Carnival Gratuities Tips: Full Guide to Cost & How They Work

Table Of Content

• Oceania Cruises
• Award vs. cash calculator
• Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises Increased Onboard Gratuities Late in 2022
• I would rather tip staff individually rather than pay this fixed amount per day – can I do that?
• What do experienced cruisers have to say about Carnival Prepaid Gratuities?
• I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

If, for whatever reason, you decide to speak with guest services about removing the automatic gratuities, it is advised that you tip crew members in cash. Essentially, they're just tips for services you receive onboard. They're standard for all guests on the cruise, whether you only choose to dine in the buffet or never see your stateroom attendant. Hardly any cruise lines include them in their advertised rates, unless you book an all-inclusive fare, and they can cost a family of four another $400+ on a 7-day cruise.

Oceania Cruises

As a passenger, it is essential to be well-informed about the guidelines and recommendations to ensure you can show appreciation to the staff for their exceptional service while onboard. These extra gestures can make a significant impact on the lives of the hardworking crew members who strive to make your vacation memorable. A helpful tip is to use the “Cheers” beverage package offered by Carnival Cruise Line, as it includes gratuities for beverage service.

Award vs. cash calculator

For instance, in recent years, Norwegian often ran Free at Sea promotions that included free crew tips in addition to free shipboard Wi-Fi and a free drinks package. The line hasn't been doing that as much lately, but these offers often come back at times when brands need to drum up more business. Still, some people do leave a little extra for crew members who go above and beyond.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises Increased Onboard Gratuities Late in 2022

It gives passengers prepaid gratuities (Princess calls these "crew appreciation" fees), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a basic beverage package for a single bundled price of $60 per person, per day. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. And, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room. Tipping is an integral part of the cruising experience, and understanding the Carnival Cruise tipping policy can help passengers navigate this aspect with ease.

Generally, you should think of gratuities as very much part of the cost of your cruise. Just like the port fees and taxes you see added to your cruise cost. If you are new to cruising, gratuities can come as a bit of an unexpected shock. The first new cruisers might hear about them is when they see the amount on their Sail and Sign account.

Carnival Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work

Yes, you can discuss this with Guest Services and they will make that alteration for you. If you decide not to pay the Carnival gratuity charge, or pay them in a different way, then that is entirely your personal choice. You will need to speak to Guest Services once on board to let them know what you are doing.

Currently, the gratuity is $16.50 per guest for suites and $15.50 per guest for mini-suites. A $14.50 cruise gratuity is charged for guests (including children) staying in all other staterooms. These cruise gratuities are divided among stateroom attendants, dining staff, and other behind the scenes crew members in a proportion determined by the cruise line. Finally, while Carnival Cruise Line does not put any pressure on guests to do so, if you become particularly fond of a crew member's service, additional cash tips are appreciated by staff.

Cruise News Update: New Ship, Gratuity Increase, Dining Changes - Cruise Hive

Cruise News Update: New Ship, Gratuity Increase, Dining Changes.

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Note that once you disembark from the ship, all accounts are considered final and no changes will be made. By tipping with cash, the money goes directly to the crew member you want to recognize instead of being pooled. That said, we completely understand there may be times where you aren’t satisfied with the service provided.

I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

First, you can add them at the time of booking before you make your deposit. This way, you can see exactly how much your total cruise fare will cost for you and your travel companions. It's also a great tool when playing around with different cruises when trying to decide which one is right for you. If you received a promotion that included onboard credit, you may wish to hold off on paying for gratuities in advance.

Allocating a specific amount for gratuities in your overall cruise budget will ensure that you can express your appreciation without any financial stress. Remember that tipping is a customary practice on cruises, and it is always better to be prepared. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.

In addition to your cruise fare, there are other services charges for which you will need to budget. This includes daily per person cruise gratuities as well as service charges added to purchases like drinks and spa treatments. While the gratuity charge is automatically added to your onboard account, it is also possible to provide additional tips to individual crew members if you wish. This allows you to show gratitude for exceptional service provided by specific staff members who went above and beyond to enhance your cruise experience. If you're wondering how much you should tip on the specific cruise line you're considering or have already booked, we've compiled that information here. Below is a line-by-line look at policies for automatic gratuity charges (called service charges or "crew appreciation" charges at some lines).

It'll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise. Always double-check your onboard account before leaving the ship. Before the new pricing is introduced on May 1, guests can lock in beverage purchases and save up to 15% on the old price or 20% on the latest prices. Wifi savings can be 25% on the old pricing and 32% on the latest pricing. You always have the option to give tips directly to the staff if you feel the need to do so, and as previously stated, you can also adjust gratuities based on your ‘experience’ onboard. Pre-paid – This allows you to include the standard gratuity amount to what you pay when you book your cruise, or at any point before the actual boarding time.

Carnival occasionally offers promotions or discounts on gratuities as part of their special offers. It’s always a good idea to check the official Carnival website or speak with a travel agent to inquire about any ongoing promotions that may include gratuity discounts. Any amount is fine and will be appreciated by the hard-working crew. Piano bar regulars know that a cash tip will increase the chances of the pianist choosing and performing your song request. You will also see this option on any Spa service or any additional dining services.

Recently, Heald also addressed another controversial topic about gratuities – whether or not crew members are informed if guests remove their automatic gratuities. Holland America Line does note that “the charges are subject to change without notice,” as is standard with any pricing structure. It should also be noted that these rates are per passenger, per day.

Onboard gratuities will increase from $14.50 per person, per day to $16 for guests in standard accommodations, beginning April 1. For those in suites, the price will increase from $16.50 per day for each guest to $18. In the case of shipboard personnel like bartenders and spa workers, you’ll find a service charge tacked on to whatever you purchase.

If they provide poor service your feedback score might impact future promotion chances. You will also see this 18% amount added to Spa services and any specialty dining or Chef’s Table experience. These are supplied in case you want to extend any additional gratuities to staff. If a bunch of friends are traveling together and sharing a cabin, you should each set up your own charge account. For example, my wife and I just set up one credit card account. All our onboard charges are then charged to that single account.