Carnival Cruise Line Policies: Everything in One Place
This page pulls together the Carnival Cruise Line policies our advisors get asked about most - cancellation rules, baggage limits, booking and deposit terms, dining, gratuities, and more. Each topic has its own dedicated page linked below with the full details.
For 6-night-plus cruises, cancel 91+ days out and you're fully refunded (aside from non-refundable fares). From there it steps down: your deposit is forfeited between 90-56 days, then it's the greater of your deposit or 50% of the fare from 55-30 days, 75% from 29-15 days, and 100% (no refund) inside 14 days. Cruises of 5 nights or less follow a similar but slightly compressed 76-day schedule.
Carnival Cruise Line's terms can vary by ship, season, and cabin category, so a quick call to confirm specifics for your exact sailing is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Carnival Cruise Line's cancellation policy?
For 6-night-plus cruises, cancel 91+ days out and you're fully refunded (aside from non-refundable fares). From there it steps down: your deposit is forfeited between 90-56 days, then it's the greater of your deposit or 50% of the fare from 55-30 days, 75% from 29-15 days, and 100% (no refund) inside 14 days. Cruises of 5 nights or less follow a similar but slightly compressed 76-day schedule.
Does Carnival Cruise Line charge for checked baggage?
Carnival keeps it simple: one checked bag per person on 3-5 day cruises, two bags per person on cruises of 6 nights or longer. Each bag should stay under 50 lbs and, laid flat, no more than 16 inches high by 24 inches wide (length isn't restricted) so it can move through the terminal's screening equipment without delay.
How much is the deposit to book Carnival Cruise Line?
Deposits scale with cruise length - typically $100-$150 per person for shorter sailings up to $400 for 10+ night voyages - with final payment due 75-90 days before sailing depending on itinerary length.
Are gratuities included in the Carnival Cruise Line fare?
$16-17 per person, per day for standard staterooms, rising to around $18-19 for suites. It posts automatically to your Sail & Sign account and can be adjusted at Guest Services if needed.
What's Carnival Cruise Line's Wi-Fi policy?
Carnival's HUB app bundles internet with onboard tools like menus and activity schedules. The Social plan (social apps only) runs about $20.40/day, Value (full browsing) about $23.80/day, and Premium (built for streaming) about $25.50/day.
Who can walk me through all of Carnival Cruise Line's policies at once?
Call +1-800-406-8495 and one of our advisors can go through cancellation, baggage, dining, and any other policy questions specific to your upcoming Carnival Cruise Line sailing.
How does Carnival Cruise Line's check-in process work?
Online check-in opens 14 days before departure and must be finished by midnight Eastern Time the night before you sail. Guests who complete it ahead of time get a designated boarding time and move through the terminal faster.
What documents does Carnival Cruise Line require for boarding?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop sailings (same U.S. port both ways) can travel with a government-issued birth certificate plus photo ID instead of a passport, though Carnival - like every line - recommends a passport valid 6+ months past your return date for the smoothest experience and as a backup if plans change.
Does Carnival Cruise Line have a loyalty program worth joining?
VIFP Club (Very Important Fun Person), which Carnival has said it plans to transition toward a new spend-based Carnival Rewards program. Under VIFP, you earn one point per cruise day, with meaningful perks like priority boarding and discounted Wi-Fi kicking in around the Platinum tier.
What's Carnival Cruise Line's policy on sailing with kids?
6 months old on sailing day for most itineraries, rising to 12 months for longer or more remote routings where onboard medical support is more limited.