A Carnival Excel class cruise (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or Carnival Jubilee) typically costs $800–$2,500+ per person for a 7-night sailing, depending on cabin category, sailing season, and how many onboard extras you add — but budget realistically for $150–$250/day per person all-in.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival's Excel class ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee — are the line's biggest, flashiest, most feature-packed vessels. They're also where Carnival's notorious à la carte pricing model gets its fullest workout. That BOLT roller coaster, the Emeril Lagasse restaurant, the Excel suites with private rooftop terraces — none of it comes cheap, and the base fare is just the opening bid.
What a Carnival Excel Class Cruise Actually Costs
Base fares vary wildly by cabin type, departure port, and time of year. Here's what you're realistically looking at for a 7-night Caribbean sailing in 2025–2026, per person based on double occupancy:
| Cabin Category | Budget Season | Average Season | Peak/Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior (Inside) | $500–$750 | $750–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,600 |
| Ocean View | $650–$900 | $900–$1,300 | $1,300–$1,800 |
| Balcony | $900–$1,300 | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,800–$2,600 |
| Cove Balcony | $850–$1,200 | $1,150–$1,700 | $1,700–$2,400 |
| Junior Suite | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,600–$2,300 | $2,200–$3,200 |
| Excel Suite | $2,500–$4,000 | $3,500–$5,500 | $5,000–$8,000+ |
Shorter sailings (3–5 nights) out of Port Canaveral or Galveston run $300–$900/person for an interior. Longer sailings (10–14 nights) to Europe or transatlantic routes can push $1,500–$4,000+ per person even in standard cabins.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The Real All-In Daily Cost
The base fare is the lie. Here's what actually happens to your budget once you factor in the full picture:
| Expense | Budget Traveler | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Fare (per day, per person) | $70–$110 | $120–$180 | $200–$500+ |
| Gratuities (mandatory) | $18/day | $18/day | $18/day |
| Drinks (alcoholic) | $0 (BYOB at embarkation or bar minimum) | $65–$75/day (Cheers! Package) | $75–$100+/day |
| Specialty Dining | $0–$15/meal | $20–$35/meal | $40–$60+/meal |
| Shore Excursions | $0–$30/port | $50–$120/port | $150–$300+/port |
| Spa / Extras | $0 | $50–$100/cruise | $200–$600/cruise |
| Estimated Daily Total | $90–$130/person | $160–$250/person | $350–$700+/person |
The Cheers! Beverage Package — Carnival's all-inclusive drinks option — runs $65–$79/person/day (plus 18% gratuity automatically added), making it one of the priciest line items you'll face. It only makes financial sense if you're drinking 6+ alcoholic beverages daily.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive Excel Class Costs
Ship and departure port matter. Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Carnival Celebration from PortMiami, and Carnival Jubilee from Galveston (Houston). Miami departures typically run 5–15% higher than Galveston for comparable itineraries. Port Canaveral sits in the middle.
The Zone system on Excel class ships is a pricing trap. The ships are divided into zones with different entertainment and dining venues. BOLT (the roller coaster) costs $15 per ride. Emeril's Bistro 1396 runs $38–$55/person. Bonsai Teppanyaki is $38/person. Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse is free at lunch but $18–$22/person at dinner. Budget-conscious travelers can avoid most of these — but it takes discipline when the ship actively promotes them at every turn.
Excel Suites change the financial equation entirely. The rooftop Excel Suites and Carnival Excel Suites include exclusive lounge access, priority boarding, private sun deck, and butler service. At $500–$800+/night per cabin, they're targeting a completely different traveler than Carnival's traditional demographic — and they're frequently the first category to sell out.
Seasonality swings are significant. January–February (excluding Presidents' Week) and September–early November are the cheapest windows for Caribbean sailings. Spring Break (March–April), summer (June–August), and all major holidays can add 40–80% to base fares.
Solo travelers get punished. Carnival charges a solo supplement — typically 175–200% of the double-occupancy per-person fare — meaning a solo interior cabin that shows as $800/person in a couple context might run you $1,400–$1,600 alone.
How to Get the Best Price on an Excel Class Cruise
Book during Carnival's sale events. The WAVE season (January–March) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales routinely feature $50–$200 off per person, reduced deposits, and occasional onboard credit offers. These are legitimate deals, not marketing theater.
Early Saver vs. Super Saver rates. Early Saver locks in a rate and lets you claim price drops before the final payment date — worth doing if you're flexible and willing to monitor. Super Saver is cheaper upfront but non-refundable and with no price-drop protection.
Skip the Cheers! Package if you're a moderate drinker. At $65–$79/day plus 18% auto-gratuity, you need to drink roughly $90/day in beverages to break even. Track what you actually drink on a typical vacation first. Many travelers overestimate this.
Prioritize free specialty dining strategically. Carnival Celebration and Jubilee have solid free dining options including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and the main dining room. A couple that eats specialty restaurants every night could easily spend $300–$500 extra over a 7-night cruise.
Cove Balconies are the value sweet spot. Positioned lower on the ship (Deck 2–5), they offer a true balcony at prices closer to ocean views. On Excel class ships, they're shaded and more private than upper-deck balconies — and they're often $100–$250/person cheaper than standard balconies.
Book shore excursions independently. Carnival's official excursions in Cozumel, Nassau, and Nassau often cost 30–60% more than the same activity booked directly with local operators. The trade-off is the ship-waits guarantee — worth it for some ports, overkill for others.
Which Excel Class Ship Should You Choose?
| Ship | Home Port | Best For | Avg. 7-Night Interior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mardi Gras | Port Canaveral, FL | First-time Excel cruisers, theme park combo trips | $750–$1,100/person |
| Carnival Celebration | PortMiami, FL | Those who want easiest flight access, Miami pre-cruise nights | $800–$1,200/person |
| Carnival Jubilee | Galveston, TX | Texas/Midwest drive-to-cruise market, slightly lower prices | $700–$1,050/person |
All three ships offer nearly identical onboard experiences — same zones, same signature dining, same BOLT coaster. Galveston (Jubilee) is the consistent price leader for budget-conscious cruisers who can drive to port or get cheap flights into Houston.
If you want the Excel class experience without paying Excel class peak prices, target a January or September sailing on Carnival Jubilee and book an Early Saver interior or Cove Balcony. A realistic all-in budget for two people on a 7-night cruise in that window: $2,800–$3,800 total, including gratuities, a moderate drink budget (buying à la carte), two or three specialty dinners, and one shore excursion per port.
Before you book anything, run the numbers for your specific sailing with CruiseMutiny — it breaks down Carnival Excel class costs by cabin type, sailing date, and add-on package so you know exactly what you're committing to before your credit card gets involved. You can also compare live fares through our booking partner CruiseHub to find the best current rate on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or Carnival Jubilee.