Carnival Announces Price Increases for Wi-Fi and Select Specialty Restaurants

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting its pricing structure, resulting in higher costs for onboard Wi-Fi and some specialty dining experiences. This change, as reported by USA Today, will take effect starting Friday, impacting cruisers who opt for these additional services.

Wi-Fi Plan Price Adjustments

Carnival’s Wi-Fi package prices will see a notable increase. The three internet plans available onboard will now cost more:

• The Social Plan will rise from $15 to $18 per person per day.
• The Value Plan will go from $20 to $23 per person per day.
• The Premium Plan will increase from $22 to $25 per person per day.

For guests who choose to purchase their internet plan before departure, a discount will still apply, but these pre-booking rates are also going up. The new advanced purchase rates are as follows:

• The Social Plan will increase from $12.75 to $15.30 per person per day.
• The Value Plan will go from $17 to $19.55 per person per day.
• The Premium Plan will be adjusted from $18.70 to $21.25 per person per day.

Customers who pre-pay for Wi-Fi before the implementation of these changes will benefit from the current lower rates. Additionally, Carnival is in the process of enhancing its fleet with satellite-based Starlink internet service.

Specialty Restaurant Price Increases

Certain onboard specialty restaurants at Carnival will also see price hikes:

• JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano will increase from $18 to $24 per person.
• Bonsai Teppanyaki‘s price will rise from $38 to $42 per person.
• The Steakhouse and Rudi’s Seagrill will see a slight increase from $48 to $49 per person.

Carnival’s Statement on the Increases

Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli commented on these changes, noting that they are necessary adjustments in response to rising costs associated with delivering high-quality guest experiences. He emphasized that despite these increases, Carnival continues to offer significant vacation value compared to land-based alternatives.

Industry-Wide Trend

Carnival is not alone in adjusting its pricing and service offerings. Many cruise lines are taking similar steps to counterbalance increasing expenses related to food, labor, and fuel, along with higher interest rates. Other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, have also recently raised their prices for services like automatic gratuity and beverage packages. Additionally, some have modified their housekeeping schedules from twice daily to once daily to manage costs more effectively.

In summary, while Carnival’s price increases for Wi-Fi and specialty dining may impact cruisers’ budgets, these changes reflect broader industry trends and are in line with the company’s efforts to maintain the quality of its services amid rising operational costs.