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Fun & valueCarnival
Casual, fun-first cruising at an approachable pace.
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Compare Carnival with any other cruise line, and see who wins on what matters.
No more hopping between pages. Line them up on the money-and-complexity facts, gratuities, what's included, drink rules, cancellation, then one call gets you the best rate our partners can offer.
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Verified from official sources· checked Jul 18, 2026 96/96 facts verified from official sources
These differences add up. Call and we'll sort them for your trip.
☎Get your options, call nowCarnival is best described as fun & value. Casual, fun-first cruising at an approachable pace. Below is an independent, source-checked look at what actually matters before you book, and the money-and-complexity details worth a phone call.
Fun & value
The facts that cost money
These are the details that quietly change your final bill and vary by fare, cabin and sailing. We verify each from its source and re-check every 30 days; anything not yet verified is shown as a gap rather than guessed.
| Daily gratuitiesA published service charge added to your onboard account each day | $19.00/day for suites; $17.00/day for standard staterooms (per person) |
|---|---|
| What's included vs. extraDining and entertainment vs. specialty dining, drinks, wifi, excursions | Included: main & Lido dining, entertainment, pools, fitness, youth programs. Extra: specialty dining, bar drinks, Wi-Fi, spa, casino, shore excursions, gratuities. |
| Drink package ruleWhether all adults in the cabin must buy it | Yes, CHEERS! must be bought for every adult (21+) in the stateroom. |
| Wi-FiIncluded, or tiered packages at extra cost | Paid tiers only, Social, Value, Premium and Premium Multi-Device. No free option. |
| Deposit & final paymentWhen the balance is due before sailing | Final payment 76 days out (cruises ≤5 days); 91 days out (6+ days, and Alaska/Europe/Panama/Transatlantic/Transpacific). |
| Cancellation & refundsPenalty schedule as the sailing gets closer | Deposit only until 56 days out; 50% penalty (55-30 days); 75% (29-15 days); 100% (14-0 days). |
| Refundable vs non-refundableFare/deposit types and what you forfeit | Most lines sell both a refundable-deposit fare and a lower non-refundable-deposit fare; a non-refundable deposit is forfeited if you cancel and change fees can apply. (General, fare types vary by sailing.) |
| Solo traveller supplementSingle supplement and whether solo cabins exist | A single supplement usually applies to solo travellers (roughly the cost of two fares); some ships offer dedicated solo cabins. Availability varies by ship and sailing, an advisor can find the solo-friendly options. |
| Kids, minimum age & clubsMinimum age to sail and kids-club age bands | Min age 6 months (domestic) / 12 months (transoceanic). Camp Ocean: Turtles under 2, Penguins 2-5, Stingrays 6-8, Sharks 9-11; Circle 'C' 12-14; Club O2 15-17. |
| Onboard credit termsRefundable vs non-refundable onboard credit | Onboard credit comes from promotions or loyalty status, not the base fare. Refundable credit can be withdrawn as cash at the end of the sailing; non-refundable credit must be spent onboard. (General, amounts and terms vary by offer.) |
| Loyalty programmeProgramme name and how tiers work | VIFP Club, Blue (1st cruise), Red (2nd / 24 pts), Gold (25-74 pts), Platinum (75-199), Diamond (200+). |
| Travel documentsPassport vs birth certificate on closed-loop sailings | Passport strongly recommended; birth certificate + government photo ID accepted on closed-loop U.S. domestic sailings. |
These are exactly the details that surprise people at the pier and on the final bill. Call and we'll confirm every one for your ship, cabin and dates, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250At a glance
Founded1972
HeadquartersMiami, Florida
Parent companyCarnival Corporation & plc
Ships in fleet29
Loyalty programmeVIFP Club
StyleFun First Value
Is this the right line for you?
✓ A strong fit for
- Budget-conscious families
- First-time cruisers testing the format
- Short 3-5 night getaways
- Travellers who can drive to a home port
- Groups wanting a social atmosphere
✕ Probably not for
- Travellers seeking a refined or quiet atmosphere
- Those prioritising gourmet dining
- Cruisers who dislike party energy
- Anyone wanting extensive enrichment programming
The fleet, class by class
Excel class
Carnival Jubilee
2023 · 5,362 guests
View ship →Carnival Celebration
2022 · 5,362 guests
View ship →Mardi Gras
2021 · 5,270 guests
View ship →Venice class
Spirit class
Carnival Luminosa
2022 · 2,260 guests
View ship →Carnival Legend
2002 · 2,124 guests
View ship →Carnival Spirit
2001 · 2,124 guests
View ship →Carnival Miracle
2004 · 2,124 guests
View ship →Carnival Pride
2002 · 2,134 guests
View ship →Conquest class
Carnival Conquest
2002 · 2,980 guests
View ship →Carnival Glory
2003 · 2,980 guests
View ship →Carnival Freedom
2007 · 2,980 guests
View ship →Carnival Valor
2004 · 2,980 guests
View ship →Carnival Liberty
2005 · 2,974 guests
View ship →Dream class
Carnival Dream
2009 · 3,646 guests
View ship →Carnival Magic
2011 · 3,690 guests
View ship →Carnival Breeze
2012 · 3,690 guests
View ship →Vista class
Carnival Panorama
2019 · 4,008 guests
View ship →Carnival Horizon
2018 · 3,960 guests
View ship →Carnival Vista
2016 · 3,934 guests
View ship →Sunshine class
Carnival Radiance
2021 · 2,984 guests
View ship →Carnival Sunrise
1999 · 2,984 guests
View ship →Carnival Sunshine
2013 · 3,002 guests
View ship →Fantasy class
Splendor class
Adventure class
Not sure which Carnival ship fits your trip? A specialist knows which ships sail where, and when.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250What's included, and what isn't
Included in your fare
- Main dining room, Set or flexible seating
- Buffet, Open most of the day
- Select casual venues
- Main theatre productions
- Pools and sports decks
- Fitness centre, Classes may carry a fee
- Kids club
- Water, drip coffee, tea, select juice
Costs extra
- Gratuities
- Alcohol, soda, speciality coffee, Packages available
- Speciality restaurants, Cover charge or à la carte
- Wi-fi, Tiered packages
- Shore excursions
- Spa and salon
- Casino and arcade
- Laundry and pressing
Choosing a cabin
Ocean View
A sealed window or porthole onto the sea, natural light and a view, without the extra of a balcony.
Balcony
Your own private outdoor space for morning coffee and sail-aways, the most popular choice for good reason.
Suite
The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.
Family Harbor
Roomier layouts and connecting options designed with families in mind.
Cloud 9 Spa
Wellness-focused cabins with spa perks or thermal-suite access, usually in a quieter part of the ship.
Havana
A distinct room category on this line, ask us exactly what it includes.
Terrazza
A distinct room category on this line, ask us exactly what it includes.
The right cabin, and the numbers to avoid on each ship, is exactly what an advisor knows.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Cruising with children
Kids clubCamp Ocean
Minimum sailing age6 months; 12 months if the itinerary includes any international port
What's on board for kids & teens: Camp Ocean for ages 2-11 (Penguins 2-5, Sharks 6-8, Stingrays 9-11), Circle “C” for tweens 12-14, and Club O2 for teens 15-17, plus Night Owls late-night care.
Travelling with kids? An advisor books connecting cabins, dining times and the right club, and finds the family deals.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Accessibility
Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary
Where and when it sails
RegionsAlaska, Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, Panama Canal
Typical lengths2 to 8 nights (most are 3-7 nights)
Home ports:
Baltimore, MD
Galveston, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Long Beach (Los Angeles), CA
Miami, FL
Mobile, AL
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Norfolk, VA
Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Tampa, FLWhat actually drives the cost
Home port choiceDriving instead of flying removes the largest single variable for most families. Compare drive-to ports before anything else.
Sailing lengthShort 3-5 night sailings cost less overall but more per night. Seven nights is often better value per day.
Ship ageNewer classes command a premium over older tonnage sailing similar routes.
Cabin categoryInterior to balcony is the biggest single step. Cove balconies sit in between on some ships.
School holiday timingHoliday weeks are the busiest and most expensive of the year.
What you add onGratuities, drinks packages, speciality dining and excursions change the all-in total substantially.
Prices move daily by ship, date and cabin. One call gets you the real number for your trip, and the best rate our partners can offer.
Call now · +1-833-684-4250Updates
Latest Carnival updates
No updates right now. Call and we'll confirm the latest policy from the source.
Questions people actually ask
Is Carnival only for young party crowds?
Not uniformly. Short weekend sailings draw the liveliest crowds; longer itineraries and off-peak dates attract a broader mix including families and older travellers. Choosing the right sailing length matters more than choosing the right ship.
Why are so many people driving to their cruise?
Carnival sails from more US home ports than any other line, including several that competitors ignore. For a family of four, removing four airfares changes the entire budget, worth checking before you assume you need to fly.
What is a cove balcony?
A balcony set lower in the hull, closer to the waterline and more sheltered than a standard balcony. Only some ships have them. It's a distinctive option most booking sites won't explain to you.
Helpful guides
Free, factual reading to help you decide, then one call books it.
Choosing a cabinInterior to suite, what you get, what to watch for, and the cabins to avoid.Read guide →
What's includedThe gap between the fare and your final bill, explained plainly.Read guide →
Cruise gratuities explainedThe daily service charge, how it works, who it goes to, and how to plan for it.Read guide →
Find an affordable cruiseThe real levers that move the price, without the fake-deal gimmicks.Read guide →
Deposits, payment & cancellationThe booking timeline that keeps you in control of your money.Read guide →
Are drink packages worth it?How to tell, plus the whole-cabin rule that catches people out.Read guide →
Cruise Wi-Fi explainedPackages, tiers and what to realistically expect at sea.Read guide →
Refundable vs non-refundableWhich fare type fits your plans, and where insurance helps.Read guide →
Hidden cruise costsThe extras first-timers forget to budget for, in one checklist.Read guide →
How cruise pricing worksWhy fares vary, how lines price a sailing, and how to time it right.Read guide →
Onboard credit, explainedWhere it comes from, refundable vs not, and how to spend it well.Read guide →
Big ship vs small shipFloating resort or intimate vessel? How to pick the size that fits.Read guide →
How to choose a cruise lineMatch the line to how you travel, in three quick steps.Read guide →
Solo cruisingThe single supplement, solo cabins, and how to travel alone well.Read guide →
Groups & familiesConnecting cabins, kids' clubs, group dining and split payments, sorted.Read guide →
Accessible cruisingAccessible cabins, tendering, and what to confirm before you book.Read guide →Talk to a Carnival specialist
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