What is Included in a Carnival Cruise?

When taking a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines there are a variety of activities that are included. In fact, they are mostly all-inclusive, with a majority of the expenses incurred for a Carnival cruise vacation already included in the price. This includes things such as accommodations, dining, entertainment, activities and youth programs. Sometimes, there are additional offers that can provide passengers with additional on-board credits, free cabin upgrades and savings on shore excursions. Taking advantage of the things included in your cruise ticket will help you experience your best cruise on a fun ship.

All Carnival cruise packages include on-board sleeping accommodations. Types of cabins available with Carnival include balcony, ocean view, interior and upscale suites. All staterooms have steward service for housekeeping and towel replenishment, 24-hour room service, and in-room movies, amenities and toiletries. Larger suites have multiple rooms, mini-refrigerators, private outdoor sitting areas and concierge service.

In addition to the luxury of 24-hour room service, Carnival cruise passengers are provided with a variety of dining options.

Choose from fine dining in the cruise ship's main dining rooms where steak and lobster is provided on every cruise. Passengers may also choose to dine at on-board sushi bars, pizzerias or buffet-style restaurants.

Snacks such as frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream are available at any time, as are all non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee, iced tea, lemonade and water.

Carnival has even teamed up with Food Network Star Guy Fieri to create Guy’s Burger Joint, a complementary burger restaurant to enjoy onboard. Fans of Mexican food like tacos and burritos will enjoy the BlueIguana Cantina onboard.

There are several options for on-board entertainment. The ship's main theater features live musicals from Playlist Productions that are full of singing and dancing, as well as eye-catching light shows. Passengers may also participate in on-board trivia games, watch comedians’s performances, watch a new-release movie outdoors at the ship's large, seaside theater, or attend a live music or show or dance, or sing karaoke at one of the ship's bars and lounges. Select ships include an adults-only Serenity Lounge; a private lido deck for 21+ to relax.

Carnival cruise ships includes numerous activities that both individuals and families can enjoy. Passengers can swim in the ship's pools, hot tubs, waterslides, play in the water park, test their skills on the basketball court, enjoy a game of volleyball or soccer, utilize the jogging track and fitness center, take a yoga or Pilates class, or play a round of mini-golf, day or night.

Each Carnival ship has several supervised youth programs or kids clubs, created especially for children of various age groups. Kids from 2 to 11 can enjoy activities at Camp Carnival. It is open day and at night so parents can leave their children in protected care and take some time for themselves. Carnival's teen hangouts include Circle "C" and Club 02, which allow kids 12 and older to interact with one another, have video gaming tournaments, or dance to the latest music and have fun.

Carnival Cruise Lines provides transportation from the airport to the ship's departure port for a nominal fee. You can purchase transfers ahead of time as well as daily gratuities and include them in your cruise package price. You can also charge the gratuities daily to your ship's on-board account and paid by credit card weekly.

While most of Carnival's activities and amenities are included in your cruise price, there are a few exclusions.

If cruising somewhere tropical, like on a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise, you may want to try snorkeling, ziplining, or scuba diving. Or, perhaps you’re cruising to Alaska and wan to get a closer look at whales. These are not included in your cruise fare. In-port shore excursions cost extra and can be paid for before your cruise departure or on board when booking the excursion.

If you want to watch a newly released or classic movie at the IMAX theatre onboard, you will also have to pay extra.

Their Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, a roller coaster at sea, is also an extra fee, on their newest ships like Mardi Gras, an excel class line ship.

Alcoholic drinks and the unlimited soda fountain are not included as part of a passenger's free meals and drinks.

Guests must purchase a drink package or buy each drink individually. Their ‘Cheers!’ drink package starts at $59.95 per day. Guests must also purchase their own specialty coffee onboard, as well as bottled water and energy drinks.

Dining at some specialty restaurants also costs extra. Some Carnival Cruise Line Ships, like the Carnival Vista, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Jubilee have a steakhouse that patrons can dine at for an extra cost. Cucina Del Capitano, an Italian restaurant onboard, is another specialty dining restaurant that has an additional cost.

Other on-board activities, such as casino gambling, Internet usage (wi-fi) and spa and salon services, also are extra expenses that are not part of your all-inclusive vacation price.