New fees will add to the cost of a Carnival cruise in 2025.
In addition to cruise fares, passengers are responsible for gratuities, port fees, and taxes. Combined, they can easily add another $170+ to your total cost.
However, many ports are increasing their tourist tax to combat over-tourism and alleviate the environmental and social impacts. This is something that neither Carnival nor other cruise lines have any control over.
According to the nonprofit trade organization Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, effective mid-2025, all cruise passengers visiting Mexico will pay a $42 tax, which is 213% higher than the average cost at Caribbean ports.
Popular ports in Mexico include Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán.
Greece also plans to impose higher taxes when visiting popular islands. Cruise passengers calling at Santorini or Mykonos will be charged €20 during the peak season.
Because Carnival offers cruises to Mexico year-round, the higher Caribbean tax will impact the cruise line's target demographic more than the higher Greek tax.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers just six cruises to Greece in 2025, whereas they have over 200 departures to Mexico ranging in length from 4 to 14 nights.
Additionally, only one of Carnival's European cruises will visit Santorini. Guests aboard the Carnival Miracle's October 26, 2025, sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, will stop in Santorini.
More cruises are slated to visit Mykonos, with five of six Greece cruises calling at Mykonos in 2025.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
However, guests cruising to Europe with Carnival out of Dover, England, will also be subject to a new fee
Effective January 8, 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia must obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. The new requirement doesn't go into effect for European nationals until April 2, 2025.
"Now, for those of you coming to the UK this year, there is now something called an ETA that you have to complete, an electronic travel authorization," said John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, in a Facebook video.
"It's an electronic visa. It lasts for two years and all guests traveling, including children and infants, need to apply for this ETA. It's very easy."
Completing the application online is important because you could face fines or be denied boarding on your flight to the UK without a valid ETA.
The application fee costs £10 ($13 USD), and the process is done through the UK's website. It's valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
In other words, if you are taking a cruise from Dover, England, in 2025 and plan to visit London, England, for a land-based trip in 2026, you do not need to reapply.
To apply, you'll need a valid passport, a recent digital photo, specific travel details, a valid debit or credit card, and an email address to receive confirmation of your ETA approval.
Reminder to check your passport
Even if you're sailing won't be affected by the new taxes, take a moment to check your passport's expiration date. Cruise lines require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your cruise.
You don't want a last-minute surprise when you arrive at the cruise terminal eager to board your ship only to find out your passport expired and they can't let you onboard.
Note that some itineraries do not require a passport. If you are taking a round-trip cruise from a U.S. port of call, such as Miami or New York, you can board with a certified copy of your birth certificate and valid photo ID. Still, ensure you know where your travel documentation is before your cruise.
Read more: Do you need a passport to cruise? The answer explained
Other Carnival cruise changes
Carnival Cruise Line increased the price of its drink and Wi-Fi packages last year. Now, the popular CHEERS! drink package costs a minimum of $82.54, regardless of whether your cruise is 3 nights or 8 nights. The onboard price was also hiked to $88.44 per person, per day.
Similarly, you will pay more for a Carnival internet package in 2025, as the popular cruise line quietly raised the cost of all three Wi-Fi plans by as much as 22%.
The cheapest package starts at $18.70 per day, while the most experience costs anywhere from $23.80 to $28, depending on when you book.
Read more: 6 big changes coming to Carnival Cruise Line in 2025
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
