Carnival Raising Daily Gratuities and Bottomless Bubbles
The beginning of the year always seems to bring a flurry of price increase announcements as cruise lines set themselves up for a profitable year. This year is no different. Today, Carnival announced upcoming changes to its daily gratuities and soda packages.
Daily Gratuity Increases by 6%
Like most cruise lines, Carnival charges guests a daily gratuity that goes toward the staff on the ship. It covers people you interact with regularly, like your waiters in the main dining room or your room steward, as well as people in back-of-house positions, such as busboys in the buffet or laundry staff.
The fee is calculated per person per day and can either be prepaid before the sailing or charged to the onboard account once on the ship. Guests can alter these gratuities while onboard by visiting Guest Services.
Previously, the cost was $16 per person per day. Effective April 2, 2026, the gratuities for standard cabins will increase by 6% to $17 per day. Suites will increase to $19 per day.
These gratuities add up quickly. For a family of four on a seven night cruise, that is an additional $476 on top of the cruise fare.
Carnival last increased daily gratuities in January 2023, when fees went up by 9% to 10%, depending on cabin category. Still, they’re one of the cruise lines with the lowest daily gratuities.
Bottomless Bubbles Increases by 26%
At the same time, Carnival will be increasing the cost of its soda package, known as Bottomless Bubbles.
The price of the package for adults will increase from $9.50 per day to $11.99 per day, a 26% increase. Guests will also be charged an automatic gratuity of 20% at the time of purchase.
For children ages 17 and under, there will be no price increase. The package will remain $6.95 per day, plus the 20% gratuity.
Carnival last increased the price of Bottomless Bubbles in April 2022, when it rose by 11%.
Lock In Current Prices Before April 2
Guests still have time to avoid these increases. Travelers can lock in the current prices by prepaying gratuities or purchasing Bottomless Bubbles no later than April 1, 2026.
After that date, the new pricing will apply to all sailings.
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