Carnival Cruise Line has recently implemented a price increase that will impact most passengers. The automatic service charge on many onboard purchases has risen from 18% to 20%. This change, not widely announced, is now reflected in Carnival’s booking system and the fine print for onboard spending. As a result, many holidaymakers will find themselves paying a bit more for popular extras.
What the Increase Applies To
The 20% service charge now applies to a variety of purchases. This includes all drink packages like Cheers!, Bottomless Bubbles, and Cheers! Zero Proof. Individual bar drinks and speciality dining venues, such as the steakhouse, are also affected. Additionally, in-cabin party decorations and gifts delivered to staterooms will incur the new fee. While the increase is only two percentage points, it can quickly add up for families enjoying premium dining and refreshments.
How Quickly the Increase Adds Up
Though the gratuity increase isn’t massive, it will be noticeable for families. For instance, a typical family of four, with adults on a Cheers! package and children enjoying Bottomless Bubbles, will now pay about $240 in gratuity fees over a week. This is an increase of around $20. When you factor in other onboard expenses, such as speciality dining or stateroom treats, a family might face an extra $30 in charges. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s something cruisers need to budget for carefully.
Why Now?
Carnival has not publicly commented on the change. However, rising operating costs have led to higher prices for drinks and dining across the cruise industry. It’s been over a year since Carnival last increased its automatic gratuity rate, which typically rises every few years. Other areas, such as speciality dining, bottled water, WiFi, and Fast to the Fun priority access, might also see price hikes in the future. The timing is significant as Carnival plans to replace its loyalty scheme with the new Carnival Rewards programme in 2026. Many regular guests have criticised this change, arguing it favours onboard spending over loyalty earned through sailing history.
Service charge increases at sea are not uncommon, and Carnival is not alone in raising prices. The key question is whether guests will reduce bar spending or speciality dining as costs continue to rise.
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