Tipping is a major part of cruise culture, and bartenders can often earn impressive amounts thanks to their high guest interaction.
But Juan David Daza, a former cruise ship bartender and reality TV personality from 90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise and Season 11 of 90 Day Fiancé, may have raised the bar by claiming he earned as much as $900 in tips during a single day.
From Cruise Ship Bar to Reality TV
Juan, who hails from Cali, Colombia, met his now-fiancée Jessica from Wyoming during a March 2020 cruise, just before sailings paused due to the global shutdown.
At the time, Juan was working at the ship’s casino bar, where his engaging personality and charm caught Jessica’s attention.
“Scout’s honor, we didn’t even hook up. Not even a peck,” Jessica said during the show, explaining that their initial connection was purely friendly.
After months of border closures, Jessica visited Juan in Colombia, and their relationship blossomed.
The couple became engaged on 16th January 2023, later welcoming their first child together.
Juan has since relocated to Wyoming to live with Jessica and her two sons, although he has often expressed a desire to return to life at sea.
Which Cruise Line Did Juan Work For?
While Juan has never officially named the cruise line he worked for, clues strongly suggest he was part of Carnival Cruise Line’s bar staff.
In multiple photos, Juan wears a name tag matching Carnival’s style, with the logo blurred but still recognisable.
His Instagram also includes shots in front of Carnival Conquest and Carnival Paradise, both of which operate short, value-focused Caribbean itineraries.
Although not confirmed by Carnival, the evidence aligns with his tenure on these ships during his three years working at sea.
$900 a Day in Tips – Is It Possible?
Juan’s claim came during the Season 11 Tell-All of 90 Day Fiancé, where he revealed to host Shaun Robinson:
“In a good day, probably $900 in one day.”
With typical contracts lasting six months, even a fraction of that daily earning rate could result in a substantial income.
At $900 a day, the total would reach $164,700 in tips alone – though Juan stressed this was not his everyday reality.
It’s worth noting that Carnival Conquest and Carnival Paradise operate shorter 3- to 5-day cruises, which are less expensive than sailings on the line’s flagship Excel-class ships.
This raises the question: could bartenders on larger, newer vessels earn even more due to higher passenger spending?
Charm and Strategy Behind the Bar
Juan attributes much of his success to more than just mixing drinks.
He told producers that eye contact and a well-timed wink were part of his approach, especially when interacting with female guests.
“It always works,” he said, noting that many passengers come onboard looking to relax and enjoy themselves – and he saw his role as creating a memorable experience.
Being stationed in high-traffic venues like the casino bar meant Juan had constant visibility, which, combined with his charm, likely contributed to his impressive tip totals.
Moving On From Cruise Bartending
Despite his love for ship life (and the lucrative tips), Juan has chosen not to return to bartending at sea due to the long separations from his son, David.
Instead, he has embarked on a new career as a travel advisor, helping others plan their dream holidays.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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