Are the Extra Fees on Carnival and other cruise lines Becoming Too Much?
For decades, Carnival Cruise Line has proudly branded itself as the “Fun Ship” — affordable, casual, lively, and packed with value. It’s the line many first-time cruisers choose, families return to year after year, and budget travelers swear by. But lately, a growing number of cruisers are asking a pointed question:
Is Carnival still a Fun Ship… or has it quietly become a Fee-ship?
Between mandatory gratuities, rising service charges, and an expanding list of food, drinks, and experiences that cost extra, many guests are discovering that the advertised cruise fare is only the starting point.

Let’s break down everything Carnival charges extra for, what’s mandatory versus optional, and whether these fees are starting to undermine Carnival’s value proposition.
What’s Actually Included in a Carnival Cruise Fare

At first glance, Carnival still looks like a strong value.

Included in your base fare are:
Your stateroom and daily housekeeping
Main Dining Room meals
Lido Marketplace buffet
Casual eateries like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, pizza, and deli
Most entertainment (shows, comedy clubs, live music)
Pools, waterslides, sports decks, and fitness center
Youth clubs and scheduled onboard activities
Basic drinks: water, lemonade, iced tea, drip coffee, and hot tea
This creates the feeling of an “almost all-inclusive” vacation — until you start swiping your Sail & Sign card.

Mandatory Fees That Aren’t in the Advertised Price
Daily Gratuities
Carnival automatically adds daily gratuities to your onboard account:
Standard cabins: about $16 per person, per day
Suites: about $18 per person, per day
On a 7-day cruise, that’s well over $100 per person — and while you can prepay them, they are essentially unavoidable unless you actively remove or adjust them onboard.
20% Service Charges
Carnival also applies a 20% service charge to many onboard purchases, including:
Alcoholic and specialty beverages
Specialty dining
Spa and salon services
Room service orders
À-la-carte food items
Stateroom décor and gifts
This fee used to be lower and was increased fleet-wide, often catching guests by surprise when reviewing their final onboard bill.
Port Taxes and Government Fees
These are required for every cruise and vary by itinerary. While technically disclosed, they’re often overlooked during booking and can add a significant amount to the final cost.
Food & Snacks That Cost Extra (Beyond the “Free” Dining)
Food is one of the biggest areas where Carnival’s upcharges have expanded — especially in ways that surprise guests.

While core dining venues remain included, more and more casual, grab-and-go items now come with a price tag.
Empanadas, Hand Pies & Snack Stalls
On select ships, Carnival has introduced small snack kiosks offering items like:
Empanadas (~$1.50 each, or bundle pricing like 4 for $6)
Pulled pork or savory hand pies (~$2 each)
Dessert pies and pastries at similar prices
These are quick, handheld bites — the kind many cruisers expect to be included — but they are fully à-la-carte.
Chicken Wings & Casual Bar Food
Chicken wings, once commonly included at casual venues, are now often a paid item on newer ships or at select locations:
~$6 for 6 wings
~$9 for 10 wings
~$13 for 15 wings
~$17–$19 for larger orders
Because they’re sold in casual deck locations, many guests don’t realize they’re ordering paid food until the charge hits their account.
Street Eats & “Included… But Not Really” Confusion
Carnival’s Street Eats venues (bao buns, kebabs, loaded fries, dumplings) are generally included — but drinks are not, and menus can rotate. On some ships, similar-looking quick-serve stalls may feature items that cost extra, creating confusion about what’s truly free.
Other Food Upcharges
Additional food-related charges include:
Specialty dining venues (steakhouses, sushi, teppanyaki, seafood restaurants)
Chef’s Table and prix-fixe dining experiences
Seafood Shack items like lobster rolls and fried shrimp
Specialty pizzas or premium toppings on certain ships
Room service items beyond the complimentary continental breakfast
Individually, these charges may seem small — but over a weeklong cruise, they can add up fast.
Drinks & Beverage Packages
Alcohol is not included in the base fare.
Cocktails: ~$10–$14 each
Beer and wine: varies
Specialty coffees, milkshakes, and energy drinks cost extra
Carnival offers the Cheers! drink package, but it comes with:
A daily per-person cost
A 20% service charge
A requirement that both adults in the same cabin purchase it
Wi-Fi & Connectivity
Internet access is never included and is sold in tiers:
Social media-only plans
Full browsing plans
Per-day or full-cruise pricing
Costs can range from moderate to very expensive depending on usage, ship, and itinerary.
Shore Excursions
All shore excursions cost extra unless you explore ports independently. Carnival-branded excursions often come at a premium, justified by convenience and ship-guaranteed return times.
Spa, Salon & Wellness
Massages, facials, and beauty treatments
Thermal suite access
Fitness classes beyond basic gym use
These services are heavily marketed onboard and can quickly inflate your cruise budget.
Entertainment & Onboard Attractions
While shows are included, many activities are not:
IMAX theaters
Arcade games
Bingo
Roller coasters like BOLT
Golf simulators and specialty classes
Photos, Shopping & Miscellaneous Charges
Professional photo packages
Onboard retail and souvenir shops
Laundry and dry cleaning
Celebratory décor, gifts, and special occasion packages

So… Is Carnival Becoming a Fee-ship?
Carnival still offers solid value — especially if you stick to included dining, skip packages, and plan carefully. But there’s no denying the shift:
More casual food costs extra
Service charges are higher
Mandatory fees add up quickly
Small purchases feel constant
For seasoned cruisers, the issue isn’t necessarily the fees themselves — it’s the sheer number of them, and how easily they can sneak up on unsuspecting guests.

Final Thoughts
Carnival can still be a Fun Ship — if you know what you’re walking into.
The key is transparency and planning. Budget realistically, understand what’s included, and decide ahead of time which extras are worth it to you. Otherwise, that low advertised fare can turn into a surprisingly expensive vacation by the final night.

Fun Ship or Fee-ship?
That answer may depend less on Carnival — and more on how prepared you are when you step onboard. 🚢