Carnival Cruise Paradise Tipping?

Question

My husband and I are taking our children ages 4 and 12 yrs old. It's our first cruise. In regards to tipping, it seems to be extremley expensive for us especially since it's 4 of us and at $10. for 4 days adds up to $160. just on tips!! Will the staff also charge for the kids at check in? If that's the case I will have to forget about some excursions and activities for our kids.

Answer 1

Yes. Tipping is always a bummer at the end of your trip, but it's the right thing to do... as these people work their #$% off to pamper you .  If you take some time to talk to any one of them, you'll realize how important it is to tip.  They work months at a time to send money home to their families and the cruise liner pay them very little.  You dont' have to tip over and above the recommended amount (although it would be nice for the people who go that extra mile).   I've done the 4 day the Royal Carib. cruise out of LA several times... it's lots of fun and worth it.  Kids don't have to pay at check in-

Answer 2

That's a great question. I'm going on the paradise (04/14) with my wife and two kids (10, 7) and was debating on whether or not to tip the full $160. I think I'm going to pay $100 up front and if the service is great...I'll add the additional $60 at the end of the trip. Good luck!

Answer 3

Don't tip for the kids...that's what I'd do. Tip extra for the important things, like the guy who cleans your room. You want to be friends with him.

Answer 4

well tipping is a personal thing . Carnival puts the tip on your sign and sail account , but you can go to the info desk and adjust them any way you want. I prefer to tip my people personally so on the last night I have all the tip removed , and tip people according to the level of service I received.. once I had them removed on the 2nd day of the cruise and I got the worst service ever from my room steward..live and learn..

Answer 5

Carnival charges your on-board account for tips the moment you board.  Carnival charges tips for every guest that boards and although their literature says they don't charge for infants, you have to go to the purser's office to get them to credit the tips for infants (less than 2 years old).

The service staff does work very hard, even to service the kids.

For budgeting purposes, be aware of these items that are not included in your fare--

- Tips. $10 per day/per guest

- Bar drinks - $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity

- Sodas.  $1.75 per can or soda fountain card. $35-45 per guest for the week.

- Photos. $20-25 per sheet.

- Bingo. $5-10 per card

- Spa - $50-200 per service

- Shore excursions. $50-200

- Casino - $$$$

- Shopping in port, tipping shore excursion personnel

- Parking/shuttle/taxi to port

- Tips for luggage porters, $1 per bag.

Don't freak out...with exception to the tips (and new fuel surchage), everything above is optional.  

My sister uses a cash account when she boards that way she only spends her allotted budget on extras instead of going home with a massive credit card bill.

Answer 6

Okay, here's the deal. Carnival will aunomatically charge your sail and sign a certain amount of money for tipping each person. Their suggested tips are a lot, and they want you to tip the maitre d' who really does nothing. So, if you go to the purser's desk on the ship, you can ask to have the charges for tips removed and then tip the people yourself. I was just on a Carnival cruise myself with kids and the kid workers are VERY good, but it's up to you who you want to tip. Have fun!!!

Answer 7

Do you tip for your children's meals when you go out to eat?

Yes, you are expected to tip for your children - they get the same service you do.  Their meals are served, their beds are made, their room is cleaned, etc., etc.  Tips are part of the budget you need to allow when you cruise.

Depending on where you are going, you may be able to save some money on excursions by making your own arrangements and do things that are less-expensive.  You can get some ideas about that by going to CruiseCritic.com.  Click on "Boards", then "Ports of Call".

I hope you have a great cruise.

Answer 8

If you figure that for ever how long your cruise is, that you are waited on almost constantly the tips do not seem out of line. The room people clean, straighen and fetch 3-4 times a day. The food service people go out of thier way to make it a pleasurable event. If your kids dont like thier dinner, they get something else. It isnt like tipping at say olive garden, where youre lucky if the refill your glass. You will get excellent service, and after your time on the boat you might feel differently. After 7 cruises I actually find $10 a day a bargin, even when there are 4 in a room