Carnival Cruise Line has launched a polarizing new pilot program designed to shout out passengers who have pre-paid their gratuities.
Stickers that read "Crew love, I pre-paid my gratuities" are being added to guests' Sign & Sail cards.
Additionally, the new move includes a card placed in guests' staterooms that reads: "On behalf of our entire team, thank you for pre-paying your gratuities. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps recognize the many team members who work together to make your cruise vacation fun, memorable, and enjoyable."
"Thank you for choosing Carnival, and we trust that you're having a wonderful cruise filled with fun, relaxation, and unforgettable moments!" the card adds.
Carnival has confirmed the new stickers as a way to recognize both guests and the team members who serve them.
"The Carnival gratuity program is an important way guests recognize our hardworking team members and ensure that gratuities are shared among both guest-facing and behind-the-scenes crew who make great vacations possible," a spokesperson for Carnival said in a statement.
"Our team members provide great service to every guest. The 'Crew Love' stickers and thank-you notes are simply a way to let our crew know that a guest has prepaid their gratuities, while giving those guests a little recognition for their generosity. This is one component of a broader pilot, and we're listening to feedback as we evaluate it," the spokesperson concluded.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the move has been met with backlash from some travelers who feel the stickers single out guests and that whether they pre-paid for gratuities is no one's business.
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