Carnival's hidden fees include $16/person/day gratuities, $66–$102/day drink packages, $20–$28/day WiFi, and $100–$200/person in port fees — often doubling the advertised fare.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is known for value, and it genuinely is one of the cheaper cruise lines. But the advertised price tells only part of the story.
The fees that get added automatically
Gratuities
Carnival adds $16 per person per day for most cabin categories, or $18/person/day for suites. On a 7-night cruise for two adults, that's $224–$252 added to your onboard account whether you like it or not.
You can remove gratuities by visiting Guest Services onboard, but Carnival (and the crew) strongly discourages this.
Port fees and government taxes
These aren't really "hidden" — they're disclosed in the booking process — but they never appear in the headline price. Expect $100–$200 per person depending on the itinerary. A Bahamas cruise from Miami runs lower ($80–$120/person). A longer Caribbean itinerary with more ports can run $150–$220/person.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The fees you choose but feel pressured into
Drink packages
Carnival's "Cheers!" package runs $66–$102 per person per day (price varies by sailing and when you buy). Like Royal Caribbean, both adults in the cabin must purchase it. A 7-night for two at the mid-range price: approximately $924–$1,400 total.
WiFi
Carnival's "Social" plan (social media only) runs $12–$16/day. The full "Value" plan (browsing + email) is $17–$22/day. The "Premium" plan for streaming is $28–$35/day. Buy pre-cruise — it's always cheaper.
Specialty dining
Carnival's main dining room and buffet are included. But specialty restaurants (Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack) charge $15–$60 per person as add-ons.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The full picture: what a 7-night Carnival cruise actually costs
For 2 adults departing from a Florida port:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare (mid-range inside cabin) | $1,000–$1,400 |
| Gratuities | $224 |
| Cheers! drink package (2 people) | $924–$1,400 |
| WiFi (value plan, 2 devices) | $238–$308 |
| Port fees | $200–$300 |
| Estimated total | $2,586–$3,632 |
Without the drink package: $1,662–$2,232
How Carnival compares on fees
Carnival's gratuity rate ($16/day) is slightly lower than Royal Caribbean ($18/day) and Norwegian ($20/day). The "Cheers!" package is mid-pack in price but one of the better-value ones because it covers nearly everything including energy drinks and frozen drinks.
Get your personalized Carnival cost breakdown at CruiseMutiny.
Watch: Carnival Cruise Review: The Shocking Hidden Costs
Published
Video Transcript
You see that $599 Carnival cruise fare? That's not what you're paying. Not even close.
Let's break down what Carnival doesn't put on the big price tag.
First — gratuities. $16 per person per day. That's automatically added to your account unless you go fight with guest services. For a family of four on a seven-day cruise? That's $448 right there.
Then WiFi. You're paying $20 to $28 per day. That's another $140 to $196 for the week. And most of us need it to not go insane.
Drink packages run $66 to $102 per day, per person. So if you and your spouse want drinks... yeah, you're looking at $900 to $1,400 for seven days. Carnival knows you're going on vacation.
Port fees and taxes? $100 to $200 per person. Non-negotiable. You don't see it in the fare — the cruise line collects it at checkout, but it's separate from that advertised price.
So that $599 cruise? For a family of four, you're actually looking at $1,800 to $2,200 minimum. Sometimes double the advertised fare.
I'm not saying don't book Carnival. I'm saying know what you're actually spending before you hit purchase. Compare it to Royal Caribbean or Disney with those same add-ons factored in. Sometimes Carnival still wins. Sometimes it doesn't.
But at least you'll know the real number.
Full cost breakdowns at travelmutiny.com — link in bio.