Loading Page...

Does Carnival refund prepaid gratuities?

Note: For full 100% penalties, the refund will only include: Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses and Optional Prepaid Gratuities.



Yes, Carnival Cruise Line allows for the refund or adjustment of prepaid gratuities, but the process depends on when you make the request. If you have already paid your gratuities before the cruise begins and decide to cancel your booking within the allowed window, the prepaid amount is fully refunded to your original form of payment. If you are already on the ship and are dissatisfied with the service provided, you have the right to visit the Guest Service desk to adjust or remove the daily gratuity amount (Service Values) from your Sail & Sign account. However, this must be done before the end of the cruise; once you have disembarked and the final bill is processed, it is extremely difficult to obtain a refund. Carnival notes that these gratuities are distributed among the dining, bar, and cabin services staff, and they strongly encourage guests to keep them in place to support the crew. If you choose to remove them, the crew members who served you are notified of the adjustment. It is always recommended to discuss any service issues with management first to see if they can be resolved.

People Also Ask

Prepaid gratuities are refundable even in places which have different cancellation policies than the US. I always used to prepay them and would have had them refunded if I cancelled the cruise.

MORE DETAILS

Carnival gratuities are not optional, in that they are automatically added to your account. They can be removed, but only if you visit the Guest Services desk on the ship and ask them to take them off your account. Otherwise, you are expected to pay.

MORE DETAILS

Pros of Prepaying Gratuities If 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.

MORE DETAILS

Carnival gratuities are not optional, in that they are automatically added to your account. They can be removed, but only if you visit the Guest Services desk on the ship and ask them to take them off your account.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

We are fans of prepaying the gratuities just because it makes things simpler to have your charges taken care of before you board. It's one less charge to worry about on the ship. But there are some very good reasons on both sides of the issue.

MORE DETAILS

Because gratuities are always optional, every guest has the ability to remove or adjust the automatic gratuities on their Sail-and-Sign accounts (pre-paid gratuities cannot be adjusted).

MORE DETAILS

Again, cash might be the only thing they will take, and in most of the Caribbean you can tip in U.S. currency. As a side note, it can be nice to have some cash on your cruise so you can also tip people like street performers while in port.

MORE DETAILS

Cash is also a good option if you want to tip some workers extra for service that warrants it. If you've dined in mostly one spot every night of the cruise, you might want to give tips to especially attentive waitstaff on the last evening of the cruise.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

How much to tip your room steward. The typical amounts tipped to room stewards varies between around $2 and $20 per day, although it will depend on the length of the cruise. Many people prefer to tip extra at the start of their cruise, to ensure they get the best service for the duration of their sailing.

MORE DETAILS

Paying gratuities and tipping the staff aboard a cruise ship is not compulsory but is considered the right thing to do. Cruise Tipping is a gesture of goodwill to reflect your gratitude for the service provided and to say a big “Thank You” to the crew members.

MORE DETAILS

Carnival to Discontinue Free Room Service (Except Breakfast)

MORE DETAILS

Because gratuity is already included in the price of these purchases onboard, it's not necessary to tip extra. However, many passengers still like to tip a few dollars with a drink or specialty restaurant dinner to show their appreciation.

MORE DETAILS

If you've inadvertently signed a bill that agrees to an automatic tip, or if a server or employee refuses to remove an automatic tip, politely ask for a manager. That person usually has the authority to override the gratuity. If all else fails, dispute the charge on your credit card.

MORE DETAILS

New federal rules require a refund whenever a cruise that starts in the U.S. is cancelled or delayed at least three days. You can voluntarily agree to a credit. Otherwise, you get your money back.

MORE DETAILS