Enjoy the ease and convenience of paying one flat price for thirst-quenching fountain soda and juice all cruise long! Prices* are per day - an 18% gratuity will automatically be added at time of purchase of the program.
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If you have a drinks package, tips are included. Additional tipping is not required, even if there's a blank line for an additional gratuity on your check.
For bartenders and housekeepers, you may also want to offer a generous tip at the beginning of the cruise (again, $20 or more, depending on your needs) to ensure great service while on board. As for daily housekeeping gratuity, $2 to $5 per person per day is a good rule of thumb.
Are gratuities mandatory on Carnival cruises? Carnival's gratuities make up a considerable portion of the salary for the crew on the ship. They are added to all guests' accounts but can be removed at Guest Services.
The estimated total pay for a Bartender at Carnival is $4,289 per month. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $3,217 per month.
Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities. Don't forget to factor those charges into your overall vacation budget.
How Much to Tip Cruise Bartenders. Bar service has an automatic gratuity applied on the check (usually 15%). As we said above, though, if you're planning to frequent the same onboard bar (like the ever-popular pool bar), an upfront tip of $10 to $20 just might mean faster service and perfectly crafted cocktails.
Your auto-gratuities will cover all waitstaff in the main dining room, buffet restaurants and specialty dining venues alike. If you dine at the same table and enjoy regular service from one or two particularly excellent waiters, consider leaving an additional $10 to $20 at the cruise's end.
If you want to manage your budget more effectively, it's a good idea to prepay your gratuities for your Princess cruise. The only time you would be better off waiting is if you want to use any onboard credit towards the gratuity amount.
As mentioned above, not all members of the ship staff receive a share of the gratuities paid by passengers. Bartenders, main show entertainers and third-party shop employees are some of the more obvious ones, but they're not the only ones.
While the automatic service charges will cover their basic gratuities, it's generally considered good form to tip them a bit extra for a job well done, especially if you have made any special requests. Should you choose to, for a seven-night cruise, consider tipping about $2 to $3 per person, per day.
Carnival Cruise LineAutomatic gratuity charge: $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day. Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $14.50. Those in suites pay $16.50. Children younger than 2 are exempt from the charges.
It's easier to budgetIf you pay for your gratuities in advance, it makes it easier to plan for how much you want to spend during your cruise. It's possible to enjoy a Carnival cruise without spending a penny onboard, especially if you also buy a drinks package.