A false claim spreading on social media has Carnival’s brand ambassador John Heald responding directly.
A cruise influencer with over 100,000 followers has been telling people that the gratuities passengers pay actually count toward crew base salaries instead of being extra money on top of what they’re paid.
Heald wasn’t mincing words. He’s fielded this question over 50 times in recent days, and he wanted to clear it up once and for all. The claim is false.
Here’s What Actually Happens With Your Tips
When you pay gratuities on Carnival, that money goes directly to crew members. It’s not deducted from their pay. It’s not used to offset what Carnival would otherwise pay them.
Crew members keep all the gratuities, whether you prepay them, charge them to your onboard account, or hand over cash during the cruise.
Carnival charges $16 per person, per day in standard cabins and $18 per person, per day in suites. These gratuities get shared among dining staff, housekeeping, culinary team, and other service departments.
Why This Matters
Cruise ship crew members depend on gratuities. Base salaries are low, and tips can make up as much as 95 percent of what service staff actually take home. That money is real income, and it goes directly to the people who serve you.
If you want to tip extra in cash during your cruise, that stays with the crew member you give it to. No middleman, no deductions.
Heald’s advice is simple: go straight to the cruise line for accurate information instead of relying on social media claims, no matter how many followers someone has.
