Carnival Debuts Ticketless Shore Excursion App
Carnival Cruise Line is piloting a new mobile application that eliminates the need for physical shore excursion tickets, aiming to make the excursion experience more seamless for guests and tour partners alike. After successfully testing the digital platform in Australia earlier this year, Carnival is now trialing the app with select tour operators in destinations across The Bahamas and the Caribbean. The new solution integrates with existing systems to streamline check-in, improve communication and enable last-minute bookings, reflecting the cruise line’s commitment to enhancing guest convenience through technology.
By July 19, when Celebration Key on Grand Bahama opens, Carnival plans to use the ticketless platform for every shore excursion offered at that destination. The company intends to extend the rollout throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico by the end of this year. Beginning next summer, the app will also be available on itineraries sailing to Alaska and in European ports, ensuring that travelers worldwide can benefit from a fully digital excursion process on nearly all voyages.
Under the new system, guests simply use their Sail & Sign card to check in for shore excursions, removing the need to juggle printed tickets. The platform links directly with Carnival’s HUB App to deliver digital confirmations and essential details, such as departure times, meeting locations and excursion descriptions. Tour operators gain access to real-time sales functionality within the app, enabling them to offer and process last-minute bookings as spaces become available, which was previously challenging with paper-based ticketing.
“Our new ticketless platform prioritizes convenience for our guests and equips our tour operator partners with better tools, making the shore excursion experience more seamless, efficient and enjoyable,” said Sam Ackrill, vice president of shore excursions for Carnival Cruise Line. He added that removing physical tickets and simplifying the check-in process will be a major benefit, but the real-time capabilities built into the app will give operators more opportunities and provide guests with greater choice.
Beyond guest convenience, Carnival expects the app to deliver operational advantages, including improved excursion attendance tracking and more accurate capacity management. Tour partners can update availability on the fly, reducing no-shows and ensuring vessels and buses run at optimal capacity. The reduction in printed materials also aligns with Carnival’s broader environmental goals, cutting paper waste and minimizing logistical burdens on both shipboard and shoreside operations.
As the platform becomes standard across more regions, travelers will be encouraged to download or update the Carnival HUB App before departure to access shore excursion offerings digitally. Tour operators interested in joining the ticketless trial can enroll through Carnival’s trade portal to receive technical support and training. With the planned global expansion of the app by the summer of 2026, Carnival aims to set a new standard for excursion management that combines convenience, flexibility and sustainability, delivering a modernized experience at every port of call.
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