Americans face a tipping culture.
In a broad sense, we have decided that it is okay to pay service industry workers less and have customers pay the rest of their salaries. In practice, it converts tips into wages, especially in industries that are allowed to pay low hourly wages to those in tipped jobs.
Most major cruise lines have also included gratuities in the compensation package for their workers. In many ways it works very similar to American restaurants, but it is not exactly the same.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line changes its key adult beverage policy
Carnival Cruise Line explained on its website how its daily gratuities work.
“It is customary for our guests to offer tips to onboard staff in gratitude for their hard work and exceptional service,” the site says.
All tips brought in by cruise ships are distributed to crew members with whom they interact, including stateroom attendants and culinary and food services staff, as well as “other onboard team members who work behind the scenes to enhance your overall cruise experience.” “he adds.
“Applying this charge automatically streamlines the recognition process and ensures our crew will share your generosity. To help you plan, we've provided recommended onboard tipping guidelines.”
The cruise line also outlined recommended tips for each day by cabin class:
- Standard Cabins: US$16 per person, per day
- Suite Cabins: US$18 per person, per day
These tips are not mandatory and in most cases you can eliminate them by going to the customer service desk.
Some passengers prefer to do this and then give advice to workers who see it improving their vacation. Others say this method shortchanges service workers whom you don't see but who do things on your behalf.
Tipping generates a lot of controversy and questions, and Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald recently weighed in on two of the biggest questions many passengers have.
Image Source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival describes how daily tips are divided
Some passengers are concerned that their tips are going to crew workers who are not service workers.
“John, is it true that the tips you pay in advance are divided among all or most of the crew and not just given to the cabin attendant, waiter, etc.?” Duane Johnson asked.
The brand ambassador made it clear who receives the daily tips without being entirely specific.
“Thank you for asking. The vast majority is split evenly between the cabin attendant and the dining room team, with a smaller portion for those serving you and those behind the scenes at Lido,” he said. “I hope that helps a little. Thanks for asking and let me know if you need anything else.”
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
Carnival rejects tipping rumors
In 2023, Heald was also emphatic about a popular rumor that Carnival pays employees' salaries with tips.
“Normally I would never comment on this, but let me say categorically that this is nonsense, totally 100% false and 100% inaccurate,” Heald said. “We don't use the tips you so kindly give to 'pay the crew.' “It is a total fabrication and lie.”
In addition to the daily tips paid by passengers, many people also give additional tips to waiters, bartenders, and other people who serve them well.
READ ALSO: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
How that advice is shared may depend on the department. Some bars pool tips, while others allow individual servers to keep tips that cruise ships give them directly.
That may sometimes be the decision of the group of workers and not the cruise line.
If you tip the waiter, he keeps those tips, while a separate tip for the head waiter will likely be split with those working on your wait staff.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to get answers to all your questions.
