If you’re surprised by the tips being charged by your cruise line, know that it is normal in cruising. And since they are an extra charge that many people don’t expect, that leads to questions about exactly what gratuities are on a cruise and how they work. While not included in the headline price of a cruise, these charges are every bit a cost of your vacation, just like paying for the actual cabin. It helps to know exactly how they work before you sail.įor first-time Carnival cruisers, gratuity fees - also known as service gratuities by the cruise line - can come as a surprise when a passenger sets sail.
Gratuities - also known as service charges - can add on hundreds to your Carnival cruise. But it does help take the sting out of the payment - which can be hundreds of dollars for a cruise - when you understand what they are and how they work. Like death and taxes, it’s something that cruise passengers simply can’t avoid.
