Carnival Cruise Line increases gratuity, Wi-Fi charges
Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting gratuity levels for all of its U.S. and European cruises, raising the values of the recommended daily crew tips starting on April 1, 2023.
According to a letter sent to booked guests, the gratuities for both standard staterooms and suites will be increased by $1.50.
"Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional service and the friendly, welcoming, and outstanding work of Carnival crew is widely recognized across the industry and amongst cruise fans," Carnival Cruise spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an emailed statement. "We believe our guests will agree this slight increase is well-deserved."
He noted that although gratuities are automatically added to travelers' onboard accounts, they can adjust the amount as they wish. Once a passenger disembarks, the charges are considered final, according to Carnival's website.
Guests who are booked to sail with the line can prepay their gratuities online before April 1 at the current price, Lupoli said.
In addition to raising gratuity levels, Carnival Cruise Line is also raising the prices of the onboard Wi-Fi internet access plans.
According to the same statement, the increase will be affective for all embarkations starting on January 16, 2023.
The Social plan had its fare adjusted to $12.75 per day, up from $10.20, while the Value plan will be priced at $17 per day, up from $14.45. The Premium plan will cost $18.70 per day, up from $17.
Passengers are also welcomed to prepurchase their internet plans at the current rates, the company added.
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Carnival had last adjusted the value of the recommended daily gratuities in April 2022. At the time, the amounts were increased by $0.50.
Have other cruise lines increased their gratuity prices?
Yes. Carnival's fee hikes follow similar moves from lines such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, which said they would increase their gratuity prices (all three lines are part of Carnival Corp.).
The changes come as a number of lines, including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, have also increased fees for amenities such as beverage packages and signature restaurants in the wake of high inflation during the industry's continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.