Carnival cruises are not all-inclusive — you pay for the cabin and basic meals, then pay separately for drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, and onboard activities

Carnival's base fare covers your cabin, access to the main dining room for dinner, and buffet breakfast and lunch. Everything else — alcoholic drinks, coffee, specialty restaurants, casino use, spa services, photos, internet, and activities like fitness classes or cooking demonstrations — costs extra. Some activities are free (trivia, deck parties, basic fitness), but most paid entertainment requires a separate charge or a package purchase.

The pricing structure means your final bill depends entirely on how you spend your time at sea. A passenger who eats in the main dining room, skips drinks, and uses only free activities will pay close to the advertised fare. A passenger who visits the specialty steakhouse, orders cocktails, books a massage, and buys photos will spend hundreds more.

Key Takeaways

  • Your cabin fare includes the cabin, main dining room dinner, and buffet breakfast and lunch — nothing beyond that is covered.
  • Alcoholic drinks, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, and most entertainment activities require separate payment or a package purchase.
  • Beverage packages range from about $15 to $20 per person per day and cover most drinks; without a package, a single cocktail costs $8 to $12.
  • Shore excursions booked through Carnival cost more than booking directly with local operators at many ports.
  • Internet, photos, and casino chips are not included and add up quickly if you use them regularly.

What the base cabin fare actually covers

Your cruise fare pays for the cabin itself, one assigned dinner seating in the main dining room each evening, and access to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. You can eat in the buffet or the main dining room at no additional cost. Coffee and basic tea are free at breakfast and lunch; specialty coffee drinks (lattes, cappuccinos) cost extra at the coffee bar.

The main dining room serves a different menu each night, and you can order as much as you want. The buffet operates on a first-come basis and closes at set times. If you miss a meal time, you can order room service, but room service charges explore — usually $7 to $15 per item.

Free activities include trivia contests, deck parties, live music in public areas, fitness classes, and most shows in the main theater. You do not pay to attend these. Paid activities — wine tastings, specialty fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, and dance lessons — are listed in your cabin's daily program with prices.

Drinks and beverage packages

Alcoholic drinks are not included. A beer costs $6 to $8, a mixed drink or glass of wine costs $8 to $12, and a bottle of wine costs $30 to $80 depending on the label. Non-alcoholic specialty drinks (smoothies, virgin cocktails) cost $5 to $8. Bottled water costs $2 to $3 per bottle; tap water is free.

Carnival offers beverage packages that cover most drinks for a flat daily rate. The Cheers! package costs roughly $15 to $20 per person per day (prices vary by ship and season) and includes beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and soft drinks. The Bottomless Bubbles package covers champagne and sparkling wine only and costs less. If you buy a package, you pay upfront for the number of days you cruise; if you skip the package, you pay per drink as you order.

The math matters: if you drink two cocktails per day at $10 each, a $15-per-day package saves you money. If you drink one beer every other day, you pay less without a package.

Specialty dining restaurants and extra charges

Carnival ships have one or more specialty restaurants beyond the main dining room — typically a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, and sometimes a seafood or Asian venue. These charge $15 to $30 per person per meal in addition to your cruise fare. You must make a reservation, and the charge appears on your onboard account.

The buffet and main dining room are included, so you do not have to use specialty restaurants. Many passengers eat in the main dining room every night and never pay the extra fee. Others book one or two specialty dinners as a treat.

Casual dining venues like the poolside grill and pizza station are included. The burger stand, taco bar, and sandwich shop do not charge extra. Only the sit-down specialty restaurants require the additional fee.

Shore excursions and port activities

Excursions booked through Carnival — snorkeling, zip-lining, beach trips, city tours — are not included and cost $50 to $200 or more per person depending on the activity and port. Carnival books these on your behalf and charges your onboard account.

You can also book excursions independently through local operators at the port, which often cost less than Carnival's prices for the same activity. Carnival takes a commission, so their pricing is higher. If you book independently, you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time; if you book through Carnival, the ship will not leave without you.

straightforward walking off the ship and exploring on your own costs nothing, but you need to know the port well enough to navigate safely and return before the ship departs.

Internet, photos, and other onboard charges

Internet is not included. Carnival offers daily passes ($8 to $10), 5-day passes ($25 to $35), or full-cruise passes ($50 to $70) depending on the ship and your needs. The cheapest option is usually the full-cruise pass if you plan to use it more than a few days.

Professional photos taken by Carnival's photographers during embarkation, at dinner, and at events are not included. You can view them onboard and purchase prints or digital copies. A single 8x10 print costs $20 to $30; a digital read costs $15 to $25. Many passengers skip this entirely.

Spa services (massages, facials, body treatments) cost $100 to $300 per service. Casino chips, slot machines, and table games cost whatever you choose to gamble. Laundry service, dry cleaning, and pressing are available for a fee. Babysitting and kids' camp programs may charge extra depending on the program.

How to estimate your true cruise cost

Start with the advertised cabin fare. Add a beverage package if you drink alcohol regularly (roughly $15 to $20 per person per day). Add specialty dining if you plan to eat outside the main dining room (roughly $20 to $30 per meal per person). Add excursions if you plan to book them through Carnival (varies widely, but budget $50 to $150 per person per port). Add internet if you need it ($50 to $70 for the cruise). Add a small amount for miscellaneous charges like photos, tips, or casual purchases.

A couple on a 7-day cruise might pay $1,200 for the cabin, $210 for beverages (7 days × $15 per person × 2 people), $100 for one specialty dinner, $200 for excursions at two ports, and $60 for internet — totaling roughly $1,770 instead of the advertised $1,200. The actual number depends entirely on your choices.

Tipping and gratuities

Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. Carnival automatically adds $15 per person per day to your onboard account for crew gratuities (housekeeping, dining room staff, and bar staff). You can adjust this amount at the guest services desk if you believe it is too high or too low, or you can remove it entirely and tip in cash. Most passengers accept the automatic charge.

Additional tips for specialty services (spa staff, bartenders at specialty venues, room service) are at your discretion and typically run $2 to $5 per service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?

Carnival allows passengers to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage at embarkation. Beer, liquor, and additional bottles are prohibited. If you bring wine, you can drink it in your cabin or at dinner in the main dining room (the dining room will open it for you). You cannot bring it to bars or pool areas.

Do kids eat free on Carnival cruises?

Children eat free in the main dining room and buffet, just like adults. Specialty restaurants, room service, and beverage packages are not free for children. Kids' clubs and activities vary — some are free, others charge a fee. Check your cruise documents or call Carnival to confirm which activities your children want to attend.

What happens if I do not want to eat in the main dining room?

You can eat in the buffet instead at no extra cost. You can also order room service, but room service charges explore. If you want to eat only in specialty restaurants, you will pay the specialty dining fee for each meal. Most passengers mix the main dining room and buffet to keep costs down.

Is travel insurance included?

No. Carnival offers optional travel insurance that you can purchase when you book or up to a certain number of days before your cruise. This is a separate purchase and is not included in any cruise fare.

Do I have to pay for onboard activities like trivia or fitness classes?

Most activities are free — trivia, deck parties, live music, basic fitness classes, and shows in the main theater do not charge. Specialty activities like wine tastings, advanced fitness classes, and cooking demonstrations charge a fee, usually $10 to $30 per activity. Your daily program lists which activities are free and which cost extra.