Whenever it comes to a top-rated cruise ship line, Carnival Cruise stands out. This red whale-tale funnel is one of the most popular cruise lines in the country. Alongside, it is also a pocket-friendly option for those who want to enjoy a cruise vacation but have a limited budget to spend. Even though it is an affordable option, how much does a Carnival cruise cost? Before discussing everything in detail, keep in mind that the cruise fares depend on the number of guests, number of days you are willing to stay, the cabin type, and the services added. Go through this post to find the prices in detail.

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A Quick Overview of Carnival Cruise Line Prices
Rather than nightly prices, cruise fares are charged per passenger. In addition to this, guests need to pay a little higher than a normal hotel room because they will be getting accommodations, food, activities, and entertainment with it.
Here are some points that will describe the average fares:
- The cruise will charge around USD 100 to USD 130 for interior cabins per guest for each day, including port fees and taxes.
- In case guests choose balcony cabins, the cost for the same duration will be USD 140 to USD 190 per guest.
- The cost of a cabin will also depend on the travel season. This means the cost will be slightly higher during peak travel season.
- Cruise fares do not include additional services, such as travel insurance, shore excursions, and more.
- Carnival Cruise ships may also have discounted fares if there is a big group traveling together.
- Travel of toddlers and infants under 2 years of age is free. However, other charges and taxes may be charged.
How Much Does a Carnival Cruise Cost Per Person by Ship Type?
Currently, Carnival Cruise Line has a fleet of more than 20 ships. Each ship offers a huge variety of on-board services, including endless opportunities for fun and entertainment. Speaking about the average fares, each ship has a slight variation, depending on the sailing date, amenities included, and other factors.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the fares for the most popular Carnival cruise ships (remember, these are a few cruise ships only. Carnival has many more cruise ships. Therefore, contact Carnival Cruise Line directly to inquire about the applicable charges):
Carnival Jubilee
This is one of the most popular, highly booked, and largest cruise ships of Carnival. This is why the average cost is a little higher than others. The cost also depends on the cabin type and the duration of the stay chosen by a guest. If you are looking for the answer to how much does a 7-day Carnival cruise cost, below is the average cost:

Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 644
- Ocean view: USD 834
- Balcony: USD 944
- Suite: USD 1544
Seasons to know
- Peak season: June to August, December, January, March, and April
- Off-peak season: July and November
Carnival Breeze
Built in 2012, Carnival Breeze is best known for its exceptional features and amenities. The ship offers a variety of dining options, a water park, waterslides, a spa, a casino, and numerous other amenities on board. However, the fares are a little higher. One can check the following to know how much does a 5-day Carnival cruise cost:

Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 708
- Ocean view: USD 816
- Balcony: USD 1048
Seasons to know
- Peak season: June to August, December, January, March, and April
- Shoulder months: January and February
- Off-peak season: September and October
Carnival Mardi Gras
This is a huge cruise ship and part of the XL class fleet of Carnival Cruise Line. This is the first ship in North America to be powered by LNG (liquefied natural gas). The ship is best known for its exciting features. These include entertainment and shopping zones, dining areas, the first roller coaster at the sea, and much more.

You can check the following to know the answer to how much does a 3 day Carnival cruise cost or how much does a 4-day Carnival cruise cost:
Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 1200 (starting from)
- Suite: USD 4000 (starting from)
Seasons to know
- Peak season: Late June, July, late December, early January, and March to mid-April
- Off-peak season: Late September, October, November, and early December
Carnival Panorama
The maiden voyage took place in 2019; since then, Carnival Panorama has been entertaining people and giving them a unique sea exploration experience. This ship has spacious staterooms within different cabin categories equipped with the necessary amenities. However, the prices will vary depending on the cabin type and duration chosen. Here is an estimated fare for each guest for a stay of 7 nights:

Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 425
- Ocean view: USD 564
- Balcony: USD 714
- Suite: USD 1418
Seasons to know
- Peak season: Late June to August, late December, early January, March, and mid-April
- Off-peak season: Late September to October and late January to early March
Carnival Dream
Started sea journeys in September 2009, Carnival Dream is among the largest ships in the fleet of Carnival Cruise Line. This is one of the first Carnival ships that has a water park, along with multiple exciting slides. In addition to this, it features a huge outdoor deck with a whirlpool Jacuzzi, an outdoor café, a miniature golf course with 18 holes, and more.

To calculate how much does a Carnival cruise cost for 2 adults for 7 nights, check the following cabin-based fares:
Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 669
- Ocean view: USD 869
- Balcony: USD 1014
- Suite: USD 1838
Seasons to know
- Peak season: Late December, early January, mid-March, mid-April, and late June to August
- Off-peak season: Late September to mid-November and July to early November
Carnival Horizon
This is a Vista-class ship by Carnival. It entered the fleet in 2018. Carnival Horizon has the capacity to carry around 4000 guests. When it comes to amenities, it offers countless dining, entertainment, fun, and relaxing options. Some of these include a splash park, kids’ clubs, an aerial bike ride, the Havana stateroom complex, an IMAX theater, and more. You can also try global delicacies at Red Frog Bar, Fahrenheit 555, Blue Iguana Cantina, and Steakhouse.

If we talk about an 8-night stay, cabin-based fares have been listed here:
Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 723
- Ocean view: USD 895
- Balcony: USD 1163
- Suite: USD 1918
Seasons to know
- Peak season: June, July, August, November, late December, and early January
- Off-peak season: September, October, late January, February, and April
Carnival Vista
Launched in 2015, Carnival Vista went on its maiden voyage in 2016. It is large enough to accommodate nearly 4000 passengers in one go. Besides, the cruise ship can provide you with the best on-board experience – thanks to the features and amenities provided. Some prominent features include bars, dining options, a spa, and spacious rooms. However, you will need to pay a different amount for each cabin.

Here is an estimated detail of how much does a Carnival cruise ship cost for 6 nights:
Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 575
- Ocean view: USD 703
- Balcony: USD 841
- Suite: USD 1382
Seasons to know
- Peak season: Mid-December to March and April
- Off-peak season: July to November
- Shoulder months: May, early June, and late November
Carnival Sunshine
This is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, as it was built in 1996. However, the renovation took place in 2013 to improve its facilities and overall structure. This cruise ship by Carnival can carry more than 3000 passengers at once. Besides, some of its notable features include multiple dining options, casinos, bars, a spa, water parks, and many entertainment zones.

When it comes to the prices, here are the cabin-specific price details for a 5-night journey:
Fares for different cabins
- Interior cabin: USD 1004
- Ocean view: USD 1204
- Balcony: USD 1609
- Suite: USD 2714
Seasons to know
- Peak season: March, April, June, July, August, and late December
- Off-peak season: Late September, mid-November, January, and February
Note: The Carnival Cruise Lines’ ship fares will be higher during peak seasons. In case you want to save more, you are advised to book your cruise experience during off-peak seasons.
Destination-Based Carnival Cruise Line Ships’ Fares
Before you move ahead, you should keep in mind that the Carnival cruise cost is also influenced by the traveling destinations. Here are details about the cabin fares based on the duration of stays on different cruise ships for different destinations:
From Miami to Western Caribbean on Carnival Sunshine for a 5-Night Stay
- Interior cabin: USD 524
- Ocean view: USD 604
- Balcony: USD 834
- Suite: USD 1289
From Seattle to Alaska on Carnival Luminosa for a 7-Night Stay
- Interior cabin: USD 1078
- Ocean view: USD 1328
- Balcony: USD 1733
- Suite: USD 2890
From Norfolk to Bermuda on Carnival Sunshine for a 6-Night Stay
- Interior cabin: USD 782
- Ocean view: USD 889
- Balcony: USD 1259
- Suite: USD 2094
From Long Beach to Baja Mexico on Carnival Firenze for a 4-Night Stay
- Interior cabin: USD 389
- Ocean view: USD 479
- Balcony: USD 559
- Suite: USD 1079
From Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Celebration for a 7-Night Stay
- Interior cabin: USD 834
- Ocean view: USD 1034
- Balcony: USD 1129
- Suite: USD 1899
What is Not Included in the Carnival Cruise Ships’ Fares?
The estimated fare that is mentioned above will not include certain parts of your cruise experience. This means you will need to carry extra cash or spend additional bucks beyond the fare to enjoy more. Here are the aspects that are not included in the cruise ship’s fare:
Transportation
One of the biggest costs besides the fare of the carnival cruise ship is associated with the transportation. Whether you take a train, drive, or fly, calculate the amount that is needed to reach the homeport from your location. No carnival cruise ship offers a transportation facility. Therefore, ensure that you book the transportation according to your budget.
Travel insurance
Prevention is always better than a cure. This is something followed by the Carnival cruise ships. Although the cruise line ensures the safest sea travel, they suggest that guests have travel insurance to cover accidents, medical issues, etc.
The best thing is that most travel insurance plans also cover other aspects, such as lost luggage and trip interruptions. Please note that no cruise package offers travel insurance. So, you will need to buy one separately. Talking about the cost of a travel insurance plan, it will vary from one provider to another.
Shore Excursions
Since the facility is completely optional, however, you can definitely have it if you love exciting activities and your budget allows. In addition to this, you can add shore excursions at certain ports and explore them. When it comes to the cost of shore excursions, it may vary from one Carnival cruise ship to another. So, it is better to inquire about it.
Internet or Wi-Fi
Anyone who is traveling on a cruise often asks how much does Wi-Fi cost on a Carnival cruise. Firstly, the internet facility is not free on the cruise. To enjoy uninterrupted internet facility, you can choose from the plans offered. These include the Social Plan which starts at USD 18.70 per passenger per day. The facilities include access to iMessage, airlines’ websites, and social media.
You can also pay USD 22.10 per day for the Value Plan. This will provide you access to your emails, social media, various websites, and more. Lastly, if you need faster speed with wider access, you can get the Premium Plan by paying USD 23.80 per day. Through this, you can also have video calls.
Gratuities
This expense is automatically added to the bill. However, the charges depend on the cabin type chosen. For instance, guests are required to pay USD 16 per passenger daily for a standard or interior cabin. The amount will be USD 18 for suites. Gratuities are charged to cover the expenses of the servers, laundry room workers, attendants of staterooms, and more.
Specialty drinks
With cruise fares, you can only enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and normal beverages, such as milk, tea, coffee, juices, hot chocolate, and lemonade. If you wish to enjoy specialty drinks, including alcoholic beverages, cocktails, and smoothies, you will need to pay extra. Below is the estimated start cost of each drink:
- Beers: USD 7.75
- Specialty cocktails: USD 12
- Standard cocktails: USD 8
- Wine per glass: USD 10
- Energy drinks, specialty coffees, and sodas: USD 2.75 to USD 5
- Bottled water: USD 2.25
- Bottomless bubbles for kids: USD 8.20 per day
- Bottomless bubbles for adults: USD 11.21 per day
You can also buy a Cheers Package by paying USD 82.54 per day for each guest. This will cover the expenses of specialty coffees, alcohol, energy drinks, and other similar items.
Specialty Dining
On Carnival cruise ships, you will have an extensive range of bars, restaurants, and dining options. You will have even better and wider options on the larger ships, such as Carnival Jubilee. Depending on your precise taste buds and preferences, you can choose from the following indicative list by paying the mentioned amount per adult:
- Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse: USD 49
- Bonsai Teppanyaki: USD 42
- Rudi’s Seagrill: USD 52
- Cucina Del Capitano Italian Restaurant: USD 24
Several other restaurants are there that offer a more concise menu for free or at an affordable price. For kids, specialty meals are provided at a minimal fee.
Salon and Spa
On the ships of Carnival Cruise Line, you can also access different salons and spas on board. To relax even further, you can opt for hair styling, facials, massages, and more. However, the cost may vary from one cruise to another and the service opted for. Look at the following to know the estimated cost:
- Swedish massage for 50 minutes: USD 104.30
- Aroma stone massage: USD 125.30
- Traditional manicure: USD 59
- Styling of long hair: USD 55.30
You can also get access to Cloud 9 Spa cabins through a daily pass by paying USD 30 per passenger and USD 50 for couples.
Things to Remember before Reserving a Seat on a Carnival Cruise Ship
Before you book your Carnival cruise ship, you are advised to research the amenities and decide on the budget, destination, cabin type, and other preferences. Here are some points to keep in mind:
Pre-Cruise Research and Booking
- First and foremost, you should research your preferred destinations, such as the Mediterranean. This will help you choose the Carnival ship that suits your travel preferences and styles better.
- After this, set your travel budget. Decide the budget that can cover the cruise ship fare, on-board add-ons, specialty services, shore excursions, and more.
- Your cabin selection will have a great impact on your budget and overall experience. Select the cabin that matches your budget and comfort level.
- Since last-minute bookings will cost you more, it is better to book cabins and other services in advance to make the most out of your cruise voyage.
Pre-Departure Processes
- Just like flights, you will need to check in for the cruise ship. To save time, you can do it online, take the printout of the boarding passes, and collect luggage tags beforehand.
- Downloading the Carnival Hub mobile app will help you access the ship’s schedule, map, and other amenities.
- To board the ship, you will need certain documents, such as a photo ID, a passport, and others. Without these, your boarding will either be denied or delayed.
- Check the baggage instructions of the ship and pack accordingly. If you do not do it, you will end up paying more on board.
- Always arrive on or before the scheduled departure time. This will ensure a smooth and easy boarding process.
Onboard Essentials
- Before boarding, you must check the safety and related guidelines. For this, you can even contact the Carnival cruise ship.
- You can buy the add-ons in advance. This is quite helpful for enjoying the cruise ship to the fullest.
Check Here: What are the Best Carnival Cruise Ships
To Sum Up!
After knowing how much does a Carnival Cruise cost, you will be able to plan your trip better. Additionally, you can determine the budget for the trip so that you can enjoy it without any interruption. Lastly, you can connect with Carnival Cruise Ship customer support to obtain detailed information regarding the fares, schedules, and other aspects.
FAQs on Carnival Cruise Cost
How much Does a Carnival Cruise typically cost per person?
Prices vary widely depending on itinerary, cabin type, and season. Short cruises (3–5 days) can start around $150–$300 per person, while longer or premium cruises may exceed $1,500+ per person.
What’s included in the Carnival Cruise base fare?
The base fare covers your cabin, main dining, basic entertainment, and port transportation. It does not include gratuities, excursions, specialty dining, or drinks.
What factors influence the total cost of a Carnival Cruise?
Key factors include:
Cruise length
Destination
Cabin type (interior vs. balcony vs. suite)
Season (peak vs. off-season)
Onboard spending habits
Are gratuities included in the Carnival cruise fare?
No, gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account. As of recent rates, expect around $14–$16 per person per day.
Do Carnival Cruises offer discounts or deals?
Yes! You can save by:
Booking early
Traveling off-season
Joining the VIFP loyalty club
Watching for flash sales and bundle offers
How much do drinks cost Carnival Cruises onboard?
Carnival offers drink packages. The Cheers! package is around $60–$70 per day and includes alcoholic beverages. À la carte drinks range from $2 sodas to $10+ cocktails.
Are Carnival Cruises shore excursions included in the price?
No, excursions are optional add-ons. Prices vary from $30 for a beach day to $150+ for adventure tours.
Is Wi-Fi included in the Carnival Cruises fare?
Nope. Carnival offers tiered Wi-Fi plans, starting around $12–$17 per day, depending on speed and usage.
Can I bring my own food or drinks onboard to save money?
You can bring non-alcoholic beverages (12-pack limit) and snacks, but alcohol is restricted. Carnival allows one bottle of wine per adult at embarkation.
What’s the best way to estimate my total Carnival cruise cost?
Add up:
Base fare
Taxes and port fees
Gratuities
Onboard purchases (drinks, dining, Wi-Fi)
Excursions
Travel to/from port
A realistic budget for a 7-day cruise might range from $1,000–$2,500 per person, depending on your choices.