Carnival Cruise Line sent an advisory to inform guests of a $1 increase in gratuities starting on April 2, 2026.

The company also said that it will increase the daily cost of its Bottomless Bubbles beverage package for adults.

“The last time we did this was in April 2023, so now the gratuities go from $16 per day to $17 per day, while for guests in suites it goes from $18 to $19 per day,” said the company’s Brand Ambassador John Heald.

The increase does not apply to the ships sailing in Australia, which have gratuities already included in the cruise fare.

Heald explained that all the money goes to the ship’s crew, denying rumors that gratuities are used to pay crew salaries.

“That’s absolutely not true. All the pennies you give are kept by the crew, and thank you for that,” he said in a video aimed at the company’s guests.

“When you give these gratuities to the crew, it’s a personal thing. If you decide that a crew member is not worthy of those gratuities, that’s up to you,” Heald continued.

“But I’m glad to say that it’s still a very small minority of people who do remove gratuities and give nothing,” he said.

Heald added that a raise in gratuities is an opportunity for guests to say “a huge thank you” to crew members.

“These crew members all have the same common denominator, and that is that they are not just looking after themselves, but they are creating a better world for their families.”

According to Carnival’s advisory, the Bottomless Bubbles package will also see a cost increase for adults starting in early April.

Currently being offered for $9.99 per person per day, the package will be available for $11.99 per person per day. A 20 percent service charge applies.

Carnival noted that the price for children (17 and under) remains unchanged at $6.95 plus service charge per person, per day.

One of the company’s unlimited beverage package options, Bottomless Bubbles offers all-you-can-drink soft drinks and juices.

The company noted it will honor the existing price for gratuities and the package if purchased prior to the adjustment.