You’ve booked your first Carnival cruise and are wondering what exactly is included in that incredibly low price you just paid for your vacation. You’ve come to the right place.
Most cruises are not exactly an all-inclusive vacation. There are several cruise lines that are all inclusive, but Carnival is definitely not one of those cruise lines. But there is a lot that is included. If you compare the price of a cruise to the price of a condo on the beach and food for a week you will realize why we have been on so many cruises!
So what is included in the price of a Carnival Cruise?
Whichever stateroom you have chosen.
When you are just looking at the prices and comparing, please note the price that they show you is the cost of an interior room, not an ocean view or balcony. Those would be upgrades from the “starting from” price, however, many people are perfectly happy to pay that low price and spend most of their time on deck and only show up to their room to sleep and shower.
Food in the buffet and the main dining room.
The buffet and the dining room are all you can eat plus unlimited unsweetened tea (sorry y’all), coffee and lemonade. (And ice water, which seems ridiculous to mention but there are a couple of cruise lines that actually make you pay for water.) There is also pizza 24/7, just in case you are hungry at a random time of day there is always pizza for a snack.
Check out our post on Food on Carnival for more information about eating onboard!
Room service is free for certain items at certain times of day.
Breakfast has a limited menu but is free. At other times of day there are certain items on the room service menu that are included and those that you can order for a fee. Room service is available 24/7 (except on the morning of debarkation). Breakfast on the balcony is always a great way to start the day.
Many different options for lunch, including some of the specialty restaurants.
At lunch the sit-down Asian and Italian restaurants are often included in the price of your carnival cruise. Of course, you can always go to the buffet or the grill for lunch, it is absolutely worth trying out the Asian or Italian restaurants for lunch. They have a completely different menu than they do for dinner and offer (I think) better food than what is on the buffet. These are a great way to get away from the crowds – especially on a Sea Day!
Evening entertainment such as the shows in the theater
There is a lot of entertainment on a cruise ship. Most ships include Dive-In movies on the deck at least a couple of nights of the cruise (including free popcorn). These are usually movies that have just left the theater. Your entertainment value also includes the musical productions in the main theater. These are usually singing and dancing productions based on a certain theme such as the movies or classic rock music.
Day-time entertainment like miniature golf and trivia.
Not that you can’t play miniature golf in the evening. Most ships just have the balls and putters near the beginning of the course so you can grab your materials and start playing whenever you feel like it. Trivia happens most days on Carnival, with several games back to back on sea days. They are on all different topics from popular TV shows & movies to music to general trivia so you are bound to find something that you know a lot about (and some things you know nothing about)!
And perhaps the more important question – what is not included on a Carnival Cruise?
Alcohol and Sodas.
On a Carnival Cruises you can purchase the Cheers! Package and have mostly unlimited alcoholic drinks (limit 15 per day). Or you could purchase the Bubbles Package for unlimited Soft Drinks. One important thing to note in both these packages is that all members of a cabin must purchase the package if it applies. If both people staying in a cabin are over 21 you must both purchase the Cheers! Package. You can also get specialty coffees and power aides and other non-alcoholic drinks with the Cheers! Package. The Bubbles Package just includes soft drinks. (As a comment, each person is allowed to bring a certain number of cans of non-alcoholic drinks on board at the beginning of your cruise). You can also purchase drinks individually.
Specialty restaurants.
Specialty restaurants such as the steak house are not included in the cost of a cruise. You must pay an additional cost, but they do have good food and are a different experience than the main dining room.
Excursions.
Any off-ship activities you want to participate in are an additional charge. There are some cruise lines (Viking for example) that include a basic excursion in each port. There are no included excursions on Carnival, but you do not need an excursion to have fun in every port of call. You can purchase excursions either through carnival or through outside vendors. But if your excursion is delayed the ship only waits for you if you have purchased a Carnival excursion.
Gratuities.
Gratuities for your cabin steward and waiters are automatically added to your account on the last day of your cruise, however, you can go to guest services and request that they be removed, decreased, increased or altered in any way.
Bingo & Casino.
These gambling opportunities are not included in the cost of your cruise and you probably want to bring cash for these activities because there is a hefty price to get the money from your sign & sail card.
Spa.
Massages, saunas, thermal rooms and other activities in the spa are not included in the price of the cruise. (Unless you book “spa staterooms” – then you have unlimited access to the spa area for the cruise.)
Parking or other transportation to the cruise terminal.
This can really add up especially on a longer cruise. Parking can cost a $100 or more for the convenience of parking so close to the cruise terminal. You can park elsewhere for a cheaper rate and take a shuttle. Some ports also have hotels that include a park and cruise options. It is worth doing a little research to see what is available near your port if you are driving to your cruise and want to save some money. But if you want to get off the ship and head home as fast as possible, it may be worth paying to park at the port.
There are many things included in the basic price of your Carnival Cruise and you could spend your whole time doing only free activities, eating, and drinking only free things and still be very entertained and happy. There are other costs that can sneak up on everyone but hopefully this helped in budgeting for your Carnival Cruise!
Happy Sailing!
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