Carnival Cruise Line quietly increases price of WiFi

Carnival Cruise Line suddenly increased the price of its three internet packages without warning by as much as 9%.

Although the new rates aren't available publicly yet, passengers booked on 2026 sailings can see the higher prices reflected in their Cruise Manager accounts. 

Cruisers weren't notified before the hike, eliminating the possibility of locking in the lower price ahead of their future cruise vacation.

Carnival's cheapest internet package will now start at $20.40 per day

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The Social Wi-Fi Plan is Carnival's cheapest option. Effective 2026, the price of the package will increase by 9.1%. Previously, it cost $18.70 per day. However, the new rate brings it to $20.40.

Carnival's Social Plan is perfect for those who only want to do a little light browsing on the ship. It allows access to select social media sites and applications, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat, X, and LinkedIn. That said, it does not support streaming or heavy web browsing. 

Moving on, the Value Plan, which includes access to all sites and applications available in the Social Plan with a faster connection speed, increased by roughly 7.7%, from $22.10 to $23.80 for pre-cruise purchases. 

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Finally, the Premium Plan increased from $23.80 to $25.50 per day, or about 7.1%. This package is Carnival's fastest and most inclusive option and lets guests stream movies, video chat, and browse the internet with the fastest available speeds on the ship. 

The Wi-Fi packages are more expensive onboard

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If you wait until you are on the ship to buy your Carnival internet plan, you will pay even more than the new pre-cruise prices. 

This is because Carnival rewards cruisers who pre-purchase add-ons, including drink and Wi-Fi packages, with a small discount. 

In the past, the pre-cruise Wi-Fi discount has been as high as 17%. For example, when Carnival increase the price of its internet packages in 2025, the Premium Plan cost $23.80 when purchased in advance and $28 onboard. 

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For a 7-night cruise, the difference adds up quickly. At $23.80 per day, the Premium Plan cost $166.60 for the week for one passenger. Buying it onboard, however, would total $196. 

Note that the lower prices are only available to those who purchase their internet plan before their sailing, either through Carnival's Cruise Manager portal or by speaking with a cruise line representative.