Another Carnival cruise brand abruptly raised its daily tips for crew members.
According to Princess Cruises' website, the new rate for standard cabins is $18 USD per person. Passengers staying in Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection cabins now pay a daily rate of $19 USD, while the new suite gratuity is $20 USD.
Previously, the rates were $17 USD for standard staterooms, $18 USD for Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection cabins, and $19 USD for suites. The last time Princess Cruises raised gratuities was in August 2024.
Known as "Crew Appreciation" aboard Princess' fleet, the daily gratuity is automatically added to everyone's onboard accounts "...to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of all our guests. The crewmembers eligible to receive these funds work in various departments, many of whom rotate among different ships, throughout our fleet of ships."
Passengers can prepay the daily gratuities through the online cruise manager portal (or by reaching out to their travel agent). Guests can also adjust the crew appreciation amount on the ship. It can only be adjusted before disembarkation and is non-refundable afterward.
"In the unlikely event you remain dissatisfied for any reason, the Crew Appreciation is subject to adjustment, at your discretion, at any time during the cruise up to the time you settle your onboard account prior to disembarkation. If you do not choose to adjust this daily charge while on board, your payment becomes final and nonrefundable," the website clarifies.
Read more: 11 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping
Princess Cruises also raised the onboard service charge for food and beverage purchases
Princess Cruises' website also states that the onboard service charge for food and beverage purchases was suddenly increased from 18% to 20%.
"A nonrefundable Service Charge of 20% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the cruise fare," the website says.
Recently, Princess also quietly increased the shipping prices for its cruise medallions. Effective Feb. 27, the cruise line increased the fee for shipping its tech-savvy medallions to passengers’ homes.
The cost rose from $10 to $20 for deliveries to the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and from $15 to $25 for shipments to Canadian residences. Alternatively, guests can pick up their medallions free of charge during embarkation.
Carnival Cruise Line raised its daily gratuity charges in February
Carnival Cruise Line, which is owned by the same parent company as Princess Cruises, increased its daily gratuity charges in February.
Effective April 2, 2026, the cruise line will increase the daily gratuity to $17.00 per person for standard cabins and $19.00 per person for suites. The gratuity rate applies to all cruise passengers, regardless of age.
Carnival cruisers were informed of the change in an email sent on Monday, February 2:
"We are writing to let you know that we will be changing the price for Bottomless Bubbles (for adults only – there is no price change for children) and adjusting the onboard gratuity guidelines, effective April 2, 2026, as outlined below. However, we will honor the existing price for both if purchased prior to the adjustment."
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
