Carnival Cruise Line has recently announced adjustments to the pricing of its Wi-Fi packages, set to take effect on Friday, December 8, 2023. However, guests who have already made their bookings have the opportunity to secure lower rates by pre-paying for an internet package before the increase is implemented.
To ensure that guests and affiliated travel partners are aware of the upcoming changes, Carnival Cruise Line has sent out emails notifying them of the impending rise in Wi-Fi internet package prices across their fleet.
Both pre-cruise and onboard purchases of internet packages will experience a price increase. The specific rate modifications are as follows (all amounts in USD):
Social Media
The most affordable plan offered by Carnival Cruise Line allows guests to remain connected with their loved ones back home through various social media platforms and applications such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and others. Additionally, this plan grants access to popular airline websites, ensuring that travelers can conveniently check in for flights or make necessary travel arrangements.
Currently, this plan is priced at $12.75 per day when purchased prior to sailing, or $15 per day when purchased onboard. Starting from December 8, the pre-cruise price will be adjusted to $15.30 per day, and the onboard purchase price will increase to $18 per day. This represents a 20% increase in cost, regardless of when the package is purchased.
The Social Plan does not encompass the availability of email, streaming services, video chats, or the majority of websites.
Value Plan
The Wi-Fi plan that attracts the most users is the Value Plan, which grants access to social media and airline websites, as well as news, sports, weather, banking, and entertainment sites, with the exception of streaming services. This package offers faster browsing speeds and allows guests to effortlessly share photos using the Value Plan.
Previously, the cost of this plan was $17.00 per day when purchased prior to the cruise or $20.00 per day when purchased onboard. However, starting from December 8th, the price will rise to $19.55 per day when bought before setting sail or $23.00 per day when purchased onboard after embarkation. This represents a 15% increase compared to the current pricing structure.
Premium internet access onboard
For those seeking swift internet speeds and extensive access to social media, email, websites, and apps, particularly for video calls and conferences, the Premium Plan serves as an excellent choice for passengers who desire connectivity while at sea, be it for personal enjoyment or work-related obligations. However, it is important to note that video and music streaming remain unsupported.
At present, Carnival offers the Premium Wi-Fi Plan at a rate of $18.70 per day prior to embarking on the cruise, or $22.00 per day when onboard. As of December 8, the new pricing will be set at $21.25 per day for pre-cruise purchases, or $25 per day if purchased while onboard the ship. Regardless of the chosen method, this represents a 13.6% increase in the package price.
Potential savings
Guests who have already made a booking or who make a booking before Friday, December 8th, can still take advantage of the lower rates by paying in advance for their internet packages. This applies regardless of when their cruise is scheduled to depart. The amount of money saved by pre-booking before the price increase will vary depending on the package chosen and the duration of the cruise.
Longer cruises and more comprehensive internet packages offer greater savings. It is important to note that all internet packages must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise and are not available for individual days. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the Carnival Hub App, which is essential for accessing information about onboard activities, menus, showtimes, and announcements, can be used without the need for an internet plan.
