We are very excited to be going on our first cruise, Carnival Freedom, on Jan 29, 2011. We (my husband and I and my 3 year and 12 year old) have an inside cabin I am aware you have to pay gratuities $10 a day, so that will be $80 each for the trip. Do the kids also have to pay $10 a day?

Karen after reading the gratuities policy at carnival.com in the FAQ section I think yes each guest, and that would include the children, will have $10/day added to your sail and sign account. You may, by going to the guest services desk modify that. I have only once done that and it was to increase my tip. I now increase my tips using cash directly to the cast or crew. As you consider this be reminded that housekeeping is working harder to keep your cabin clean and nice with 2 children, the wait staff works for them as well. But if you do not get really great service talk to guest services and see what they can do.

You will really enjoy the cruise. I think you will agree that $10/day per guest is really reasonable when you see how hard they work. And ask for stuff !!! They want to make your cruise the best. Look and ask about special stuff, I know you can meet one of the dance crew if you know when to do it. Your kids may love that.

Bon Voyage and oh Yes Welcome to Cruise Chat

Hi Karen 69er, welcome to Cruise-Chat! Congratulations on your up-coming cruise! I believe CruiseDad is correct, it is $10/pp per day. I know it sounds high, but it really isn't. It goes into a pool and people you don't even see, but do things for you, receive a share. There are pros and cons and many people think it should be included in your cruise fare. However, that would just raise the price of the cruise.

For example, we went behind the scenes on our Epic cruise. The laundry room was bustling with people we never saw on deck. 12 hour days for the staff. They were washing, drying, ironing, folding sheets, towels, pillow cases, napkins, etc. On top of that they take care of the crew's laundry as well as the passengers. Then we went to the garbage recycle area. The glass and plastic and cans are sorted by hand, then placed into the appropriate machines. And the list goes on and on, things you never even think of.

I totally agree with CruiseDad, you'll be amazed at the service. I'd go out walking at 5 am, there would be staff out washing every window, handrail, deck area, placing all the chairs out, filling and preparing all the self-service drink machines, yet smiling and greeting you when you walk by. NCL was $12/pp per day, but we ended up giving extra to our cabin steward and a couple of the bar tenders.

Just remember, it's always your option and you can adjust the tips at anytime by visiting Guest Services (the purser's desk).

Hope you and your family will have a marvelous cruise. I have a feeling you'll come back addicted like the rest of us http://cruise-chat.com/groupee_commo.../icon_wink.gif http://bestsmileys.com/waving/7.gif

I thought the 3rd and 4th passengers per cabin paid a reduced rate ($7) but the FAQ on the carnival site no longer says that. Not sure when that changed as our last couple of cruises we have been getting a second cabin for our girls since they are getting old enough to need their own space.

I think that the thought was that the extra 2 people in the cabin did not add that much to the work load of the stewards or wait staff. But unless they are infants, they are still served in the dinning room and still are picked up after in the cabin. So maybe they changed the policy to reflect that.

Can anyone confirm that all 4 people in a cabin pay the same amount?

Yes, this is correct.

Thank you for your input. I do realize what the gratuties include. I just did not want to go on the tip and have an surpirse when I was being charged full price for the kids.

Just a follow up for future readers - Guests under 2 years of age are not charged the Gratuities.

I can confirm Dwayne's last post. I have taken my daughter on a few cruises. When she was 6 months and 1 year - no gratuities. After she turned 2, her title changed from "Infant" to "Miss" and then they started charging.

Yes, it is $10 per person.

We are a family of four and have always gladly paid these tips (plus have given more).

These men and women do a remarkable job.

But most importantly, cruise lines (not just Carnival) uses gratuities as the way to pay these employees.

So these are not "tips" in the true sense of the word....this is their salary.

If people do not tip, these individuals do not get paid.

Personally, I wish Carnival would call them what they truly are....service surcharges and include them at the time of purchase like they did the fuel surcharges.

I agree to an extent Linda... Yes we always pay them and many times give extra to those that provide great service but I don't think they should be included in the price. They are (at least at this time) considered a gratuity so they are removable or can be adjusted. If they forced you to pay them as part of your cruise fare then they no longer be a gratuity, they become a true surcharge and then the motivation for working for the tip is removed.

I would like them to make it better known that this charge is going to show up when you book a cruise so that you can at least see the total cost.