Should Cruise Tips Be Optional or Mandatory? Carnival Guests Have Strong Opinions

In recent years, the subject of tips and tipping has gotten brutally controversial: how much to tip, when to tip, whom to tip, even how to offer a tip.

Gratuities on cruise ships are no different, and one sure way to spark a firestorm on any social media page, forum, or message group is to ask about removing gratuities.

In a thought-provoking move, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has asked exactly that.

Heald often has daily polls on his popular Facebook page, opening up a variety of questions and options to his more than 645,000 followers.

These polls are often lighthearted, curious, or offer a perspective on other guests’ questions or comments.

On Thursday, October 16, however, Heald’s poll has a more serious and strongly controversial note, with just two options.

“Removal. Please check the box that applies to you,” Heald asked.

The question concerns the automatic gratuities added to every cruise guest’s onboard account and whether or not travelers should continue to have the ability to remove that automatic charge if preferred.

The poll does follow a guest’s comment to Heald, as the “I AGREE” choice echoes that initial question.

“John. Talking to many cruisers and we all feel the same. Nobody should be allowed to remove the gratuities on board,” the option reads. “If they have had a problem with service, then they can complain when they get home and give a plausible reason why gratuity should be removed. But doing it on the ship should not be allowed.”

While it would be logistically impossible for the cruise line to reverse automatic charges after a sailing ends, as the guest suggests, the intention is clear: this guest believes no one should be able to remove automatic gratuities.

The second option is “I DO NOT AGREE” and indicates that guests should always have the option to adjust gratuities.

“It should be our right to remove gratuities if we wish to do so whether it be to give the same or more in cash or because we have had a concern,” the explanation reads.

In just a few hours, more than 7,300 votes have been cast. Of those, more than 4,700 (65%) believe gratuities should be required and unable to be removed. More than 2,500 (35%) think the decision should always be up to the traveler and the removal option should remain.

More than 800 comments have also been posted in response to the poll, showcasing a wide range of very firm convictions on the tipping debate.

First of all, no one disputes that the vast majority of Carnival crew members work hard to deliver fantastically fun cruise vacations for all guests.

What is disputed is whether the automatic gratuities are, in fact, gratuities or more closely resemble a resort fee or service charge.

For tax purposes, each of these designations has different implications both for the company and the employee.

Regardless, the result is the same for guests: a hefty charge they’re expected to pay after already paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for their cruise fare and other expenses.

At the moment, Carnival Cruise Line’s tips are $16 per person, per day in standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day in suites. Tips are assessed on all guests except children younger than 2 years old.

How Guests Really Feel

The two top-voted comments have strong views opposite of what the vote results say.

“Honestly… I’m really tired of seeing this question. Gratuity should not be automatic, a gratuity is a tip, and a tip should be earned,” one guest noted. “The tipping culture in the US has gotten out of control, and should never be mandatory.”

The guest goes on to say no one ought to be ridiculed for whoever they choose to tip. Overall, more than 115 other commenters agree with the post.

Another popular comment with more than 50 positive reactions compares cruise ship tipping to other service professions.

“Do you tip the dishwasher at a restaurant? Or the cook? Or the busboy? No? Then don’t prepay these tips. The workers are paid a salary.

They don’t see tips on their checks. Hand them cash if service was excellent,” the guest suggested.

Some guests also suggest that if Carnival wants to make gratuities mandatory and unable to be removed, the cruise line needs to provide better service.

It’s yet another controversial debate about whether or not Carnival Cruise Line’s service has slipped in recent years, from reductions in stateroom service to less expansive menus to inadequate responses to unruly guests.

All cruise lines have long maintained that the automatic gratuities are a convenience for guests, ensuring that the “correct” amount is distributed to various crew members. This includes behind-the-scenes individuals who might not otherwise receive an in-person tip.

That policy itself adds to the controversy, as many guests wonder if crew members who do not interact directly with guests should be part of the tipping structure at all.