After years of sailing with Carnival Cruise Line, I’ve noticed first-time cruisers tend to make the same mistakes again and again.
I’ve been sailing with Carnival since high school, which admittedly was longer ago than I’d like to admit. My first Carnival cruise was in 2010 aboard Carnival Destiny, which is now known as Carnival Sunshine. A few years later, my husband and I booked a budget-friendly spring break sailing while we were in college. Since then, I’ve continued cruising with Carnival regularly, sailing aboard everything from some of the line’s oldest vessels to its newest Excel Class ships.
Over the years, I’ve learned that Carnival Cruise Line has its own distinct personality. While many cruise lines offer similar experiences, Carnival operates a little differently in several areas. Some of those differences can catch first-time passengers off guard, especially if they’ve sailed with another cruise line before.
The good news is that most of these mistakes are completely avoidable. I always say that a little preparation can go a long way when it comes to saving time, money, and frustration during your vacation.
Whether you’re sailing on a short Bahamas getaway or a weeklong Caribbean vacation, knowing what to expect can help you make the most out of your cruise experience. After taking multiple Carnival cruises in recent years, these are the 10 mistakes I see first-time passengers make most often and how to avoid them.
1. Forgetting to print their boarding pass
Carnival is old-fashioned when it comes to embarkation documents. While some cruise lines have moved toward fully digital boarding procedures, Carnival still requires guests to arrive with a printed boarding pass.
If you show up at the terminal without a printed boarding pass, you’ll likely face additional steps during check-in. While Carnival can usually help resolve the situation, it often means spending extra time at the terminal instead of beginning your vacation. Nobody wants their first cruise day to start with unnecessary delays!
I always recommend printing your boarding pass several days before departure and placing it somewhere you won’t forget, such as your carry-on bag or travel folder. While you’re printing your boarding pass, you’ll also want to print your luggage tags.
Carnival provides printable luggage tags before your sailing, and you’ll want to attach those to any larger suitcases that will be handed to porters at the cruise terminal. Without properly labeled luggage, your bags may take longer to arrive at your stateroom.
2. Cruising without a passport
Just because you can cruise without a passport doesn’t mean you should.
Technically, many Carnival cruises departing from U.S. ports allow American citizens to sail without a passport. These “closed-loop” itineraries begin and end in the United States, allowing passengers to travel with an original birth certificate and government-issued photo identification instead.
However, I’m always surprised by how many Carnival cruisers still travel without a passport. Having a passport makes virtually everything easier, from check-in and customs to unexpected situations that can arise during your vacation.
For instance, what happens if something goes wrong while you’re out of the country? Cruise passengers occasionally miss the ship in port, require emergency medical treatment ashore, or need to fly home unexpectedly. In those situations, having a passport can save an enormous amount of time, stress, and logistical headaches.
Even in routine situations, passports make the process smoother. I’ve watched Carnival cruisers spend way too much time questioning whether they have the correct version of their birth certificate or whether their documents meet the cruise line’s requirements. This kind of uncertainty isn’t something you want dampening the start of your vacation.
In my experience, disembarkation is often faster as well with a passport. Passengers traveling with passports tend to move through customs more efficiently than those relying on alternative documentation. Not to mention, a passport is valid for 10 years, so it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone planning to cruise more than once.
3. Bringing prohibited items onboard
Cruise ships operate under their own set of rules regarding what passengers can and cannot bring onboard. Just because something is legal at home or permitted at a hotel doesn’t mean it’s allowed on a cruise ship.
Marijuana is one of the most common examples. Even if recreational marijuana is legal in your state or you possess a medical marijuana card, Carnival prohibits marijuana products onboard its ships. I’ve seen passengers assume cruise lines follow the same rules as their home state, only to discover that’s not the case.
Carnival takes these rules extremely seriously. Security screenings at the terminal are extensive, and it’s common to see detection dogs working throughout the embarkation process.
Attempting to sneak prohibited items onboard just isn’t worth the risk. Depending on the item, it could be confiscated, delay your boarding process, or potentially result in more serious consequences.
Moreover, Carnival’s list of prohibited items extends beyond marijuana. The cruise line also restricts items such as Bluetooth speakers, steamers, irons, surge protectors, and other items that may pose safety concerns onboard.
Before every cruise, I recommend reviewing Carnival’s prohibited items list, especially if you're a first-timer. It only takes a few minutes and can prevent an unpleasant surprise at the cruise terminal.
4. Forgetting to bring a 12-pack of soda
If you’re a soda drinker, this is one rule worth knowing before embarkation day. Carnival allows guests to bring a limited quantity of canned nonalcoholic beverages onboard during embarkation. As a result, it’s very common to see passengers rolling suitcases through the terminal while carrying 12-packs of soda.
Bringing your own soda is one of the easiest ways to save money, as individual sodas can cost several dollars each onboard. If you’re someone who enjoys multiple soft drinks every day, those purchases add up quickly over the course of a cruise.
Additionally, most Carnival staterooms include a small cooling unit that can help keep drinks chilled throughout your cruise.
Of course, there are rules regarding quantities, packaging, and how beverages must be carried onboard. Be sure to review Carnival’s current policy before your sailing. But, for many repeat Carnival cruisers, bringing a 12-pack of soda is essential for their vacation.
5. Skipping specialty dining entirely
Carnival has earned a reputation for offering some of the best complimentary food at sea. In fact, I think Carnival’s casual dining options are among the strongest in the cruise industry.
On embarkation day, you’ll almost always find me heading straight to Guy’s Burger Joint for a freshly made burger and hand-cut fries. On Excel Class ships, I’m equally likely to be standing in line at Big Chicken, which is one of my favorite complimentary dining venues on any cruise ship.
Because there are so many included dining options, many first-time cruisers dismiss specialty dining altogether. I don’t blame these cruisers, as it seems frivolous to pay extra for food when you already have so many options included. At the same time, completely ignoring specialty dining can mean missing some really good Carnival cruise food.
Now, I’ll be honest that not every extra-charge restaurant on Carnival has been worth the additional cost. I’ve had a few specialty dining experiences that were fine, but not memorable.
However, I do love visiting Emeril’s Bistro, which is my favorite specialty venue on a Carnival cruise. Located on the Excel Class ships, Emeril’s offers New Orleans-inspired dishes at very reasonable prices, as most menu items cost only a few dollars.
The breakfast croissant sandwich is one of my favorite items, and my sister loves ordering the bananas foster crepe. I also find their coffee to be excellent here. If you want to splurge without blowing your budget, consider visiting a specialty venue like Emeril’s.
6. Eating breakfast at the buffet every day
The buffet is one of the most popular dining venues on any cruise ship, and Carnival's Lido Marketplace is no exception. Unfortunately, many first-time Carnival cruisers rely on the buffet more than they need to.
To be very honest, Carnival's buffet has never been my favorite part of the dining experience. While it's convenient, I've found the breakfast selection tends to be repetitive from day to day. On longer cruises, the lack of variety becomes even more noticeable and dealing with the crowds can be frustrating.
The Excel Class ships are a good example of this. Despite being Carnival's largest vessels, the buffet feels too small for the number of passengers onboard. This is likely because Excel class ships offer so many other dining venues throughout the day, which reduces the need for a massive buffet.
Even still, many passengers automatically head to the buffet every morning because it's what they're used to doing on vacation. But, they’re often missing out on some of the best breakfast options onboard.
One of my favorite alternatives is BlueIguana Cantina. The made-to-order breakfast burritos are fresh, filling, and way more satisfying than grabbing a plate from the buffet. In fact, I almost always stop there on disembarkation morning before heading home. The portions are very generous, and it's a much better way to end a cruise than fighting buffet crowds.
Another option many cruisers overlook is Sea Day Brunch. Available in the main dining room on sea days, this signature Carnival experience offers a more extensive menu with some of my favorite cruise breakfast dishes!
Before heading to breakfast each morning, take a quick look at the Carnival Hub app. You might discover several dining options nearby with shorter lines, better food, and a more relaxing atmosphere.
7. Not arriving early enough for production or comedy shows
There’s no denying that cruise ships are sailing full these days. In particular, Carnival ships often feel especially busy because they attract so many families, groups, and first-time cruisers.
This is why one of the biggest mistakes I see passengers make is arriving at entertainment venues right before a show begins. Unfortunately, that strategy doesn't usually work.
Unlike some cruise lines, Carnival doesn't offer reservations for most entertainment venues. Seating is first-come, first-serve, which means popular shows can fill up quickly. For example, the iconic Punchliner Comedy Club is one of the most beloved spots onboard any ship in Carnival’s fleet.
As such, Carnival’s comedy shows are always well attended, and it's common to see lines forming 30 minutes or more before doors even open. I've watched passengers show up shortly before the performance only to discover there isn't a seat available.
The seating situation can be even more challenging on the Excel Class ships, as many performances take place in the three-deck atrium. While this creates an energetic atmosphere, it offers limited seating compared to a traditional theater. I've seen people arrive extremely early just to secure a good viewing spot, but I’ve also witnessed a few feisty passengers fighting for seats when the venue fills up.
If there's a particular show, comedy performance, or game show that you're excited about, I recommend giving yourself extra time. The Carnival Hub app makes it easy to review the daily agenda, so it's worth planning ahead if entertainment is a priority for your cruise.
8. Not knowing which restaurants are included
Carnival's newer ships feature so many dining venues that it can be difficult for first-timers to keep track of what's complimentary and what requires an additional charge.
During one Carnival cruise, my coworker and his family happened to be sailing on the same ship as my sister and me. Since we were determined to try every restaurant onboard, my sister spent time before the cruise researching which venues were included and which required an additional fee.
By the end of the sailing, we had eaten at nearly every complimentary restaurant. However, my coworker had only tried a fraction of the venues we visited. Toward the end of the cruise, he realized his family had completely missed several restaurants because they assumed they cost extra.
For example, many passengers don't realize their first dinner at ChiBang! is included on Excel Class ships. Others skip specialty-inspired venues because they assume every restaurant outside the buffet and main dining room costs extra.
Because they didn't realize certain meals were included, they missed opportunities to try restaurants that were already part of the cruise fare. To make the most of your time, spend a few minutes reviewing your ship's dining lineup.
Again, the Carnival Hub app is your friend! This makes it easy to identify which venues are included and which require a cover charge. After all, you've already paid for a lot of food, so you might as well enjoy it!
9. Missing the sailaway party
If there's one Carnival tradition every first-time cruiser should experience, it's the sailaway party. Carnival's sailaway parties are unlike anything I've experienced on most other cruise lines.
As the ship begins pulling away from port, thousands of passengers gather around the pool deck to celebrate the official start of their vacation. You’ll find music, drinks and dancing across the lido deck during sailaway for a giant party.
The cruise director usually takes center stage alongside the DJ to get the party started. I am always shocked at how many people attend this event. It really feels like the entire ship is there to celebrate together!
The energy is contagious, especially for first-time cruisers who are experiencing the excitement of departure day for the very first time. Even if dancing isn't your thing, the sailaway party is worth stopping by for at least a few minutes. I recommend grabbing a fun cocktail, enjoying the music, and soaking in the party atmosphere!
For many passengers, the sailaway party is one of their favorite memories from the entire cruise. It's a classic Carnival experience that shouldn't be skipped.
10. Waiting until you’re onboard to buy internet or the CHEERS! Drink Package
If you already know you'll be buying internet access or Carnival's CHEERS! beverage package, it's almost always cheaper to purchase them before your cruise begins. Carnival offers discounted pre-cruise pricing through its online cruise manager, which allows guests to lock in lower rates before boarding.
Yet every cruise, I still see first-time passengers purchasing these packages onboard. If you're someone who plans to stay connected during your vacation, pre-purchasing internet is one of the easiest ways to save money. The same is true for the CHEERS! package if you've already determined it makes financial sense for your drinking habits.
Making those decisions ahead of time also helps you budget more effectively. You'll know exactly what you've spent before stepping onboard instead of making expensive vacation purchases in the moment.
However, I don't usually recommend pre-booking spa treatments. In my experience, spa appointments are one of the few purchases that often become cheaper after embarkation.
Cruise lines regularly offer discounts during port days when many passengers are ashore. I've seen significant savings on massages, facials, and other treatments by waiting until I was onboard to book. However, for most other add-ons, it’s better to pre-purchase them than wait until you’re onboard.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising, and adventure. She's sailed on 50+ cruises and visited more than 60 countries. Hubers even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
She has contributed her travel and cruise expertise to numerous publications, including Business Insider, US News & World Report, and Travel Lemming. Hubers earned her MBA in Data Analytics and works as a senior strategy analyst.
