Carnival Cruise Line Raises Gratuities and Wi-Fi Prices

Posted on 4 January, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

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 and friendly service, so we hope you will agree that this slight increase is well deserved,” Carnival stated.

With the change, passengers of standard cabins will now be suggested to pay $16 per guest per day, while for suite guests, the recommended amount will be $18 per guest per day.

Prepaid gratuities will be honoured, the company said, with passengers being able to secure the current rates if they pay the fees online before April 1.

If not paid in advance, the recommended gratuity value will be added to passengers’ onboard account during their cruise “as a convenience,” Carnival added in the letter.

However, while onboard, guests are also free to adjust the values at their own discretion, the company explained.

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 effective 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 welcome to prepurchase their internet plans at the current rates, the company added.

Carnival last adjusted the value of the recommended daily gratuities in April 2022. At the time, the amounts were increased by $0.50.

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Food Prices, Makes More F&B Changes

Posted on 4 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise’s iconic Whale Fluke Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Citing inflation, higher fuel prices and supply chain challenges, in an effort to cut down on food waste, Carnival Cruise Line is making a number of food and beverage adjustments.

In a letter sent to booked guests, Carnival cited food supply chain challenges that have been further complicated by global politics and a “myriad of laws regarding how we should source products and how crops and animals are farmed and handled.”

Carnival said it had reached a point with its food costs where it must take a modest but specific action.

Changes:

Steakhouse prices increased to $48 per person from $42.
Prices are speciality dining restaurants on select ships will increase, with Carnival citing rising food costs.
In the main dining room, the free lobster will continue to be offered on cruises lasting six days or more but will be moved to the second elegant evening.
Free 24/7 ice cream is being trimmed back to set hours.
Guests ordering the third entrée in the main dining room will see an additional $5 charge.

The company noted that for sailings departing through Dec. 31, speciality dining reservations paid in advance will be charged the current price, but reservations made onboard will be subject to new prices.

Carnival Luminosa Conversion Underway in Italy

Posted on 20 September, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The Carnival Luminosa conversion is making progress in Italy. After wrapping up its Costa Cruises career earlier this month, the vessel is being prepared for its Carnival Cruise Line debut.

Currently, in drydock, the 2009-built vessel is already sporting the new hull livery of the U.S.-based brand, while its funnel has been repainted with Carnival’s traditional colours.

The former Costa Luminosa also saw a flag change, moving from an Italian to a Portuguese ship register.

Work is also underway on the ship’s interior, with public areas being adapted to offer most of Carnival’s signature experiences and spaces such as Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Serenity Retreat and more.

Several dining venues are also being added, including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table and Bonsai Sushi Express.

After leaving the shipyard, the Carnival Luminosa is set to welcome its first guests in early November.

Sailing from Brisbane, the ship’s inaugural program includes three- to 11-night itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific.

After completing its winter season, the vessel is set to debut in the United States in May for its first summer program in Alaska.

Departing from Seattle, it will offer seven-day sailings as well as six- and eight-day cruises to popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and the scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord.

In September, the ship will sail Carnival’s longest-ever cruise, a 30-day transpacific itinerary that features visits to Alaska, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

According to Carnival, the Luminosa is a sister to its four Spirit-Class vessels. Originally built for Costa Cruises, the ship 92,000-ton ship has a capacity for 2,260 guests, in addition to 1,050 crew members.