From the upbeat environment of their "FUN" ships to exploring new ports of call, planning a Carnival cruise is exciting! However, nobody wants to go into debt over their annual vacation, so it's crucial to budget accordingly.
Carnival is known for its laid-back atmosphere and wallet-friendly sailings. That said, the actual price of a weeklong cruise varies based on several factors, such as sail date, age of ship, and cabin category.
Aside from logistical considerations, the price of a cruise also depends on the add-ons you deem necessary. Things like drink packages, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments, and Wi-Fi will all increase the total cost of your Carnival vacation.
Not sure how much a 7-night Carnival cruise should cost you? The answer depends on your personal preferences. You could spend half what another passenger spent on the same cruise if you opt for the cheapest stateroom and limit your onboard spending.
With that said, this guide will help you decide how to fit a Carnival into your budget and vacation style.
Time of year
Cruises during a region's peak season will cost more than if you were to sail during the off or shoulder season.
Assuming you're considering a weeklong Eastern Caribbean cruise, here's an example to see how the time of year can drastically impact the price. Note that these prices were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
The prices listed are the total fare for two adults in an interior cabin, including taxes and fees:
- Carnival Celebration (July 18, 2027): $2,098 ($299.71 per night)
- Carnival Celebration (November 7, 2027): $1,338 ($191.14 per night)
Perhaps you've been to the Caribbean one or two times and would like to travel somewhere new. Alaska is a popular alternative, offering a completely different cruise experience defined by glaciers, snow-capped mountains, abundant wildlife, and fresh seafood.
The Alaska cruise season is shorter than the Caribbean, with the peak months running from June to August. As such, you'll find more affordable sailings during the shoulder season months of April, May, and September.
Here's an example of what a Carnival cruise to Alaska costs during a shoulder month versus a peak sailing. The fares below are for two passengers in an interior stateroom:
- Carnival Legend (April 20, 2027): $1,908 ($272.57 per night)
- Carnival Legend (July 20, 2027): $2,528 ($361.14 per night)
Cruise fares typically are more expensive during school holidays, too. Families often plan vacations around their children's breaks, leading to a higher demand for cruises.
For instance, sailing aboard Carnival's Mardi Gras over Easter 2027 (March 27 - April 3) would cost you at least $1,019 per person, based on double occupancy. However, if you have the flexibility to sail at the beginning of the month, you can save $250 per guest, bringing the fare to around $780 per person for an inside cabin.
Christmas and New Year's are two holidays that also tend to see inflated cruise fares. In early December, a 7-night sailing on Carnival Celebration is as low as $554 per person. That said, prices increase over $1,020 per person for the Christmas and New Year's sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Stateroom category
Like the time of year, the cruise ship cabin you select will greatly impact the cost of your 7-night cruise. Typically, inside staterooms are the most affordable option, as they lack natural light and are often the smallest cabins on a ship. Still, they provide a comfortable place to rest and are ideal for those who would rather allocate money toward add-ons.
Balconies are more expensive, but they allow guests to enjoy the ocean views and fresh air from the comfort of their stateroom. This upgrade is essential for many cruisers, as it allows them to sip morning coffee on their balcony or watch the sunset.
Ocean-view cabins are a great middle-ground for those who want natural light to illuminate their stateroom each morning but don't want to shell out the extra money for a balcony.
Suites provide the most comfort and space of any cabin onboard a Carnival cruise ship. Plus, they come with perks like priority check-in, pillow-top mattresses, and upgraded bathroom amenities. Of course, these luxuries come at a premium, making suites the least affordable cabin category.
Using the same Christmas cruise on Carnival Celebration as mentioned above, interior rooms for this holiday sailing start at $1,024; however, if you want a private verandah, you'll have to spend upwards of $1,334 per person, while the cheapest suite is $2,034 per person.
Cabins also impact the price of a Carnival cruise during a region's shoulder season. For example, a weeklong cruise onboard Carnival Legend in February 2027 starts at $709 for an interior cabin, but if you prefer to enjoy the added space and comfort of a balcony, that price jumps to $919 per person.
Planning a cruise to Alaska? You may want to consider splurging on a balcony cabin to enjoy the breathtaking views of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. Since Alaska is a scenic cruising destination, balconies are often more expensive than on Caribbean itineraries.
An inside cabin on a weeklong cruise to Alaska on board Carnival Legend in June 2027 starts at $1,214. However, if you choose a balcony cabin, you can expect the starting price to be around $1,889 per person.
Ship
Carnival's Excel Class ships are nothing short of impressive. From seemingly endless dining options to the first rollercoasters at sea, modern cabins, and more, these vessels redefined the Carnival experience. That said, as their newest ships have state-of-the-art amenities and cutting-edge design, they are usually more expensive than older ones.
Looking at Carnival cruises in November 2026, a 7-night sailing on Carnival Liberty from New Orleans, Louisiana, starts at around $544 per person. If you want to sail on Mardi Gras, you're looking at paying at least $609 per passenger.
A lot of Carnival's older ships also operate shorter itineraries, which can be ideal if you're trying to maximize your vacation budget. A 5-night cruise on Carnival Elation in October 2026, for example, costs $359 per person. In comparison, the cheapest weeklong Caribbean cruise starts at $534 onboard Carnival Celebration.
Even if the cruise fare isn't substantially different, shorter cruises mean you'll pay less in gratuities and for daily add-ons like drink and Wi-Fi packages. This can save you a lot of money, considering Carnival's drink package costs over $80 per person, per night.
Read more: I’m new to Carnival and tried 4 different kinds of cruise ships, here's what I like about each
Add-ons
Speaking of drink packages, although your Carnival cruise fare includes a lot — from your accommodation to meals in the Main Dining Room, comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club, deck parties underneath the stars, and Playlist Live production shows — there's a lot that isn't included.
There are tons of opportunities to spend money on top of your cruise fare for add-ons like alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, and more.
For a 7-night cruise, you can expect to pay around $630 for your CHEERS! Drink Package, depending on when you purchase it. The pre-cruise price, which includes a 10% discount, runs $587.58 for the week. If you wait until you're on board, you'll pay $629.58.
Read more: Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Carnival Cruises To Save Money
Similarly, the Premium Wi-Fi Plan starts at $30.00/night, meaning the cost for a 7-night cruise is around $210. However, you can save up to 15% by purchasing the Wi-Fi plan in advance.
Unlike Wi-Fi and drink packages, the cost of specialty dining isn't dependent on the duration of your cruise. If you want, you can stick with the complimentary options, including the Main Dining Room, Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and buffet. Many travelers, however, like to enhance their onboard experience with a meal in the ship's steakhouse or one of the other restaurants.
The cost varies based on the restaurant. For example, Cucina del Captaino, the Italian eatery, costs $24 per adult and $11 per child, while the Teppanyaki restaurant runs $46.02 for lunch and $57.82 for dinner.
Moving on, the amount you spend on shore excursions is also based on personal preferences. Assuming you're cruising to The Bahamas or the Caribbean, it's easy to plan a budget-friendly day at the beach. This is because you can rely on public transportation or hire a cab rather than purchasing a pricey cruise line-sponsored tour.
In other regions, namely Alaska and Europe, it's often recommended to book excursions through the cruise line, especially for wildlife viewing activities, glacier tours, and destination-intensive sightseeing. These excursions vary widely in cost, but it’s not uncommon to see tours ranging from $150 to $300 per person in Alaska and Europe.
Other add-ons to take into consideration are spa treatments, extra-cost activities like Bingo and the BOLT rollercoaster on Excel ships, laundry services, behind-the-scenes ship tours, professional pictures, fitness classes, and room service.
Gratuities
Carnival cruise fares do not include gratuities (AKA tips).
You can add them to your reservation when booking or have them automatically added to your Sail & Sign account to be settled at the end of the sailing. As of January 2026, the daily rate for guests in standard cabins (i.e., interior, oceanview, and balcony rooms) is $16.00 per person, per day, while the rate for suite passengers is $18.00 per person, per day.
This means that for a weeklong cruise, you'll pay $112 in gratuities if in a standard stateroom or $126 if in a suite. Since the price is per person, not cabin, it's important to factor in the total number of guests in your party when budgeting for gratuities. For example, a family of four in a balcony cabin will pay $448 in gratuities for a 7-night Carnival cruise.
Read more: Worth it or not: Carnival prepaid gratuities
What should a 7-night Carnival cruise cost?
There's no straightforward answer, as it depends on your personal preferences and spending habits.
If you plan your cruise during the off-season, book an interior cabin, and limit your onboard spending, your cruise can cost less than $1,200 per person for a weeklong getaway. However, you can also spend upwards of $2,000 or $3,000 for a 7-night Carnival cruise if you want to sail in a large suite, purchase a drink package, book multiple shore excursions, and vacation during a region's peak season.
Don't forget to factor transportation into your budget, too. Getting to and from the port will add to your overall costs. If flying, consider airfare prices, airport transfers, and a pre-cruise hotel since you'll want to arrive the day before departure. Guests who are driving should factor in gas, potential tolls, and parking fees at the port.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
