A false claim spreading on social media has Carnival’s brand ambassador John Heald responding directly.

A cruise influencer with over 100,000 followers has been telling people that the gratuities passengers pay actually count toward crew base salaries instead of being extra money on top of what they’re paid.

Heald wasn’t mincing words. He’s fielded this question over 50 times in recent days, and he wanted to clear it up once and for all. The claim is false.

Here’s What Actually Happens With Your Tips

When you pay gratuities on Carnival, that money goes directly to crew members. It’s not deducted from their pay. It’s not used to offset what Carnival would otherwise pay them.

Crew members keep all the gratuities, whether you prepay them, charge them to your onboard account, or hand over cash during the cruise.

Carnival charges $16 per person, per day in standard cabins and $18 per person, per day in suites. These gratuities get shared among dining staff, housekeeping, culinary team, and other service departments.

Why This Matters

Cruise ship crew members depend on gratuities. Depending on the cruise line, the salaries can be low, and tips can make up a majority of what crew members actually take home. That money is real income, and it goes directly to the people who serve you.

If you want to tip extra in cash during your cruise, that stays with the crew member you give it to. No middleman, no deductions.

Heald’s advice is simple: go straight to the cruise line for accurate information instead of relying on social media claims, no matter how many followers someone has.

Carnival Cruise Line marked 25 years of sailing from Galveston this week with a milestone celebration aboard its flagship, Carnival Jubilee.

Since becoming the first cruise line to homeport there in 2000, Carnival has carried more than 10 million guests through the Texas port and established Galveston as a premier cruise destination.

The event brought together community leaders, business partners, and government officials including U.S. Congressman Randy Weber, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, and Port Director Rodger Rees.

“Sailing from Galveston has been a defining part of Carnival’s story for the last 25 years, and we’re just getting started,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy. “This milestone is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when strong partnerships, community support and a passion for fun come together.”

Carnival Jubilee Represents a New Era’

Carnival Jubilee holds special significance in this legacy. When she arrived in December 2023, she became the first new ship inaugurated at Port of Galveston.

The Excel-class vessel features a Texas star on her bow and was the first North American homeported ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), detailing Carnival’s focus on sustainability and innovation. She was also the first homeported ship in Galveston to offer 5G connectivity.

Carnival remains the only cruise line deploying four ships from Galveston. Starting in 2027/28, a refreshed four-ship deployment will deliver the port’s largest-ever guest capacity along with a broader range of itineraries.

What’s Available Now and What’s Coming

Carnival offers sailings from Galveston ranging from short weekend getaways to week-long vacations, visiting the Caribbean, Mexico, and The Bahamas. Many itineraries now include stops at Celebration Key, Carnival’s new exclusive destination that opened earlier this year.

“Throughout the last 25 years, one thing has remained true—Galveston loves Carnival,” said Mayor Craig Brown. “As we celebrate this anniversary, we also look forward to many more decades of welcoming Carnival guests.”

Carnival Cruise Line cancelled the Carnival Elation’s January 15, 2026 sailing to extend the ship’s dry-dock period.

The four-night Bahamas cruise from Jacksonville is being axed, as the ship heads to dry dock for the first time in a couple of years.

The Carnival Elation was originally scheduled to enter dry-dock on January 19 and return to service on February 8. The extended dry-dock period means the January 15 departure is no longer possible.

Letter to Booked Guests

What Changed in the Last Dry-Dock

The Carnival Elation last underwent dry-dock in 2023, when the ship received routine maintenance, a new hull paint livery in the red, white, and blue color scheme, a lift by the Lido pool, a rebranded Cloud 9 SPA, and ADA-accessible pool bar counters.

During a 2020 refurbishment, the Carnival Elation received significant upgrades. The ship added 30 new cabins and remodeled several venues, including new spots like Bonsai Sushi Express, Alchemy Bar, JavaBlue Cafe, and Cherry on Top.

The 2,040-guest Fantasy-class ship entered service in 1998 and operates year-round from Jacksonville with short cruises to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.