EmailFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Included in the cruise fare? And what's extra?
- How much and who should I tip?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- What if the cruise price drops after I book or I find a better fare?
- Does the ship provide internet access? If so, how much does it cost?
- How can I keep in stay in touch with friends and family on land? Can I use my cell phone?
- What is the dress code?
- Can I bring alcohol on board?
- What kinds of items are not allowed on board?
CRUISE INCLUDES:
Room Accommodations
- Carnival's Comfort Collection (bedding linens, bath linens, mattress, etc.)
- Toiletries and amenities
- 24 hour room service
Food and Drink
- Fine Dining in the dining rooms (includes lobster and steak served on every cruise)
- Casual Dining (Lido restaurant), 24-hour Pizzeria, soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt
- Sushi Bar
- Lemonade, coffee, tea, water (non-bottled)
- Spa Carnival Cuisine (healthy menu items indicated with an SC)
Entertainment
- All onboard clubs, bars and lounges (including karaoke, dance lessons and more)
- Spectacular stage shows
- Live music, including three bands and orchestra
- Comedy acts and international singers
- Carnival's Seasid Theatre (on select ships)
- Poolside entertainment (live music, games, dancing and more)
General
- Fitness center, steam room, sauna and outdoor jogging track
- All pools including children's wading pool (on select ships) and whirlpool/ hot tubs
- Carnival's Twister Waterslide OR Carnival Waterworks (depends on the ship)
- Mini Golf
- Basketball Court/Volleyball Court (on select ships)
- Table Tennis
- Library
- Serenity - adult only retreat (on select ships)
- Sliding Sky Dome - enjoy the pool rain or shine (on select ships)
Youth Programs
- Club O2 for ages 15 through 17
- Circle "C" for ages 12 through 14
- Camp Carnival for ages 2 through 11
- Toddlers ages 2-5
- Juniors ages 6-8
- Intermediate ages 9-11
Not Included (available for EXTRA Charge):
Food and Drink
- Various beverages (alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees and bottled water)
- All items from the patisserie (pastries, baked goods, indulgent sweets, etc.)
- The Steakhouse (on select ships) - reservations recommended
Onboard activities
- Use of Spa Carnival and Cloud 9 Spa services
- Golf Academy
General
- Babysitting service (from 10 PM to 3AM in Camp carnival for ages 11 and under)
- Ship-to-shore communications (i.e. telephone, WiFi, cell phone roaming charges apply)
- Casino, bingo and other gaming
- Medical services
- Professional photographs, portraits and film developing
- In-room movies
- Internet access (see below section on internet access)
- Arcade
- Gratuities
- Shore excursions (organized tours at destinations)
Tipping Policy
Gratuities are automatically charged for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $11.50 per guest, per day (recommended guideline) as follows:
- $3.70 per day Stateroom Services
- $5.80 per day Dining Room Services
- $2.00 per day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff
- For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $11.50 per guest, per day must be prepaid.
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, you are encouraged to contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow Carnival to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.
For beverage purchases, 15% of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maitre d' is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.
NOTE: BARBADOS CRUISES - All gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process for Barbados itineraries.
More info on Carnival Cruise Lines' website here↑ Back to Top
The cancellation fee depends on a couple of factors: Days until departure and length of the cruise. The closer you get to the sailing date the larger that fee. For more specific details when canceling a Cruise, see the information here.
For example, for a 1 week, 7-night cruise the cancellation fee is:
- None, if cancelled with 76 days or more until departure
- Your deposit amount ($250 per person), if cancelled between 75 and 30 days till departure
- 50% of the total fare, if cancelled between 29 and 8 days till departure
- 100% of the total fare, if cancelled within 7 days of departure
Carnival recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.↑ Back to Top
Cruise Lines also may have to cancel or change the itineraries for trips, you can find Carnival's policy for that eventuality here.
Carnival's 110% Best Price Guarantee:
- You'll have 48 hours from the time you book to find a lower price
- Carnival will give you 110% of the difference in on-board credit
- Best Price Guarantee only applies to publicly available rates
Click here for the Best Price Guarantee Claim form.
Click here Best Price Guarantee terms and conditions.↑ Back to Top
Internet
All ships have Internet Cafes. Internet access is available in the Internet Cafe 24 hours a day.
Wi-Fi internet access is also available for guests that bring their own laptop or smart phones. Carnival also offers wireless Internet access across their entire fleet. Depending on the vessel, they have either limited wireless access in and around the shipboard Internet cafe and select public areas or a complete "Bow2stern" wireless network.
Internet minutes are available at the following rates:
An initial one-time Activation Fee of $3.95 applies to each user.
A basic time charge of $0.75 per minute ("Pay-As-You-Go") is available. Minutes are rounded to the next full minute.
Cruises 6 days in length and longer:
- 100 minutes for $55.00 ($0.55 per minute)
- 250 minutes for $100.00 ($0.40 per minute)
Cruises less than 6 days in length:
- 30 minutes for $16.50 ($0.55 per minute)
- 60 minutes for $24.00 ($0.40 per minute)
A limited number of laptops are available for rent for an additional $10.00 per day, or free with a Time Plan purchase; and optional insurance is also available.
More info on Carnival Cruise Lines' website here↑ Back to Top
Room Phone:
The ship's telecommunications network offers direct dialing via satellite from the staterooms telephone. This is available 24 hours a day regardless of the ship's location. The rate is $1.99 per minute for all outgoing calls from your cabin. All charges are billed to the guest's on board Sail and Sign Card. Since all communication is via satellite, guests cannot use calling cards, credit cards, dial 800 toll-free numbers nor make collect calls. Instructions and rates can be found in the cabin's directory.
Friends and family can call guests on ship via the Shore-to-Ship telephone service. The rate is $9.50 per minute from the United States; additional long distance charges may apply from outside the United States.
The caller needs to have available the ship name and the guest's name. The charges will be applied to the caller's credit card: 1-877 CCLSHIP (1-877-225-7447) from the U.S. 1-732-335-3284 from Canada and outside the U.S.
Cell Phone:
Yes, you can use your cell phone. Note, you will incur roaming charges (T-Mobile $4.99/min, AT&T $2.49/min, Verizon $2.49/min, Sprint $2.49/min, Alltel $2.49/min). For more information, visit www.cellularatsea.com. Remember to pack your phone charger.
For more questions about your service or about billing, please contact your cell phone provider.
More info on Carnival Cruise Lines' website here.↑ Back to Top
Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same.
For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. However, shirts and shoes/footwear (flip-flops) must be worn at all times inside the Lido restaurants.
Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code
- Gentlemen
- Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long)
- Collared sport shirts
- Ladies
- Casual dresses, casual skirts, summer dresses
- Dress pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs)
- Blouses
*Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: Gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats.
Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code
- Gentlemen
- Dress slacks, dress shirts.
- Sport coat
- Suit and tie or tuxedos are also acceptable.
- Ladies
- Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses
- Evening gown
*Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: Shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
More info on the dress code and what to pack on Carnival Cruise Lines' website here↑ Back to Top
No beer or hard liquor may be brought onboard for consumption. However, guests (21 years and older only) may bring one bottle of wine or champagne per guest on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. A $10 corkage fee per bottle will be charged should you wish to consume this wine in the dining room or a $14 corkage fee per bottle in the Supper Club.
Guests may bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages purchased in the ship's gift shops or in ports of call will be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage. For more information from Carnival Cruise Line's website here
Carnival offers an "Unlimited Soda Program" which will allow them unlimited soft drinks for the duration of the cruise at a one-time purchase price (including gratuities).
"Bottomless Bubbles" fountain soda package: $6 per day for adults, $4.50 per day for kids 17 and under (or $42 for a 7-night cruise). Given one can of soda is $1.95, if you plan on drinking 3 or more sodas per day on a 7 day cruise, you should consider buying this package.↑ Back to Top
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Passenger is not allowed to bring on board the vessel any intoxicating liquors, or beverages, firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature, nor animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal.
More info on Carnival Cruise Lines' website here↑ Back to TopMeetOnCruise: Our Take
They are not kidding about the fun aboard Carnival, the largest Cruise Line in the world. A typical day may include belly flop contests and conga lines during dinner. Carnival is best suited for those looking for a fun and relaxed, well-packaged vacation experience at a good price. Most passengers are youthful adults and families with children and teenagers.
Carnival Cruise Line Photos from Members
