Cruise lines adjust gratuities, dining fees and fare rules
Carnival, MSC, Holland America and Norwegian have revised selected onboard charges and booking terms.
Carnival raised automatic daily gratuities on April 2, 2026, increasing the charge from $16 to $17 per guest in standard cabins and from $18 to $19 for suite guests. MSC increased its Hotel Service Charge on May 11 from $16 to $17 for standard accommodations and from $20 to $23 in Yacht Club suites. Holland America’s daily rate rose from $17 to $18 on June 1. A report on the changes says guests can usually adjust automatic gratuities through guest services.
Dining policies have also shifted. Norwegian Cruise Line began applying a $5 charge for a second main-dining-room entree across its fleet on September 26, 2025. The policy appeared in menu fine print rather than through a public announcement. The report says MSC charges $5 for additional entrees on U.S. sailings, while Carnival has imposed a $5 fee for the third and each subsequent entree since 2019.
Norwegian also charges $10 per person when a specialty-dining reservation is not canceled or modified at least two hours ahead, or when a guest arrives more than 15 minutes late. Carnival’s Early Saver and Super Saver deposits are nonrefundable, but may become future cruise credits after a $50-per-person service fee. Unused credits expire after 24 months.