Neither cruise line gives away all the extras. Carnival explicitly lists internet access, team-member gratuities, many bar drinks, specialty dining and shore excursions among items outside its cruise price. Royal Caribbean also describes Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions and beverage packages as optional add-ons. Both include a stateroom, entertainment and several dining options in the official fare descriptions reviewed. What you pay depends on the specific sailing, ship, fare and add-ons you choose.
What the headline gets right—and what it overstates
Carnival’s published fare information identifies several costs that travelers may pay separately, including internet access, gratuities, many bar beverages, specialty dining and shore excursions. But Royal Caribbean’s official fare FAQ does not establish that it generally includes those same things free. It calls Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions and beverage packages optional add-ons. So the useful comparison is not “Carnival charges, Royal Caribbean gives away”; it is which charges apply to the particular sailing you are considering.
The lines’ official pages are category descriptions, not matched quotes for the same itinerary, date, cabin and fare conditions. They do not establish which brand will cost less once you add the services you expect to use.
What the cruise fare includes on both lines
Both lines list a stateroom and entertainment among fare inclusions, along with multiple dining choices. Carnival names its Main Dining Room and/or Lido options, select casual food spots, pizza and soft-serve. Royal Caribbean describes complimentary dining across multiple venues, including main dining and casual options. Venue availability varies by ship, so check the ship’s details before counting on a particular restaurant or food option.
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These are shared baseline inclusions in the reviewed official descriptions—not a meaningful reason to claim that one line includes more than the other.
Where extra charges can enter the comparison
| Category | Carnival | Royal Caribbean | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty dining and cafés | Specialty restaurants and some café or lounge food are listed among excluded services. | Specialty dining is an optional add-on. | Check the venue’s status and price for the ship and sailing; not every venue is available on every ship. |
| Drinks | Specified non-bottled drinks and non-specialty coffee or tea are included in named venues. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar beverages are extra, subject to stated exceptions. | The fare FAQ lists water, tea, select juices and classic coffees among included beverages; beverage packages are optional. | Check the beverage, venue and whether a package applies. “Drinks included” is too broad to be a reliable comparison. |
| Internet and messaging | Internet access and Carnival HUB app chat are listed as not included. | Wi-Fi is an optional add-on. Guest-to-guest chat in the Royal Caribbean app is included. | App chat is not general internet access. Confirm the Wi-Fi option and cost for the sailing. |
| Gratuities | Tips or gratuities for team members are listed as not included in the cruise price. | The fare FAQ does not state how standard gratuities are handled. | Review the booking terms for your sailing; Royal Caribbean’s FAQ silence is not evidence that gratuities are included. |
| Excursions and personal services | Carnival Adventures Shore Excursions, spa services, laundry and other listed items are extra. | Shore excursions, spa treatments and other add-ons are optional. | Compare the specific excursion or service, rather than assuming either line includes it in the fare. |
Carnival’s pre-cruise Cruise Value Packages advertise package savings across premium dining, drinks, shore excursions, spa, photos and Wi-Fi. The company says discounted venues and experiences are capacity-limited and may not be available on every ship or sailing, so check eligibility and availability before building a budget around a package.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
How to compare the total cost of two sailings
- Match the trip. Compare the same itinerary and sailing date, with similar cabin categories and fare conditions. A fare comparison between different trips can obscure the value of the included items.
- List the extras you will actually use. Estimate your needs for drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty meals, excursions and personal services. Do not add a package simply because it is advertised; check what it covers and whether it fits your plans.
- Check ship and sailing details. Confirm the venues, package eligibility and services available on the specific ship and sailing. The availability or cost of an add-on may not be identical across ships, dates or markets.
- Compare the resulting booking terms. Add the costs that apply to your plans to each fare, and verify the final terms for your market and booking. The official inclusion pages alone are not enough to identify the lower-cost trip.
For the starting lists, see Carnival’s cruise price FAQ and Royal Caribbean’s cruise fare FAQ. Royal Caribbean also notes that prices and offers can change in its guide to what is included on a cruise.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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