If you’ve ever wondered how much money cruise ship bartenders really make, one former crew member may have just raised the bar — literally.
Juan David Daza, now known to many fans from 90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise and 90 Day Fiancé Season 11, recently revealed that at his peak, he earned as much as $900 in tips in a single day.
Cruise ship tipping culture has always been a huge part of onboard life, and bartenders often end up earning more than many other positions thanks to constant guest interaction.
But Juan’s story takes it to another level — and his journey from bar staff to reality TV star makes it even more interesting.
Which Cruise Line Did Juan Work For?
Juan never directly stated on TV which cruise line he worked for, but fans didn’t have to work too hard to figure it out.
Several clues pointed strongly toward Carnival Cruise Line:
- His name tag matched Carnival’s distinct shape and style.
- Photos on Instagram showed Juan posing in front of Carnival Conquest and Carnival Paradise.
- His ships aligned with Carnival’s typical fleet deployment for shorter Caribbean itineraries.
While nothing has been confirmed officially, the evidence makes it almost certain that Juan was part of Carnival’s bartending team for several years.
How Juan and Jessica Met at Sea
Juan’s story took a romantic turn before it ever became a headline. Back in March 2020, right before the cruising world shut down, Juan was working as a casino bartender on a ship when he met Jessica, a mom from Wyoming.
According to Jessica, nothing happened between them that night beyond friendly conversation, but the spark was unmistakable.
The world shut down soon after, but the couple stayed in touch. Once Colombia reopened nine months later, Jessica flew out to visit him — and that trip kick-started a relationship that moved quickly.
By January 16, 2023, Juan and Jessica were engaged. Soon after, Jessica became pregnant, and Juan later relocated to Wyoming to live with Jessica and her two sons.
Even while building his new life on land, his storyline on the show reflected a recurring theme: Juan really missed working on cruise ships.
The $900-a-Day Tip Claim
During the Season 11 Tell-All, host Shaun Robinson asked Juan the question everyone was wondering: “How much did you actually make in tips on the ship?”
Juan’s reply was shocking even to the other cast members:
“On a good day, probably $900 in one day.”
If you stretch that number across a typical six-month cruise contract, that could theoretically total more than $160,000 in tips alone — a jaw-dropping figure.
Juan didn’t claim that every day was that successful, but it’s enough to show that a talented bartender can make serious money at sea.
What makes his claim even more surprising is that the ships he worked on — Conquest-class and Fantasy-class ships — typically run shorter, cheaper sailings, not high-end luxury cruises where guests spend freely.
That raises an eye-opening question: Do bartenders on newer Carnival ships earn even more? It’s certainly possible.
Juan’s Secret Strategy: Eye Contact and Charm
Juan’s success wasn’t just about pouring drinks quickly — he openly admitted he had a system. And it wasn’t complicated.
His trick?
Make eye contact. Flash a charming wink. Repeat.
“It always works,” he said confidently on the show.
Being placed in high-traffic areas like the casino bar meant he interacted with hundreds of guests a day — especially women looking to relax, feel special, and enjoy their vacation.
Juan saw flirting as part of the job, and based on his tipping totals, it paid off.
His charisma became a defining part of his on-screen personality, too, proving how much personality matters in guest-facing cruise roles.
The End of His Bartending Era
As much as Juan loved his job and the lifestyle that came with it, he’s made peace with the fact that cruising is no longer part of his future.
With a young son, David, Juan simply couldn’t justify being away on six-month contracts at sea.
Instead, he’s found a new path that still keeps him connected to travel — he now works as a travel advisor, helping other people plan their vacations and cruise adventures.
It’s a different kind of fulfillment, but he’s still in the world he loves, just from the other side of the bar.
