Carnival Quietly Raises Service Charge Across Dining and Drinks

Carnival cruisers are spotting something new tucked quietly into the booking system, and it is catching plenty of people off guard.

A small detail in the fine print now means many popular onboard purchases will cost a little more than they used to. It is a change most guests would never notice unless they went looking for it, and it is already affecting upcoming sailings.

What Carnival Changed Without Announcing It

Carnival has quietly raised the automatic service charge that appears on a wide range of onboard purchases. The fee, which had been set at 18 percent for years, now shows as 20 percent across Carnival’s booking system and onboard spending details.

Guests were not informed through any major announcement, and the change was not highlighted by the cruise line. Instead, it was discovered in updated fine print, meaning most cruisers will only notice the increase when they start planning or purchasing extras for an upcoming trip.

Where the New 20 Percent Fee Now Applies

The new 20 percent service charge now appears on a wide variety of onboard extras that many Carnival guests purchase. This includes all drink packages such as Cheers!, Bottomless Bubbles and the newer Cheers! Zero Proof option. Individual bar drinks are also affected, so even guests who do not buy a package will still see the higher fee.

Speciality dining venues, including Carnival’s popular steakhouses, now reflect the increased charge as well. Guests ordering gifts or treats to be delivered to their stateroom will also see the new rate added automatically at checkout. What may seem like a small adjustment quickly becomes noticeable for anyone who regularly enjoys premium dining, drinks, or add-ons during their cruise.

How the Increase Adds Up for Cruise Families

The two percent rise might sound minor at first, but it becomes noticeable once you start adding up a week’s worth of drinks and dining. A typical family of four, with adults on the Cheers! package and children using Bottomless Bubbles, will now pay around $240 in service charges over a seven night cruise. That is roughly 20 dollars more than before.

The increase becomes even clearer when you factor in extras like speciality dining or stateroom treats. Once those are added, many families could see about 30 dollars in additional charges for the week. It will not drastically change a holiday budget, but it is something cruisers will want to plan for, especially those who enjoy multiple premium purchases onboard.

Why Carnival May Have Chosen This Moment

Carnival has not offered any public explanation for the quiet increase, leaving guests to draw their own conclusions. Across the cruise industry, prices for drinks, dining, and add ons have been edging upward as operating costs continue to rise. Carnival typically adjusts its automatic charges every few years, so the timing fits a familiar pattern.

The change also arrives as Carnival prepares to roll out its new Carnival Rewards programme in 2026. Many loyal guests have already questioned whether the upcoming scheme will prioritise onboard spending over traditional loyalty perks. The increase in the service charge could be another small sign of the company reshaping how it balances revenue and rewards.

Could More Price Changes Be Coming?

This latest increase might not be the last adjustment guests see. While nothing has been officially confirmed, several other onboard extras could be candidates for future price rises, including speciality dining, bottled water, WiFi and the popular Fast to the Fun priority access. These are all high demand purchases, so even small changes would be felt by a large portion of guests.

As costs continue to climb across the industry, cruise lines are reviewing every area of onboard spending.

How Cruisers Are Reacting So Far

Early reactions from Carnival guests have been a mix of surprise and frustration. Many were unaware of the increase until they spotted the new rate while planning a cruise, which has led to questions about why such a widespread change was not publicly announced. Some guests feel the quiet rollout makes the update harder to track and budget for.

Others are more resigned, noting that rising service charges are becoming increasingly common across the industry. Even so, there is growing concern about how small increases can compound, especially for families who enjoy drink packages, speciality dining and other onboard treats. The bigger question is whether guests will start cutting back on bar visits or premium dining as their holiday costs continue to creep upward.

Final Word

Carnival’s quiet increase to its service charge will not break most holiday budgets, but it does mean guests should take a closer look at their onboard plans. Anyone booking drink packages, speciality dining or stateroom treats will now see slightly higher fees, so building in a little extra room when budgeting is a smart move. Keeping an eye on future updates is also worthwhile, especially as other onboard purchases could see similar adjustments.

With Carnival’s new loyalty programme arriving in 2026, cruisers may notice more price and policy changes in the months ahead. For now, the best approach is to check the fine print, be aware of what has changed, and plan accordingly so there are no surprises once you get onboard.

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