Carnival Cruise Line’s onboard Piano Bars are outstanding venues that offer live music with talented pianists who not only play top songs and favorite hits, but do so with humor, energy, and panache. Guests are encouraged to sing along, and it can be a fun and engaging way to spend the evening.
Recent rumors, however, have Piano Bar fans confused and frustrated about what appears to be a shift in the hours for these venues, with some claims being made about fleetwide changes.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has investigated the matter and spoken with the cruise line’s entertainment executives to clarify exactly what is being changed, and why.
“It is fair to say that Piano Bar fans are passionate and love the experience and the men and women who sit behind the piano,”he said.“Yesterday there was much speculation and many, many, many people asking me about the opening hours.”
To be clear, the typical opening hours for the Piano Bar have been 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. onboard most ships. This makes the venue a popular after-dinner gathering place for camaraderie and entertainment.
“Having spoken to the Entertainment beards I can tell you that we will be, on some ships, not all of them, moving to 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. performance times,”Heald confirmed.
It is important to note that this is not a fleetwide change, despite guest speculation. Some passengers have claimed to have the fleetwide notice “confirmed” by the piano players themselves, but it is unlikely that individual performers are notified of scheduling across all 27 ships in the Carnival fleet.
Heald also explains that the change may vary depending on individual itineraries as well as other entertainment options on different nights.
“What ships will depend on different variables as we know some itineraries are busier than others and experience more guests wanting to be [at the Piano Bar],”he said.“You may have noticed also that on some ships the Punchliner Late Night Adults Only Comedy Shows have been taking place in the main lounge at midnight. Those nights comedy is taking place, then piano bar will be open from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.”
To stay updated about the exact Piano Bar hours, guests should check the Carnival Hub app while sailing. This information will be updated with any changes in hours and other evening activity and entertainment times.
Should Piano Bar Entertainers Be Tipped?
A second issue Heald has addressed is the idea of whether or not the Piano Bar entertainers require tipping. While many guests do offer gratuities to these talented performers, it is not necessary.
“Why should we have to tip them to get a request?”a concerned guest asked.“I refuse to do that and [the piano player] says no tip no request!”
Heald noted that while the entertainers are able to accept tips, they are not, however, permitted to “require” tips for guests to request a specific song during the evening’s performance.
Carnival Paradise Piano Bar
“As for the tips, yes, we do allow them to take gratuities but it is not something you have to give in order to have a request made,”Heald confirmed.“If this ever happens please let me know and I will address [it], or indeed even better tell someone on board.”
Some guests do comment that in their experiences, requests accompanied by tips tend to get prioritized by the piano players, but this may simply be a perception rather than a deliberate effort.
It is also likely that some songs and aspects of the performance are more popular than others. It may seem that those requests get priority based on gratuities, but it could just be the players trying to ensure as many people as possible enjoy the evening’s entertainment.
Furthermore, the time the piano entertainers play is limited, and it isn’t always possible to get to every request every evening, regardless of whether those requests are accompanied by tips.
Do you enjoy spending time in the Piano Bar? Do you tip the piano player? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!
Many guests love their experience on Carnival Celebration – a newer mega-ship that launched at the end of 2022 and can accommodate up to 6,500 passengers.
However, for one recent passenger, their time on the Excel-class ship was disappointing because there were simply too many people onboard – leading them to ask Reddit if overcrowding on cruise ships is becoming an issue fleet-wide.
“I have been on many cruises when I was younger. I remember hardly ever waiting in line. Able to always find a seat for shows. Able to walk up and get food and drinks at any time,”the recent guest began their Reddit post.
“Just recently went on the new ship Carnival Celebration and it was horrific. Everything was insanely packed. You could not get a seat for any show even if you show up like 45 minutes early. Everything has a line to wait in. Even the Casino did not have a single spot available on the slots or tables in the afternoon/night,” they lamented.
It’s unclear which sailing the original poster was onboard for, but it’s quite possible the 183,521-gross ton vessel felt extra crowded if the sailing was sold out or close to maximum capacity.
While Brand Ambassador John Heald hasn’t spoken directly about overcrowding on Carnival ships specifically, he did recently acknowledge that the Lido deck can get very busy– to the point where not everyone has a place to sit and eat during peak dining hours.
This came up as a hot topic on Heald’s public Facebook page after card players were asked to relocate their game from the Lido deck during lunch time to make room for guests who were trying to enjoy their meals from the Lido Marketplace Buffet.
How to Avoid the Crowds
In the comments of the Reddit post, the overwhelming majority agreed that their recent Carnival cruises had felt more crowded – perhaps more so because of the contrast between current sailings and the emptier voyages during the slow ramp up to normalcy in the cruise industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent data also confirms that there is a higher demand for cruising in general. According to statistics from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 31.7 million people set sail in 2023 – which is a 7% increase over 2019 – with the number of cruisers expected to exceed 35 million in 2024.
Another recent study from CLIA also showed that interest in cruising is growing among first-time cruisers – including among younger demographics.
With the demand impacting all of cruising, including Carnival, what can guests like this Redditor do to make the most of their sailing in spite of possible crowds?
First, Carnival cruisers may want to consider purchasing the Faster to the Fun (FTTF) package. Carnival guests can eliminate at least some of the lines, starting at $69.99 per cabin.
The package comes with perks like expedited embarkation, disembarkation, and priority on water shuttles while in ports that use tender boats. It also includes better guest services, express luggage delivery, and priority dinner reservations.
Speaking of reservations, pre-booking things like dining reservations at specialty reservations, spa services, and other activities/amenities as early as possible can help ensure you get to do everything you want, when you want.
Another tip is to try to sail outside of the peak season – and to avoid periods when kids are out of school, such as summer break and around the holidays.
Last but not least, consider the ship you are sailing on. If you’re someone who doesn’t like crowds, you may be better off picking a smaller vessel with a lower guest capacity.
Additionally, newer ships are almost always going to be more popular, and therefore, more crowded – with many cruisers eager to experience the next big thing on the high seas.
A cruise is a great vacation for families, as nearly 24 hours a day, something fun will be happening that appeals to everyone.
One of the pros to cruising is that members of the family can safely and easily split up to check out different activities happening on board at the same time – or sometimes parents simply want to take a break from their kids to enjoy some alone time.
But, how do families keep in touch onboard and know when and where to come back together – especially without purchasing Wi-Fi packages or when kids don’t yet have their own cell phones? That is what one parent took to Reddit to find out.
“Our kids don’t have cell phones, but while onboard a cruise ship, we’d like to have the option to communicate if not together. Is purchasing a “burner” phone a viable option or are there better methods? We won’t be purchasing WIFI onboard. This is Carnival, if it matters,” the anonymous parent asked on Reddit.
If the parents did choose to purchase temporary burner phones for their kids, they could download the Carnival HUB app and chat through there – without purchasing a Carnival internet package – at a one-time cost of $5 per person.
But while basic burner phones can cost as little as $10, chatting on the HUB may still be a better solution for teens who already have cell phones – especially if they arestaying in their own cruise cabinaway from their parents.
Depending on the age of the child, parents who prefer a bit more supervision and structure may want to limit their child’s freedom to explore alone to roaming between the kids’ clubs and their stateroom.
As a family-friendly cruise line, Carnival boasts award-winning youth clubs for kids and teens – and that way the parents would always know where to find their children.
Children have to be at least between the ages of 9 to 11 to have the option to sign themselves in and out of the kids’ clubs – and even then parent permission has to be given in advance.
Unique Ways to Keep in Touch
In response to the Reddit post, seasoned cruisers had more creative suggestions, including setting curfews for the kids to return to the cruise cabin and communicating via notes and whiteboards.
“Our family cruise rule was always ‘enjoy your day, but everyone eats dinner together.’ This meant a 4:30/5:00 deadline to get back to the cabin to wash up and dress for dinner,” one cruiser replied on Reddit.
Walkie-Talkies (Photo Credit: Oleh Tkachuk / Shutterstock)
“During the day, all family members were required to check in on the magnetic whiteboard we brought. Every venue change required an update: leaving the Kids’ Club to go to the pool? Leave a note with a timestamp. Going to the arcade? Leave a note. Hanging out by the Flowrider? Note,”the commenter continued.
Another guest had an interesting suggestion of bringing walkie talkies onboard – although some in the comments were skeptical about how well they would work considering the steel within the ship could potentially block the signal.
“I saw many parents and kids with the small walkies,”one cruiser observed.
While every cruise line has a slightly different walkie talkie policy, Carnival does allow them onboard.
It’s best to check with Carnival directly about which brands they allow at the time of your sailing in case things change, but a good rule of thumb for most cruise lines is to choose walkie talkies with a range of up to 10 miles and a power of up to 5 watts.
Travelers dreaming of an Alaska cruisetour in 2026 have a slew of booking options now open on four Holland America Line ships, including itineraries that explore the remote Denali and Yukon regions, plus a new option that features both destinations.
The cruise line’s Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, and Zaandam will operate a total of 18 itineraries that combine a vacation at sea with adventures on land, featuring inland road transportation on motorcoaches or the glass-domed, luxury McKinley Explorer train.
Guests can choose from among Denali cruisetours ranging from 9 to 14 days aboard the 2,100-guest Nieuw Amsterdam and 1,964-guest Westerdam, and Denali-Yukon cruisetours of 9 to 17 days offered on the 2,650-guest Koningsdam or 1,432-guest Zaandam.
Some of the itineraries that include the Yukon provide land transport on the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, offering great views of the area’s forested landscapes. Holland America Line remains the only cruise brand that brings guests into the Yukon, with visits to Whitehorse and Dawson City.
Cruisers can select the order of their vacation components from a range of routes that offer a pre- or post-cruise land tour.
“Guests who embark on one of our cruisetours get the opportunity to combine our award-winning cruise experience with exploration deep into the heart of wilderness that’s unseen by most,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.
“And with their arrival at Holland America Denali Lodge, they can take in the awe of this majestic mountain while experiencing the premium service and comfort they have come to expect from Holland America,” added Bodensteiner.
Denali cruisetours operate between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska. All trips include a 7-day Glacier Discovery voyage and up to three nights’ accommodation at Holland America Denali Lodge.
For those with more time, a 14-day option, Ultimate Denali, features additional land explorations in Fairbanks and Anchorage, plus an overnight in Homer, Alaska.
Holland America Ships Docked in Alaska (Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe)
Land tours in Denali offer guests complimentary tours such as the Denali Natural History Tour, where cruisers can explore the national park while looking for wildlife like bears, moose, caribou and wolves.
Yukon & Denali cruisetours include a 3- or 4-day Inside Passage voyage on Koningsdam or Zaandam or a longer, 7-day Glacier Discovery cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam or Westerdam. These are combined with a 2- or 3-night stay at Denali and Dawson City, as well as overnight stays at Fairbanks, Anchorage and Skagway.
New Itinerary Offers Multiple Days in Denali National Park
The 2026 cruise series features a new itinerary — the 13-day Alaska, Denali and Yukon Cruisetour aboard Nieuw Amsterdam or Westerdam. The trip offers the land component first, taking guests by air from Fairbanks to Dawson City and into Denali National Park for a three-day adventure.
Guests then travel to their ship via rail and cruise from Whittier, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia. The at-sea itinerary features Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage, and Hubbard Glacier, plus port calls at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
Three tours are included in this itinerary: Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks, the Klondike Gold Tour in Dawson City, and the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park.
Also new in 2026 will be a policy that includes the Klondike Gold Tour in Dawson City and the Tundra Wilderness Tour at Denali National Park in every Yukon and Denali itinerary. These day tours feature a Parks Canada guide offering insights into the attractions.
Holland America Line is offering a time-limited promotion on 2026 Alaska cruise tours that feature the Have It All package. The plan covers specialty dining, shore excursions, WiFi, crew gratuities, and other perks.
From the Big Apple to the City of Angels, Carnival Cruise Line is reaching out to cruisers with a raft of sailings now open for sale from major East and West Coast ports in 2026-27.
The itineraries offer a diverse set of choices for cruisers embarking in New York and Long Beach, California, on three ships — Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, both former Costa Cruises’ vessels transformed into “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ships, and Carnival Radiance, a Sunshine-class ship.
The 5,260-guest Carnival Venezia sails seasonally from New York, while the 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze and 3,000-guest Carnival Radiance are based year-round at Long Beach, the port for Los Angeles.
“Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the East and West Coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line.
Sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Carnival Venezia in summer 2026 will offer four itineraries to Bermuda, with a choice of 1- to 3-day port calls at the island. The ship also will sail one Canada cruise, a 5-day voyage to the Nova Scotia ports of Halifax and Saint John, and several itineraries to the Caribbean.
Popular destinations such as Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key private destination on Grand Bahama Island, plus Turks & Caicos, Nassau, Bahamas, and Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas, are port calls on Caribbean voyages.
Carnival Venezia will arrive for her New York summer deployment after operating a series of winter cruises from Port Canaveral.
On the West Coast, voyages newly opened for sale include Carnival Firenze’s 3- and 4-day getaways to Ensenada, Mexico, and Catalina Island. The 3-day option is a weekend trip departing on Friday and calling at Ensenada. The 4-day cruise departs on Mondays and adds the call to Catalina Island.
Carnival Radiance offers a wider choice of Mexican Riviera cruises, and several departures of Carnival Journeys voyages to the Hawaiian Islands. The line opened bookings on seven 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii, calling at Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii.
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Docked in Long Beach
The just-opened Mexico sailings feature 3- and 4-day Baja Mexico cruises, calling at Ensenada and Catalina Island, plus longer, 5- and 6-day itineraries that call at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. One 8-day cruise will call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and La Paz.
Also based year-round at Long Beach but not included in the cruises newly opened for bookings is the 4,000-guest Carnival Panorama. Her 2026-27 roster of sailings includes mainly Mexican Riviera destinations.
Italian-Style Ships Sail From Both US Coasts
The Long Beach-based Carnival Firenze joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in February 2024 following a major refit. The ship entered service in 2019 as Costa Firenze, operated by sister line Costa Cruises.
As one of the line’s Fun Italian Style ships, Carnival Firenze was renovated to include Carnival’s signature offerings while keeping her Italian design — inspired by the Italian city of Florence. The dry dock refit added restaurants such as the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and the popular Guy’s Burger Joint.
Carnival Venezia, the first of the Italian-style ships, was transferred from the Costa Cruises fleet and introduced as a Carnival ship in March 2023. The Vista-class Costa ship was launched in 2018. The ship began sailing from New York in June 2023.
Like Carnival Firenze, Carnival Venezia retains her Italian charm, with an atrium designed to resemble the Piazza San Marco in Venice, and a Lido Deck design inspired by the Italian Riviera.
The new ship has now arrived at her Florida homeport, having been greeted with early morning fanfare as she sailed into Port Canaveral as the sun rose on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Disney Treasure sailed past Cocoa Beach and Jetty Park just at 6 a.m., gliding west to her berth at the dedicated Disney Cruise Line terminal. As she pulled into the port, her iconic horn sounded with familiar magical notes, and hundreds of Disney cast members, local media, and cruise ship spectators cheered her arrival.
Of course, Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie were also on hand for the ship’s arrival, ensuring she feels right at home at her central Florida homeport!
Disney Treasure‘s arrival in the Sunshine State marks the end of the vessel’s first transatlantic crossing. While the ship was not officially carrying passengers on the voyage from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, the journey was still a momentous one for the many crew members already onboard.
In fact, Disney Treasure has now already made her first at-sea rescue, having responded to an emergency call near Bermuda on Sunday, November 10. Ultimately, the ship saved four lives from a sinking catamaran.
Sailing into a new homeport for the first time is always a special occasion. Even though Disney Treasure will not welcome her first guests for several weeks, this is an important and momentous time for the crew members as well as onshore support staff who will service the vessel for each of her upcoming sailings.
The maiden voyage of Disney Treasure will set sail on December 21, 2024 – a Very Merrytime holiday sailing that will be doubly special as the ship’s inaugural sailing. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will visit Tortola, St. Thomas, and Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
Christening to Be Livestreamed for All Fans
The ship’s arrival to Port Canaveral is just one week ahead of her planned christening celebration. Interestingly, the ship will be named in New York City, a star-studded event that is sure to be filled with pure Disney magic.
A live stream of the christening, including its associated maritime traditions and unique moments that bring the ship into active service, will begin at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19.
While the exact details of the ship’s christening are being closely guarded, events that evening are sure to include homages to the theme of adventure aboard the vessel, as well as the unique shows and even the ship’s signature theme song.
Time-honored maritime traditions are also sure to be observed, such as solemn blessings for the safety of the ship, her crew, and all who sail on her in the years to come.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse Welcome Disney Treasure
Live music, samplers of onboard entertainment, and special guest appearances are often part of christening celebrations, along with the traditional champagne bottle smash.
The christening will take place in the days leading up to the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will feature a new Disney Cruise Line float – “Magic Meets the Seas.”
While the float is not specifically intended to showcase Disney Treasure, the entire Disney fleet will be portrayed in the design and Captain Minnie will be highlighted, along with other Disney, Marvel, and Pixar characters.
The 144,256-gross-ton Disney Treasure, sister ship to Disney Wish, can welcome 4,000 guests onboard at each sailing. The ship will be offering 7-night sailings with both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Depending on the sailing date and exact itinerary, the ship will be visiting such top ports as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Tortola, St. Thomas, and San Juan.
Onboard, guests will find amazing adventures to be had, including new shows, stunning new venues inspired by Disney favorites “Moana” and “Coco,” and an “Aladdin”-themed bow and atrium. Other favorite Disney tales have inspired stateroom décor, youth play areas, and much, much more.
After three cancelled cruises and plenty of worry for guests booked on the next sailing, Princess Cruises has confirmed that Regal Princess is now fully repaired and ready to welcome guests once again.
This means the planned November 17, 2024 departure will set sail as planned for her 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary. Homeported from Galveston, Texas, Regal Princess will be visiting Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel on this first sailing back in service, weather permitting.
“We’re reaching out with an important update about your upcoming Regal Princess Cruise departing from Galveston on Sunday, November 17,”the notification read.“We’re pleased to share that essential repairs on the ship have been successfully completed, and we are ready to welcome you aboard for your voyage.”
The October 27 and November 3 departures were cancelled to permit emergency repairs. While those repairs were completed, another issue developed with yet another power generator and the November 10 departure also had to be cancelled at the last minute.
“As you may be aware, three previous sailings were cancelled due to power generator issues,”the cruise line explained.“We understand the concerns these cancellations may have caused, but rest assured that Regal Princess is now fully operational, and we are ready to sail. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure the ship is fully prepared and up to our high standards of safety, comfort, and enjoyment.”
To be clear, at no time while the ship was sailing were safety or navigational systems compromised, and all repairs are now fully complete. The ship is certified as seaworthy and ready to return to service without any compromises or difficulty.
The 142-229-gross-ton, Royal class vessel can host 3,560 travelers on each voyage, and is also home to 1,300 international crew members to ensure everyone truly feels like royalty onboard.
Rash of Cruise Technical Problems
For cruise fans, it may seem as though there have been a recent rash of “technical difficulties” that have led to ships being removed from service.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas had “technical concerns” that required repairs while the ship was docked in Yokohama, which delayed the vessel’s return to Shanghai and cancelled the following cruise, the planned November 9, 2024 departure.
In late August, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista was removed from service for propulsion-related repairs that had been plaguing the ship for several weeks, disrupting port visits and causing delays. The ship returned to service for her September 15 departure and has been sailing smoothly ever since.
Carnival Vista Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
In late April and early May, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun had various technical issues, including malfunctioning air conditioning and power outages. This led to the ship being docked in Cartagena, Colombia and her Panama Canal transit rescheduled, though the cruise was not cancelled.
While so many problems for different ships of different cruise lines may seem concerning at first, it is important to remember that cruise ships are highly complex machines that run 24/7/365. Despite rigorous maintenance and inspection schedules, it is not surprising nor should it be unexpected that some problems can occur.
While cruise lines do not want to cancel sailings and disappoint guests, they do their best to keep everyone updated as much as possible and provide whatever information is available so travelers can adjust their plans as needed.
When cancellation is necessary, refunds are typically available, as well as additional compensation such as future cruise credits or discounts so guests can rebook their cruise vacations at a great value.
Cruise passengers are used to tropical storms and hurricanes impacting itineraries, and now, potential development in the western Caribbean is delaying the tugboat-driven relocation for the SS United States.
Okaloosa County, which is supervising the operations to move the once-iconic ocean liner from Philadelphia to Mobile for refitting as an artificial coral reef, released notice of the delayed departure just days before the ship was scheduled to get underway.
“Operations to move the SS United States (SSUS) have been delayed to ensure logistical details and procedures maintain ideal conditions for the move,”the statement read.“Okaloosa County is also monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could impede safe delivery of the vessel to its destination in Mobile, Alabama.”
While the tropical disturbance has not yet developed into an official tropical storm and is far from hurricane status, it is projected to get better organized and potentially develop in the coming days.
This could mean a tropical storm or late-season hurricane might move across the Gulf of Mexico over the next 2-3 weeks, just when the SS United States would be making her gentle way to the refurbishment yard.
No new date has been set, and undoubtedly it will be necessary to plan around tidal schedules, maritime traffic, tugboat and pilot availability, and other factors to ensure the ship can be moved as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Okaloosa County is aware of the extreme interest in this unique operation, and is dedicated to the vessel’s preservation and safe journey from Pennsylvania to Alabama.
“The County understands that there is considerable interest in the SS United States and her move from Pier 82 and that plans have been made by interested parties,”the statement read.“Like most large, multi-faceted operations, this move involves coordination with multiple agencies and dates, times, and other logistics are subject to change to make certain the vessel is moved safely.”
Viewing sites have been announced for the ship’s move, and different special events – including a viewing excursion – have been planned to commemorate the ship and her departure. Whether those events are rescheduled or not will be up to the individual organizers.
SS United States Docked in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Patty Ballay)
At this time, the ship remains docked at Pier 82 in Philadelphia, which has been her home since 1996. Once conditions are right for her move, the SS United States Conservancy will be sure to be on hand to record the historic occasion and permit interested parties and individuals to bear witness to the record-breaking ocean liner’s final journey.
Are Any Cruise Ships Affected by the Same Bad Weather?
While the tropical disturbance area is of concern for such a delicate operation as moving the decaying ocean liner, no currently in service cruise ships are yet impacted by the potential stormy weather.
It is far too early to predict exactly how any tropical system may develop or where its movements may take it in relation to popular cruise ports of call, homeports, or transit routes.
Nevertheless, guests with sailings booked in the Western Caribbean over the next week or two will want to stay in touch with their cruise line for potential updates and adjustments as needed.
Ports of call that could conceivably be impacted include including Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. Depending on any storm movement, homeports along the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida might also be impacted.
Tipping on a cruise is a divisive topic. Some say you always should. Some say you shouldn’t. Then there’s the way individual cruise lines complicate the matter.
Some include auto-gratuities in your final bill at the end of the cruise, but some include auto-gratuities for some services and not others.
Some put auto-gratuities on your dinner or drinks bill. Others say they’re “gratuities included.” So how do you know if you’re on a gratuities-included cruise and should you tip on a gratuities-included cruise? Here’s what you need to know.
Generally, no. You should not tip on a gratuities-included cruise. However, there are specific instances where gratuities may not actually be included (like at the spa) and instances where some cruisers still may tip, even if it’s not expected.
For the most part, though, when a cruise is gratuities-included, it really is — you don’t have to worry about tipping. That said, there are differences between gratuities-included cruises and auto-gratuity cruises, and there can be some confusion, which is why we’re looking at this topic more in-depth.
Auto Gratuities: The Standard
Cruise Ship Gratuities on the Bed
First, let’s quickly define auto gratuities, so you can see the difference between auto gratuities and gratuities included.
On an auto-gratuities cruise, gratuities are automatically added into bills for “extra” purchases, like specialty dining, bar purchases and spa services — think of anything you can choose or choose not to purchase, and that’s not automatically included in your cruise fare.
Meanwhile, gratuities for the services everyone on the cruise enjoys by nature — such as the service of a cabin steward — are automatically added to your final bill, at the end of your cruise.
It is possible to choose not to pay auto-gratuities. However, you will have to ask for those gratuities to be removed from your bill, usually by going to guest services and providing a reason for why those gratuities shouldn’t be paid. Do note, though, that this practice is frowned upon in most circles.
The auto gratuities system is the standard for most mainstream cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
For example, on Carnival Cruise Line, service gratuities for stateroom attendants and dining and culinary service staff are automatically charged at a rate of $16 per person, per day, when staying in standard staterooms, and at a rate of $18 per person, per day, when staying in suite staterooms. Then, gratuities for dining and drinks are automatically added to your bill at the time of purchase, at a rate of 18%.
On Royal Caribbean, the process is very similar. Gratuities for on-board purchases like room service, specialty dining and alcoholic beverages are added automatically to your bill at the time, at a rate of 18%.
Meanwhile, an overall service gratuity for services like those offered by a stateroom attendant is automatically added to your final bill at the end of the cruise, at a rate of $18 per guest per day for those staying in standard staterooms, and at a rate of $20.50 per guest per day for those staying in suite staterooms.
Tipping on Auto-Gratuity Cruises
Cash Tipping on Carnival Cruise Line
On many of these cruise lines that employ an auto-gratuity process, you’re already technically tipping those around you that you would normally tip, so, so long as you don’t actively ask for the gratuities to be removed from your bills, you can rest assure that you’re doing your tipping duty.
However, this fact doesn’t stop some cruisers from going above and beyond and tipping individuals like a favorite bartender or butler a little extra at the beginning of the cruise, in hopes of getting better service (whether or not this actually works varies, according to whom you ask).
Included Gratuities: A Luxury Cruise Line Alternative
Seven Seas Grandeur Cruise Ship
While they might seem fairly similar, included gratuities is not the same thing as auto-gratuities.
When your cruise line offers included gratuities, it means that the gratuities are already all bundled into the cost of your cruise. There are no auto-gratuities that will be added at the end of your bill, and no gratuities that you need to worry about paying at all, except for in very special circumstances (which we’ll get into, with certain cruise lines where this is a concern).
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Instead, all you’re paying is your cruise fare. The cruise line itself ensures that crew members are being fairly paid, so there’s no need for you to supplement those wages with a tip.
In fact, some cruise lines will actively encourage you not to tip at all. Instead, they see amazing service as just part of your cruise experience, and you shouldn’t have to worry about when and how and how much to tip, in thanks for that amazing service.
So, which cruise lines take this approach? And should you really not plan to tip at all when you’re on these cruise lines? These are some of the major cruise lines that include gratuities in the price of your cruise fare and what you should expect in regards to tipping.
Azamara
Azamara says that “all tips and gratuities are included in every cruise fare.” But does that mean you should really, as the cruise line instructs, “leave your wallet behind”?
According to cruisers, there’s really no need to ip, though it can be sometimes appreciated. However, if you’re just tipping in order to get special treatment, then don’t bother. You’ll pretty much get the same treatment whether or not you tip, and the crew certainly does not expect you to tip for anything.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises included certain gratuities in your cruise fare, but not all gratuities. Your cruise fare will cover gratuities for your butler, room steward, assistant steward and all bar and dining staff, including staff at specialty restaurants.
However, gratuities are not covered for other service personnel, such as those working in the spa or salon. There, you’ll want to tip at least the minimum suggested 18% of your bill total (though this gratuity charge may be automatically added to your spa or salon bill, so look out for that and don’t accidentally tip extra on top of it).
Additionally, while not expected, it is possible to add gratuity to other on-board purchases.
P&O Cruises
Prior to 2019, P&O Cruises had an auto-gratuity tipping policy similar to the ones discussed above, for both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. You would pay around $7 for each person per day, and that was your automatic gratuity fee.
That said, many cruisers on P&O Cruises still report saying that they tip crew members such as cabin stewards, waiters, bartenders, etc., at either the beginning of the cruise, in order to perhaps inspire better service, or at the end of the cruise, to reward exceptional service.
This is a personal choice, though, and it’s not at all expected or required.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
As an ultra-luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas bundles quite a lot into your cruise fare, so there’s as little for you to worry about as possible, once you’re onboard the ship. These inclusions include, of course, your gratuity, and there’s no automatic gratuity charge.
The one sole instance where your gratuities are not included in your cruise fare, are if you go purchase a service at the spa. In these cases, you do need to tip your service provider.
Silversea
Like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea is another gratuities-included luxury cruise line. There’s no tipping whatsoever required while you’re on this line’s ships, even for those crew members that seem to go above and beyond, like your butler.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages brands itself as an “almost” all-inclusive cruise line, with lots of inclusions ranging from free WiFi to ample dining. Among those inclusion is, of course, gratuities.
As such, there’s no expectation to tip anyone while you’re on these cruises. Even spa staff gratuities are covered on Virgin Voyages, which isn’t the case on a handful of other cruise lines that claim all gratuities are included.
In fact, Virgin Voyages as a brand is so anti-tipping that, if you fill out a feedback survey at the end of your cruise, you may be asked if anyone solicited a tip from you (something Virgin Voyages frowns heavily upon)!
If you want to tip on Virgin Voyages, the only way you can do so is via cash, as there’s no option to add gratuities to your cruise account.
Tipping on a Gratuities-Included Cruise: The Crew Welfare Fund
If you do really want to tip on a gratuities-included cruise, you may want to consider asking guest services if the cruise line has a crew welfare fund.
This is sometimes a fund that takes tips or, essentially donations, and then the cruise line distributes the funds among the crew and uses the funds to purchase things that the crew might need.
For example, these funds might go toward crewmember group meals or excursions, or giving them something “extra” they otherwise might not have access to.
It essentially improves the quality of life for all crew members on the ship, not just those in visible service roles. Think line cooks, laundry staff, maintenance staff and others who wouldn’t normally get any tips at all.
You might also choose to use the end-of-cruise feedback form to leave certain crew members particularly nice feedback. Be sure to mention them by name. This is often very appreciated and can sometimes even help lead to a bonus or promotion for that crew member!
Still feel bad about not tipping? Don’t. Many crew members report that, on cruise lines that include gratuities in their fares, they actually get paid more than they would on cruise lines where auto-gratuities are accepted or where tipping is the norm.
Which Option is Better: Gratuities-Included or Auto-Gratuities?
Viking Sun, now Viking Yi Dun (Photo Credit: Sam Davids)
It really depends on who you ask.
On one hand, if you really don’t want to pay gratuities for whatever reason (not recommended), you can really only remove gratuities from your cruise cost on auto-gratuity cruise lines, and then be prepared to go to guest services in order to do so.
On the other hand, if you do plan on tipping during your cruise, note that the auto-gratuity cruise lines may end up costing you more than you originally expected.
Since these cruise lines don’t include gratuity in their base fares, and only end up charging you gratuity at the very end of your cruise, you could find that you end up paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars more for your cruise experience, than you originally expected.
In contrast, the gratuities-included cruise lines offer fares that are much more up-front and transparent. There won’t be a surprise gratuity bill on your debarkation day. Additionally, it just makes the cruising experience easier when you don’t have to worry about tipping.
