Gratuities Are Automatically Added to Your Onboard Account

Carnival adds gratuities to your account automatically unless you specifically request otherwise before your cruise departs. The daily amount is $15.00 per person for standard cabins and $17.50 per person for suites, charged each night of your cruise. This means a family of four on a seven-night cruise will see roughly $420 to $490 added to their bill before they ever board the ship.

You are not legally required to pay gratuities. Carnival does not force the charge to remain on your account—you can reduce, remove, or adjust the amount at the guest services desk on your first day aboard, or you can contact Carnival before your cruise to make changes. However, the default is that the charge stays unless you take action.

The gratuity covers housekeeping, dining room staff, and bar service. It does not cover specialty restaurants, spa services, or other paid experiences you book separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Carnival automatically adds $15 per person per night (or $17.50 for suites) to your onboard account for gratuities.
  • You can reduce, remove, or adjust the gratuity amount at guest services on your first day, or contact Carnival before departure to make changes.
  • The automatic gratuity covers standard cabin service, dining room staff, and bar service only.
  • Specialty dining, spa treatments, and other paid services have separate charges and are not covered by the standard gratuity.

How to Adjust or Remove Gratuities Before Your Cruise

If you want to change the gratuity amount before boarding, contact Carnival directly through your online account or call their reservations line. You will need your booking reference number. Carnival can reduce the daily amount, remove it entirely, or increase it if you prefer—the change takes effect when you check in at the port.

Making the change before departure is simpler than waiting until you are onboard, because you avoid the line at guest services on embarkation day. However, both methods work, and Carnival staff will not pressure you either way.

Adjusting Gratuities at Guest Services Onboard

If you did not adjust the gratuity before your cruise, you can visit the guest services desk on your first day aboard. Bring your room key card. A staff member will show you the current charge and let you modify it—reduce it to a lower daily amount, remove it completely, or leave it as is. This conversation takes about five minutes and happens in a private area of the desk.

The best time to visit is early morning on embarkation day, before the desk gets busy. If you wait until later in the cruise, you may face a longer wait, but the service remains available throughout your voyage.

What Happens If You Remove or Reduce Gratuities

Removing or reducing the automatic gratuity does not affect your service or access to any dining rooms, bars, or cabin amenities. Staff members do not see your gratuity decision, and Carnival policy prohibits retaliation based on gratuity choices. Your cabin will still be cleaned daily, your meals will still be served, and your drinks will still be poured.

However, many cruisers choose to leave the gratuity in place or add to it because housekeeping, dining, and bar staff rely on these payments as a significant part of their income. The decision is entirely yours.

Gratuities for Specialty Dining and Other Services

The automatic gratuity covers only your main dining room and standard bars. If you book a specialty restaurant—such as Bonsai Sushi, Steakhouse, or Pizzeria—those venues add their own gratuity, usually 18 percent, to your bill at the time of the charge. Spa services, salon services, and casino transactions also add gratuity separately if you choose to include it.

When you order a drink at a specialty bar or pay for any à la carte service, you will see the gratuity option at the point of sale. You can adjust or decline it then, just as you would at a restaurant on land.

Understanding the Difference Between Gratuities and Service Charges

Carnival uses the terms "gratuity" and "service charge" interchangeably, but they mean the same thing in this context. Both refer to the daily per-person amount added to your account. This is different from resort fees or port charges, which are separate line items on your final bill and cover port operations and onboard facilities.

Your final cruise bill will break down all charges: the base fare, gratuities, specialty dining, beverages, excursions, and any other purchases you made onboard. You can review this bill at guest services before checkout or online after your cruise ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay gratuities in cash instead of having them charged to my account?

Yes. You can remove the automatic charge and hand cash or a card directly to individual staff members. However, Carnival recommends charging to your account because it ensures the gratuity reaches the correct person and avoids confusion at checkout. If you do pay cash, keep receipts so you know who you have already tipped.

What if I remove gratuities and then change my mind during the cruise?

You can add gratuities back at any time by returning to guest services. They will recalculate the charge for the remaining nights of your cruise and add it to your account. There is no penalty for changing your mind.

Do I have to tip the same amount for every night of the cruise?

No. You can set different amounts for different nights, or remove it for some nights and keep it for others. Guest services can adjust the daily amount as you request. Most people keep it consistent, but the option exists if your circumstances change during the voyage.

Are gratuities included in the advertised cruise price?

No. The advertised price is the base fare only. Gratuities, taxes, and port fees are added separately. This is why your final bill is higher than the price you saw when booking. Carnival discloses this in the booking terms, but many cruisers are surprised by the total when they see the final charge.