Carnival Cruise Line Quietly Raises Service Charges. Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

Cruisers sailing with Carnival may notice a small but meaningful change on their next vacation: the automatic service charge on onboard purchases has increased from 18% to 20%. While a 2% jump may seem minor at first glance, it can noticeably impact your onboard budget — especially if you enjoy cocktails, specialty dining, or spa days at sea.

Here’s everything travelers need to know, including what this service fee covers, why it exists, and how to plan your spending more smartly.

What Exactly Is the New 20% Service Charge?

Carnival adds a mandatory service charge to many onboard purchases that fall outside of your standard cruise fare. This updated 20% fee now applies to:

• Individual alcoholic beverages

• Non-alcoholic specialty drinks

• The CHEERS! drink package

• Specialty dining restaurants

• Spa services

• Bottled-water packages, gift items, and certain in-room amenities

This fee is automatically added at checkout — both when pre-purchasing and when buying onboard.

It’s important to note that this service charge is separate from Carnival’s daily gratuities, which are the per-day tips assigned to your cabin steward and main dining room team.

What the Service Charge Is Used For

While cruise lines don’t break down every dollar publicly, the service charge is generally used to:

1. Support Staff Who Provide Premium Services

This includes bartenders, bar servers, specialty-restaurant waitstaff, spa personnel, and the behind-the-scenes teams who help deliver these experiences.

2. Offset Labor Costs for Optional Onboard Experiences

The service charge helps standardize compensation for staff working in bars, lounges, restaurants, and spa facilities, ensuring they receive a fair share of gratuities from guests who use their services.

3. Maintain Service Quality Across High-Demand Areas

Bars and specialty venues operate at peak hours with high guest traffic. The fee supports staffing levels needed to keep wait times low and service quality consistent.

4. Ensure Equity Across Departments

While daily gratuities cover core hospitality staff, the service charge ensures that employees working in revenue-based departments also receive consistent tip pooling.

How This Change Affects Travelers

Even small increases can add up quickly on a cruise. Here’s what the new 20% service charge means for you:

• A $10 cocktail now costs $12 instead of $11.80.

• A $120 specialty dining experience for two now becomes $144 instead of $141.60.

• Drink packages, which already total a significant part of many guests’ budgets, will now reflect the higher service charge when purchased.

For families or groups, the difference can be noticeable over the course of a weeklong cruise.

Tips for Managing the New Service Charge

1. Pre-Purchase Packages When Possible

Packages may offer better overall value compared to paying drink-by-drink — especially with a 20% fee applied to single purchases.

2. Set an Onboard Spending Budget

Knowing the new service-charge rate ahead of time helps you forecast expenses more accurately.

3. Take Advantage of Included Options

Don’t forget: Carnival still includes a wide range of complimentary beverages, meals, and entertainment options — all of which help keep your budget balanced.

4. Pick and Choose Premium Experiences

Instead of buying multiple specialty dining meals or spa treatments, choose the one or two splurges that feel most worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

Carnival’s updated 20% service charge may seem like a small change, but its impact becomes more noticeable over multiple purchases throughout your cruise. The fee helps support the hardworking crew members who elevate onboard experiences in bars, restaurants, and spa areas but it also means travelers should be more mindful of their vacation budget.

With a little planning (and maybe a few strategic pre-purchases), you can still enjoy all the extras that make cruising feel special without overspending.