Carnival cruises are not all-inclusive — you pay for the cabin and most meals upfront, but drinks, specialty dining, excursions, and onboard services cost extra

When you book a Carnival cruise, your fare covers your cabin, access to the ship, and most dining in the main restaurants. Everything else — alcoholic drinks, coffee shops, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa services, and entertainment add-ons — costs additional money. You can spend as little or as much as you want beyond your base fare, which is why Carnival markets itself as flexible rather than all-inclusive. Understanding what is and is not included helps you budget before you board.

The key difference between Carnival and true all-inclusive cruises is that Carnival separates your base fare from nearly everything beyond the cabin and main dining room. This means your final bill depends on your choices during the voyage, not just what you paid upfront.

Key Takeaways

  • Your cruise fare includes your cabin, main dining room meals, and basic onboard activities, but not drinks or specialty restaurants.
  • Alcoholic beverages, coffee, and soft drinks from bars and cafés cost extra; water and basic iced tea at meals are free.
  • Shore excursions, spa treatments, casino access, and specialty dining restaurants all require separate payment.
  • Beverage packages and specialty dining packages can be purchased before or during your cruise if you want to lock in costs.
  • Children's programs, fitness classes, and most entertainment shows are included at no additional cost.

What Your Carnival Cruise Fare Includes

Your base cruise fare covers your cabin for the duration of the voyage, all meals in the main dining room (usually dinner, breakfast, and lunch), and access to the ship's public areas. This includes the pool deck, fitness center, most entertainment venues, and live shows in the main theater. You can attend comedy shows, concerts, deck parties, trivia contests, and dance classes without paying extra.

Carnival also includes basic beverages at meals — water, iced tea, coffee, and lemonade — plus soft drinks and juice at lunch and dinner. Kids' clubs and youth programs are included if you have children. Most fitness classes, dance lessons, and daytime activities are free. Your fare also covers access to the casino floor itself, though gambling is your own money. The buffet and casual dining venues like poolside grills operate at no additional charge.

Drinks and Beverages You Pay Extra For

Any alcoholic drink — beer, wine, cocktails, or spirits — costs extra. A single drink typically runs $8 to $15 depending on what you order. Coffee from the specialty coffee bar (not the dining room coffee) costs $5 to $8 per cup. Bottled water, energy drinks, and premium soft drinks from bars and cafés are not free. These costs add up quickly if you drink regularly throughout your cruise.

Carnival sells beverage packages that let you prepay for drinks at a set daily rate. A standard beverage package usually costs $60 to $75 per person per day and includes most alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, and bottled water. A premium package runs higher and adds top-shelf liquor. If you drink regularly, a package can save money; if you drink rarely, paying per drink is cheaper. You can purchase a package before your cruise or during the first day onboard, giving you time to decide based on your actual plans.

Specialty Dining and Restaurants

The main dining room is included, but Carnival operates specialty restaurants on most ships that charge per person per visit. These include steakhouses, Italian restaurants, seafood venues, and casual spots like burger bars or pizza places. A specialty restaurant dinner typically costs $15 to $35 per person. Some specialty venues are à la carte, meaning you order and pay for individual items on top of the restaurant charge.

You can purchase a specialty dining package before your cruise that covers a set number of dinners at these restaurants, usually at a discount compared to paying per visit. For example, a package might cover five dinners at specialty venues for a flat fee. Casual venues like the buffet and poolside grills remain included in your base fare, so you always have included dining options available.

Shore Excursions and Ports

Visiting ports is included — the ship takes you there — but organized excursions cost extra. These are activities Carnival or its partners arrange at each port: snorkeling trips, guided tours, beach club access, zip-lining, or cultural experiences. Excursions typically range from $50 to $300 per person depending on the activity and port. You can book excursions through Carnival before your cruise or at the onboard excursion desk during your voyage.

You are not required to book an excursion. You can explore ports on your own at no cost, though you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time. Some travelers skip excursions entirely and spend port days relaxing on the ship or walking around the port city independently. This flexibility means you control how much you spend on port activities.

Spa, Casino, and Premium Services

Spa treatments — massages, facials, body wraps — are not included and cost $100 to $300 per service. The thermal suite (a heated relaxation area with saunas and steam rooms) costs extra, usually $20 to $30 per day or $60 to $80 for your whole cruise. Gambling in the casino is your own money; the casino itself is open to adults, but playing is optional and entirely your choice.

Other paid add-ons include photos taken by the ship's photographer (you can view them free but pay to buy prints or digital copies), laundry services, babysitting, and premium cabin amenities like priority boarding or cabin upgrades. Internet packages range from $8 per day for basic access to $20 per day for high-speed service. These services exist if you want them, but none are required to enjoy your cruise.

How to Budget for Your Carnival Cruise

Start with your base fare, then add realistic estimates for what you will actually use. If you drink alcohol daily, budget for a beverage package or $50 to $100 per day in drink costs. If you plan to eat at specialty restaurants more than once, a specialty dining package may save money. For shore excursions, research what interests you at each port and budget $100 to $200 per port day if you want organized activities.

A useful approach is to set a daily spending limit for extras beyond your fare. Many cruisers budget $30 to $50 per person per day for onboard spending (drinks, specialty dining, activities) and $100 to $200 per port day for excursions. Your actual spending depends entirely on your preferences — some people spend nothing extra, while others spend as much as their cruise fare itself. Knowing your own habits before you board makes it easier to stick to a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for meals if I am on a Carnival cruise?

No. Your base fare includes all meals in the main dining room and buffet. You only pay extra if you choose to eat at specialty restaurants. Main dining room meals are included for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of your cruise.

Can I bring my own drinks on a Carnival cruise?

Carnival allows you to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages in your cabin, but alcohol brought onboard will be confiscated. You cannot bring your own alcohol to drink on the ship or at ports. Beverages must be purchased from Carnival or brought from port shops if you want to drink in your cabin.

What happens if I do not want to spend extra money on a Carnival cruise?

You can cruise on your base fare alone. Eat in the main dining room, enjoy the included shows and activities, skip specialty restaurants and excursions, and drink water and included beverages. Many people cruise this way and have a full experience without additional spending.

Are kids' activities and childcare included on Carnival?

Kids' clubs and youth programs are included at no extra cost. Supervised childcare during the day and evening activities for children are part of your fare. Premium babysitting services in your cabin cost extra, but group programs are free.

Can I purchase packages after I board the ship?

Yes. You can buy beverage packages, specialty dining packages, and internet packages at the onboard customer service desk during your cruise. Prices may be slightly higher than if you purchase before boarding, but the option exists if you decide once you are on the ship.