First-time cruisers on the Carnival Firenze should budget $150–$250 per person per day beyond their cabin fare, covering gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a specialty dinner or two — plus port excursions if applicable.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The Carnival Firenze looks great in the brochure. Then you start adding things up and realize the cabin fare was just the opening bid. Here's every number you need before you sail, broken down honestly.
What You'll Actually Spend on the Carnival Firenze
The Firenze is one of Carnival's Excel-class ships, which means enhanced connectivity, Emeril's Kitchen onboard, and a long list of add-ons begging for your credit card. Your cabin fare covers your bed, buffet meals, pools, and entertainment — nothing else.
Here's a realistic per-person daily cost breakdown for a 7-night sailing:
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratuities (mandatory) | $17/day | $17/day | $19/day (suite) |
| CHEERS! Drink Package | Skip it | $65–$85/day | $65–$85/day |
| Individual drinks (est.) | $30–$45/day | — | — |
| Wi-Fi | Skip/Social $20.40/day | Value $23.80/day | Premium $25.50/day |
| Specialty Dining | $0 | $45–$90 total | $150+ total |
| Excursions | $0–$50/port | $75–$150/port | $200+/port |
| Souvenirs/Misc | $20/day | $40/day | $80/day |
| Est. Daily Add-On Total | $67–$95 | $145–$185 | $250+ |
Drink package prices are pre-cruise rates — check your Cruise Planner for your exact sailing price, as these are dynamic.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Costs That Will Surprise First-Timers
Gratuities are not optional. As of April 2, 2026, Carnival charges $17/person/day in standard cabins and $19/person/day in suites. On a 7-night trip that's $119–$133 per person before you've bought a single drink. You can prepay these before sailing to lock in the rate.
The CHEERS! Drink Package math. At $65–$85/person/day pre-cruise (the 20% gratuity is already included in that price), the package pays off if you're drinking 5+ alcoholic beverages daily. The Firenze stocks premium cocktails up to $20 per drink — Carnival's cap is the most generous in the mainstream cruise industry. If you're a light drinker, just pay as you go: a domestic beer runs ~$7.50 plus 20% gratuity, a cocktail $11–$13.50 plus gratuity. Important: The CHEERS! package does NOT work at Celebration Key or Half Moon Cay private island venues — you'll pay à la carte there.
Wi-Fi costs jumped in December 2025. The three tiers on the Firenze:
- Social Plan: $20.40/day (social media apps only — no browsing, no email)
- Value Plan: $23.80/day (browsing + email included)
- Premium Plan: $25.50/day (streaming + video calls — remote workers, this is your only option)
- Premium Multi-Device: $90/day for up to 4 devices (1 active at a time)
As an Excel-class ship, the Firenze has enhanced connectivity — it's legitimately usable, not the 2015-era maritime crawl.
Specialty dining on the Firenze is worth budgeting for. Cover charges per person:
- Steakhouse: ~$45
- Emeril's Kitchen (Excel-class exclusive): ~$35
- Bonsai Sushi: ~$20
- Seafood Shack: ~$22
Book at least one specialty dinner pre-cruise — they go fast on newer ships and you may get a discount in the Cruise Planner.
Drinks at the bar cost more than you think. Every bar purchase gets hit with a 20% service charge (raised in 2026). A $13 cocktail actually costs $15.60 out of pocket. Budget accordingly if you're skipping the drink package.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Practical Tips to Keep Costs Under Control
Buy the drink package pre-cruise if you want it. Pre-cruise pricing via the Cruise Planner is consistently cheaper than buying it onboard. Log into your account as soon as you book and monitor for sales — Carnival does run promotions.
Prepay gratuities now. At $17/day you know exactly what you're paying. No bill shock at the end of the cruise.
One Wi-Fi package per couple is a real strategy. The Value or Premium plan allows you to log in and out on different devices. Couples who don't need to be connected simultaneously can share one login (Carnival permits this).
Use the buffet and included dining aggressively. Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and the Lido buffet are all included and legitimately good. You don't need to eat specialty every night.
Book excursions through the port directly or third-party operators. Carnival's ship-sold excursions carry a significant markup. Research the port in advance — for many Caribbean stops, independent operators offer identical tours for 30–50% less.
Bring a refillable water bottle. Bottled water onboard runs ~$4 each. There are water stations on the Lido deck — use them.
Your First-Time Cruiser Budget Summary for 7 Nights on the Firenze
| Scenario | Cabin Fare (est.) | Add-Ons Total (7 nights/person) | Trip Total Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (no package, minimal extras) | $500–$900 | $350–$500 | $850–$1,400 |
| Mid-Range (CHEERS! + Value Wi-Fi + 1 specialty dinner) | $700–$1,200 | $800–$1,100 | $1,500–$2,300 |
| Full Splurge (suite + all packages + excursions every port) | $1,500–$3,000 | $1,500–$2,500 | $3,000–$5,500 |
Cabin fares vary wildly by sailing date, cabin category, and how far in advance you book. Interior cabins on the Firenze frequently run promotions. Shop around at CruiseHub to compare fares before locking anything in.
Bottom line: the Firenze is a spectacular first ship — big, well-equipped, and genuinely fun. Just walk in with eyes open about what it actually costs. Run your own numbers with CruiseMutiny before you commit to any package.