Carnival's Recommended Daily Tipping Amounts

Carnival Cruise Line suggests a daily gratuity of $15 per person per day for adults in standard cabins. This breaks down to roughly $5 for housekeeping, $5 for dining staff, and $5 for bar service. For children ages 12 and under, the suggested amount is $11 per day. These are recommendations, not requirements — you control the final amount.

The daily charge appears on your onboard account each day of the cruise, automatically added unless you request a change at the guest services desk. If you sail a 7-day cruise with two adults, you would see approximately $210 in gratuities charged before you leave the ship (7 days × $15 × 2 people). You can adjust this amount up or down, or remove it entirely, before you disembark.

Key Takeaways

  • Carnival's suggested daily tip is $15 per adult and $11 per child, charged automatically to your onboard account each day.
  • You can modify or remove the automatic gratuity at the guest services desk without penalty at any point during your cruise.
  • Specialty dining venues, spa services, and bar staff outside the main dining room often expect additional tips beyond the daily charge.
  • Cash tips are still accepted and can be given directly to individual crew members if you prefer that method.
  • The daily gratuity does not include room service, casino staff, or crew members in specialized roles like the photo team.

What the Daily Gratuity Covers

The automatic daily charge covers your stateroom attendant, dining room servers, and bar staff in the main venues. Your cabin attendant cleans your room, delivers towels, and handles turndown service. Your dining room server takes your order and serves meals during assigned dinner seatings. Bar staff in the main pool bar and dining room bars are included in this amount.

The daily gratuity does not cover specialty restaurants, the spa, casino dealers, room service delivery, or crew members who work in photo services, shore excursions, or entertainment. If you use any of these services, you will need to tip separately. Most guests add $2 to $5 per visit for specialty dining and $3 to $5 for spa services.

How to Adjust or Remove Gratuities

Visit the guest services desk on the ship's atrium level during business hours — usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by ship. Tell the agent you want to modify your gratuity charges. They will show you the current amount and allow you to increase it, decrease it, or remove it entirely. No explanation is required, and there is no penalty for changing the amount.

You can make this change on your first day or at any point during the cruise. If you wait until the final evening, you can still adjust before you settle your account. Keep your cabin key card handy — the agent may ask to see it to pull up your account. The change takes effect when ready and will show on your final bill.

Paying Tips in Cash Instead

If you prefer to tip in cash rather than charge gratuities to your account, you can remove the automatic daily charge and carry cash onboard. This method lets you hand money directly to your stateroom attendant, server, or bartender. Many guests who tip in cash give the full amount on the last day of the cruise, though you can also tip daily.

Cash tips are still common on Carnival ships, and crew members accept them without issue. If you choose this route, bring small bills — $1, $5, and $10 denominations are easiest to distribute. You will still need to visit guest services to remove the automatic gratuity from your account if you do not want to be charged twice.

Additional Tips Beyond the Daily Charge

Specialty dining restaurants, such as Steakhouse or Italian venues, typically expect an additional 15 to 18 percent tip on top of your meal cost. The spa charges gratuity separately — most guests tip $3 to $5 per service or 15 to 20 percent of the treatment cost. Casino dealers, if you gamble, usually receive $1 to $2 per hand or a small percentage of winnings.

Room service, when available, often includes a gratuity line on the bill. Bartenders at specialty bars outside the main dining room may have a tip jar or expect $1 to $2 per drink. Shore excursion guides and drivers are not included in the daily gratuity — $3 to $5 per person is standard for a half-day tour. The photo team that takes pictures throughout the cruise does not receive tips from the daily charge, though you can tip them if you purchase photos.

Comparing Carnival to Other Cruise Lines

Carnival's suggested daily gratuity of $15 per adult is in line with other major cruise lines. Royal Caribbean suggests $15.50 per adult per day, while Disney Cruise Line suggests $14 per adult per day. Norwegian Cruise Line does not add an automatic daily gratuity but suggests $15 per person per day if you choose to tip. All major lines allow you to modify or remove the charge.

The key difference is that some lines include specialty dining gratuity in the daily charge, while others do not. On Carnival, specialty dining is separate. If cost is a concern, Carnival's base gratuity is slightly lower than some competitors, though you will likely spend more if you visit specialty venues or use additional services.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume the daily gratuity covers all crew members. Many guests are surprised to learn that room service, spa staff, and specialty dining servers are not included. If you use these services, budget extra cash or be prepared to add charges to your account at the time of service.

Do not wait until the last day to adjust your gratuity if you want to remove it entirely. While you can make changes at any time, doing it early gives you peace of mind and avoids a rushed conversation on your final evening. Also, do not confuse the daily gratuity with resort fees or other charges — they are separate line items on your bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the automatic gratuity completely?

Yes. Visit guest services and request that the daily gratuity be removed from your account. You will not be charged anything, and you can choose to tip in cash, tip less, or tip more — the choice is entirely yours.

What if I do not think the service was good?

You can reduce or remove the gratuity for that crew member. Guest services can adjust the charge by stateroom attendant, server, or bartender if you specify which service fell short. Be as specific as possible so the adjustment is made fairly.

Do I need to tip the bartender if I order drinks at the pool bar?

The pool bar bartender is covered by your daily gratuity, so an additional tip is not required. However, many guests leave $1 to $2 per drink as a courtesy, especially if they order multiple rounds.

Is tipping expected if I eat at a specialty restaurant?

Yes. Specialty dining venues are not covered by the daily gratuity, so you should tip 15 to 18 percent of the meal cost. This is typically added to your bill at the time of service, similar to a restaurant on land.

What happens if I do not tip at all?

There is no penalty or consequence for not tipping. Tipping is voluntary. However, crew members depend on gratuities as a significant part of their income, so most guests choose to tip at least the suggested amount.