A Cruise Bartender Says He Made $900 In Tips

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$900 in tips. In one single day.

That’s what one former cruise ship bartender says he made behind the bar. And yes, it’s sparked a lot of debate.

Tipping is a big part of cruise life. Bartenders are front and centre, chatting, mixing, remembering your name and your drink order. The good ones can earn very well.

Carnival bartender claims $900 daily tips

But Juan David Daza, who you might recognise from 90 Day Fiancé, claims there were days he walked away with $900 in tips alone.

So is that realistic… or is there more to the story?

From Cruise Ship Bar to Reality TV

Juan, who hails from Cali, Colombia, met his now-fiancée Jessica from Wyoming during a March 2020 cruise, just before sailings paused due to the global shutdown.

At the time, Juan was working at the ship’s casino bar, where his engaging personality and charm caught Jessica’s attention.

“Scout’s honor, we didn’t even hook up. Not even a peck,” Jessica said during the show, explaining that their initial connection was purely friendly.

After months of border closures, Jessica visited Juan in Colombia, and their relationship blossomed.

The couple became engaged on 16th January 2023, later welcoming their first child together.

Juan has since relocated to Wyoming to live with Jessica and her two sons, although he has often expressed a desire to return to life at sea.

It Is Thought That Juan Worked for Carnival

While Juan has never officially named the cruise line he worked for, clues strongly suggest he was part of Carnival Cruise Line’s bar staff.

In multiple photos, Juan wears a name tag matching Carnival’s style, with the logo blurred but still recognisable.

Carnival bartender

His Instagram also includes shots in front of Carnival Conquest and Carnival Paradise, both of which operate short, value-focused Caribbean itineraries.

Although not confirmed by Carnival, the evidence aligns with his tenure on these ships during his three years working at sea.

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$900 a Day in Tips – Is It Possible?

Juan’s claim came during the Season 11 Tell-All of 90 Day Fiancé, where he revealed to host Shaun Robinson:

“In a good day, probably $900 in one day.”

With typical contracts lasting six months, even a fraction of that daily earning rate could result in a substantial income.

At $900 a day, the total would reach $164,700 in tips alone – though Juan stressed this was not his everyday reality.

Of course, it would also depend on the ship, the itinerary, the bar location and the passenger demographic. Not every bartender is walking away with numbers like that.

It’s also worth noting that Carnival Conquest and Carnival Paradise operate shorter 3- to 5-day cruises, which are less expensive than sailings on the line’s flagship Excel-class ships.

This raises the question: could bartenders on larger, newer vessels earn even more due to higher passenger spending?

Charm and Strategy Behind the Bar

Juan attributes much of his success to more than just mixing drinks.

He told producers that eye contact and a well-timed wink were part of his approach, especially when interacting with female guests.

“It always works,” he said, noting that many passengers come onboard looking to relax and enjoy themselves – and he saw his role as creating a memorable experience.

Being stationed in high-traffic venues like the casino bar meant Juan had constant visibility, which, combined with his charm, likely contributed to his impressive tip totals.

Moving on from Cruise Bartending

Despite his love for ship life (and the lucrative tips), Juan has chosen not to return to bartending at sea due to the long separations from his son, David.

Instead, he has embarked on a new career as a travel advisor, helping others plan their dream holidays.

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Final Word

$900 in one day might not be typical. But it’s a reminder of how quickly small tips can add up on a busy cruise ship.

When hundreds or even thousands of passengers are ordering drinks all day long, a dollar here and there becomes serious money.

It also explains why bartenders work so hard to remember your name, your favourite cocktail and exactly how you like it.

So what do you think – does $900 in tips surprise you? Or does it make sense after seeing how busy cruise bars can get?

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Jenni with Disney Cruise ship at Castaway Cay


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