Carnival Cruise Line Announces Price Changes for 2026
Carnival Cruise Line is set to introduce new pricing for onboard gratuities and its popular Bottomless Bubbles soda package. These changes will take effect from 2nd April 2026. However, passengers can lock in the current rates by pre-paying before this date, regardless of their actual sailing date.
Gratuity Rates on the Rise
Currently, Carnival charges daily gratuities of £16 per person for standard staterooms and £18 for suites. From April 2026, these rates will increase by £1 per person, per day. This means guests will pay £17 in standard cabins and £19 in suites. The increase represents a 6.25% rise for standard rooms and a 5.55% rise for suites.
Guests who pre-pay their gratuities before the April deadline will benefit from the existing rates. Carnival still allows guests to adjust gratuities onboard, unlike some cruise lines with fixed service charges.
Bottomless Bubbles Package Price Increase
The Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda package will also see a price hike. Currently, it costs £9.50 per adult per day. From April 2026, the price will rise to £11.99 per adult per day. This is an increase of £2.49 per day, or about 26%. The children’s price remains unchanged.
The package will still incur a 20% service charge. Although the percentage remains the same, the higher base price means guests will pay around 50p more per day in service charges. As with gratuities, pre-purchasing the soda package before 2nd April will secure the lower price.
How to Secure Current Rates
To benefit from the current pricing, guests should consider pre-paying for gratuities and the soda package. This can be done through Carnival’s website or by contacting a travel agent. Pre-payment ensures you enjoy the lower rates, even if your cruise is scheduled for a later date.
Part of a Broader Industry Trend
Carnival is not the only cruise line adjusting its pricing in 2026. Margaritaville at Sea has also announced a gratuity increase, effective from 1st February. Their mandatory daily gratuities are now set at £22 per person, per day, and unlike Carnival, these charges cannot be adjusted or removed.
In conclusion, if you’re planning a cruise with Carnival, consider pre-paying for gratuities and the Bottomless Bubbles package. This will help you avoid the upcoming price increases and enjoy your holiday without any unexpected costs.
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