A Carnival Conquest cruise costs $400–$700 per person for the base fare on a 7-night Caribbean sailing, but once you add gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining, your all-in budget is realistically $800–$1,400+ per person depending on how much you indulge.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most people book a Carnival Conquest cruise and feel great about the fare — then experience sticker shock when the final bill arrives. The base cabin price is just the beginning. Here's exactly what you'll spend, line item by line item.
What a Carnival Conquest Cruise Actually Costs
The Conquest is a Spirit-class ship sailing primarily Caribbean itineraries — think Western Caribbean out of Galveston or New Orleans. Base fares are genuinely competitive, but Carnival has become increasingly aggressive with add-on pricing. Budget accordingly.
| Category | Budget Traveler | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Fare (7 nights, per person) | $400–$550 | $600–$850 | $900–$1,400+ |
| Gratuities (7 nights) | $119 | $119 | $133 (suite) |
| CHEERS! Drink Package (7 nights) | — | $455–$595 | $595+ |
| Wi-Fi (7 nights, Premium) | — | $178.50 | $178.50 |
| Specialty Dining (1–2 visits) | — | $45–$90 | $90–$160+ |
| Excursions (per port) | $0–$50 | $75–$150 | $150–$300+ |
| Estimated All-In Total (per person) | $519–$700 | $1,050–$1,500 | $1,700–$2,500+ |
Base fares reflect 2025–2026 market rates. Gratuities are $17/day standard as of April 2, 2026.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
The Add-Ons That Will Eat Your Budget
Gratuities — Non-Negotiable Carnival raised gratuities to $17/person/day (standard cabins) effective April 2, 2026 — up from $16. On a 7-night sailing that's $119 per person, $238 per couple, before you've ordered a single drink. Suite guests pay $19/day. You can prepay before your sailing to lock in the rate, and I'd recommend it.
The CHEERS! Drink Package — Do the Math First At $65–$85/person/day (pre-cruise rate via Cruise Planner), CHEERS! runs $455–$595 for a 7-night sailing per person. That's before you factor in that the 20% gratuity is already baked into the package price. The upside: Carnival's $20/drink cap is the most generous in mainstream cruising — premium cocktails, frozen drinks, and specialty coffees are all covered. You need roughly 5–6 drinks per day to break even.
Important catch: CHEERS! does NOT work at Celebration Key or Half Moon Cay private island venues. Budget for pay-as-you-go there. Also, all adults in the same cabin must purchase — no splitting.
Wi-Fi — Prices Jumped in December 2025 Carnival hiked Wi-Fi rates without warning in December 2025. Current pre-cruise pricing:
| Plan | Per Day (Pre-Cruise) | 7-Night Total | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social | $20.40/day | $142.80 | Social media apps only |
| Value | $23.80/day | $166.60 | Browsing + email |
| Premium | $25.50/day | $178.50 | Streaming + video calls |
| Premium Multi-Device | $90.00/day | $630.00 | Up to 4 devices |
The Conquest is not an Excel-class ship, so don't expect Starlink-level speeds. For most travelers, Value at $23.80/day is the sweet spot. Note: VPN is not supported on Carnival ships.
Specialty Dining on the Conquest The Conquest carries the standard Carnival steakhouse ($45/person cover charge) and Bonsai Sushi ($20/person). One steakhouse dinner for two is $90 in cover charges alone — add drinks and you're well over $100 for the evening if you're not on CHEERS!.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
How to Spend Less Without Suffering
1. Skip CHEERS! if you're a light drinker. If you drink fewer than 5 alcoholic beverages per day on sea days and fewer on port days, pay as you go. Individual cocktails run $11–$16 before the 20% service charge. Two drinks a day all-in costs about $32–$40 — far less than $65–$85 for the package.
2. Prepay gratuities before your sail date. Carnival lets you lock in the current rate when you prepay. At $17/day it's already up from $16 — don't wait for another increase.
3. Watch the Cruise Planner obsessively. CHEERS! pricing fluctuates. Flash sales occasionally bring it down to $58–$62/day — rare, but real. Set a calendar reminder to check weekly from 6 months out.
4. Book excursions independently in Western Caribbean ports. Conquest typically calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, or Roatan — all have excellent independent tour operators at 30–50% less than Carnival's prices. Stick to the ship for tender-heavy or remote ports.
5. The Bottomless Bubbles soda package is $11.99/day for adults — only worth it for heavy soda drinkers given free non-carbonated drinks are available at the buffet.
6. The Value Wi-Fi plan at $23.80/day beats the Social plan unless you genuinely only use Instagram and WhatsApp. The browsing capability is worth the extra $3.40/day.
Is the Carnival Conquest the Right Ship for You?
The Conquest is a mid-size classic Carnival ship — not the newest, not the flashiest, but reliably fun for first-timers and budget-focused travelers who want Caribbean itineraries without paying for bells and whistles they won't use. If you want waterslides, a roller coaster, or the biggest pool deck at sea, look at Carnival's Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee). If you want a solid 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage, Conquest delivers.
For families or couples focused on value, the Conquest is one of the better budget entry points into Caribbean cruising — just go in with eyes open about what the real all-in cost looks like.
For the best fares on Conquest sailings, check availability through CruiseHub, which aggregates rates across sailings and often surfaces promotional pricing.
Want to model your exact Carnival Conquest budget — drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, dining, and excursions all in one place? The CruiseMutiny tool breaks it all down so you know your real number before you board.