Frustrated cruise passengers push back as popular line rolls out new drink prices
Carnival Cruise Line will introduce variable pricing for individual beverage packages and Wi-Fi plans from 1 December. Prices will depend on cruise length, itinerary and season, potentially making it harder for passengers to predict the cost of extras when planning a holiday.
Carnival says the confirmed price is locked once a package is bought, even if prices later change, and describes the system as offering more flexibility. Passengers online expressed concern about added complexity, while others said the approach could be reasonable if it leads to lower prices on some trips. The change follows Princess Cruises’ 13 October increase of $5 per person per day for its Plus and Premier packages, now $70 and $105 respectively.
In short
- Carnival will vary drink and Wi-Fi package prices from 1 December.
- Prices will depend on cruise length, itinerary and season.
- A purchased package’s price will remain locked.
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The case for
Variable pricing lets Carnival set package costs to reflect differences in cruise length, itinerary and season, and could mean lower prices on some trips. Passengers who buy early can lock in the quoted price, giving them certainty about that purchase while allowing the company to offer more flexibility across its cruises.
The case against
Prices that vary by trip make it harder for passengers to compare options and predict the total cost of a holiday. Even with a price locked after purchase, travellers may have to spend more time checking when and where packages cost less, adding uncertainty to planning.
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