Carnival cruise fares start around $300 to $400 per person for a three-day sailing, but the final price depends on the ship, the sailing date, the cabin type, and how far in advance you book
There is no single "Carnival cruise price" because the same sailing can cost different amounts depending on when you book and what you choose. A three-day cruise from Miami might be $350 per person in September but $600 per person during spring break. A seven-day sailing to the Caribbean could run $500 to $1,200 per person. The base fare covers your cabin and access to the ship's amenities—pools, dining rooms, entertainment—but not drinks, specialty restaurants, or shore excursions.
Carnival publishes fares on its website and through travel agents, and prices change constantly based on how many cabins are still available. If a sailing is nearly full, the price goes up. If a sailing is not selling well, Carnival drops the price. This means the person who books six months early might pay more than someone who books two weeks before departure, or vice versa.
Key Takeaways
- Base fares for Carnival cruises range from roughly $300 to $400 per person for three days, and $500 to $1,200 per person for seven days, but vary by season and how far ahead you book.
- The base fare includes your cabin and access to dining rooms, pools, and entertainment, but does not include drinks, specialty restaurants, or activities on shore.
- Prices are lowest during off-peak times like September and early December, and highest during school holidays and summer.
- Cabin type, ship size, and sailing length all affect what you pay—inside cabins cost less than ocean-view or balcony cabins on the same ship.
- Taxes, fees, and gratuities are added to the base fare and typically add $100 to $200 per person to the total cost.
How Cabin Type Changes the Price
Carnival offers four main cabin types, and each one costs more than the last. An inside cabin—a room with no window—is the cheapest option. An ocean-view cabin has a window but no balcony. A balcony cabin has a private outdoor space. A suite is larger, includes perks like priority boarding and free drinks, and costs significantly more.
On the same seven-day sailing, an inside cabin might start at $500 per person, an ocean-view at $650, a balcony at $850, and a suite at $1,500 or higher. These are base prices only—the actual cost depends on the ship, the sailing date, and availability. Two people sharing an inside cabin pay less per person than two people in a balcony cabin, but the total cost for the cabin is higher because you are paying for two people instead of one.
When You Book Affects What You Pay
Carnival fares are lowest during wave season, which runs from January through March, when travel agents and cruise lines offer discounts to fill sailings for the rest of the year. Booking during wave season can save you 20 to 40 percent compared to booking closer to the sailing date, though this varies by ship and destination.
Prices also drop during off-peak travel times: September (after summer ends), early December (before the holidays), and January (after New Year's). School holidays—spring break, summer break, Thanksgiving week—drive prices up because more families are traveling. If you can sail during a less popular time, you will find lower fares.
Last-minute bookings—within two to four weeks of departure—can go either way. If the ship is nearly full, prices stay high or go higher. If the ship is not selling well, Carnival may discount heavily to fill cabins. There is no way to predict which will happen, so last-minute booking is a gamble.
What Is Included and What Costs Extra
The base fare includes your cabin, access to the main dining room for dinner, breakfast and lunch at the buffet, most entertainment (shows, comedy, live music), fitness classes, and use of pools and hot tubs. Soft drinks, coffee, and water are free. You can also bring your own bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages aboard.
What is not included: alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits), specialty restaurants (steakhouse, Italian, Asian fusion), room service, spa services, casino use, and activities on shore. Carnival offers a beverage package that covers most drinks for a flat daily fee—typically $15 to $20 per person per day for non-alcoholic, or $60 to $75 per day for alcoholic drinks. Many people find the package worth it if they drink regularly; others skip it and pay per drink.
Taxes, Fees, and Gratuities Add to the Base Price
Carnival's advertised fares do not include taxes, port fees, and gratuities. These are added at checkout and typically total $100 to $200 per person for a week-long cruise, depending on the ship and ports. Taxes and port fees vary by sailing date and destination—a cruise to Alaska costs more in port fees than one to the Caribbean. Gratuities are usually about $15 per person per day and are automatically added to your onboard account unless you adjust them.
When you see a Carnival fare advertised as "$499," the actual cost per person is $499 plus taxes, fees, and gratuities. Always check the total price at the end of the booking process to see the full amount you will pay.
How Ship Size and Age Affect Price
Carnival operates ships of different sizes, from older, smaller vessels to newer, larger ones. Newer ships and larger ships generally cost more because they have more amenities and better accommodations. A sailing on the Carnival Mardi Gras, one of Carnival's newest and largest ships, will typically cost more than the same sailing on an older, smaller ship like the Carnival Imagination.
Older ships are not bad—they are well-maintained and offer the same basic experience—but they have fewer restaurants, fewer entertainment options, and smaller cabins. If you want to save money, booking an older ship on an off-peak date is one of the most effective ways to lower your total cost.
Comparing Carnival to Other Cruise Lines
Carnival is generally the most affordable cruise line for families and budget-conscious travelers. Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line typically charge more per person for comparable sailings. Norwegian Cruise Line falls somewhere in the middle. However, price alone does not tell the whole story—different lines appeal to different travelers, and what you get for your money varies.
If you are comparing prices across lines, make sure you are looking at the same cabin type, sailing length, and departure date. A balcony cabin on Carnival might be cheaper than a balcony on Royal Caribbean, but an inside cabin on Royal Caribbean might be cheaper than an inside on Carnival, depending on the specific sailing. Check multiple lines before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids pay full price on Carnival cruises?
Children typically pay the same base fare as adults, though some sailings offer discounts for kids during certain times of year. Infants under one year old usually pay a reduced rate. Check Carnival's website or call to ask about current pricing for children on the specific sailing you are interested in.
Can I get a refund if the price drops after I book?
Carnival does not automatically refund the difference if fares drop after you book. However, if you booked with a travel agent, some agents will rebook you at the lower price if you ask within a certain window. If you booked directly with Carnival, you can contact them to ask about a price adjustment, though they are not required to offer one.
What is the cheapest time to cruise with Carnival?
September and early December are typically the cheapest times to sail because fewer families are traveling. Wave season (January through March) also offers discounts if you book far in advance. Avoid spring break, summer, Thanksgiving week, and the Christmas-New Year period if you want the lowest fares.
Are there hidden costs I should know about?
The main costs beyond the base fare are drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, and gratuities. Beverage packages, spa services, and casino use also cost extra. Taxes and port fees are added at checkout. There are no true "hidden" costs, but many people are surprised by how much they spend on extras once they are onboard.
Do I have to pay for kids' clubs and childcare?
Carnival's youth programs—Camp Ocean for kids and Club O2 for teens—are free to join, though some activities and evening babysitting services cost extra. Ask Carnival directly about which programs are included and which have additional fees.