Prepay gratuities before your cruise through your Carnival account or by phone

You can prepay gratuities — the automatic service charges added to your onboard account — in three ways: through your Carnival Cruise Line online account, by calling Carnival directly, or at the terminal on embarkation day. Prepaying locks in the current rate and spreads the cost across your budget before you board, rather than facing the full charge when you settle your account at the end of the cruise.

Gratuities on Carnival are not optional. The line automatically adds them to your onboard account at a daily rate per person. If you do not prepay, you will be charged when you check out, usually on your final morning. Prepaying straightforward moves that charge to before your trip.

Key Takeaways

  • Carnival adds gratuities automatically at a set daily rate per person, and you can prepay this amount through your online account, by phone, or at the terminal.
  • Prepaying locks in the current rate and removes the charge from your final bill, so you pay before boarding instead of on your last day.
  • You can adjust or remove prepaid gratuities up to a certain point before your cruise, though policies vary by booking method.
  • The daily gratuity rate depends on your cabin type and stateroom category, so check your booking confirmation for the exact amount.
  • If you prepay and later change your mind, contact Carnival customer service to request a refund or adjustment.

Prepay through your Carnival online account

Log into your Carnival Cruise Line account using the email and password associated with your booking. Navigate to your reservation and look for the "Manage My Booking" or "Onboard Charges" section. You should see an option to add or prepay gratuities. Select the number of people in your party and confirm the daily rate shown — this varies slightly depending on your stateroom category.

Once you confirm, you will be prompted to pay using a credit or debit card. Carnival will charge your card when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email. The prepaid amount will not appear on your onboard account when you board; instead, it will already be settled. This method is available starting roughly 120 days before your sail date, though the exact window depends on when your booking was made.

Prepay by calling Carnival customer service

Call Carnival Cruise Line at 1-800-CARNIVAL (1-800-227-6482) and provide your reservation number. A representative can walk you through the gratuity prepayment process over the phone. You will need a valid credit or debit card ready, and the representative will process the payment while you are on the call.

This method is useful if you have questions about the rate, want to prepay for only some members of your party, or prefer to speak with someone directly. The phone line is available during Carnival's standard business hours, which you can confirm on their website.

Prepay at the terminal on embarkation day

If you have not prepaid before your cruise, you can do so at the terminal when you check in on embarkation day. Look for the gratuity desk or ask a Carnival staff member at check-in where to handle prepayment. You will need your reservation confirmation and a payment method.

Prepaying at the terminal is your final note to avoid the automatic charge being added to your onboard account. If you do not prepay by the time you board, the daily gratuity will begin accruing and will be charged to your account when you settle it at the end of the cruise.

Understand the daily gratuity rates

Carnival's gratuity rates are set per person, per day, and vary slightly by stateroom category. Standard inside and outside cabins typically have one rate, while suites and premium accommodations may have a different rate. The exact amount is listed in your booking confirmation under "Onboard Charges" or "Gratuities."

To calculate your total prepayment, multiply the daily rate by the number of days in your cruise and by the number of people in your party. For example, a 7-day cruise for two people at a standard rate of roughly $15 per person per day would total around $210 before taxes. Check your confirmation to confirm the exact rate for your stateroom type, as rates can change seasonally.

Modify or remove prepaid gratuities

If you prepay gratuities and later want to adjust or remove them, contact Carnival customer service as soon as possible. The ability to make changes depends on how close you are to your sail date and how you prepaid. Changes made through your online account can usually be adjusted until a certain cutoff date, typically 5 to 7 days before your cruise.

If you prepaid by phone or at the terminal, call customer service to request a refund or adjustment. Refunds are typically processed back to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after your request. Be aware that if you remove prepaid gratuities, the daily charge will be added to your onboard account again, and you will be billed at checkout.

What happens if you do not prepay

Gratuities are mandatory on Carnival cruises. If you do not prepay, the line will automatically charge your onboard account at the daily rate for each day of your cruise. This charge appears on your final bill, which you settle on your last morning before disembarking.

You can adjust the gratuity amount after boarding by visiting the guest services desk on the ship, but this requires speaking with a staff member in person. Some guests reduce the amount if they feel service did not meet expectations, though this is less common than straightforward accepting the standard rate. Prepaying avoids this final-day transaction and gives you one less thing to handle on your last morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepay gratuities for only some people in my party?

Yes. When you prepay through your online account or by phone, you can specify how many people you want to prepay for. This is useful if some members of your party prefer to handle gratuities separately or if you are booking for a group with different preferences.

What if I prepay and then cancel my cruise?

Contact Carnival customer service with your reservation number and request a refund of your prepaid gratuities. Refunds are typically processed back to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days, though this depends on your cruise line's cancellation policy and how close you are to your sail date.

Are gratuities the same on all Carnival ships?

Gratuity rates are set by Carnival Cruise Line and explore across their fleet, though the exact daily amount may vary slightly by stateroom category. Check your booking confirmation for the rate specific to your cabin type, as premium suites may have a higher daily gratuity than standard cabins.

Can I change the gratuity amount after I board?

Yes. Visit the guest services desk on the ship and speak with a staff member. You can increase, decrease, or remove gratuities, though most guests keep the standard amount. Changes made onboard will be reflected on your final bill when you check out.

Do I have to prepay gratuities?

Gratuities are mandatory on Carnival cruises and will be charged to your account whether you prepay or not. Prepaying straightforward moves the charge to before your cruise instead of your final day. You cannot avoid the gratuity charge, but you can choose when and how to pay it.