Carnival Cruise Line is dedicated to ensuring every guest enjoys a fantastic vacation experience. To help everyone have a smooth and memorable cruise, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these essential policies and information.
Essential Travel Documents and Personal Information
Having the correct travel documents is mandatory for boarding and throughout your cruise. While Carnival strives to provide comprehensive guidance, it remains your responsibility to verify and meet all travel and documentation requirements specific to your itinerary. Guests lacking proper documentation will be denied boarding without a cruise fare refund. Carnival assumes no liability for informing guests about necessary travel documents. For detailed information, please refer to the travel documentation requirements here.
Remember to safeguard your personal information, including your booking reference. For any inquiries or modifications to your reservation, please contact Carnival Customer Service directly at 1-800-CARNIVAL or 1-800-764-7419, your Carnival Personal Vacation Planner at 1-800-819-3902, or your travel agent for assistance. Carnival’s customer service team is readily available to help ensure your booking and pre-cruise process is seamless.
Streamlined Online Check-In and Arrival Procedures
All guests are required to complete Online Check-in and ensure your boarding pass and luggage tags are printed by midnight the day before departure. Opting in for text alerts is a great way to receive timely updates and important information regarding your cruise.
To ensure a smooth embarkation process, please arrive at the cruise terminal within your designated Arrival Appointment window. Guests arriving before their scheduled time may be asked to return at their assigned appointment time. Regrettably, boarding is not permitted for guests arriving after the final boarding time.
Understanding Liquor, Beverage, and Prohibited Items Regulations
To maintain a comfortable environment for all guests, bringing hard liquor, beer, or beverages in plastic or glass bottles (such as water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic drinks) onboard is prohibited. Please consult our detailed Beverage Policy for a complete understanding of onboard beverage guidelines.
Speakers of any kind (including Bluetooth, portable, and wireless speakers) and radios are not permitted onboard. These items will be stored and returned at the end of your cruise. For safety and communication purposes, public announcements must be audible to everyone. Therefore, when listening to music or watching media on personal devices in public areas, headphones are required. For the safety and well-being of all, certain items are prohibited on Carnival cruises. Before your sailing, please review the comprehensive Prohibited Items List. Carnival customer service can assist with any clarifications regarding permitted and prohibited items.
Prioritizing Personal Safety Onboard
While your safety is Carnival’s top priority, we encourage all guests to actively participate in ensuring their personal safety. Cruise ships are moving vessels, so please use handrails when moving around the ship. When on deck, be especially cautious of wet surfaces, particularly near pool areas. Always wear shoes or sandals and ensure you are dry before using any outdoor sports equipment.
Carnival’s ship officers are responsible for your safety and fostering a welcoming atmosphere under our “Have Fun. Be Safe.” motto. Should you have any concerns, please immediately contact our Guest Services team, who are there to address matters promptly and efficiently. The Captain and officers are authorized to enforce policies and make necessary decisions to maintain a fun and safe environment for everyone. Disruptive behavior is not tolerated, and any guest whose actions negatively impact the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from future Carnival cruises. Guest Services is a key component of Carnival’s customer service commitment, ensuring a positive experience for all.
Guidelines for Mobility Devices
For the safety of all guests and crew, mobility devices must not be left in hallways or public areas. These devices must be stored within your stateroom in a way that does not obstruct a safe and clear exit path. Unless you have booked a fully accessible stateroom, mobility devices must fit within a standard stateroom doorway of 22 inches. Scooters may be measured at check-in to confirm they meet stateroom size requirements. Scooters that do not fit will not be allowed onboard. If alternative arrangements for a smaller scooter or traveling without one cannot be made, boarding will be denied without compensation. For complete details, please review the Mobility Limitations Page. If you have questions about mobility device policies or need assistance, Carnival customer service is available to provide guidance.
Environmental Responsibility: Items Overboard Policy
Carnival is dedicated to environmental protection, ensuring future generations can enjoy the oceans and destinations we visit. Please adhere to recycling guidelines both onboard and ashore. Be mindful of items potentially going overboard when on open decks or balconies. We are obligated to report any items going overboard, whether intentional or accidental, so please inform a crew member immediately if this occurs.
Any deliberate or negligent act of discharging unauthorized items overboard without explicit permission from ship staff may result in a $500 charge per violation. Additionally, the cost of replacing any Carnival property will be charged to your onboard Sail & Sign® account. Furthermore, such actions may lead to the disembarkation of all guests in the stateroom. Please review our detailed Items Overboard Policy. Carnival’s commitment to environmental stewardship is part of their broader responsibility to provide excellent service while protecting the planet.
Understanding Service Gratuities
It is customary to extend gratuities to our shipboard staff as an appreciation for their dedicated service and hard work in making your cruise exceptional. To assist with your planning, we have provided recommended guidelines. Please visit the Service Gratuities page for more information. For any questions regarding gratuities or onboard charges, Carnival customer service can provide detailed explanations and support.
REAL ID Homeland Security Requirement
Effective May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require all state and territory residents to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or enhanced driver’s license, to pass through airport security and board domestic flights within the U.S. If you are flying to a U.S. cruise homeport on or after this date, please ensure you possess an acceptable REAL ID document for air travel. Visit the TSA website for complete details. IMPORTANT NOTE: All guests must still possess WHTI-compliant travel documents (proof of citizenship and/or appropriate visas) for all cruises, regardless of the REAL ID requirements for domestic flights. For any questions regarding travel document requirements, REAL ID, or other pre-cruise information, Carnival customer service is your primary resource for support and clarification.
