Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

Table Of Content

• The last time I cruised, we put money in the envelopes the cruise ship supplied us, why don’t they do that anymore?
• lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
• What if I don’t want to do Carnival prepaid gratuities?
• Can I add gratuity for exceptional service above the standard charges?
• Are Gratuities Mandatory on Carnival Cruises?
• Carnival Cruise Line Increases Gratuity Rate

Automatic gratuities can be a convenience for cruise guests, but it can also be confusing to understand just which crew members onboard receive those tips. When one cruise line institutes a gratuity increase, other lines often follow suit, especially within the same family of cruise lines. It must be noted that the date the rates will actually increase is from February 14, 2024; sailings booked prior to January 15, 2024 will remain at the current, lower gratuity rate. Everything you need to know about Carnival Cruise Line Gratuities which is also known as tipping. Covering important questions and rates for a Carnival cruise ship.

The last time I cruised, we put money in the envelopes the cruise ship supplied us, why don’t they do that anymore?

Ultimately, being informed about gratuities ensures a smoother and more enjoyable cruise experience. On all cruise lines, additional gratuities may be added at your discretion. Beyond the standard service charges put forth by the cruise line, we always tip above and beyond for excellent service.

lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time

Gratuities, also known as service charges, are an integral part of the cruising experience, as they recognize the hard work and dedication of the ship’s crew. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on Carnival Cruise’s gratuity policy and provide valuable tips for passengers to navigate this aspect seamlessly. Gratuity, also known as a service charge, is an important aspect to consider when planning a cruise vacation, especially on a Carnival cruise ship. It’s a way of showing appreciation to the hardworking crew members who strive to make your experience onboard as pleasant as possible. The amount of gratuity on a Carnival cruise ship is generally determined by the cruise line and is automatically added to your onboard account. Tipping is an important aspect of the Carnival Cruise experience, as it ensures exceptional service and shows appreciation to the hardworking staff.

What if I don’t want to do Carnival prepaid gratuities?

If you decide to prepay for your Carnival cruise gratuities, you have to pay the full amount. Norwegian also announced increases in early December, effective January 1, 2023. Suites in The Haven will have daily gratuities of $25 per day, up from $20.

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. The cruise line last changed gratuity rates on February 1, 2023. The previous amounts were $13.99 per person per day for Standard Staterooms, and $15.99 per person, per day for suites. The gratuities are automatically added to the guest account if not pre-paid, ensuring crew members who might not always be as visible are equally well rewarded for their hard work.

It really comes down to personal preference and whether you want to hold on to your cash for longer or not. The Guest Services team will still try to encourage you to pay them. They can answer any concerns you might have about how the gratuity system works at Carnival.

Are Gratuities Mandatory on Carnival Cruises?

When sailing on a Carnival Cruise, you can either prepay your gratuities prior to departure or have them added to your Sail & Sign account. If you wait until the latter, your registered debit or credit card will be billed to clear your cruise account on disembarkation day. He noted that although gratuities are automatically added to travelers' onboard accounts, they can adjust the amount as they wish. Once a passenger disembarks, the charges are considered final, according to Carnival's website. "We believe our guests will agree this slight increase is well-deserved." Carnival guests can prepay gratuities at the time of booking or at any time up to their sail date.

It is recommended to include them in your tipping considerations as well. Starting from April 1, 2023, Carnival imposes a daily charge of $16 per person for most rooms, including interior, balcony and Oceanview cabins. For those staying in a suite, the daily charge is slightly higher at $18 per person. As an illustration of how these charges apply, consider a couple in an Oceanview cabin for a week, who would incur a daily charge of $32 for seven days, amounting to a total of $224.

Is it better to pre-pay gratuities on a cruise?

Previously, the rate was $16 for non-suite staterooms and $17.50 for suites, a rate that had been in effect from February 1, 2023. This new increase is 6% for non-suites and 8% for suites from the most recent rate. Updates to the cruise line’s website, as well as notices sent to travel agents, have confirmed the change as well as the new gratuity amounts.

Carnival-Owned Cruise Line Increases Gratuities for Guests - Cruise Hive

Carnival-Owned Cruise Line Increases Gratuities for Guests.

Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Just go to the Guest Services desk and let them know how you wish to adjust your gratuities. Remember, gratuities are an important part of the cruise industry, as they help support the hardworking crew members who strive to make your trip exceptional. On Disney Cruise Line, the recommended cruise gratuity is $14.50 per night, per guest, including infants and children. On Princess Cruises, the crew appreciation will cost more for voyages departing after February 20, 2023. Depending on the cruise line, these charges are usually applicable to guests 2-3 years of age and older. In this post, we explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuities broken down by cost for each cruise line.

The included tip amount varies by cruise line but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill. Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. Never feel pressured to add an extra tip when you've already paid one.

Even if you request the room steward to service your room every other day or choose not to dine in the main dining rooms, the charge applies to all guests aged two and above while on the ship. As an example, if a couple is on the cruise, each individual will incur the daily gratuity charge. Similarly, for a family of four, whether they stay in one room or two, all four individuals will be charged the daily gratuity amount. Gratuity, though it may sound sophisticated, is essentially another term for tips used by cruise lines. Similar to the practice in hotels and restaurants, it's customary for guests on many cruises to leave tips for specific staff members serving them.

For beverage purchases, an automatic 18% gratuity will be added to the bill in addition to the cruise gratuity. There are a few different ways that you can prepay your gratuities in advance if you've decided that this is the best option for your upcoming sailing. Those who prepaid before March 31 were able to lock in the lower rate. Another option is to prepay your gratuities via "My Cruise Planner" once you've completed the booking.

How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. That's because some cruise lines tack daily service fees onto passenger bills — yet many travelers still hand out additional cash gratuities, either as a matter of course or for exemplary service. Most cruise lines have similar gratuity policies, though rates vary and are subject to change. Before cruising, guests booked on any cruise line should investigate the gratuity rate, how tips are charged to guests’ accounts, and what other gratuity-related policies may be in place.