Carnival Cruise Line is beloved by many cruisers across the world, but especially in North America. With more homeports than any other mainstream cruise line, a Carnival cruise ship is never too far away!
If you’re new to Carnival Cruise Line, or you’re just looking for tips to enhance your onboard experience, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sailed on eight different Carnival cruises, with most of those taking place in the last few years. From the now-retired Carnival Ecstasy and Fantasy to the brand-new Carnival Jubilee, I’m no stranger to the Carnival cruise experience.
I started cruising with Carnival in high school when I embarked on a spring break sailing to Cozumel, followed by a weekend cruise in college. Although I’ve mostly cruised with Royal Caribbean in the last decade, I decided to give Carnival another try in 2022. I was really impressed by the experience and continued to book sailings over the last two years.
Regardless of which cruise ship you’re sailing on, you’ll find an energetic, casual atmosphere onboard. The food might not be sophisticated or gourmet, but it’s sure to please. Nightclubs, deck parties, and comedy shows are at the core of the Carnival experience. Actually, you’ll find an endless amount of activities and entertainment options until late into the night.
As a seasoned Carnival cruiser, I’ve learned a few must-do things to get the most of my time onboard these “FUN” ships. Just like any loyal fan following, there are many Carnival-specific things that veteran cruisers always do that you should always add to your cruise to-do list.
1. Bring a 12-pack of soda onboard
After boarding my first Carnival cruise after a long hiatus, I immediately noticed many cruisers brought their own soda onboard during embarkation. If you’re looking to save money on your cruise, consider bringing a 12-pack of your favorite non-alcoholic beverage on embarkation day.
Because one can of soda can be upwards of $5 onboard, this is a must-do for many Carnival cruisers. One viral TikTok recently shared online depicted this scenario, showing Carnival cruisers with their 12-packs of soda boarding a ship!
Make sure you follow the rules before you head to the store. Carnival’s website states, “A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage.”
2. Print boarding pass
Speaking of embarkation day, you’ll want to make sure you’ve physically printed your boarding pass before heading to the terminal to board your ship.
If you have never cruised with Carnival before, or recently, you might be surprised that the cruise line has not implemented a digital boarding process. While competitors Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have a fully digital process for embarkation, Carnival is still antiquated in this way.
A screenshot on your phone will not work, unfortunately. You do have the option to print the boarding pass at the cruise terminal if needed; however, this will slow down your boarding process significantly. To save time and get to your vacation sooner, print the passes at home.
Read more: The extra step you should take so you aren't delayed getting onboard a Carnival cruise
3. Pre-purchase bottled water
One of the must-do tasks for many Carnival cruisers before boarding is pre-purchasing a pack of bottled water. Water is obviously available onboard for free, but it’s essentially tap water anywhere you drink. Some people prefer bottled water while cruising.
And, unless you have a drink package, those who want bottled water will be required to purchase individual bottles for a hiked price onboard from the bars. This can add up quickly if you’re trying to stay hydrated!
You can pre-purchase a pack of bottled water in the cruise manager online before your cruise. The bottled water is delivered directly to your stateroom on boarding day. The price used to be stellar at just $4.95 for a pack; however, the price has since increased to $18 for a 12-pack. This is still cheaper than individually purchasing the bottled water onboard, though!
4. Attend the Sailaway Party
No one does a sailaway party like Carnival Cruise Line! After boarding and completing your required muster drill, make sure to check your daily Funtimes to see what time the Sailaway Party is. This is a quintessential Carnival experience that you cannot miss!
As your cruise officially begins, the pool deck will be packed with fellow cruisers and the ship’s activities staff for a wild party. The DJ will play some favorite party tunes to get everyone in the vacation spirit.
Grab a drink and make your way to the Lido Deck for a must-do Carnival activity, as it’s the perfect way to start your cruise. You can dance, drink, and cheers to the start of your Carnival vacation as your ship sails away from port!
5. Indulge in Guy’s Burger Joint
One of the best dining options on Carnival’s cruise ships doesn't even require a surcharge. Thanks to a partnership with celeb chef Guy Fieri, Carnival cruisers can indulge in freshly-made burgers from Guy’s Burger Joint during your cruise. Each burger is made to your request and served with seasoned fries; it’s my favorite place to dine onboard a Carnival cruise!
Designed to be a roadside burger shack, this popular eatery is a must-try during your Carnival cruise. With a menu of specialty burgers and a toppings bar for customization, you will likely be heading back to Guy’s Burger Joint again and again!
The eatery is casual with many choosing to eat their burgers right on the pool deck. Typically, Guy’s Burger Joint is open for lunch and into the early evening throughout your cruise, but check your daily schedule to confirm opening hours.
Read more: I tried Guy Fieri's Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise and it's one of the best burgers at sea
6. Order the Melting Chocolate Cake
Perhaps the most popular dessert at sea, Carnival’s Melting Chocolate Cake is legendary for a reason. Served warm in an individual ramekin with a decadent, gooey center of molten chocolate, the cake is baked to perfection each time.
Carnival’s Melting Chocolate Cake is available each evening in the Main Dining Room across the cruise line’s fleet, and you should order it every night, in my opinion!
This staple dessert has been served for years onboard Carnival’s ships, earning quite a reputation. Be sure to order your molten cake with a side of peanut butter, fresh fruit and/or ice cream to elevate the flavor.
Read more: Carnival menus 2024: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
7. Go to the Punchliner Comedy Club, But Go Early
Carnival’s entertainment is more simple than other cruise lines. You won’t find big Broadway shows onboard. Instead, you can enjoy in-house production shows and daily comedians. The comedy shows are hosted in the Punchliner Comedy Club with a variety of shows for all ages, including family shows and R-rated material later in the night.
Every ship in Carnival’s fleet will feature comedy shows through the Punchliner Comedy Club. Depending on the ship, these shows are extremely popular. For instance, if you’re sailing on a bigger Excel Class ship with more passengers onboard, you’ll want to snag a spot at least 30 minutes before showtime to guarantee a seat!
8. Take Professional Photos
Seasoned Carnival cruisers love taking professional photos during their cruise, and many consider it a must-do activity while cruising. If you’re walking around the ship in the evening, expect to see multiple backdrops with professional photographers eager to snap your photo.
In addition, you can take photos while you head ashore in port and during embarkation day. Photographers also come around at dinner time asking guests if they’d like their photo taken. Essentially, you will find many opportunities every single day of your cruise to have your picture captured.
However, these photos are not complimentary, and you will need to purchase pictures before the end of your cruise. Older ships will print all of the photos physically while newer ships, such as the Excel Class vessels, will have digital kiosks where you can view your photos. Just be sure you don’t take one of the photos without paying, as Carnival sets up security sensors around the photo gallery to catch photo thieves!
9. Eat at SeaDay Brunch
One of my favorite things to do as a seasoned Carnival cruiser is attending SeaDay Brunch during my cruise. As you might expect based on the name, this is a special brunch offered in the Main Dining Room exclusively on sea days. Those who party late into the night will appreciate the option to dine late into the morning and into the early afternoon as well.
The popular SeaDay Brunch features its own menu with breakfast and lunch options. Some of my favorite options on the menu include the skillet pancake with marshmallow and guava sauce, 12-hour peach French toast, and Greek yogurt parfait topped with homemade granola. You should expect a small wait though for SeaDay Brunch, as it’s very popular with Carnival cruisers!
10. Decorate Your Cabin Door
Decorating your cabin door has become a very common trend in the last few years, and Carnival cruisers are some of the best decorators at sea! Decorating your door is a fun way to personalize your stateroom onboard. It’s also easier to locate your stateroom in the hallway.
Carnival cruisers are dedicated decorators, creating a very vibrant hallway onboard. Because cabin doors are magnetic, it’s easy to hang up signs, balloons, streamers, posters, photos, garlands, dry-erase boards, banners, and more.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, such as an anniversary, family reunion, or honeymoon, it’s especially common for cruisers to decorate their doors! Just be sure to follow the rules, which are outlined on Carnival’s website. Most importantly, your decorations cannot be a fire hazard, and all decorations must be fire retardant.
Moreover, the cruise line states, “Decorations may only be placed on the stateroom door and not the surrounding frame, walls or railing. You may use magnets or Command Strips but no adhesives such as tape or glue. No string lights of any kind are allowed. No decorations of any kind are allowed on balconies.”
11. Hide Ducks
On Carnival ships, it’s becoming very common for cruisers to hide rubber ducks during their sailing. If you haven’t sailed in the last few years, especially with Carnival, you might be curious to know more about this growing trend.
Hiding cruise ship ducks is an up-and-coming tradition that has exploded in popularity recently. This new tradition, which was started in 2018, involves passengers hiding small rubber ducks throughout the ship for other cruisers to find.
In a way, hiding ducks is like a treasure hunt where you never really know where you might find the next duck. Cruisers will often attach a heartwarming saying, riddle, or message to share with other cruisers. The tradition is a fun way to connect with other cruisers, and many kids try to collect as many as possible during their cruise.
12. Skip the Buffet
Although Carnival has many delicious dining options onboard, the Lido Marketplace buffet is one eatery that’s rarely raved about. Carnival’s buffet is lackluster for many seasoned cruisers.
However, this isn’t a huge issue considering Carnival’s ships are packed with other delicious dining options. This is especially true with the Excel Class ships, which have upwards of 20 different eateries and dining experiences to choose from.
The buffet is lackluster for a few reasons, although most would agree the variety is lacking. Carnival’s buffet stations all serve the same options, which might not always appeal to everyone. The most popular time to visit the Lido Marketplace is for breakfast, so expect crowds during this time. However, try the other dining options before you settle for the buffet.
Read more: Here's what you should do with your dirty buffet plates, according to Carnival Cruise Line
13. Try the Breakfast Burritos at BlueIguana Cantina
Speaking of breakfast, be sure to stop by BlueIguana Cantina for a breakfast burrito in the morning. BlueIguana Cantina is a Mexican-inspired eatery on the pool deck and has become a Carnival staple. Found on many ships, you can indulge in made-to-order tacos and burritos.
Instead of fighting the crowds at the buffet, try the customizable, freshly-made burritos at BlueIguana Cantina. I always hit up this restaurant on disembarkation day for a hearty breakfast burrito, which keeps me full during long travel days. You can choose from breakfast meats, eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and sauces.
14. Join the Facebook Group
If you want to connect with other cruisers before your Carnival cruise, be sure to look up your sailing’s Facebook page before setting sail. Most of the time, the group page can be found under your ship’s name and specific sail date.
Many veteran Carnival cruisers can be found in the Facebook groups. In fact, I’ve noticed about 50% of the ship’s passengers can be found in a sailing’s specific group. This is a great way to ask questions about your cruise, meet fellow guests, find tips and tricks, and stay informed about any updates that impact your cruise.
It’s not uncommon for guests to mingle on the group page as well, some even coordinating meet-ups on the ship. I highly recommend joining your cruise’s Facebook group before you embark on your cruise for these reasons!
15. Get Involved in the Activities
Carnival cruises are loads of fun and there will be no shortage of activities during your sailing. You’ll find that Carnival cruises are energetic with a lively clientele onboard. This creates a very fun environment for all of the activities hosted during any given cruise. In addition, the popular events onboard are well-attended by fellow guests.
Moreover, veteran Carnival cruisers love to get involved in the activities! You will find that Carnival’s activities might be more interactive than other cruise lines, and for good reason. Seasoned Carnival cruisers aren’t afraid to let loose and get on stage, whether that’s for karaoke or a game show.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
