How Much Are Gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line Revealed

Gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line are automatically added at $14.50 per person, per day for standard cabins—and $16.50 for suite guests, covering dining, housekeeping, and other onboard services. These mandatory tips can be adjusted or removed pre-cruise online or at Guest Services, but most passengers find the convenience worth the cost for seamless service.

Key Takeaways

• Gratuities are mandatory: Carnival charges daily tips for crew service.
• Standard rate is $14.50: Per person, per day for standard cabins.
• Suites cost more: $16.50 per person, per day for suite guests.
• Adjust tips onboard: Modify gratuities at guest services if needed.
• Pre-pay for discounts: Lock in lower rates by paying tips early.
• Kids under 2 are free: No gratuity charged for infants.

Why Gratuities Matter on a Carnival Cruise

Picture this: You’ve spent months planning your dream Carnival cruise. The sun-kissed beaches, the endless buffets, the late-night karaoke—everything is set. But as you near the end of your trip, you start seeing those daily gratuity charges on your onboard account, and you wonder, “How much are gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line, really?” You’re not alone. Gratuities (or “tips”) are one of the most misunderstood parts of the cruise experience. They’re not optional extras, nor are they random add-ons. They’re a standard, pre-determined cost built into the cruise culture to ensure the hardworking crew—many of whom work 10-12 hour days—receive fair compensation.

Understanding how gratuities work on Carnival Cruise Line can save you stress, confusion, and even a little cash. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, knowing how much you’ll pay, who gets the tips, and how to adjust them is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Carnival’s gratuity policy—without the fluff, the hype, or the sales pitch. Think of it as a friendly chat with someone who’s been there, done that, and wants to help you avoid the common pitfalls.

How Much Are Gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line? The Official Breakdown

Daily Gratuity Rates (As of 2024)

The short answer to “how much are gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line?” is: It depends on your cabin category and the length of your cruise. Carnival uses a standardized daily rate, but it varies slightly between suite guests and standard staterooms. These rates are automatically added to your onboard account each day, unless you’ve pre-paid or adjusted them before boarding.

Here’s the current daily gratuity structure (as of 2024, per Carnival’s official site):

• Standard Staterooms (Interior, Oceanview, Balcony): $16.00 per person, per day
• Suites (including Grand, Ocean, and Vista Suites): $18.00 per person, per day

Let’s say you’re a couple in a balcony room on a 7-night cruise. Your total gratuity charge would be:

• 2 people × $16.00 × 7 nights = $224.00

For a family of four in a suite on a 5-night cruise:

• 4 people × $18.00 × 5 nights = $360.00

These charges are applied daily, so you’ll see $32 (for two in a standard room) or $72 (for a suite family of four) added to your account each day. It’s not a lump sum at the end—it’s spread out, which helps avoid sticker shock.

What’s Included in the Gratuities?

You might be wondering: “Who exactly gets this money?” Great question. Carnival’s automatic gratuities are distributed to a range of crew members who provide direct guest service. This includes:

• Dining room waiters and assistant waiters
• Cabin stewards (your room attendant)
• Bar staff and beverage servers
• Headwaiters and dining room managers
• Some behind-the-scenes staff (e.g., galley workers, housekeeping supervisors)

Importantly, these tips are pooled and distributed fairly across departments. So, your $16 per day doesn’t just go to the person who brings your morning coffee or cleans your room. It supports the entire service team. Carnival claims that 100% of automatic gratuities go to the crew—no cut taken by the company. That’s a big plus for transparency.

Do Gratuities Increase During the Cruise?

Yes, but not mid-trip. Carnival typically announces annual gratuity increases in January or February, and they apply to all sailings booked after that date. For example, in early 2024, Carnival raised the standard rate from $15.50 to $16.00. If you booked your cruise in December 2023 for a March 2024 sailing, you’d still pay the older rate—unless you made changes to your booking after the increase.

Pro tip: Always check the gratuity rate at the time of booking and again before departure. Carnival updates their website regularly, and your cruise confirmation email will include the current rate. If you’re unsure, call Carnival Guest Services—they’re usually helpful.

Pre-Paying vs. Paying Onboard: Which Is Better?

Pre-Paying Gratuities (The Smart Move?)

One of the first decisions you’ll make when booking your Carnival cruise is whether to pre-pay gratuities. Carnival offers this option during the online check-in process, usually 30 days before departure. Pre-paying locks in the current rate and removes the daily charges from your onboard account.

Why consider pre-paying?

• Predictability: You know exactly how much you’ll spend. No surprises.
• Convenience: No daily line items on your bill. Less stress during your vacation.
• Potential savings: If Carnival increases rates between booking and sailing, pre-paying locks in the lower rate.
• Peace of mind: Some cruisers feel better knowing they’ve already tipped, so they can relax and enjoy the trip.

For example, if you pre-pay $224 for a 7-night cruise, you won’t see any gratuity charges on your final bill. That makes budgeting easier, especially if you’re using a credit card with rewards or tracking expenses for reimbursement (e.g., work-related travel).

Paying Onboard (The Flexible Option)

If you choose not to pre-pay, gratuities are added daily to your onboard account. You can still adjust or remove them—more on that later—but you’ll need to monitor your spending. This option is good if:

• You want to evaluate service quality before deciding on final tips.
• You’re booking late and want to avoid a large upfront cost.
• You plan to adjust or remove gratuities (though this should be done thoughtfully).

But here’s the catch: paying onboard means you’re subject to any rate increases that happen before your sailing. Also, if you forget to review your final bill, you might miss the chance to make changes. Carnival typically stops allowing gratuity adjustments 24-48 hours before debarkation.

Real-Life Example: Pre-Pay vs. Onboard

Let’s say Sarah books a 5-night cruise in January 2024. The rate is $15.50 per person, per day. She pre-pays for two people: $15.50 × 2 × 5 = $155.00.

Two months later, in March, Carnival announces a rate hike to $16.00. Sarah’s pre-paid amount is locked in. Her friends, who booked in February and didn’t pre-pay, now pay $16.00 × 2 × 5 = $160.00—$5 more per person.

That $10 difference might seem small, but for larger groups or longer cruises, it adds up. Pre-paying can be a smart financial move.

How to Adjust, Remove, or Add Gratuities

Can You Remove or Reduce Gratuities?

Yes—but with a caveat. Carnival allows you to adjust or remove automatic gratuities during your cruise, but only if you have a valid reason. This isn’t a “I don’t feel like tipping” situation. It’s for cases where service was truly subpar.

Here’s how it works:

• Go to the Guest Services desk (usually located near the atrium).
• Speak to a manager or supervisor—not just any staff member.
• Explain your concerns calmly and respectfully. Provide specific examples: “Our cabin steward didn’t clean our room on Day 3,” or “Our waiter was rude during dinner.”
• They may offer to adjust your gratuity, assign a new crew member, or provide a service credit.

Important: Removing gratuities entirely is rare and usually only happens after multiple unresolved complaints. Most guests receive partial adjustments or service improvements instead.

Adding Extra Tips (Because You Want To)

On the flip side, many cruisers choose to tip above and beyond the automatic gratuities. Why? Because they’ve had exceptional service—like a waiter who remembered their drink order every night or a steward who left towel animals and extra chocolates.

How to add extra tips:

• Use cash: Place an envelope under the cabin door or hand it directly to staff. Write their name and cabin number on the envelope.
• Charge to your account: Ask Guest Services to add a one-time tip. You’ll see it on your final bill.
• Tip specific staff: For bartenders, specialty restaurant servers, or spa therapists, cash tips are appreciated and go directly to them.

Example: Mark and Lisa loved their waiter, Carlos, in the main dining room. They added a $20 tip via their onboard account and left a $10 cash tip in an envelope. Carlos was thrilled—and so were they, knowing their gratitude made a real difference.

When Adjustments Go Wrong (And How to Avoid It)

Some cruisers try to remove gratuities without valid reasons, often because they’re confused about the system or think it’s optional. This can backfire. Crew members depend on these tips for a significant portion of their income. Removing them without cause can hurt morale and even impact service for others.

Tip: If you’re unhappy with service, talk to the headwaiter or cabin supervisor first. Most issues can be resolved without touching the gratuity. Only escalate to Guest Services if the problem persists.

Special Cases: Kids, Groups, and Special Dining

Do Kids Pay Gratuities?

Yes. Gratuities are charged per person, regardless of age. Even infants and toddlers are included in the daily rate. So if you’re traveling with a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old, you’ll pay for four people.

Is this fair? It depends. The crew still provides service—bringing high chairs, extra napkins, kid-friendly food, and cleaning up messes. But some parents feel it’s excessive, especially for babies who don’t eat at the dining room.

Carnival’s stance: “All guests receive service, so all guests contribute to crew compensation.” There’s no discount for kids, but you can always add extra cash tips if you feel the service justifies it.

Gratuities for Group Bookings

For group cruises (16+ guests), Carnival offers a group gratuity policy. The daily rate is the same, but you can often:

• Pre-pay for the entire group at once
• Set up a shared account to manage charges
• Request a breakdown of gratuity totals for each cabin

Group leaders should contact Carnival’s Group Department early to set this up. It helps avoid confusion at the end of the trip.

Specialty Dining and Bar Gratuities

Here’s where things get nuanced. The automatic gratuities cover main dining room and buffet service, but not always specialty restaurants or bars. For example:

• Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Pizza Pirate: No extra gratuity needed. The $16/day covers these.
• Specialty restaurants (e.g., Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi): A 15-20% gratuity is automatically added to the bill. This is separate from your daily gratuity and goes directly to that server.
• Bars and lounges: A 15% gratuity is automatically added to drink orders. Again, this is extra and not included in your daily rate.

Example: You order a $12 cocktail at the Piano Bar. The bill shows $13.80 ($12 + $1.80 gratuity). This $1.80 goes to the bartender and is not part of your $16/day charge.

Pro tip: If you’re using a drink package (like the Cheers! Beverage Program), the 15% bar gratuity is usually included in the package price. Check your terms to be sure.

Gratuities vs. Other Cruise Lines: How Carnival Compares

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess: A Quick Comparison

To understand if Carnival’s gratuities are fair, let’s compare them to other major lines:

Cruise Line	Standard Gratuity (Per Person, Per Day)	Suite Gratuity	Notes
Carnival Cruise Line	$16.00	$18.00	100% to crew; adjustable onboard
Royal Caribbean	$16.00 (Interior/Oceanview), $18.50 (Balcony+)	$21.00+	Higher for longer cruises; auto-added
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)	$16.00 (Standard), $20.00 (Suite)	$20.00+	“Service charge”; less flexibility to adjust
Princess Cruises	$14.50 (Standard), $16.50 (Suite)	$18.50+	Lower base rate; optional “tipping” culture

As you can see, Carnival is in the middle of the pack. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s not the most expensive. Royal Caribbean and NCL charge slightly more, especially for suites and longer cruises. Princess is more affordable but has a different tipping culture (more cash tips expected).

Why Carnival’s System Works (And Where It Falls Short)

Strengths:

• Transparency: Rates are clearly posted and easy to find.
• Flexibility: You can adjust or add tips based on service.
• Fair distribution: Tips are pooled and shared across departments.

Areas for improvement:

• Lack of age-based discounts: Charging for infants feels unfair to some.
• Complexity with specialty dining: Extra charges for steakhouses and bars can confuse new cruisers.
• No opt-out for loyal cruisers: Repeat guests can’t skip gratuities, even if they tip generously in cash.

Still, Carnival’s system is one of the more guest-friendly in the industry. The ability to adjust tips based on experience is a big plus.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your Gratuities

So, how much are gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line? Now you know: $16–$18 per person, per day, depending on your cabin. It’s not a hidden fee—it’s a necessary part of the cruise experience that ensures fair pay for hardworking crew members. And while it might feel like an extra cost, it’s actually one of the most ethical parts of cruising.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Pre-pay if you can. It locks in the rate and simplifies your budget.
• Tip extra for exceptional service. A $10–$20 cash tip can make a crew member’s day.
• Adjust only if service was poor. Be fair and respectful—these tips matter.
• Understand the extras. Specialty dining and bar gratuities are separate and often auto-added.
• Talk to Guest Services early. If you have concerns, don’t wait until the last day.

At the end of the day, gratuities aren’t just about money. They’re about appreciation. The crew works long hours, away from family, to make your vacation special. A fair tip—automatic or extra—is a small way to say “thank you.”

So when you’re sipping that pina colada on the Lido Deck, remember: behind every smile, every towel animal, and every perfectly timed drink refill, there’s a team earning those gratuities. And now you know exactly how much they’re getting—and why it matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line per day?

Carnival Cruise Line recommends $14.50 per person, per day for standard staterooms, and $16.50 per person, per day for suite guests. These gratuities cover dining room stewards, room stewards, and other service staff. The amount is automatically added to your onboard account but can be adjusted at guest services.

Can I adjust or remove the Carnival Cruise Line gratuities?

Yes, the automatic gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line can be modified or removed at the guest services desk during your cruise. However, the cruise line encourages maintaining the recommended gratuities to fairly compensate service staff. Changes must be made before the end of the voyage.

Are gratuities included in the Carnival cruise fare?

No, gratuities are not included in the upfront cruise fare and are added separately to your onboard account. The daily gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line are charged automatically unless you request adjustments. You can also prepay them before your trip for convenience.

Do I need to tip extra besides the Carnival gratuities?

While the recommended gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line cover most standard services, extra tips are appreciated for exceptional service or specialty dining. For example, bartenders, spa staff, or excursion guides may receive additional cash tips. It’s always optional but welcomed.

How are gratuities calculated for children on Carnival cruises?

Carnival Cruise Line charges the same daily gratuities for adults and children, though kids under 2 are exempt. For example, a family of four (two adults, two kids) would pay $14.50 x 4 per day for standard rooms. Adjustments can be made if needed.

What happens if I prepay gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line?

Prepaid gratuities on Carnival Cruise Line lock in the daily rate at the time of booking and are charged to your account before departure. This ensures your tips are settled, and you won’t see additional fees onboard. Prepaying is non-refundable after the final payment date.