Carnival Cruise Line has faced significant backlash from passengers after introducing stickers that identify guests who have pre-paid their gratuities. The criticism gained momentum after a traveler shared a video on TikTok showcasing her ship card with a "Crew Love" sticker, indicating she had settled gratuities in advance.
The sticker, adorned with hearts, stated, "I pre-paid my gratuities." The traveler also shared a message received in her room from the cruise line, thanking her for her generosity and acknowledging its support for the crew.
Reactions on social media were largely negative, with many users deeming the practice "tacky" and "weird." Some expressed disappointment, with one user stating that if the policy continued, their future cruises would be their last. Others suggested alternative stickers that would criticize the company's employee compensation.
In response to the outcry, Carnival stated that the "Crew Love" stickers were intended to offer guests who pre-paid gratuities "a little recognition for their generosity." A spokesperson for the cruise line explained that the stickers and thank-you notes are a way to acknowledge crew members and let them know a guest has prepaid, while also providing a small recognition for the guests.
Carnival's gratuity program is described on its website as an important method for guests to recognize the ship's team members. The recommended daily gratuity is $17 for standard staterooms and $19 for suites, which is then distributed among various crew members, including stateroom attendants, dining staff, and behind-the-scenes personnel.
The company emphasizes that these gratuities are paid in addition to the team members' guaranteed compensation. Guests have the option to prepay gratuities before their voyage or have the recommended amount automatically added to their onboard bill. This system is separate from a 20 percent service charge applied to all beverages and specialty dining purchases, which is also shared among crew members who support those services.