Gratuity amounts on Carnival ships
Carnival automatically adds gratuity to your onboard account unless you opt out before your cruise. The daily rate is $15.00 per person for standard cabins, $17.50 per person for inside cabins, and $18.50 per person for suites. These amounts are charged for each night you are aboard, starting the first night.
You can adjust the gratuity amount at the Guest Services desk on your first day, or you can remove it entirely and tip in cash instead. Carnival does not force you to accept the automatic charge — you have the option to change it before you leave the ship.
The automatic gratuity covers your stateroom attendant, dining room servers, and busboys. If you use other services — spa, specialty restaurants, room service — those typically have separate tipping expectations or may already include a service charge.
Key Takeaways
- Carnival adds $15 to $18.50 per person per night to your account automatically, depending on cabin type.
- You can lower the amount, remove it entirely, or pay in cash instead by visiting Guest Services on your first day.
- The automatic gratuity covers your cabin attendant and main dining room staff, but specialty dining and other services may have separate charges.
- If you remove automatic gratuity, you can still tip crew members in cash at the end of your cruise or hand envelopes to specific staff members.
- Gratuity amounts do not include bar tabs, which typically add 18 percent automatically unless you adjust them.
How the automatic gratuity system works
When you check in for your cruise, Carnival links a gratuity charge to your onboard account. This charge appears on your final bill and is charged to your payment method when you leave the ship. The daily amount is fixed based on your cabin category, not on the number of people in the cabin — a suite with two people and a suite with four people both pay the same per-person rate.
The gratuity is divided among crew members who serve you directly: your stateroom attendant receives a share, dining room servers receive a share, and busboys receive a share. Carnival does not publish the exact breakdown, but the system is designed so that money reaches the people who interact with you most.
You do not have to use the automatic system. On your first day aboard, you can walk into Guest Services and ask to adjust or remove the gratuity. There is no penalty for doing so, and crew members will not treat you differently if you lower the amount.
Adjusting or removing automatic gratuity
Guest Services is located in a central area of the ship — ask at the front desk or check your cabin paperwork for the location. Bring your cabin key card. Tell the staff member you want to adjust your gratuity, and they will show you the current amount and let you change it to any figure you choose, including zero.
If you remove the automatic gratuity entirely, you can tip crew members in cash instead. Many passengers hand envelopes with cash to their stateroom attendant on the last night, or to servers in the dining room. You can also give cash directly to any crew member who provides a service you want to reward.
Some passengers lower the automatic gratuity and then add cash tips for exceptional service. This approach lets you reward people who go above and beyond without paying for mediocre service.
Gratuity for specialty dining and bars
If you eat at specialty restaurants on the ship — steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or other paid venues — those restaurants typically add an 18 percent service charge to your bill automatically. This is separate from your cabin gratuity and covers the servers and kitchen staff in that restaurant.
Bar tabs also include an automatic 18 percent gratuity unless you adjust it at the time you pay. If you order drinks throughout your cruise and charge them to your room, the 18 percent is added to each charge. You can ask the bartender to lower or remove this amount if you wish.
Room service orders may or may not include gratuity — check your bill when the order arrives. If no gratuity is included and you want to tip, you can add it to the charge or hand cash to the crew member who delivers the food.
What gratuity covers and what it does not
Your automatic cabin gratuity covers the people who service your room and the main dining room where you eat dinner. It does not cover entertainment staff, activities coordinators, or crew members you encounter in public areas. It also does not cover specialty services like spa treatments, salon services, or photo packages.
If you use the spa, you can tip the therapist directly in cash or ask to add a gratuity to your spa bill. Salon services work the same way. Photography packages sold onboard do not typically include gratuity, though you can tip the photographer if you wish.
Valet parking, if available at your port, is tipped separately and is not part of your cabin gratuity. Shore excursions booked through Carnival may or may not include gratuity for your tour guide — check the description when you book.
Comparing gratuity across cruise lines
Carnival's automatic gratuity rates are in the middle range for the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean charges $15 to $16 per person per night for standard cabins, while Disney Cruise Line charges $14 to $15. Norwegian Cruise Line allows you to opt out of automatic gratuity more easily than most lines, though they still encourage it.
Some cruise lines include gratuity in the ticket price, so you do not see a separate charge. These lines typically charge more upfront but advertise the price as "all-inclusive." Carnival separates the gratuity charge so you can see exactly what you are paying for service.
If you are comparing cruise lines on price, add the gratuity to the base fare to see the true cost. A Carnival cruise at $800 per person with $15 per night gratuity for a seven-night cruise costs $905 total per person, not $800.
Cash versus card for tipping
You can tip entirely through your onboard account, entirely in cash, or a combination of both. Many crew members prefer cash because they receive it when ready and do not have to wait for the ship to process payments. If you hand cash directly to your stateroom attendant or a server, they know the money is theirs right away.
If you use your onboard account, the money is processed after you leave the ship and may take a few days to reach crew members. Some crew members work for Carnival directly, while others are employed by contractors, which can affect how quickly they receive tips.
If you plan to tip in cash, bring small bills — ones, fives, and tens. You can exchange larger bills at Guest Services, though the exchange rate may not be favorable. Many passengers bring cash specifically for tipping before they board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the automatic gratuity and not tip at all?
Yes. You can remove the automatic gratuity at Guest Services and choose not to tip in cash. Crew members will not refuse service or treat you poorly because you did not tip. However, crew members in the cruise industry rely on tips as a significant part of their income, so many passengers choose to tip even if they lower the automatic amount.
Do I need to tip the captain or entertainment staff?
Tipping the captain is not expected. Entertainment staff, activities coordinators, and other crew members in public areas are not typically tipped unless they provide a specific service you want to reward — for example, a fitness instructor who gave you a personal training session, or a staff member who helped you with a special request.
What if I disagree with the automatic gratuity amount?
You can change it to any amount you choose, including zero, at Guest Services on your first day. There is no minimum, and you will not be questioned or charged a fee for adjusting it. You can also adjust it again later in your cruise if you change your mind.
Are gratuities included if I book a group cruise?
Gratuities are not included in group bookings unless your group organizer specifically negotiated that as part of the package. Check your booking confirmation or ask your group coordinator. If gratuities are not included, the automatic charge will still explore to your account.
Do I tip differently if I have a suite?
Suite guests pay a higher automatic gratuity rate ($18.50 per night instead of $15), which reflects the higher level of service suites typically receive. You can still adjust this amount at Guest Services if you wish. Some suite guests also hand cash tips to their butler or concierge for exceptional service.