Carnival cruise fares start around $50 to $150 per person per night, but the final price depends on the ship, the route, how far ahead you book, and what cabin type you choose

A seven-day Carnival cruise for two people in an inside cabin might cost $700 to $2,100 total, while the same cruise in a balcony cabin could run $1,400 to $4,200. These are the base fares — what Carnival calls the "cruise fare." The actual amount you pay is higher because of mandatory fees added at checkout, plus onboard spending that isn't included in the advertised price.

Carnival publishes prices on their website and through travel agents, and those prices change constantly based on how many cabins are still available, the time of year, and how soon you're sailing. A Caribbean cruise in January costs more than the same cruise in September. A cruise departing in three weeks costs more than one departing in three months — unless the ship is nearly full, in which case prices may drop to fill remaining cabins.

Key Takeaways

  • Base fares range from $50 to $150 per person per night depending on cabin type and sailing date, but mandatory fees add 10 to 15 percent to the advertised price.
  • Inside cabins (no window) are cheapest; oceanview cabins (with a window) cost more; balcony and suite cabins cost significantly more.
  • Booking three to six months in advance usually offers better prices than booking last-minute, though last-minute deals do occasionally appear.
  • Gratuities, drinks, specialty dining, and excursions are not included in the cruise fare and can easily add $500 to $1,500 per person to your total cost.

How cabin type affects the price you pay

Carnival offers four main cabin categories, and each one costs differently. An inside cabin has no window or porthole — you're inside the ship with no outside view. These are the cheapest option and typically run $50 to $80 per person per night on a standard sailing. A couple booking a seven-day inside cabin cruise might see a base fare of $700 to $1,120 before fees.

An oceanview cabin has a window or porthole so you can see the ocean. These cost roughly 30 to 50 percent more than an inside cabin on the same sailing — so $70 to $120 per person per night. A balcony cabin has a private outdoor deck and costs another 50 to 100 percent more than oceanview, typically $120 to $200 per person per night. Suites — larger cabins with more amenities — start around $200 per person per night and go much higher depending on the ship and sailing.

The same cabin type on the same ship can vary in price by hundreds of dollars depending on deck location. A balcony cabin on deck 5 (lower on the ship) might cost less than the same cabin type on deck 10 (higher, with better views). Carnival's website lets you see the exact price for each cabin before you book.

Mandatory fees that get added at checkout

Gratuities (tips for crew members) are automatically added to your bill unless you remove them before sailing. Carnival's default gratuity is $15 per person per day for standard cabins and $17.50 per person per day for suites. On a seven-day cruise, that's $105 to $122.50 per person added to your final bill. You can reduce or remove gratuities through your Carnival account before you sail, but most people keep them.

Port fees and taxes are the second major add-on. These vary by itinerary but typically run $75 to $200 per person for a seven-day cruise. Carnival includes these in the total price shown on their website, so you won't see them as a separate line item — but they're part of what you pay.

Fuel surcharges occasionally appear when oil prices spike, though Carnival doesn't always explore them. When they do, they're usually $5 to $15 per person per day. Check the fine print on the price page to see whether a fuel surcharge is included in the fare you're quoted.

What's not included in the cruise fare

The advertised price covers your cabin, most meals (buffet and main dining room), basic entertainment, and access to most onboard facilities. It does not cover alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, or soft drinks beyond what's at the buffet. A soda package costs around $8 to $10 per day per person; a beverage package that includes alcohol runs $60 to $80 per day per person.

Specialty dining restaurants (steakhouse, Italian, seafood) charge $15 to $30 per person per meal on top of the cruise fare. Spa services, fitness classes, and casino use cost extra. Excursions at ports — snorkeling, zip-lining, guided tours — typically run $50 to $200 per person depending on the activity and port.

Photos taken by the ship's photographer, internet packages, and cabin service charges (like laundry) also add up. A seven-day cruise with moderate onboard spending — a couple of specialty dinners, a beverage package, one or two excursions, and tips — can easily cost $500 to $1,500 more per person than the base fare.

How booking timing affects price

Carnival prices are lowest when you book three to six months before your sailing date. At that point, the ship still has many cabins available, and Carnival uses lower prices to fill them. Prices typically rise as the sailing date approaches and fewer cabins remain — this is called "wave pricing."

The exception is last-minute deals. If a sailing is not selling well, Carnival sometimes drops prices sharply in the final two to four weeks to fill remaining cabins. These deals are unpredictable and not may provide, so you can't rely on them. If you see a price you like three to six months out, booking then is usually safer than waiting for a last-minute sale that may never come.

Seasonal demand also matters. A Caribbean cruise in December or January costs more than the same itinerary in May or September. A cruise during spring break or summer school vacation costs more than one during the school year. If you have flexibility on when you sail, choosing an off-peak time can save hundreds of dollars.

Where to find and compare Carnival prices

Carnival publishes prices directly on their website at Carnival.com. You can search by departure port, destination, and travel dates, and the site shows you the base fare, port fees, and taxes for each cabin type. The price updates in real time as cabins sell.

Travel agents and third-party booking sites like Expedia, Costco Travel, and AAA also sell Carnival cruises, sometimes at the same price as Carnival's website and sometimes with added perks like onboard credit. Comparing a few sources takes 10 minutes and can reveal discounts or package deals you wouldn't see on Carnival's site alone.

Sign up for Carnival's email list if you're flexible on dates — they send promotional pricing to subscribers before releasing deals to the general public. Past guests sometimes receive "wave season" offers (typically January through March) with reduced fares or onboard credits.

What affects price variation between sailings

Two seven-day Caribbean cruises on different Carnival ships can have very different prices. Newer ships with more amenities cost more than older ships. A cruise on Carnival Celebration (launched 2022) costs more than the same itinerary on Carnival Sunshine (launched 2011). The same ship sailing the same route in different weeks can also vary — a sailing during a holiday week costs more than one the week before.

The length of the cruise matters too. A three-day cruise has a lower per-night rate than a seven-day cruise on the same ship, but the total cost is lower because you're sailing fewer nights. A 14-day cruise might have an even lower per-night rate but a higher total cost because you're on the ship longer.

Itinerary affects price as well. A cruise that visits expensive ports (like Alaska or Hawaii) costs more than one visiting less-expensive Caribbean ports. A cruise that includes a private island day typically costs more than one that doesn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a better price if I book through a travel agent instead of Carnival's website?

Travel agents sometimes offer the same price as Carnival but with added onboard credit or perks. They rarely offer a lower base fare, since Carnival controls pricing. The advantage is that an agent can explain your options and handle changes if something comes up. There's no fee to use a travel agent — they're paid commission by Carnival.

What's the cheapest Carnival cruise I can find?

The absolute cheapest is usually a three-day cruise in an inside cabin during an off-peak time, which might run $150 to $300 total per person before gratuities and fees. A seven-day inside cabin cruise in September might run $500 to $700 per person. Prices vary constantly, so checking Carnival's website weekly if you're flexible on dates will show you what's available.

Do kids pay the same price as adults?

Children typically pay the same per-night rate as adults for the cabin, but some sailings offer reduced fares for kids. Gratuities are also charged per person regardless of age. Check the price breakdown on Carnival's website — it will show you the exact cost for each guest.

Is there a price difference between different departure ports?

The same cruise itinerary departing from different ports can have different prices based on demand from that port. A seven-day Caribbean cruise from Miami might cost less than the identical itinerary from Galveston because more people book from Miami. Comparing departure ports when you search can reveal savings.

What happens to my price if I book now and the fare drops later?

Carnival allows you to rebook at a lower price if fares drop before your sailing, though you have to do it yourself through your account or by calling. You won't automatically get the lower price — you have to monitor and request it. Some travel agents will watch prices for you and alert you to drops.