Carnival Cruise Tips and Tricks

If you’re looking for delicious things to eat, top tips to save money, and the best ways to maximize your time on your next Carnival cruise, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a newbie or have sailed Carnival a dozen times, you’re sure to find helpful advice in our top 33 Carnival cruise tips and tricks. You’ll certainly want to keep these in mind for your next voyage.

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33 Carnival Cruise Tips and Tricks

1. If you’re a shareholder, make sure to get your onboard credit.

If you own at least 100 shares of Carnival Corporation stock, you can get onboard credit every time you sail with Carnival. You get $250 in onboard credit per stateroom on a 14+ day cruise, $100 for a 7 to 13 day cruise, and $50 for a voyage that’s six days or shorter.

To receive your Carnival cruise onboard credit, email shareholders@carnival.com. You’ll need to provide your legal name, booking number, ship, sailing date, and proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (such as a shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher, or a current brokerage statement with your mailing address and account number blacked out) no later than three weeks prior to your sail date. You can also do this via fax or mail.

2. Use the ‘lowest price guarantee’ if the fare drops.

Here’s a great way to potentially save money on your Carnival cruise: utilize the line’s lowest price guarantee. If you find a better Carnival-advertised deal on your sailing within two days of booking your cruise, you’ll receive 110 percent of the difference in onboard credit.

3. Book your Cheers beverage package prior to the cruise.

Carnival’s alcoholic beverage package, called Cheers, costs less per day if purchased prior to the sailing. It’s $59.95 per person, per day pre-cruise, or $64.95 per person, per day if purchased once on board.

The package includes beers, wine, champagne, spirits, and cocktails worth up to $20 per glass, plus soda, juices, specialty coffees and teas, energy drinks, milkshakes, Powerade, Vitamin Water, and bottled water. Cheers must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise.

4. Get travel insurance.

Anytime you leave the country, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance. Not only does this protect you in instances like travel delays, interruptions, and cancellations, but it also covers you in case of a medical emergency.

Your typical health insurance isn’t going to work outside of the U.S., and it’s important that you’re covered throughout your entire cruise — including incidents that may occur in port as well as ship doctor’s visits or an emergency medevac.

Carnival offers a plan called Carnival Vacation Protection. However, we recommend you look into third-party travel insurance options as well — they’ll likely cost you less per-person and offer more coverage.

5. Take advantage of continental breakfast room service.

These days, Carnival Cruise Line charges a small fee for its all-day and late-night room service items, as well as the sandwiches on its breakfast menu. However, continental breakfast remains included in the cruise fare — so take advantage of it! The menu includes fruit, cereals, a variety of yogurts and baked goods, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, and juices.

To order, fill out the paper breakfast menu and hang it outside your cabin door before 3 am. You’re able to choose a delivery time slot anytime from 6 am to 10 am.

6. Look for the “secret” deck.

If you want to enjoy the sunshine and ocean breeze without the crowds, see if your ship has a “secret” deck. Many Carnival cruise ships have at least one forward deck open to guests that you can find by walking all the way to the forward end of a cabin hallway and locating a door with a porthole window.

If you’re unsure whether you’ve found one, it doesn’t hurt to try the door. If it’s an employees-only area, it should be locked.

7. If you don’t care about location, get a guarantee cabin.

If you don’t care about where your cabin is on the ship, consider booking a guarantee cabin to save some money on your next Carnival cruise. You still choose your stateroom category (such as an interior or balcony), but you don’t get to pick your specific cabin.

The cruise line will assign the room to you closer to your sail date. Since you don’t get to choose an exact location, guarantee cabins are the cheapest option within each accommodation category.

8. Download the HUB app.

Carnival’s HUB app is free, and it’s one of the best cruise line apps currently available. Be sure to download it before your sailing.

You can use it to complete online check-in, make pre-cruise purchases, make dining and show reservations, view ship maps, view restaurant menus, order food, plan which activities you want to do during the day, and more.

9. Turn on airplane mode as soon as the ship sets sail.

This is an important piece of advice for any cruise — don’t forget to put your phone on airplane mode as soon as the ship departs port. This prevents you from incurring hefty roaming fees as your cell phone tries to find a connection while out at sea.

You can have your phone in airplane mode and use the ship’s wifi and the Carnival HUB app at the same time. After you turn on airplane mode, just switch your phone’s wifi capability back on.

10. Head to Cucina Del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen for lunch.

Carnival is one of the best cruise lines for a variety of complimentary dining venues, especially at lunchtime. Burritos at BlueIguana Cantina, barbecue at Guy’s Pig & Anchor, chicken fingers at Big Chicken, and burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint are all solid options. But many people don’t know that some specialty restaurants also offer an included lunch menu.

Cucina Del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen are both for-fee specialty venues at dinner on most ships, but offer free build-your-own lunch options earlier in the day. At JiJi, you can build your own noodle bowl with your choice of noodles, vegetables, proteins, and sauces. Similarly, the Captain’s Pasta Bar, located inside Cucina Del Capitano, lets you create a custom pasta dish with various pastas, sauces, and meats.

Another sit-down venue on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Chibang, also offers an included lunch.

11. Get to comedy shows early.

Whether they take place in the Limelight Lounge, Punchliner Comedy Club, or elsewhere on the ship, Carnival’s stand-up comedy shows are very popular. If you’re hoping for a seat — especially at an adults-only show — arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early.

They do allow for a bit of standing room, but once the space reaches a certain capacity they close the doors. If you’re not inside, you’re out of luck.

12. Don’t be a chair hog.

It can be oh-so-tempting to get up early and set your things down on a lounger to reserve that prime poolside real estate for the day. But resist the urge! Reserving pool chairs for an extended period of time is not allowed on many cruise lines, including Carnival.

In fact, the line has an official policy regarding what many refer to as “chair hogging.” If crew members see a lounger that has been reserved via a towel or other belongings but has been unoccupied for at least 40 minutes, they’ll remove the items and hold them until the guest returns.

You can still leave your things on a chair to take a dip in the pool or go grab food, but don’t “reserve” one and walk away for hours on end.

13. Bring your own beverages.

While liquor, beer, and any beverages packaged in plastic or glass bottles cannot be brought on board with you for your cruise, there are some drinks you can bring along in your carry-on.

A per-person maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans or cartons of things like soda, juice, milk, or energy drinks can be brought on board. Guests ages 21 or older may also bring one 750 ml bottle of unopened wine or champagne per person.

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14. Look for daily drink specials and happy hour deals.

Another one of our Carnival cruise tips is to be on the lookout for drink deals. Many bars across the ship will have a daily drink special or happy hour menu, which offer cocktails at a reduced price either for the day or between certain hours of the day.

This won’t affect those who have the Cheers beverage package, but keeping an eye out for these specials is a great money-saving cruise tip if you’re buying your drinks a la carte.

15. Book excursions online ahead of time.

If you want to make sure you get the shore excursions you want, book them online prior to your cruise. The most popular excursions often sell out before the ship even sets sail. You won’t save money by doing this, but you will save precious cruise time that you otherwise would have spent at the shore excursions desk.

If you’re booking a third-party excursion (not through the cruise line), it’s also best to book ahead of time simply because the internet may not be reliable while on the cruise. There are pros and cons to both options.

16. Don’t miss the Love & Marriage show.

The love & marriage show is a don’t-miss if you love to laugh. For the uninitiated, the love & marriage show features three married couples from the audience — newlyweds, the couple married the longest (or close to it), and another in between.

They sit on stage back-to-back and are asked a series of questions, and then their answers are compared to their spouse’s. Chaos and hilarity often ensues. I HIGHLY recommend attending this show.

17. Use luggage tag protectors or tape your luggage tags.

The luggage tags you printed on computer paper back home are flimsy at best, and can easily rip off as your suitcases are being transferred onto the ship and to your cabin.

To ensure that your luggage doesn’t end up in an onboard holding area, buy some luggage tag protectors or cover the tags in tape before you staple them onto your bag handles. It’ll make them more durable so they’re delivered without any issues!

18. Be proactive about mentioning any food allergies.

Inform the cruise line of your food allergies when booking your sailing. Once on board, be sure to speak with your server (and possibly the maî·tre d’) to make sure they know about your allergies. Carnival is very eager and willing to do anything they can to accommodate allergies.

In 2022, Carnival also introduced a program for guests with food allergies called Menu Mate. Staff (or the guest themselves) enter a guest’s food allergies into the system, then the software sorts through all available options at a given restaurant to display the ones that are allergen-free or options that can be modified to accommodate for the allergy.

19. Don’t miss Seaday brunch.

For all the foodies, this is one of the Carnival cruise tips that you won’t want to miss. From morning until noon on sea days, you can head to the main dining room for Carnival’s famous Seaday Brunch.

A long-time favorite among loyal Carnival cruisers, the complimentary menu includes fun things like huevos rancheros, fried chicken and waffles, the brunch burger, flamin’ tomato soup, and seven-layer chocolate cake.

Extra-fee options include a crab and avocado sandwich, lobster benedict, and fresh-pressed juices.

Menu Hack: Order some mac n’ cheese from the kids’ menu, it’s beyond creamy, cheesy, and delicious! If you want to jazz it up, get a side of sausage, ham, or bacon and cut it up into your bowl.

20. Head to the Serenity Retreat for time away from the kids.

Every ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet features Serenity, a sundeck with daybeds, cushy loungers, a bar, and more just for guests 21 and older. The age rule is usually very well enforced, so you shouldn’t find kids in this spot.

It’s the perfect place to escape for a few hours while your children spend time in Camp Ocean — or where you can escape everyone else’s kids!

21. Get a spa discount on port days.

Another one of our Carnival cruise tips to save money is to make your spa appointments for when the ship will be in port. From massages to facials and medi-spa treatments, you’ll likely be able to find some good discounts on spa services if you’re willing to sacrifice some time in port.

Note that to receive the discounted price, you will likely have to book your treatment during the cruise, not ahead of time.

22. Try new foods.

A cruise is a great place to try something new, especially when it comes to food. In the main dining room, you may find selections such as frog legs, escargot, or crawfish strudel. If you’re wary about trying new things, order a dish for your entire table to share. You never know what may become a new favorite!

23. Ask for a JavaBlue Café punch card.

If you plan to purchase specialty coffees, milkshakes, or other beverages at JavaBlue Café, ask for a punch card your first visit there. After purchasing six drinks, you get one free.

Note: Bottled beverages are excluded from the punch card program.

24. Bring small dollar bills.

Be sure to bring some smaller bills (like ones, fives, and tens) to tip individuals like baggage porters, tour guides, or your favorite server or bartender.

Daily gratuities are automatically added to your bill at the end of the cruise for various crew members who help make your vacation amazing, and are also automatically added at bars. But if you want to extend an extra thanks, it’s helpful to have some cash on hand.

25. Opt for specialty dining on night one for free wine.

If you dine in select specialty restaurants on the first night of your cruise (such as the steakhouse), you’ll receive a free bottle of house wine or 50 percent off a bottle from the regular wine list.

26. Bring a sweater or jacket — even on Caribbean cruises.

You may be thinking, “Why would I need to bring a sweater on a cruise to the Caribbean? It’s going to be hot!” While this will likely be true of the daytime outdoor temperature, it probably won’t be inside your ship.

Many cruise ships have quite cool indoor temperatures, so there’s a good chance you may get chilly in the theater or during dinner on your voyage. Not to mention, the evening wind at sea (even in the Caribbean) can be colder than you think!

When I take a warm-weather cruise, I like to bring at least one sweater and one sweatshirt.

27. Check out the Fresh Creations salad bar in Serenity.

For lunch on sea days, the Serenity Retreat offers a complimentary salad bar called Fresh Creations. This convenient option means you can get in some veggies without having to walk too far from your spot on the sundeck.

A menu board includes salad suggestions with punny names, such as Just Arugula Guy and Lettuce Aboard. It also lists out all of the greens, toppings, and dressings that are available so you don’t have to wonder what you’re looking at when building your salad creation.

28. Attend the cruise director’s Q&A session.

Take a look at your voyage’s daily schedule, and you’ll likely see a cruise director Q&A scheduled for sometime while the ship is at sea. I highly recommend attending this event as it’s a great way to take a peek behind the curtain on what it’s like to live on a cruise ship and be the cruise director — who often seems to be everywhere all at once!

29. Be sure to get a breakfast burrito at BlueIguana Cantina.

BlueIguana Cantina is a popular counter-service restaurant located on the lido deck, serving up custom burritos and tacos alongside a large toppings and salsa bar.

But in addition to lunch here, don’t sleep on the breakfast burritos. With scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, hash browns, onions, lettuce, salsa, and more, breakfast at BlueIguana Cantina is the perfect way to start a fun-filled day.

30. Take advantage of Camp Ocean.

Camp Ocean is Carnival’s kids program, where young cruisers are grouped by age and can participate in activities such as group games, dancing, crafts, and sing-a-longs. If they’re in Camp Ocean during mealtimes, they’ll also be served meals with kid-approved cuisine like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.

So if you’ve got kids, don’t be afraid to drop them off for a few hours here and there at Camp Ocean — you’ll get some much needed adult time and they’ll have a blast meeting and playing with new friends.

31. Ask for a smaller entrée portion in the MDR.

When having dinner in the main dining room, don’t be afraid to ask for smaller entrées if you don’t want the full size. This can’t necessarily be done with every dish on the menu, but it’s possible with some and it never hurts to ask.

32. Bring a reusable water bottle.

I always bring a reusable water bottle whenever I travel, including on a cruise. While it’s easy to get cups of water all around the ship, if you want to bring water into port, you’ll either have to pay for bottled water or bring your own.

You can fill it up in your stateroom sink (the water is perfectly fine for drinking) or at the water machine in various dining venues around the ship.

33. Order the warm chocolate melting cake.

A longtime staple and favorite of all ages, the warm chocolate melting cake from the main dining room is not to be missed if you’re a chocolate fan. Essentially a lava cake baked in a ramekin, this dessert may look small, but it’s rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. What makes it even better? It’s served with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Menu Hack: Ask for some peanut butter to put on top of your cake!

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