Carnival Cruise Line, based in Doral, Florida, will change the way it calculates the prices of its beverage packages and Wi-Fi plans on board starting from December 1, 2026.
The company will introduce a dynamic pricing system in which rates will vary depending on the duration of the cruise, the itinerary, and the season of the year.
The change, announced by the cruise line on October 14, will also affect travelers embarking from Miami and other southern Florida ports.
Carnival has not yet revealed the price ranges it will implement with the new model.
What will change in the prices of drinks and wifi?
Currently, Carnival offers various drink packages with prices ranging from $6.95 to $124 per person per day, while internet plans cost between $20.40 and $25.50 daily, according to prices gathered by NBC Miami.
With the new system, the price of the same service may vary depending on the characteristics of the journey.
NBC reports that passengers may pay more during peak demand seasons, although Carnival has not confirmed how the rates will behave or by how much they may increase or decrease.
The measure has raised concerns among some regular travelers.
Tony Barnette, a content creator specializing in cruises, suggested during an appearance on the TODAY program on NBC, the possibility that two passengers could pay different amounts for the same drink package on the same cruise if they make the purchase at different times.
"The more transparency there is about how the pricing system will work, the better for the passengers," said Barnette, who also expressed hope that the new model will allow access to discounts.
FunPacks: four packages starting at $25 per day
Along with the announcement of dynamic pricing, Carnival introduced FunPacks, four packages that combine drinks, internet access, and other onboard services.
According to the company, they allow for savings of between 35% and 55% compared to the individual hiring of the included services.
The four available options are:
- Kidstarter ($25 per person per day): designed for children and teenagers aged 3 to 17. It includes unlimited soft drinks and juices, a souvenir cup, social wifi, 1,000 arcade tokens, a complimentary wristband, and a 50% discount on bulk candies from Cherry on Top. Carnival announces savings of up to 50%.
- Zero Proof ($50 per person per day): includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, affordable wifi, a $50 discount on shore excursions, and another $25 discount at specialty restaurants. The announced savings reach 35%.
- Social ($60 per person per day): includes the new CHEERS! Social package, which offers three alcoholic drinks daily and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, as well as premium wifi, one shore excursion valued at up to $100, and one meal at a specialty restaurant valued at up to $55. It also provides a 50% discount on spa treatments and photo packages from Dreams Studio. Carnival announces savings of up to 50%.
- Epic ($99 per person per day): includes the CHEERS! package, with up to 15 alcoholic drinks daily and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, premium wifi, two excursions valued at up to $100 each, and two specialty meals valued at up to $55 each. It adds 50% discounts on spa services and Dreams Studio, a bottle of sparkling wine, and laundry and folding service for one bag of clothes. The announced savings reach 55%.
The prices indicated are per person, per day. The beverage packages include the applicable service charges, according to the information published by Carnival. FunPacks must be purchased for all days of the cruise.
The amenities are subject to the terms and conditions of each FunPack. Excursions, specialty meals, and discounts on spa services and photography must be booked through My Cruise Manager, at least three days prior to departure. Benefits that require advance reservation and are not booked within this timeframe will be forfeited and cannot be applied on board.
The Social and Epic packages are reserved for those aged 21 and older. Additionally, if a passenger of that age purchases a FunPack, all guests aged 21 and older in the same cabin must acquire the same package.
Until when can the FunPacks be reserved?
The FunPacks are available for reservation until October 30, 2026 and apply to eligible cruises departing between October 31, 2026, and December 31, 2027. However, they must be booked at least three days before the cruise departs.
Passengers who already have a reservation can check the available options through My Cruise Manager on the official Carnival website.
Those who have not yet made a reservation must first select an eligible cruise in order to book one of these packages.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, explained during the launch that the FunPacks aim to simplify the combined booking of the most popular experiences for passengers and provide savings opportunities.
How to save before the price change?
For those planning to travel with Carnival, the nearest date is October 30, the last day announced to book the FunPacks.
Before hiring one, it's advisable to compare the total price with the cost of purchasing separately only the services that will be used during the cruise.
On December 1st, the dynamic pricing system for individual beverage packages and Wi-Fi will begin.
Carnival has not yet detailed the future fare ranges nor confirmed that purchasing those services before that date guarantees maintaining current prices for later trips.
The company claims that the changes will provide greater flexibility for customizing vacations. For travelers, understanding the conditions of each package and comparing the available options will be especially important when calculating the travel budget.
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