Canadians will soon have to pay more to sail on popular cruise line
Tourists from Canada who enjoy the more leisurely pace of a cruise vacation could soon expect to face higher costs.
Passengers from Canada sailing with Carnival Cruise Line will soon see higher costs, as the price of onboard tips and one drink package increases. A representative for the company confirmed the increase in an email to Daily Hive.
“The changes will go into effect on April 2,” they stated. “Per person gratuity rates will go up by $1 per day, from current rates (the last increase was in April 2023).”
According to the company’s website, service gratuities are automatically charged each day. Currently, guests staying in Standard Statesrooms pay US$16 (C$21.83) per person per day, but that rate is set to go up to US$17 (C$23). Guests staying in Suite Statesrooms pay a daily rate of US$18 (C$24.55) per person, but that’s set to increase to US$19 (C$25.92).
Carnival Cruise
That means that for a seven-day cruise, a family of four in a Standard Statesroom will see gratuity go from US$448 (C$610) to $476 (C$649), while the weekly gratuity rate for a Suite Statesroom will go from US$505 (C$688) to US$532 (C$725).
Gratuities can be paid on the second-last day of the cruise or prepaid at the time of booking until the sail date. Children under the age of two are exempt from service gratuities.
“It is customary for our guests to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff in appreciation for their hard work and exceptional service,” reads the site. One hundred per cent of gratuities are distributed to crew, stateroom attendants, dining and culinary services staff, and other members.
The Carnival Cruise Line representative noted that although gratuities are automatically added to guests’ shipboard accounts, “the amount can be adjusted on board at the guest’s request.”
“Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional service, and the friendly, welcoming, and outstanding work of Carnival crew is widely recognized across the industry and amongst our guests,” they stated. “We believe our guests will agree this slight increase is well deserved.”
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Passengers will also soon be paying more for non-alcoholic drinks as the company is increasing its Bottomless Bubbles beverage package, which includes juices and soda. Currently, the per-person rate is US$9.50 (C$12.96) plus a 20 per cent service charge; that’s set to go up to $11.99 (C$16.36)Ā plus service charge.
The company attributes this decision to the fact that the cost of supplies has increased after transitioning to Coke products.
USA Today reports that the price for the Bottomless Bubbles for passengers 17 years old and younger will remain at US$8.34 (C$11.38) daily, including a service charge.
According to Statistics Canada, Canadians spent C$203.6 million in the third quarter of 2024 on cruises to the U.S. and overseas.