Carnival Cruise Line has announced an increase in its daily gratuities, effective December 2024. The increase marks the first adjustment to the cruise line’s gratuity policy since early 2022. Guests sailing on Carnival ships will see a rise of approximately $2 per person, per day. This adjustment brings the daily gratuity rate to $18 per day for standard staterooms and $20 per day for suites.
Carnival states that the increase reflects their commitment to ensuring fair compensation for their hardworking staff, who strive to deliver exceptional service throughout the voyage. The gratuities are distributed among crew members, including dining and stateroom attendants, who play a vital role in the overall guest experience.
As the cruise industry continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact, rising operational costs and inflation have put pressure on cruise lines to adjust pricing, including gratuities. While some passengers may express concerns about the additional costs, Carnival emphasizes that the gratuities support the livelihoods of thousands of crew members from diverse backgrounds.
To help guests manage this change, Carnival is allowing passengers to prepay gratuities at the current rate before the increase takes effect. This option provides an opportunity for guests to lock in the existing rate and avoid the higher charges.
The decision to raise gratuities aligns with trends across the cruise industry, where several major lines have also implemented similar adjustments. Carnival remains committed to delivering a high-quality cruise experience and views the gratuity increase as a necessary step to maintain service standards while ensuring fair compensation for their crew.
This increase underscores the importance of gratuities in supporting crew welfare and reflects broader economic trends influencing the travel and hospitality sectors.
