Before Cruising

• Travel Documents: U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop cruise departing from and returning to the same U.S. port may generally travel with an original or certified birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. A valid passport book is still strongly recommended in case an emergency requires you to return home by air from a foreign country.
• International Itineraries: Cruises beginning or ending in different countries, along with many international itineraries, generally require a valid passport book. Some destinations also require passports to remain valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Passport, visa, and residency document requirements vary depending on your citizenship, residency status, itinerary, and ports of call. Review the latest requirements well before your sailing date.
• Name Matching: The name on your reservation must exactly match your government-issued identification. If your name has changed because of marriage, divorce, or another legal reason, carry the appropriate supporting documentation during your trip.
• Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for international cruises. Third-party policies often provide broader medical, cancellation, baggage, trip interruption, and emergency transportation coverage than plans purchased directly through the cruise line.
• Research Your Ship: Carnival's fleet ranges from smaller Fantasy and Spirit Class ships to the newest Excel Class vessels. Dining venues, entertainment, attractions, and amenities vary considerably, so reviewing your ship's deck plans before sailing can help you make the most of your vacation.
• Pre-Cruise Savings: Beverage packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, Faster to the Fun, and other optional purchases may be available at discounted prices before sailing.
• Cruise Elegant Evenings: Carnival maintains a casual atmosphere, but most sailings include one or more Cruise Elegant evenings. Review your itinerary and pack appropriate attire if you plan to participate.
• Luggage Tags: Print your luggage tags before leaving home and attach them securely after arriving at the cruise terminal to help prevent damage or loss during your travels.
• Carry-On Essentials: Pack medications, travel documents, valuables, electronics, swimwear, and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage. Checked bags may not arrive outside your stateroom until later in the afternoon.
• Cruise Director Schedule: Carnival publishes Cruise Director assignments for guests interested in who may be leading entertainment aboard their ship. Assignments can change without notice, so check again shortly before sailing.

Carnival Hub App

• Before You Sail: Download the Carnival Hub App before departure to complete online check-in, access your boarding pass, upload travel documents when required, purchase beverage and Wi-Fi packages, reserve specialty dining, book shore excursions, and prepare for embarkation.
• Once Onboard: The Carnival Hub App becomes your primary planning tool for viewing Fun Times, making reservations, reviewing your Sail & Sign account, chatting with other guests, viewing deck plans, and managing many onboard activities.
• Ship Wi-Fi: Many Hub App features work without purchasing an internet package, provided you're connected to the ship's onboard Wi-Fi network.
• Stay Updated: Dining hours, entertainment schedules, activities, and other onboard information may change throughout the sailing. Checking the app regularly helps you stay informed.

Carnival Rewards

• New Loyalty Program: Carnival Rewards launches in September 2026 and replaces the current VIFP Club as Carnival's primary loyalty program.
• Points & Stars: Members earn both Carnival Rewards Points and Status Qualifying Stars on eligible Carnival purchases. Points can be redeemed for cruise fares, onboard experiences, shore excursions, beverages, spa treatments, and other eligible Carnival purchases, while Stars determine your loyalty status.
• Earning: Members generally earn three Carnival Rewards Points and three Status Qualifying Stars for every $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases. Additional earning opportunities will be available through the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.
• Status Levels: Carnival Rewards retains the familiar Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond status levels, with benefits increasing as members qualify for higher tiers.
• Status Period: Once earned, a Carnival Rewards status level is generally guaranteed for two years. Points remain active as long as the member has qualifying points activity at least once every three years.
• VIFP Transition: When Carnival Rewards launches, existing members will receive at least the VIFP status they hold as of August 31, 2026 for the program's first two years. Cruises completed before that date continue earning VIFP status days, while eligible spending associated with cruises after the transition will earn Rewards Points and Stars.
• Current Members: Existing VIFP members should review their Carnival account before the transition to confirm their profile, sailing history, and current loyalty status are accurate.

Sail & Sign Card / Account

• Sail & Sign Card: Your Sail & Sign card serves as your stateroom key, onboard identification, boarding and reboarding card, and primary cashless payment method throughout the cruise.
• New Card Design: Carnival's redesigned Sail & Sign cards use a vertical layout and display the Carnival Rewards logo, the color associated with the guest's loyalty tier, and the guest's total number of days sailed with Carnival.
• Lanyards: The redesigned cards include a hole for attaching a lanyard and continue to fit standard cruise card sleeves.
• Cashless System: Nearly all onboard purchases are charged to your Sail & Sign account rather than paid for directly with cash.
• Leaving The Ship: Carry your Sail & Sign card whenever leaving or returning to the ship. Some ports may also require government-issued photo identification.
• Limited Cash Use: Cash may still be accepted in select locations such as the casino, arcade, bingo, and certain self-service kiosks.
• Payment Method: Activate your Sail & Sign account with a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit. Carnival may place an initial authorization hold on your card and adjust it as your onboard spending increases.
• Cash Deposits: Cash deposits may be made during check-in, at Guest Services, or through self-service kiosks available on select ships.
• Spending Limits: Guest Services can help add funds, establish spending limits for linked guests, update payment information, and answer questions about account activity.
• Automatic Gratuities: Daily gratuities are charged to your Sail & Sign account unless they were prepaid before sailing.
• Monitor Charges: Review purchases through the Carnival Hub App, interactive stateroom television on select ships, or Guest Services. Some transactions may take time to appear.
• Final Statement: Review your final account before disembarkation and report any questionable charges promptly. Cash balances and overpayments are returned according to Carnival's current refund procedures.

Tipping / Automatic Gratuities

• Automatic Gratuities: As of July 2026, Carnival's recommended daily gratuities are $17 per person for standard staterooms and $19 per person for suites. These charges apply to guests age 2 and older.
• Crew Distribution: Daily gratuities are distributed among dining staff, stateroom attendants, and other crew members who contribute to your cruise experience, including employees working behind the scenes.
• Prepay or Pay Onboard: Gratuities may be prepaid before sailing or automatically added to your Sail & Sign account during the cruise.
• Additional Service Charges: A 20% service charge is automatically added to bar beverages, specialty dining, spa and salon services, and other applicable purchases.
• Adjustments: Guests wishing to discuss or adjust daily gratuities may do so through Guest Services before the end of the cruise.
• Exceptional Service: Additional cash tips are never required, but many guests choose to recognize crew members who provide exceptional service during their vacation.

Embarking

• Online Check-In: Complete online check-in through the Carnival Hub App or Carnival website as early as possible. During check-in you'll select an arrival appointment, upload travel documents when required, and receive your boarding pass.
• Priority Boarding: Eligible suite guests, Diamond and Platinum VIFP Club members, and guests who have purchased Faster to the Fun (when available) may receive priority embarkation benefits.
• Arrival Appointment: Arrive during your assigned arrival window whenever possible. This helps reduce congestion inside the terminal and allows the boarding process to move more efficiently.
• Embarkation Day Beverage Allowance: Each guest may bring up to 12 sealed cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages (20 ounces or smaller) in their carry-on luggage. Guests age 21 and older may also bring one unopened 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person. Corkage fees apply if consumed in public dining venues.
• Carry-On Bag: Keep medications, passports, cruise documents, valuables, electronics, chargers, swimsuits, sunscreen, and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Checked luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until later in the afternoon.
• Snacks: Factory-sealed snacks in reasonable quantities are generally permitted and should be packed in your carry-on luggage.
• Airplane Mode: Once the ship departs, place your mobile phone in Airplane Mode and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network if desired. This helps prevent expensive international roaming charges.
• All-Aboard Time: Carnival strictly enforces departure times. Plan to return to the ship at least 30 to 60 minutes before the published all-aboard time whenever visiting a port of call.

Once Onboard

• Explore The Ship: Before sailaway, take time to familiarize yourself with the ship's restaurants, lounges, theaters, pools, spa, fitness center, and other public venues. Doing so makes it much easier to find your way around later in the cruise.
• Carnival Hub App: Once connected to the ship's Wi-Fi, the Carnival Hub App becomes your primary planning tool for viewing the Fun Times schedule, making reservations, reviewing your Sail & Sign account, chatting with other guests, and managing many onboard activities.
• Specialty Reservations: Reserve specialty dining, spa treatments, Chef's Table, and other popular experiences soon after boarding, as desirable times often fill quickly, particularly on sea days.
• Main Dining Room: Guests wishing to request a different dining table, table size, seating location, or dining time should visit the Main Dining Room shortly after boarding. While requests cannot always be accommodated, Carnival will make every effort to assist.
• Fun Times: Carnival's daily Fun Times schedule lists entertainment, live music, comedy shows, youth activities, shopping events, dining hours, deck parties, and other activities taking place throughout the day.
• Lanyards: The casino frequently provides complimentary Carnival lanyards and can often punch your Sail & Sign card for convenient carrying throughout your cruise.

Cabin

• Stateroom Steward: Your stateroom steward services your cabin each day and is available to assist with additional towels, extra pillows, ice, hangers, mattress toppers when available, and other reasonable requests.
• Bathroom Amenities: Carnival provides shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap in dispensers. If you prefer specific brands or specialty products, bring them from home.
• Hair Dryer & Safe: Every stateroom includes a hair dryer and an in-room safe for storing passports, jewelry, electronics, medications, and other valuables.
• Cabin Television: Most ships allow you to review Main Dining Room menus, ship information, account activity, and entertainment schedules directly from your stateroom television. Interactive features vary by ship.

• Room Service: Room service is available 24 hours a day. Continental breakfast is complimentary, while many additional menu items are available for a nominal charge.
• Wake-Up Calls: Complimentary wake-up calls can be scheduled using your stateroom telephone if you prefer not to rely on your mobile device.
• Storage: Carnival staterooms offer generous under-bed luggage storage along with closets, drawers, shelving, and bathroom storage to help keep your cabin organized.
• Mini Refrigerator: Most stateroom mini refrigerators are stocked upon embarkation. If you'd like the refrigerator emptied for personal use, simply ask your stateroom steward.
• Balcony Tip: Keep your balcony door completely closed whenever using the air conditioning. Opening the balcony door automatically disables the air conditioning on most Carnival ships.

On Deck

• Chair Etiquette: Avoid reserving pool chairs for extended periods without using them. Carnival crew may remove unattended belongings after a period of inactivity so other guests can enjoy the seating.
• Balcony Furniture: If wearing light-colored clothing on your balcony, placing a towel over the chair may help prevent occasional soot marks caused by the ship's exhaust.
• Secret Decks: Many Carnival ships feature little-known forward observation areas that offer quieter spaces, panoramic ocean views, and excellent photography opportunities.
• Lido Deck: The Lido Deck serves as the center of daytime activity, featuring pools, hot tubs, live music, Dive-In Movies, casual dining, deck games, and family entertainment.
• Serenity Retreat: Most Carnival ships include the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, offering a quieter environment with comfortable loungers, whirlpools, and relaxing ocean views for guests 21 and older.
• Entertainment: Carnival is known for its energetic atmosphere featuring deck parties, comedy clubs, live music, production shows, trivia, karaoke, and activities throughout the day and evening. Check the Fun Times schedule for daily events.

Dining

• Main Dining Room: Carnival offers both Assigned Dining and Your Time Dining. Guests may order multiple appetizers, entrées, desserts, and many side dishes at no additional charge. Children's menus are also available.
• Cruise Elegant Evenings: Depending on the length of your cruise, one or more evenings may be designated as Cruise Elegant. While participation is optional, many guests enjoy dressing up for dinner and professional photographs.
• Lido Marketplace: Guests preferring a more casual dining experience may enjoy dinner at the Lido Marketplace instead of the Main Dining Room.
• Specialty Dining: Specialty restaurants vary by ship and may include Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Teppanyaki, Cucina del Capitano, JiJi Asian Kitchen, Emeril's Bistro 1396, Rudi's Seagrill, and other premium dining venues available for an additional charge.
• Professional Photography: Carnival photographers are available throughout the ship, particularly on Cruise Elegant evenings, with a variety of themed backdrops and portrait locations.
• Dining Tips: Many pasta entrées can be ordered as side dishes, and dining rooms are often kept cool, so bringing a light sweater or jacket is a good idea.

Food & Beverage

• Complimentary Dining: Depending on your ship, complimentary dining may include Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Big Chicken, Pizzeria del Capitano, Street Eats, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, Swirls soft-serve ice cream, and numerous additional casual dining venues.
• Complimentary Beverages: Coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, fountain water, and select breakfast juices are available at various locations throughout your cruise.
• Beer Buckets: Many bars offer discounted beer bucket specials that allow guests to mix participating brands while saving compared to individual purchases.
• Souvenir Glasses: Many frozen cocktails are available in collectible souvenir glasses with discounted refill pricing throughout your cruise.
• CHEERS! Beverage Package: Includes up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day plus unlimited qualifying non-alcoholic beverages including specialty coffees, bottled water, milkshakes where available, energy drinks, soft drinks, juices, and more.
  • Pre-Cruise Price: $83.94 per person, per day (includes 20% service charge).
  • Onboard Price: $89.94 per person, per day (includes 20% service charge).
  • Stateroom Requirement: All guests age 21 and older assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the package if one guest purchases it.
  • Alcohol Limit: Alcoholic beverages are limited to 15 drinks within a 24-hour period. Non-alcoholic beverages remain unlimited.
  • Pricing: Prices shown are current as of July 2026 and are subject to change.
• CHEERS! Zero Proof: Carnival also offers a non-alcoholic beverage package that includes specialty coffees, premium teas, bottled water, soft drinks, juices, milkshakes where available, and other qualifying beverages.
• Bottomless Bubbles: Unlimited fountain soda and juice throughout your cruise.
  • Adults: $11.99 per day plus applicable service charge.
  • Children: $6.95 per day plus applicable service charge.
  • Pricing: Prices shown are current as of July 2026 and are subject to change.
• Drink Menus: Carnival periodically updates onboard beverage selections and pricing. Review the current menus before sailing if you plan to pre-purchase beverage packages or onboard credit.

Private Destinations

• Celebration Key (Grand Bahama): Carnival's newest exclusive destination features complimentary beaches, one of the Caribbean's largest freshwater lagoons, family-friendly attractions, adult-only areas, shopping, dining, cabanas, Pearl Cove Beach Club, waterslides, and a variety of premium experiences.
• Half Moon Cay (Bahamas): Known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water, Half Moon Cay offers complimentary beach access, a barbecue lunch, horseback riding, stingray encounters, cabanas, water sports, and numerous family-friendly activities.
• Princess Cays (Bahamas): This tender-access private destination features complimentary beaches, a barbecue lunch, snorkeling, kayaking, water sports, bungalows, shopping, and relaxing tropical scenery.
• Beverage Packages: CHEERS! and most Carnival beverage packages generally do not extend to Carnival's private destinations. Review your package terms before sailing for current policies.
• Wi-Fi Availability: Internet service varies by destination and ship. Check the Carnival Hub App for current connectivity options while visiting private destinations.

Onboard Planning & Reservations

• Reserve Early: Book specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, Chef's Table, and other popular experiences as early as possible. Prime times often sell out before or shortly after embarkation.
• Dining Preferences: Guests may choose Assigned Dining or Your Time Dining depending on availability. Dining requests can often be modified before sailing or through Guest Services after boarding.
• Fun Times: Carnival's daily Fun Times schedule provides dining hours, entertainment, deck parties, trivia, youth activities, shopping events, casino promotions, and port information throughout your cruise.
• Onboard Chat: The Carnival Hub App offers an optional onboard chat feature that allows guests to message one another throughout the sailing for a nominal one-time fee.
• Sea Days: Popular attractions, specialty restaurants, spa appointments, and activities are generally busiest on sea days. Booking these experiences early provides the greatest selection.

Ports / Excursions

• Carnival Shore Excursions: Booking through Carnival provides added peace of mind. If a Carnival-sponsored excursion is delayed for reasons beyond your control, Carnival will generally assist with returning you to the ship or your next port of call.
• Independent Excursions: Independent operators often offer lower prices, smaller group sizes, and unique experiences. Research providers carefully and understand their cancellation, refund, and return-to-ship policies before booking.
• Explore On Your Own: Guests are welcome to leave and return to the ship independently while in port. Always carry your Sail & Sign card and any identification required by the destination.
• Return Early: Plan to return to the ship at least 30 to 60 minutes before the published all-aboard time. Ships cannot delay departure for independently booked excursions or late-arriving guests.
• Port Day Specials: Port days often feature shorter lines, discounted spa treatments, drink specials, and a quieter atmosphere for guests who choose to remain onboard.

Casino

• Operating Hours: Carnival casinos generally operate only while the ship is sailing in international waters and remain closed while the ship is in port.
• Payment Options: Guests may use cash or their Sail & Sign account to play. Certain account transactions may be subject to applicable Carnival fees.
• Carnival Players Club: Casino guests earn Players Club points that may qualify them for complimentary drinks while actively playing, casino tournaments, promotional offers, discounted cruises, and future complimentary cruise offers based on play history.
• Complimentary Drinks: Qualified Players Club members actively playing in the casino may receive complimentary beverages based on Carnival's current program guidelines.
• Know Your Limits: Set a budget before you begin playing and treat casino gaming as entertainment rather than a way to pay for your vacation.

Wi-Fi / Internet Access

• Carnival Wi-Fi Plans: Carnival offers multiple internet plans designed for different online activities. Purchasing your plan before sailing generally provides the best value.
• Social Wi-Fi Plan: Designed for guests who primarily want to stay connected through social media and popular messaging services.
  • Includes: Access to many popular social networking and messaging applications.
  • Best For: Sharing photos, sending messages, and keeping up with family and friends while at sea.
• Value Wi-Fi Plan: Provides access to websites, email, news, weather, and most everyday internet browsing.
  • Includes: General web browsing, email, online shopping, banking, and many standard internet services.
  • Best For: Guests who want regular internet access without requiring high-bandwidth streaming.
• Premium Wi-Fi Plan: Carnival's fastest internet package supports the widest range of online activities.
  • Includes: Video calls, streaming services where available, VPN access, remote work, and higher-bandwidth applications.
  • Best For: Guests who need reliable connectivity for work, streaming, or frequent video communication.
• Pre-Purchase Savings: Internet packages are often available at discounted prices before embarkation compared to onboard purchases.
• Hub App Access: Many Carnival Hub App features remain available without purchasing an internet package when connected to the ship's Wi-Fi network.
• Public Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available at many cruise terminals, ports, restaurants, and cafés, making it easy to check email or download content without using your onboard internet package.

Complimentary Extras

• Ice Cream: Swirls soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt are complimentary and available throughout much of the day on most Carnival ships.
• Pizza: Pizzeria del Capitano serves complimentary freshly prepared pizza late into the evening, with operating hours varying by ship.
• Guy's Burger Joint: One of Carnival's most popular complimentary dining venues, serving made-to-order burgers and hand-cut fries on many ships.
• BlueIguana Cantina: Enjoy complimentary burritos, tacos, and fresh breakfast selections on ships featuring this popular venue.
• Live Entertainment: Production shows, comedians, live music, deck parties, karaoke, trivia, and numerous daily activities are included with your cruise fare.
• Youth Programs: Camp Ocean, Circle "C", and Club O2 provide complimentary supervised activities for children and teenagers within their respective age groups.
• Fitness Center: The onboard fitness center is complimentary, while select fitness classes and personal training sessions may require an additional fee.
• Dive-In Movies: Many Carnival ships feature complimentary movies shown on the giant outdoor screen under the stars.

Disembarking

• Settle Your Account: Review your Sail & Sign account before leaving the ship and resolve any billing questions with Guest Services prior to disembarkation.
• Luggage Options: Guests may place checked luggage outside their stateroom the evening before arrival for collection or choose self-assist disembarkation if they prefer to carry all luggage off the ship themselves.
• Customs & Immigration: Follow instructions provided by Carnival and local authorities. Have your identification and any required customs documentation readily available.
• Final Morning: Breakfast is available before leaving the ship, although dining venues and hours are more limited than during the cruise.
• Transportation: Confirm flights, hotel reservations, shuttle schedules, rideshare pickups, parking information, or other transportation arrangements before leaving the terminal.
• Before You Leave: Double-check your stateroom safe, closets, drawers, charging outlets, bathroom, and under the bed to ensure nothing has been left behind.
• Book Your Next Cruise: If you enjoyed your Carnival vacation, consider visiting Future Cruise Vacations while onboard to review available promotions and booking incentives for your next sailing.