When planning a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line, it's important to budget for all aspects of your trip, including gratuities. This article provides everything you need to know about tipping on Carnival cruises, from prepaid rates to recommended extra cash tips.
Carnival Cruise Line suggests daily gratuities of $14.50 per person for standard accommodations and $16.50 per person for suite guests, automatically added to the guest's onboard account Carnival Cruise Line.
Gratuities on a Carnival Cruise are an important aspect of your cruising experience, addressing the service charges that cover staff who ensure your trip is enjoyable.
Gratuities are a form of service charge that is typically added to your cruise bill to acknowledge the effort of the cruise staff. These fees are shared among the team that serves you directly or works behind the scenes.
| Cabin Type | Current Gratuity Rate | Upcoming Gratuity Rate (As of April 1, 2023) | Bill Inclusion and Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cabins | $14.50 per person, per day | $16.00 per person, per day | Automatically added, optional adjustment |
| Suites | $16.50 per person, per day | Slightly higher than standard cabins rate | Automatically added, optional adjustment |
Carnival Cruise Line has a structured system for gratuities:
Beginning April 1, 2023, these charges will increase to $16.00 per person, per day for standard cabins. Guests staying in suites can expect to pay slightly higher rates.
Your final bill will include the gratuity charges, which ensures a smooth distribution of tips to the hardworking crew members. If you're satisfied with your service, no further action is needed, but you may adjust these amounts at guest services if necessary.
Understanding these charges will help you budget appropriately for your Carnival cruise vacation.
Gratuities on Carnival cruises are a set charge per day that are added to your account, ensuring service staff are rewarded for the service they provide.
Per Person, Per Day:
These daily rates apply to each guest and are designed to distribute tips among the service staff like your room steward, wait staff, and others who contribute to your experience.
Prepaid Gratuities: You have the option to pay for your gratuities before you board. This can be done through your travel agent or the Carnival website, and the gratuities will be the same as the onboard rates.
Sail & Sign Account: If you opt not to prepay, the per person per day gratuity will be automatically added to your Sail & Sign account, Carnival's onboard cashless credit program. You can review these charges at any time during your cruise and adjust them if you feel it's necessary.
On your Carnival cruise, gratuities are a way to ensure that the various staff members who contribute to your experience are properly rewarded. Here's how your tips are allocated among the crew.
Your daily gratuity rate covers a comprehensive range of services. Here's who you're tipping:
Carnival suggests gratuities that are automatically added to your account, which you can adjust at the guest services desk if you wish.
While regular gratuities are shared among the crew, you may encounter service that goes above and beyond.
Remember, these additional tips are entirely at your discretion and should reflect the level of service you feel you have received.
When planning your Carnival Cruise adventure, you should be aware of additional gratuities beyond your room charge. These include tips for specialty dining experiences and spa treatments, and are separate from the general service gratuities applied to your cruise fare.
Onboard your Carnival cruise, you have the option to indulge in specialty restaurants, such as steakhouses or sushi bars, that offer a more exclusive dining experience. These establishments typically add a service charge of 18% to your bill.
For example:
While enjoying your cruise, you might treat yourself to specialty beverages or a visit to the onboard spa. It's important to note:
Table: Expected Additional Gratuities for Beverage and Spa Services
| Service Type | Standard Gratuity | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage Purchases | 15% - 18% | Applies to all drinks ordered onboard |
| Spa Treatments | 18% | Applies to the full cost of the service |
Remember, these additional gratuities are separate from your daily room charges and ensure that the service staff who make your cruise experience special are adequately compensated.
When sailing with Carnival, understanding how gratuity payments are processed gives you a smoother cruising experience. Your gratuities are taken care of automatically, but it's vital to know how to manage these payments effectively.
Your Sail & Sign Account acts as your onboard credit account, to which all daily gratuities are charged automatically. To manage this:
If you experience any service issues that make you reconsider the automatic gratuity charges:
Remember, your Sail & Sign Account simplifies your onboard transactions, including gratuities, ensuring all staff members who contribute to your cruise experience are recognized for their service.
When planning your cruise expenses, remember that gratuities will make up an essential part of your onboard spendings.
Understand the Standard Rates: Gratuities on Carnival cruises vary, but a general guideline is to expect a daily charge per person. For example, cruisers in standard accommodations may see a daily gratuity rate starting from $13.99, while suite guests are typically charged a bit more.
| Cruise Length | Daily Gratuity | Total Gratuities |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | $13.99 | $97.93 |
Remember, gratuities are per person, so multiply the total by the number of people in your party.
Pre-Payment Options: Consider prepaying your gratuities before boarding. Not only does this help with budget management, but it also locks in your gratuity rate, protecting you against potential increases.
Prepaying can often be done at the time of booking or through your online cruise management portal before your sail date.
