Welcome back, sea lovers! It’s Shelly 🐢🛳️ and I’ve got a question a lot of cruisers ask: do the crew really get your gratuities? Let’s find out! Here’s Part 2 of The Gratuity Files.
Watch the video
How do cruise crew get paid?
First, how crew get paid. Most crew work contracts, often 6 to 8 months, at a set monthly pay. Most popular cruise lines say gratuities are pooled toward that pay, usually for your cabin attendant, dining team, and crew behind the scenes.
Only Carnival says plainly that they’re paid on top of guaranteed pay. And Carnival’s bar crew get the drink charges, not the daily pool.
What do old crew contracts show?
Years ago, some contracts counted your gratuities as part of a crew member’s promised monthly pay, not extra on top. Court records from the late 1990s and 2000s show it. Today’s contracts aren’t public.
Do crew agree about who gets the gratuities?
Crew don’t agree either. Some see gratuities on their payslips, and others say they never did. So here’s the honest answer: at the popular cruise lines we checked, the money goes toward crew pay, but how much is truly extra depends on the line, and none publish the split. If any cruise workers are watching, please share your knowledge in the YouTube comments on the video!
The Gratuity Files series
The Gratuity Files is a 3-part series. Start here, or jump to the part you need:
- Part 1: How Much Are Cruise Gratuities?
- Part 2: Do Cruise Crew Get Your Gratuities?
- Part 3 (finale): 4 Ways to Handle Cruise Gratuities
FAQ
Do cruise crew really get your gratuities?
At the popular cruise lines we checked, the money goes toward crew pay. How much is truly extra depends on the line, and none publish the split.
Are cruise gratuities paid on top of crew wages?
Only Carnival says plainly that gratuities are paid on top of guaranteed pay. Most popular cruise lines say they’re pooled toward crew pay.
Did older cruise contracts count gratuities as part of pay?
Years ago, some contracts counted gratuities as part of a crew member’s promised monthly pay, not extra on top. Court records from the late 1990s and 2000s show it. Today’s contracts aren’t public.
Do all crew members get the daily gratuity pool?
Usually the pool is for your cabin attendant, dining team, and crew behind the scenes. On Carnival, bar crew get the drink charges, not the daily pool.
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Gratuity rates, rules and policies vary by cruise line and ship, and they can change. Check your line’s current terms before you book or sail.
