Carnival Cruise Line To Raise Gratuities And Soda Package Prices From April 2026

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Carnival Cruise Line has begun notifying booked guests and travel agents about upcoming price increases that will affect onboard gratuities and its popular Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda package.

Carnival Alchemy Bar

The changes will take effect from 2nd April 2026, but passengers who pre-pay before that date will be able to secure the current, lower pricing, regardless of when their cruise actually departs.

According to the email sent to guests and agents, Carnival is adjusting both daily gratuity guidelines and the adult price for its soda package next spring.

“We are writing to let you know that we will be changing the price for Bottomless Bubbles (for adults only – there is no price change for children) and adjusting the onboard gratuity guidelines, effective April 2, 2026,” the email notification confirmed.

“However, we will honor the existing price for both if purchased prior to the adjustment.”

Gratuity Rates Increasing Across All Stateroom Types

Under the current structure, Carnival Cruise Line charges daily gratuities of $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day for suite accommodations when paid in advance.

From 2nd April 2026, both rates will rise by $1 per person, per day. This represents a 6.25% increase for standard staterooms and a 5.55% increase for suites. Once the change takes effect, guests will pay $17 per person, per day in standard cabins and $19 per person, per day in suites.

Guests who pre-pay gratuities before the April deadline will retain the existing rates, even if their sailing takes place well into the future. Carnival continues to allow guests to adjust gratuities onboard at their discretion, unlike some cruise lines that have moved to fully fixed service charges.

Bottomless Bubbles Soda Package Also Set For Price Rise

Alongside the gratuity adjustment, Carnival will also increase the adult price of its Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda package.

Currently priced at $9.50 per adult per day, the package will rise to $11.99 per adult per day from 2nd April 2026. That is an increase of $2.49 per day, or approximately 26%. There is no change to the children’s price.

Soda dispenser

The Bottomless Bubbles package will still be subject to Carnival’s 20% service charge. While the percentage itself is unchanged, the higher base price means guests will pay around 50 cents more per day in service charges once the new rate applies.

As with gratuities, guests who purchase the soda package in advance before 2nd April will keep the lower price. Pre-payment can be completed through Carnival’s website for individual bookings or by contacting a travel agent.

Part Of A Wider Industry Trend

Carnival Cruise Line is not alone in increasing onboard charges in 2026. Margaritaville at Sea announced a gratuity increase effective 1st February, with mandatory daily gratuities now set at $22 per person, per day. Unlike Carnival, those charges cannot be adjusted or removed by guests.

Carnival’s move was widely expected, as the cruise line last raised gratuity rates on 1st April 2023. Going nearly three years without an adjustment is relatively uncommon within the cruise industry.

It is also worth noting that Carnival increased its mandatory service charge from 18% to 20% in late 2025. That charge applies to drink packages, individual beverage purchases, speciality dining and other onboard services, but it is separate from daily gratuities.

With Carnival now announcing its own increase, it is likely that other cruise lines will review their gratuity structures in the months ahead. At present, some major operators still have comparatively lower daily rates, but history suggests that gratuity prices tend to move in one direction only.

For guests, pre-paying remains the most reliable way to lock in the lowest possible cost, as while future increases are never guaranteed, reductions in gratuity rates are extremely rare.

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1 thought on “Carnival Cruise Line To Raise Gratuities And Soda Package Prices From April 2026”

  1. newo

    Just phoned Cunard UK. Cannot pre-pay gratuities – these are always added to the bill at the end of each cruise.
    5th February 2026

    Reply

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