Carnival Prepaid Gratuities: Save Time & Money?
Are you a cruise ship enthusiast who loves the Carnival Cruise Line? Discover how you can simplify the gratuities process on your next fun-filled getaway.
Learn how to maximize your time on board and securely pay for service offers that bring you maximum value.
Are Gratuities Mandatory On Carnival Cruise?
Gratuities are automatically added to every passenger bill on a Carnival Cruise. You can opt out of paying gratuities by going to the Guest Services office and asking them to remove it from your account. However, we highly discourage doing this as tips cover the great service you experience while at sea.
The automatic program operates similarly to other cruise lines, requiring passengers to pre-pay a predefined amount per day based on the length of the voyage.
A big portion of staff’s salary relies on these automatic gratuities. Although you can opt-out, it’s highly recommended not to do so.
As an American company, Carnival employees rely heavily on the gratuities applied to every passenger’s bill.
On top of this, 100% of the gratuities goes towards the staff, whether that’s waiters or housekeepers.
Why Should You Pay Gratuities?
Paying gratuities on a Carnival cruise is a way to show appreciation to the hardworking staff who provide excellent service throughout your trip. The gratuities cover the wages of the dining room staff, cabin stewards, and other service personnel who work tirelessly to ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
While gratuities are not mandatory, they are highly encouraged as they help to recognize and reward the efforts of the staff who work behind the scenes to make your Carnival cruise a memorable experience.
On top of this, Carnival Cruise Lines is an American company and it’s customary to tip. Employees rely on the gratuities and 100% of the amount goes towards the staff.
How Do Prepaid Gratuities Work On Carnival?
Gratuities for a Carnival cruise are automatically calculated based on a set fee per day. Carnival prepaid gratuities are calculated based on the length of your cruise and your stateroom category. Carnival Gratuities are currently $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day for suites.
You have the option to prepay your gratuities either at the time of booking or any time leading up to your sailing date.
The prepaid gratuity system allows passengers to pay for their tips in advance – helping guests enjoy their cruise without worrying about the hassle of tracking payment or calculating the amount owed at any given time.
Carnival provides online and offline methods for pre-paying gratuities before sailing.
In case you do not prepay your gratuities, they will be added to your Sail & Sign account on the second-to-last day of your Carnival cruise.
However, if you are not satisfied with the service you have received, you have the option to have the gratuities removed from your account.
It is worth noting that this process can be a bit complicated, and it is generally recommended that any issues with service be addressed in real-time with the staff or through guest services desk before resorting to removing gratuities.
We also highly discourage removing gratuities altogether.
Even if you prefer to tip in cash, doing so directly through Carnival Cruises guarantees the entire staff gets an even split of the tips.
Tipping your waiter directly means the bartenders, cooks, nd buss boys don’t get a cut.
How Should You Pay Carnival Cruise Line Gratuities?
You have the option to add and pay gratuities when booking your Carnival cruise or at any time leading up to your sail date. If you booked directly with Carnival, you can add pre-paid gratuities through their website, Carnival.com.
Prepaid gratuities are reflected in the ‘Miscellaneous Charge’ field on the confirmation and in the guest’s E-Documents.
However, if you booked through a travel agent, you can contact your travel professional to add pre-paid gratuities to your booking.
If you have not pre-paid your gratuities, Carnival Cruise Line will post the recommended per person amount to your Sail & Sign account on the second to last day of your cruise.
It is important to note that these gratuities are suggested and can be adjusted at your discretion. If you wish to modify the gratuity amount, you can do so by visiting guest services desk before the end of your cruise.
For those who prefer to pay their Carnival Cruise Line gratuities onboard, multiple payment methods are available such as cash, credit card, debit card, and even onboard credits.
Do You Have To Pay Prepaid Gratuities On Carnival?
Prepayment of gratuities on a Carnival cruise is not mandatory. You have the option to wait until the gratuities are added to your Sail & Sign account during your cruise and pay them off when you settle your account.
However, keep in mind that prepaying your gratuities can provide a more seamless experience and ensure that your account balance is accurate throughout your trip.
The lines at Guest Services desk can get long if you pay onboard, so prepaying gratuities is a more hassle-free, smoother way to cruise.
Additionally, prepaying gratuities can help you budget for your trip and avoid unexpected expenses at the end of your cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line does require that all guests pay a daily gratuity (although it can be removed.) This applies to all passengers over the age of two and serves as an automatic charge from each guest’s Sail & Sign onboard account.
The fee is charged according to passenger category; for example, if you are in a standard stateroom, the rate is $16 per person, per day; or if you have booked a suite, the rate is $18 per person, per day.
How Much Are Carnival Gratuities?
The gratuities for a Carnival cruise are calculated based on a set fee per day. The current rate for gratuities is $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day for suites. The prepaid gratuities are calculated based on the length of your cruise and your stateroom category.
In addition to the basic gratuities, extra services such as personalized spa treatments, private dining and special shore excursions are subject to additional fees depending on the service received or product purchased.
It’s also important to keep in mind that prepaying your gratuities does not exempt you from being automatically charged for gratuities on other onboard purchases, such as drinks, certain room service orders, and specialty dining bookings.
These charges typically include a fee of 18%. Therefore, prepaying your daily gratuities does not eliminate the need to pay for these additional charges.
Does The Automatic Service Gratuity Cover Everything On The Ship?
No, the automatic service gratuity does not cover everything on the ship. Guests are automatically charged gratuities on other onboard purchases such as drinks, certain room service orders, and specialty dining bookings, which are all added with a fee of 18%. Prepaying your daily gratuities does not exempt you from paying these additional charges.
If you purchase a drink package as well, you are also subject to the 18% gratuity fee outside of the prepaid gratuity.
Is It Cheaper To Prepay Gratuities On Carnival Cruises?
There isn’t a discount offered for prepaying gratuities, however, if you book your cruise far in advance, it can be more cost-effective. If the cruise line announces a price increase, you will be expected to pay the higher fee for gratuities if you have not already prepaid. Otherwise, the cost of gratuities remains the same whether you prepay or pay onboard.
In general, there is no difference in the cost of gratuities on Carnival cruises, whether you prepay or pay through your Sail & Sign account onboard.
However, if you prepay before a price increase is announced, you will be able to lock in the cheaper rate for your gratuities.
It is important to note that this only applies if you prepay before the price increase is announced.
Pros of Prepaying Gratuities
There are a couple of pros to prepaying gratuities. Some of the pros include convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind.
Prepaying your gratuities in advance is a convenient way to pay for your cruise without worrying about when or how much you owe for each service provided on board.
Carnival Cruise Line charges a flat rate of hotel service charges per day, which are calculated based on the length of your cruise and accommodation type.
By pre-paying in advance, you can avoid having to remember to account for extra tips at the end of your voyage or throughout your journey.
It makes it much easier to budget for the entire trip.
Another benefit associated with prepaying gratuities is cost savings. As previously stated, if there is a price increase and you have already paid your gratuities, you won’t be expected to pay the new rate.
Finally, pre-paying gratuities also provides peace of mind that you do not need to worry about compensating service staff during or at the end of your voyage. It’s one less thing to worry about on your vacation.
A lot of passengers prefer this peace-of-mind and it’s just less of a hassle.
