Gratuity is automatically added to your Carnival cruise bill unless you remove it beforehand

Carnival adds a daily gratuity charge to every guest's onboard account starting the moment you board. The amount is $15.50 per person per day for standard cabins, $17 per person per day for suites, and $16 per person per day for studio cabins. This charge covers service staff including housekeeping, dining room servers, and bartenders. You are not required to pay it — you can reduce, remove, or adjust the amount before you sail or during your cruise at the guest services desk.

The gratuity is separate from your cruise fare. It does not appear on your initial booking confirmation; Carnival adds it to your onboard account when you check in. If you do nothing, the full daily amount multiplies by the number of nights you are aboard and gets charged to your payment method on file or added to any remaining balance due.

Key Takeaways

  • Carnival automatically charges $15.50 to $17 per person per day in gratuity depending on cabin type, but you can remove or reduce this amount.
  • The gratuity covers housekeeping, servers, bartenders, and other service staff — it is not a mandatory fee, though many cruisers choose to keep it.
  • You can adjust gratuity before your cruise through your Carnival account online or by calling the cruise line, or in person at guest services once aboard.
  • Gratuity charges do not explore to children under age three or to crew members sailing as passengers.

How to remove or adjust gratuity before you sail

Log into your Carnival account on the Carnival Cruise Line website using your booking confirmation number and last name. Go to "Manage My Booking" and look for the gratuity section. You can reduce the daily amount, remove it entirely, or increase it if you wish. Changes made online typically take effect when ready.

If you prefer not to use the website, call Carnival's reservations line at 1-888-227-6482. A representative can adjust your gratuity settings over the phone. You will need your booking confirmation number and the names of all passengers in your party. Requests made by phone should be processed within 24 hours, though it is safer to make changes at least a few days before departure.

Adjusting gratuity once you are on the ship

Visit the guest services desk in the atrium during business hours — usually 8 a.m. to midnight, though hours vary by ship. Tell the agent you want to modify your gratuity charges. They can reduce, remove, or increase the daily amount for any or all passengers in your cabin. Changes made onboard take effect when ready and appear on your final bill.

If you remove gratuity entirely and later decide you want to tip individual staff members, you can do so in cash or by adding charges to your account at any time during the cruise. Many cruisers who remove automatic gratuity choose to hand cash directly to housekeeping, servers, and other staff they interact with regularly.

Who does the gratuity pay, and what it covers

The automatic gratuity is pooled among service staff: dining room servers, assistant servers, housekeeping attendants, and bartenders. It does not go to the captain, officers, or management. The amount is divided among these crew members based on the number of passengers they serve and the length of the cruise.

Gratuity does not cover specialty dining venues (like steakhouses or Italian restaurants), spa services, or casino staff. If you use those services, you will see separate charges on your bill, and tipping those staff members is separate from the automatic gratuity.

Gratuity for different cabin types and special situations

Standard inside and oceanview cabins are charged $15.50 per person per day. Balcony cabins fall into the same category. Suite guests pay $17 per person per day. Studio cabins (designed for solo travelers) are charged $16 per person per day. Children under age three are not charged gratuity. Crew members sailing as passengers are also exempt.

If you book a group or have a large party, each person's gratuity is calculated individually based on their cabin type. You can adjust gratuity for individual passengers in your booking if some members of your party want to remove it and others want to keep it.

What happens if you do not pay gratuity

If you remove the automatic gratuity and do not tip staff in cash or through your account, the service staff receive no compensation for serving you beyond their base wages. Most cruisers choose to keep the automatic gratuity or tip in some form because service industry workers on cruise ships depend on gratuity as a significant part of their income. However, the choice is yours.

Carnival will not prevent you from disembarking or charge you additional fees if you remove gratuity. The only consequence is that the staff members who served you will not receive a tip unless you provide one separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove gratuity for just one person in my cabin?

Yes. When you adjust gratuity online or at guest services, you can modify the amount for individual passengers. This is useful if some people in your party want to keep the automatic charge and others do not.

Is gratuity included in the cruise fare advertised online?

No. The advertised cruise price does not include gratuity. Carnival adds it separately to your onboard account. When comparing cruise prices, remember to factor in the daily gratuity charge for the length of your cruise.

What if I want to tip more than the automatic amount?

You can increase the automatic gratuity through your online account or at guest services. You can also hand cash directly to staff members or add tips to your account at any point during the cruise for specific crew members you want to reward.

Do I have to tip in specialty restaurants or the spa?

Specialty dining and spa services are separate from the automatic gratuity and have their own charges. Tipping those staff members is optional and separate from the daily gratuity you pay for standard dining and cabin service.