Carnival offers three options for paying gratuities in advance: Money Gratuity, Carnival Gift Card, Carnival MasterCard with Fun Points, and Onboard the Ship Service Gratuities (Tips). The cruise company offers a cashless on-board credit program called Sail Sign®, which allows guests to charge onboard purchases and gratuities directly to their personal account.
For first-time cruisers, there is no need to prepay gratuities on a Carnival cruise. They can wait until the gratuities are added to their account. There are two ways to pay gratuities: Pre-Pay and have them added to their Sail Sign account. Guests who booked directly with Carnival can either prepay their gratuities prior to departure or have them added to their account. If they wait until the latter, they can opt to pay gratuities once they are onboard the ship by speaking to the guest services team.
The amount of gratuities is split between the ships staff (dining, housekeeping, and cabin stewards). Since May 1, 2022, Carnivals onboard now allow passengers to manage their cruise line gratuities. A gratuity is included in the cost of Cheers, but tips are typically made for each drink. Standard Staterooms cost 16.00 USD per person, per day, while Suite Staterooms cost 18.00 USD per person, per day.
Guests can pay daily gratuities through the My Billing tab in Cruise Manager or by calling the TA if booked through a TA. Carnival charges guests 16.00 USD per person, per day for most rooms, including interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins.
📹 Cruise Gratuities – Should You Prepay them? | Cruise Hacks 2020
Cruise gratuities, should you prepay them. This is a great cruise hack for 2020, the ability to prepay reduces the stress on your …
Can you decline gratuity on a cruise?
You have the right to refuse this automatic gratuity charge and may compensate cruise staff on your own terms. However, you will need to notify the front desk of this desire. Otherwise it will appear on your bill when your cruise ends and it will be charged to your credit card on file.
Suggested gratuities policies.Before the concept of automatic gratuities was put in place, cruise lines provided guests with tip envelopes and a suggested daily amount for the individuals they are served by every day.
For example, it might be suggested to give the cabin steward and main dining room waiters each $3 per day per person, the Maitre D a $1 a day, $5 for any tour guides, etc.
How do I avoid gratuity on a Carnival cruise?
Go to the passenger services desk. You can request to reduce, eliminate or increase the daily gratuities. So much for rewarding exceptional service! Yes, just go to the service desk and ask that gratuities not be charged to your account, as you are going to tip in cash.
How do I get out of paying gratuities on Carnival Cruise?
Yes, just go to the service desk and ask that gratuities not be charged to your account, as you are going to tip in cash. I usually do that as i do not trust the cruise line to give all the tips to the employees, and some employees I get no direct service from.
Does Carnival Cruise automatically charge gratuity?
You can opt out of automatic gratuities on Carnival Cruises by visiting Guest Services and requesting removal. However, tipping is customary and expected by the crew, so opting out could affect the service you receive.
Are prepaid gratuities worth it on a cruise?
Just like you and me, they deserve fair compensation for the excellent services they provide throuhout the cruise. Prepaying gratuities allows you to settle your entire balance before embarking. No surprises during the trip. When you repay gratuity charges is clearly outlines in your booking.
How to pre-pay gratuities at Carnival?
Pre-Pay: Gratuities can be added at the time of booking or anytime up to the sail date. Guests who booked directly with Carnival may add their pre-paid gratuities on Carnival.com. If a guest booked with a travel agent, they may contact their travel professional to add pre-paid gratuities to their booking.
How do I pay my cruise gratuities?
How service charges are levied. At most lines, you can pay your service charges before sailing (at the same time you pay your cruise fare). Alternatively, you can have the charges added to your room bill on board.
The big advantage to paying cruise tips in advance is that you lock in the current rate. If your line raises the rate between the time you pay and the time you sail, you won’t pay more.
Some people also like to pay their service charges in advance for budgeting purposes. It’ll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise.
If you prefer to pay for tips once you’re on board your cruise, you’ll generally find that the gratuities automatically appear on your bill. You don’t have to do anything.
What happens if you don’t prepay gratuities on a cruise?
What happens if you don’t prepay gratuities on a cruise?. If you do not prepay cruise gratuities before sailing, the cruise line will add them to your onboard bill. The cruise line will then charge your credit card for the gratuity amount at the end of the sailing — along with other purchases you made with your cruise card (drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments, tours, etc.).
The answer to this question is complicated, so bear with me.
If you have prepaid gratuities during the cruise booking process, you cannot remove them on board. The cruise line has had your money for months, and it won’t give it back.
What happens if I don’t prepay gratuities?
What happens if you don’t prepay gratuities on a cruise?. If you do not prepay cruise gratuities before sailing, the cruise line will add them to your onboard bill. The cruise line will then charge your credit card for the gratuity amount at the end of the sailing — along with other purchases you made with your cruise card (drinks, souvenirs, spa treatments, tours, etc.).
The answer to this question is complicated, so bear with me.
If you have prepaid gratuities during the cruise booking process, you cannot remove them on board. The cruise line has had your money for months, and it won’t give it back.
Can you waive gratuity on Carnival Cruise?
Yes, you can remove your tips by going to Guest Relations.
We have never sailed with carnival but have done several other cruises:D.
We like to pay our servers and stewards directly on the last night of our trip in cash. We do not want it added to our sail account. Does carnival give you envelopes like some other lines do or do I need to bring my own?
BTW- We always pay the recommended amount plus extras along the way so I’m not asking to start a debate on tipping just how to do it in cash and not have it charged to my sail account.
Can you waive gratuity on a Carnival cruise?
Yes, you can remove your tips by going to Guest Relations.
We have never sailed with carnival but have done several other cruises:D.
We like to pay our servers and stewards directly on the last night of our trip in cash. We do not want it added to our sail account. Does carnival give you envelopes like some other lines do or do I need to bring my own?
BTW- We always pay the recommended amount plus extras along the way so I’m not asking to start a debate on tipping just how to do it in cash and not have it charged to my sail account.
📹 First-Time Carnival Cruiser Tips: Wifi, Gratuities, Packing!
Are you a first-time cruiser with Carnival looking to make the most of your upcoming vacation? Look no further than our latest …
For us it was prepaying tips, pre booking specialty dining the 1st night, setting up dining time etc. I pre bought the case of water delivered to the cabin. I contacted my bank and cc people to let them know I am traveling out of the country. I contacted my cell phone company and bought 1 month of international service so I could call home from the ports. NOT FROM THE SHIP but once I got off the ship. We brought on a case of diet root beer cause with the free ice cream poof…root beer floats free. Thanks for the info. Oh and this may sound stupid but if you have a balcony you can’t have both doors open at the same time. You have to close the balcony door in order to open the cabin door and vice versa.
I’m taking my first cruise on Carnival Valor on May 15. I am super excited. Y’all tips are giving me life. It’s really making me prep in a major way on a whole new level. I feel like I’ll be ahead of the game for most normal first-timers. I pre-paid for my water & the Steak house on the first night to get the bottle of wine. Still choosing my excursion & portrait package. Thanks for all the help!
I think it was my last cruise and I was actually caught smoking (cigarettes) on my balcony. Well, technically wasn’t caught in the action, but I left evidence that I had smoked. So, later on in the day, I was heading back to my cabin and ran into my room steward. He kindly reminded me of the no smoking rule and told me that if I did it again and left evidence again, he would have to report it. So, I thanked him for the reminder and apologized for my ignorance. I feel like he was hinting at like he didn’t care that I was smoking (I know, dumb choice on my end on multiple levels lol), but just didn’t want to be put in a situation.
The advice about perusal articles is so very true, I’ve been soaking up all I can from y’all and I can not say thank you enough. My wife is the one who normally has all the stuff planned and the answers to questions, but because of you great folks I’m the one this time around. Thanks again for all y’all do.
don’t have a problem with prepaid tips. I think it is a good idea, because many people are not appreciative tippers. In addition to automatic tipping, I give out tips for good service, on the spot, throughout the cruise. Cruise staff really appreciate it. End result is better service. Come on people. You pay thousands of dollars to go on a cruise and have a problem giving a few extra dollars to folks, who work hard for long hours to make your cruise a wonderful experience.
Watch it 11months ago and still learning from y’all thanks..And here’s another comment 😂 but I am close to and have sailed from New Orleans only 2 hours away but now I drive 5 hours to a different port because I prefer the ships out of that port. Convenience is keep but the specific ship can make or break the cruise experience esp with Carnival. So I agree look at the articles the cruise ports and layout of the ships and destinations.
Oh my goodness you should definitely do Royal so you can see that most people on royal are wonderful! Its an eclectic, fun crowd! I suggest something in the voyager class. Oasis is overwhelming if its your first time although central Park is so romantic. There’s nothing else like it! I have been on everything from Carnival, NCL, Royal, Seabourn, HAL…each is unique but you should see for yourself 😊
Love your articles have bern perusal them non stop to prep for our first cruise in September. Somthing ive been looking for more tips on is on Cruise port of call tips and tricks. What documents you need to get on and off at ports of call. What you need to know about getting off and on at ports. Tips to make the most of port’s of calls. Thanks so much
As a brotha and a reviewer … lol … I agree what you are saying about RC because it was a lot on there and I’ve had it said in the past!!! But!!!! It was my 1st cruise and surprisingly the first impression and the best impression. I fell in love with Cruises after RC. My last 3 after that were on Carnival. But yea …
Hey Tisha from CT. Royal has wonderful cruises. There is alot of US on those boats. I hate that people have to be racists. I have been on 4 different ships recently last year Oasis of the seas. We r going on Carnival Sunrise in Dec 2023. Me and husband’s first Carnival. We been binging yall articles. U guys r great.
Thank you guys for all you do! Love your website I watch and rewatch your articles. This is my second cruise but my first with Carnival and it’s been almost a decade since my last. Listen!! Your advice on the daycare is me. I travel in May on Freedom just me and my Toddler he’s on the mild spectrum of autism and he’s non verbal. All of my on board itinerary is what I can do with him not away from him. I don’t trust anyone and I dislike being forced to leave him with folks even family. Just me.
This is a great article with lots of great information. I’d suggest getting a passport also, been in the situation before where we had to leave family at the port because of birth certificate issues. It’s a very somber situation to be in. PS Dont know if you mentioned it but new people also do alot of overpacking, one carry on it enough for each person.
I’m just loving these post! Just found you all and excited to cruise in the future but just thinking it’s not gonna be attainable because i cant get a clear cut idea of how much it’s gonna cost! Not trying to spend thousands of dollars for a cruise 😒 i don’t wanna be discouraged before I start but I don’t wanna be delusional either!
Hey there. Just got back from a Royal Caribbean 8 day cruise. It was ok. The entertainment was corny imo. The food was borderline. The best thing was I didn’t have to fly. I took it out of Baltimore which is 20 minutes from me. I’ll be looking into a Virgin next and I’ve looked at your articles on that. I’ve done Tom Joyner cruise and Capital Jazz Cruise. Those are chartered cruises and they are up another level than group cruises.
Thank thank you. I have not been on a cruise since 2005. and that was during Katrina. I came to this site to update my cruise knowledge. Yall are terrific. I am currently in treatment for breast cancer. I am going on a cruise in June on Carnival Valor. Is there anything from a medical standpoint I might want to be prepared for
Is the policy about American Express new? We cruise Carnival a lot and always use AMEX exclusively for our onboard account because we don’t want any problems. American Express don’t take no mess and we don’t leave home without it. They really take care of their cardholders, which why we like it for travel. Also, in the future can you speak more on travel insurance and if you recommend yearly plans for those that travel frequently?
I’m new to finding your articles- they are awesome! I am going on my first cruise in April! We were originally scheduled in April 2020. We were already checked in and everything and then the world shut down. We’ve been through several rescheduled cruises. Somehow in the process of the multiple rescheduling and cancellations our $600 OBC was cancelled and lost. It’s definitely been a nightmare of a process, but we’re determined to have a great first cruise! Do you think Carnival would do anything if we call them? Our travel agent has called but not gotten very far with them.
If you like cruising and don’t have a passport… Here’s something to think about… If you get a passport it currently costs 10 years. However, that’s only $13 Per Year… You can go on ANY cruise ship, airline, train, bus, whatever else ANYWHERE in the world for the next TEN years without worries about being allowed to fly back to the USA if something goes wrong. (Of course you might still need visa/s and/or proof of vaccination/s for some countries, but a passport is crucial for most foreign travel anyway.)
Hey! Greetings from Midland Texas. I intend going on a cruise with my daughter for my 50th birthday October 8th. what advice can u give us on how to go about the whole thing. This should be our 1st time and I want to give my daughter the best. Just 3 beautiful nights or 3 days… Our dream place is The Bahamas or any other interesting place. But we prefer The Bahamas. The suite is also preferable. Thank U… U guys are doing a good job 👏🎉❤. Have watched ur first day cruise. It was very inspiring. Thanks for sharing 🙏🎉❤❤❤❤
My family & I are going on our 1st cruise in June. What tips do you have on choosing the best dining time? I chose 5:30 but then on excursion days I don’t want to be in a hurry but 8:30 is too late and I prefer having a table ready at a certain time so I don’t want choose your time. Any tips that can help me decide? 😣
Hey Lynette and Stanlleyyyyy, I am hearing that attaching your debit card to your sign in sail card is not one of your favorites to do. I have used my debit card for years and never had a problem. Well the only problem I did had was the bill, I spent too much money! Lol! Listen, what I did was called my bank and made them aware that I was cruising and I told them the places I was visiting. I did this because I didn’t want them to place stops on my card. Plus I would ask the cruise line what was the holds, that is if they didn’t tell me from the beginning.
Paying for the Cheers Package for the whole cruise is not cool, but that’s how they make their money… so I doubt they’ll ever change it! Or if they do, it will be hella more per day! They use the fact that people pay for port days, but don’t drink as much on those days to make up for the sea days! It balances it out for then. I might see them charging a per day amount, but it will be way more expensive
Storytime…On my last cruise with RCCL I invited my sister and her daughter I told them when I booked to cruise I didn’t pay for there gratuities in advance like I did for myself and my cuzin who was my cabin mate she saz ok I’ll just pay it on the boat 🙄 mined you her daughter my niece drinks like a fish 😵💫 so long story short the day before disembark yes she was one of those ppl on the long line she had the nerve to tell the ppl at the front desk the her daughter was under age😠 and she refused to pay for her gratuities needless to say she not getting another invite from me for another cruise in the near future 🙅🏿♀️
I’m not surprised about folks that still like to separate their racial attitudes when selecting cruises, people want to enjoy an experience like this in life😍💯 not worry about HATERS Depending on what you want to do and pay for that’s your choice and other people need to keep their NASTY personality to their selves and book trips elsewhere because they are the humanity PROBLEM 😂 Love you guy’s advice and tips, this information is crucial and helps you concentrate on your main objective…A FUN VACATION😁 I want to do another cruise, my last time was 2008🎉😅 THANKS IN ADVANCE👌
❤❤❤❤FAMILY!! Stan-leeyy and Lynette hello and bless you. We are the Burns family My Wife Tammy and I will be taken out first cruise at Year’s End. I had one question and one question only first we follow your website to the fullest and believe you have prepared us though we are not booking with you oh, I want to thank you we are actually booking through BJ’s travel my question to you is is global entry a thing during and for cruises as it is at airports?
Mrs Lynette and Mr Stanley, when it comes to the holds and pre gratuities. If I’m purchasing the drink package are my gratuities already taken care of if I prepay on the app? When it comes to the debit holds… do I need to remove my card on the app if I plan to use cash to load my sail card? When do I load with cash?
Hey question just so I’m understanding correctly. For the hold they do for cruises on your card, if you were planning to add cash to you sailing card instead linking a credit or debit card will there still be a hold on the card you used to booked the cruise? Or if you are doing the cash option would they essentially put some sort of a hold on that?
My husband and I booked our first cruise for next year. I am wondering how I can talk to my kids and family at home while I am on the ship? I want to be able to talk to them everyday or they will message me. I am excited for it but I have some worries. I also am wondering about the Cheer package. We are not big drinkers but I do like specialty coffee. My husband and I are having a discussion on this.
I have a question my husband and I booked our first cruise for next year and have no idea what we were getting ourselves into lol now I’m stressing. We checked the site for gratuities and it’s 112 per person so it’s over 400 as we have children! I am in shock! But the info given in your article says 16 per person so I’m a little confused if anyone can please help me I’d appreciate it