Are Carnival Cruises Really a Good Deal? Here’s the Truth

Carnival ships often show the lowest price tag in the cruise industry. But a low fare doesn’t always mean a low final bill. Here’s what you actually get for your money.

A First Stop for Tacos, Not Just Safety Drills

USA TODAY travel reporter Nathan Diller boarded a Carnival Cruise Line ship in late May. After checking in at his mandatory safety briefing, he headed straight to the Lido Deck for tacos.

Diller says BlueIguana Cantina is his go-to spot for breakfast and lunch on Carnival ships. He loaded up his chicken tacos with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, tomatillo salsa, and hot sauce from the salsa bar.

Tacos weren’t the only highlight of his five-night trip. He says he ate almost entirely at no-cost venues the whole cruise, including Guy’s Burger Joint and the Lucky Bowl walk-up window.

What’s Included on a Carnival Cruise?

Carnival has built a reputation as a budget-friendly cruise line. Many fares come in lower than competitors, but the ship still offers plenty of variety.

Sally French, a travel expert and co-host of the Smart Travel Podcast for NerdWallet, explained why the math often works out. “There is a lot of Carnival that’s included, such as the food in the main dining room, the entertainment, the pools,” she told USA TODAY. “If you don’t drink much and can skip the specialty restaurants, the math is actually hard to beat.”

Carnival Sunrise, a ship that holds nearly 3,000 guests, had at least ten included eateries during Diller’s sailing. Some spots served double duty, like Cucina del Capitano, which normally charges for dinner but offered a free noodle bar at lunch.

Pizzeria del Capitano served bagels in the morning at no extra cost. Swirls Ice Cream, with soft serve and frozen yogurt, stayed busy all day long.

• Water, regular coffee, and tea
• Lemonade and hot chocolate
• Main dining room meals
• Pool access and entertainment

Free Entertainment Onboard

Carnival Sunrise offered shows and activities for guests at no added cost. Families enjoyed the Seuss-a-palooza Parade, where characters marched through the ship alongside kids.

Another show, called “Soulbound,” told a love story set to classic Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin covers. Diller noted the cast’s voices stood out, even though the special effects were fairly simple.

Hot tubs, fitness centers, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and kids’ clubs are also part of the included package on most sailings.

Is Carnival Actually Cheaper Than Other Cruise Lines?

French says Carnival’s pricing strategy has opened the door for more people to try cruising. “Carnival really sits at the value end of the mass-market cruise ships, but in doing so it’s lowered the barrier to entry into cruising,” she said. “The itineraries skew short – three, four, five nights – and lean hard on drive-to ports like Galveston, New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Mobile, which can help families avoid having to cover airfare, too.”

That said, add-ons can chip away at the savings fast. The Cheers! drink package starts at $69.95 per person, per day, and covers beer, wine, cocktails, soda, and specialty coffee.

One catch: if one adult in a cabin buys the drink package, every other adult in that cabin must buy it too. Carnival also sells cheaper non-alcoholic and soda-only packages, or guests can just pay per drink.

Specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions can also add up quickly. Most major cruise lines follow a similar pricing setup, but French says Carnival isn’t always the cheapest option once everything is totaled.

“The key note is that, sure, Carnival almost always shows the lowest advertised fares of any major line, but realize that it’s rare that’s the total price you’ll pay,” she said. “It’s a very à la carte model where it’s unlikely your total cost will be the unbeatable fare you think you got.”

Carnival told USA TODAY that its strategy of sailing from more U.S. home ports than any other line supports its value reputation, since over half the U.S. population can drive to a port within five hours. The line also said it offers more included dining and entertainment than other major cruise companies.

How Much Does a Carnival Cruise Cost?

Prices shift depending on the departure date, trip length, and destination. Sailings to Carnival’s newly updated Bahamas spot, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, start around $216 per person for double occupancy, taxes and fees included.

As of early June, the lowest fare available was $187 per person for a three-day round-trip cruise from Miami to Celebration Key aboard Carnival Conquest.

French compares the Carnival pricing model to basic economy airfare. The base price looks great, but costs climb once extras like drink packages or specialty dining get added.

“A lot of people choose Carnival (and budget airlines, for that matter) because they’re seduced by a low advertised price,” French said. “Just realize that it’s unlikely to be that low. Do your research and find out what’s included and what’s not.”

The Bottom Line

Carnival can be a smart choice for travelers who stick to included food, drinks, and entertainment. But anyone who adds specialty dining, drink packages, or excursions should expect the final bill to climb well past that advertised fare.