Carnival Cruises Are Not All-Inclusive — Here's What You Pay For and What Costs Extra
Carnival cruise fares cover your cabin, meals in the main dining room, most onboard entertainment, and basic beverages — but they do not cover alcohol, specialty dining, shore excursions, casino use, or most activities that charge a per-person fee. Your base fare gets you a bunk and access to the buffet; almost everything else on the ship has a separate price tag. The line markets itself as a value cruise, which means the base price is lower than competitors like Disney or Royal Caribbean, but you will see charges accumulate quickly once you board.
Understanding what is and is not included helps you budget before you leave home. Many first-time Carnival cruisers are surprised by how many onboard activities cost money, or they underestimate the cost of drinks and specialty dining over a week. Knowing the real price structure means you can decide which add-ons matter to you and which you can skip.
Key Takeaways
- Your Carnival fare includes your cabin, main dining room meals, basic entertainment shows, and most fitness classes, but nothing beyond that baseline.
- Alcoholic drinks, specialty restaurants, spa services, and most activities cost extra and are charged to your onboard account.
- Shore excursions booked through Carnival or independently are your responsibility; the ship does not cover time or cost ashore.
- Beverage packages, specialty dining packages, and activity passes can be purchased before boarding or onboard, and prices vary by cruise length and destination.
- Gratuities (tips) are automatically added to your account at roughly $15 per person per day, though you can adjust this amount.
What Your Base Fare Includes
Your cabin, all meals in the main dining room, and access to the buffet are covered by your cruise fare. You also get the nightly entertainment shows in the main theater, most fitness classes, the library, the casino floor (though gambling costs money), and basic deck activities like trivia contests. Carnival includes a certain number of onboard activities in the price — things like dance classes, game shows, and towel folding demonstrations — but activities that require special instruction or small-group attention usually charge a fee.
The main dining room serves a different menu each night, and you can eat there as many times as you want during your cruise. The buffet is open most of the day and offers the same food without reservations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included; room service breakfast is free, but other room service items cost extra. Coffee and basic tea are free; specialty coffee drinks from the coffee bar cost $5 to $8 per cup.
Beverages and Alcohol That Cost Extra
Alcoholic drinks are not included in your fare. A beer or cocktail at a bar runs $7 to $12 depending on the drink and the bar. Soft drinks, bottled water, and juice are not included either, though tap water is free. Carnival sells beverage packages before and after you board; a typical package costs $60 to $80 per person for a 7-day cruise and covers unlimited beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks.
If you do not buy a package, every drink is charged to your onboard account. Many cruisers find that a package pays for itself after 8 to 10 drinks over a week, so the math depends on your drinking habits. You can also bring your own bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks onboard — Carnival allows one bottle per person in your cabin. This is a common way to reduce beverage costs without committing to a full package.
Specialty Dining and Premium Restaurants
Carnival's newer ships have specialty restaurants beyond the main dining room — steakhouses, Italian restaurants, and seafood venues. These charge $15 to $35 per person per meal on top of your cruise fare. You book a table and pay when you dine. Some cruisers budget one or two specialty dinners per week; others skip them entirely and eat in the main dining room every night.
The buffet and main dining room are included, so you never have to pay extra for a meal if you do not want to. The specialty restaurants are optional upgrades. Carnival also sells dining packages before your cruise that bundle several specialty dinners at a discount — usually $100 to $200 per person for a week-long cruise, depending on which restaurants you choose. These packages are most useful if you plan to eat specialty dinners multiple times during your trip.
Activities, Excursions, and Onboard Fees
Most nightly entertainment — comedy shows, magic acts, live bands — is free. But activities like wine tastings, cooking classes, fitness bootcamps, and photo packages charge $15 to $80 per person. The spa charges for massages, facials, and other treatments. The casino charges to gamble. Childcare programs for young children cost extra if you want supervised care beyond the free youth programs.
Shore excursions — guided tours, water sports, or activities at ports — are not included and are booked separately. Carnival offers excursions through its website, but you can also book independently with local operators. The ship does not cover the cost or time of anything you do ashore. Gratuities (tips) are automatically added to your onboard account at about $15 per person per day for a 7-day cruise; you can adjust this amount up or down before you leave the ship.
What Specialty Packages Cover
Carnival sells several add-on packages that bundle extras at a discount. A beverage package covers all drinks for the duration of your cruise. A specialty dining package covers meals at premium restaurants. An internet package covers Wi-Fi for your devices. A photos package gives you digital copies of professional photos taken onboard. These packages are cheaper when bought before your cruise than when bought onboard, sometimes by 20 to 30 percent.
You do not have to buy any packages. Many cruisers skip them and pay as they go, ordering a drink here and a specialty dinner there. Others buy a beverage package and skip dining packages. The choice depends on your budget and what you plan to do during your cruise. Carnival publishes package prices on its website before you book, so you can factor them into your total cost and make an informed decision about which add-ons make sense for your trip.
How Onboard Charges Work
Everything you buy on the ship — drinks, specialty dining, activities, spa services, photos, excursions booked onboard — is charged to your cabin account. You link a credit card to your account when you board, and charges accumulate throughout your cruise. On the last night, you receive an itemized bill. You can review it, dispute any charges, and pay before you disembark. If you dispute a charge, Carnival staff can look up the transaction and explain what it was for.
Some cruisers set a daily spending limit for themselves to avoid surprises. Others check their account balance each evening. You can also ask the front desk to put a hold on your account so charges require your approval, though this is uncommon. The key is knowing that your base fare is just the starting point — most people spend additional money once they board. Planning ahead and deciding which extras matter to you prevents sticker shock when you see your final bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for meals if I book a Carnival cruise?
No. Your base fare includes all meals in the main dining room and the buffet. You only pay extra if you eat at specialty restaurants. You can eat in the included venues three times a day for the entire cruise at no additional cost.
Can I bring my own alcohol onboard a Carnival ship?
Carnival allows one bottle of wine or champagne per person in your cabin, but no beer or spirits. Any alcohol you bring must stay in your cabin; you cannot bring it to bars or restaurants. Alcohol purchased onboard or brought in violation of this rule may be confiscated.
What happens if I do not want to pay gratuities?
Gratuities are automatically added to your account at about $15 per person per day, but you can adjust the amount before you leave the ship. You can reduce it, increase it, or remove it entirely by visiting the front desk. The choice is yours, though Carnival crew members depend on tips as part of their pay.
Are kids' clubs and childcare free on Carnival?
Carnival offers free youth programs for children by age group, including activities and supervised play. Extended childcare or specialized programs may charge a fee. Check Carnival's website for your specific ship to see which programs are free and which cost extra.
Can I purchase packages after I board the ship?
Yes, you can buy beverage packages, dining packages, internet, and other add-ons onboard, but they cost more than if you purchase them before your cruise. Buying before you board typically saves 20 to 30 percent on package prices.