Carnival Cruise Line Raises Gratuities and Wi-Fi Prices

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.

Celebrity Cruises to increase daily gratuity charge

Image result for Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is hiking its daily gratuity charge by $1 to recognise the work of its crew members.

Passengers staying in standard staterooms will now pay $15.50, while Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms are charged $16.

Suite Class passengers must pay $19. All charges are automatically added to passengers’ onboard accounts unless gratuities have been pre-paid before embarkation.

The new rate comes into effect on Monday, January 6. Guests can add additional gratuities if they choose.

A Celebrity Cruises spokesperson said: “Known for its highly personalised service, Celebrity Cruises is adjusting the automatic daily gratuities for onboard guests.

“Most importantly, it recognises the exceptional work by our onboard staff and crew to deliver unforgettable modern luxury holidays every day.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Raising Automatic Gratuities

Norwegian Jade

Norwegian Cruise Line will be raising automatic gratuities added to the cost of a passenger’s ticket starting on April 1.

According to CruiseCritic.com, the daily service charges for passengers in standard cabins and mini-suites will be $14.99 per person, per day, an increase from the previous fee of $14.50. Travellers sailing in The Haven or other suites will see prices jump from $17.50 to $17.99.

For passengers sailing on the Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun, the cruise line’s all-inclusive ships, they will now have to pay $20.49 instead of $19.99 when staying in standard cabins and mini-suites. Prices for customers in suites rose from $22.99 to $23.49.

Thankfully for passengers who booked their voyages before April 1, Norwegian will still honour the previous rate as long as the gratuities are paid before the sail date. The price increases come one year after the cruise line last raised gratuity rates.

CruiseCritic.com also noted Norwegian’s Hawaii-based Pride of America ship would continue charging passengers an additional General Exercise Tax of 4.275 per cent.