the excellent service provided during your cruise vacation. If you work with a travel agent, they'll be able to take care of prepaying gratuities for you. You can instruct them to add them at the time of booking or after the fact. As of April 2023, those staying in standard staterooms — interior, ocean view, and balcony cabins — pay $16.00 per person, per day, while the rate for guests in suites is $18.00 per person, per day.

Can I change the amount charged?

At this time, the 18% service charge added to beverage purchases, specialty restaurant charges, and spa or salon services remains unchanged. Effective from Wednesday, February 14, 2024, guests sailing with Holland America Line will have a higher crew appreciation service charge no matter what type of cabin they are staying in. For more information on Carnival Cruise tipping policy and guidelines, you can visit the official Carnival Cruise Line website [1].

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There will be a gratuity amount of 18% added to your Bar service checks. According to the same statement, the increase will be affective for all embarkations starting on January 16, 2023. Guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites are recommended a gratuity amount of $15.50 per night.

Do you have to pay gratuities on cruise?

There is also a 20% service charge on all beverage purchases and all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining. Further, cruises to Hawaii also have a 4.275% service tax applied. Gratuities are not typically included in the base price of a Carnival cruise fare. They are considered separate charges and are added to your onboard account during your cruise. It’s important to factor in the gratuity charges when budgeting for your overall cruise expenses. Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option.

In such instances, at the guest's discretion, adjustments to gratuities can be made after the charges have been added to the guest's account during the cruise. It's essential to note that gratuities, as reflected on the Sail & Sign account, are considered final once a guest disembarks, and no alterations can be made post-cruise. If you haven't prepaid your gratuities, the recommended gratuity charges per person will be charged to your Sail & Sign account on the penultimate day of the cruise. Should you find the service unsatisfactory, you can approach the Guest Services desk while on board.

This covers guests in all standard staterooms, whether interior, ocean view, or balcony cabins. Rates are higher in suites, at $18 per person, per day, because of the extra amenities and more personalized services for suites. Seeing these service gratuity charges side-by-side it is easy to note that increases are likely coming for other Carnival-owned cruise lines in the near future. Whether or not other cruise lines will also raise service charge rates will be subject to individual line’s policies, financial considerations, and overall decision-making.

Carnival Cruise Line is not the first cruise line to raise the gratuities recently. On March 2, Norwegian Cruise Line announced the same, raising their gratuities to $16 and $20 per person per day. Carnival Cruise Line to increase gratuities for the first time since 2018 on cruises departing on or after May 1, 2022. What if you’re already onboard and you want to give a bigger tip than what you’ve initially pre-paid? Your heart is in the right place, especially if you’re getting amazing service!

Princess also offers two all-inclusive bundles that include “crew appreciation.” Princess recently increased 2023 prices for both bundles but added new perks to offset the increase. Princess Plus went from $50 to $60 per person per day, while Princess Premier went from $75 to $80. Add-ons new to the packages include premium desserts, juices, free pre-cruise Medallion shipping, and fitness classes.

Additionally, a portion of the gratuities is allocated to behind-the-scenes crew members who contribute to the overall guest experience. It is important to note that the gratuities are pooled and distributed fairly among the staff. By understanding the Carnival Cruise gratuity policy, passengers can ensure that their appreciation reaches the hardworking individuals who contribute to their memorable vacation.

The staff on a cruise ship works extremely hard to make your vacation a pleasure and these gratuities make up a large part of their compensation. If you’re taking a Carnival cruise, then you should expect to pay the gratuities. All guests except those under the age of two are charged the daily amount. Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are.

This is to allow you to add an additional tip amount if you wish. The additional tip amount would then go on to your onboard account. Prepaying for gratuities can be an easier way to budget for your vacation. There is less chance of “sticker shock” when you see your Sail & Sign account charge at the end of your cruise. The gratuity amount will usually appear on your Sail and Sign onboard account on the second last day of your cruise.