Carnival Unveils 4 New Cruise Packages, But There’s a Catch for Passengers

Carnival Cruise Line has introduced four new packages that could save passengers up to 55% on drinks, WiFi, specialty dining, and other cruise extras.

The new FunPacks went on sale on October 13, 2026, with prices starting at $25 per person, per day. They’re available for eligible cruises departing through December 31, 2027, but passengers only have until October 30, 2026, to purchase one.

And while the advertised savings sound tempting, some of the restrictions could make these packages far less attractive than they first appear.

For example, adults sharing a cabin who want the Social or Epic FunPack must purchase matching packages, even if one person doesn’t drink alcohol or have much interest in the included extras. That could make a big difference to the overall cost, particularly for couples.

There are also strict deadlines for booking specialty dining and shore excursions, with unused benefits going to waste if passengers don’t make their reservations in time.

So, before jumping at the chance to save up to 55%, it’s worth taking a closer look at what Carnival is actually offering.

Here’s What Each FunPack Includes

Carnival’s four new FunPacks range from $25 to $99 per person, per day, with each offering a different combination of drinks, WiFi, and other extras. The more expensive packages include specialty dining and shore excursions, although not everyone will need everything that’s included.

The cheapest option is the Kidstarter FunPack, priced at $25 per day for children aged 3 to 17. It includes unlimited soda and juice through Bottomless Bubbles, Social WiFi, 1,000 arcade tokens, a souvenir cup, a complimentary lanyard, and 50% off participating bulk candy purchases at Cherry on Top.

Next is the Zero Proof FunPack at $50 per day, available to guests aged three and older. This includes unlimited eligible non-alcoholic drinks, such as premium coffees, smoothies, and milkshakes, along with Value WiFi, a $50 shore excursion discount, and $25 off specialty dining.

For adults aged 21 and older, the $60 Social FunPack includes Premium WiFi and three alcoholic drinks per day, alongside unlimited eligible non-alcoholic beverages. Guests also receive one shore excursion worth up to $100, one specialty dining experience worth up to $55, and 50% off eligible spa treatments and Dreams Studio photography packages.

The most expensive option is the Epic FunPack at $99 per day. It includes the full CHEERS! drinks package, Premium WiFi, two eligible shore excursions worth up to $100 each, and two specialty dining experiences worth up to $55 each.

Epic passengers also receive the same spa and photography discounts, plus a bottle of sparkling wine and one standard bag of laundry per sailing. Carnival advertises savings of up to 55% with this package, although that figure assumes passengers make good use of the included benefits.

The Same-Cabin Rule Could Make These Packages Expensive

One of the biggest catches with Carnival’s new FunPacks is that adults sharing a cabin can’t choose different packages to suit their needs. If one guest aged 21 or older purchases a FunPack, every other adult aged 21 or older in the same cabin must purchase the same package.

That could be frustrating for couples where one person enjoys a few cocktails while the other barely drinks. Even if only one passenger wants the included alcohol, both would need to pay for the package.

And the costs can add up quickly. For two adults sharing a cabin on a seven-day cruise, the Social FunPack would cost $840 in total, based on $60 per person, per day.

Choosing Epic would push the combined cost to $1,386 for the same cruise. That’s a significant amount to spend on extras, particularly if one passenger won’t make full use of the drinks, dining, or excursions.

The good news for families is that children aren’t required to purchase matching packages. Guests under 21 can choose an eligible Kidstarter or Zero Proof FunPack independently of the adults in their cabin.

Miss This Booking Deadline and You Could Lose Your Extras

Another important restriction is that passengers must book their included dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, and photography packages before their cruise. Carnival requires these reservations to be made through My Cruise Manager no later than three days before sailing.

Miss that deadline, and you could lose benefits you’ve already paid for. Carnival won’t allow passengers to redeem them once onboard, and unused allowances aren’t eligible for a refund or credit.

There are also limits on which experiences passengers can choose. Bonsai Teppanyaki and The Chef’s Table are excluded from the specialty dining benefits, while the shore excursion allowance can’t be used toward Faster to the Fun.

For Social and Epic FunPack guests, each included specialty dining experience must cost no more than $55. You can’t choose a more expensive restaurant and pay the difference, and if your meal costs less, the remaining value is lost.

Shore excursions offer a little more flexibility. Passengers can book an eligible excursion costing more than their $100 allowance and pay the difference, although any unused credit can’t be carried over or applied to another excursion.

It’s worth checking what’s available before purchasing a FunPack, particularly if you have specific restaurants or excursions in mind.

There Are More Restrictions on Drinks and Refunds

Passengers considering the Social FunPack should know that its three included alcoholic drinks must be used each day. Any unused drinks won’t carry over, and additional alcoholic beverages must be purchased separately, subject to Carnival’s daily limit of 15.

The Epic FunPack includes up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, but that doesn’t mean passengers can order as many as they like. Once they’ve reached that limit, they can’t purchase any more alcoholic beverages until the next drinking day begins.

There are also different rules for cruises departing from Galveston, New York, and Norfolk. Alcoholic drink benefits in the Social and Epic FunPacks won’t begin until 6 a.m. on the second day, although Carnival says package prices are adjusted to account for this.

Passengers planning to share their WiFi connection should also be careful, as most included plans only allow one connected device at a time.

Refunds are another concern. FunPacks can be canceled before departure under Carnival’s cancellation rules, but canceling a package also cancels reservations made using its included benefits.

Once onboard, packages are non-refundable, and unused benefits can’t be exchanged for cash or partial refunds. It’s another reason to check exactly what you’ll use before committing to a package.

Are Carnival’s New FunPacks Worth Buying?

For passengers who already plan to purchase drinks, WiFi, specialty dining, and shore excursions, Carnival’s FunPacks could offer some worthwhile savings. But the advertised discounts of up to 55% don’t necessarily mean everyone will get that much value.

Carnival’s savings estimates are based on a six-day cruise, comparing the packages against the cost of purchasing everything separately. If you wouldn’t normally pay for certain extras, those included benefits might not save you anything.

I’d recommend adding up what you’d realistically spend on drinks, internet access, dining, and excursions before comparing that figure with the total FunPack cost for your cabin. If you already have credit to spend onboard, our guide to using Carnival onboard credit wisely may also help you plan your budget, although onboard credit cannot be applied toward FunPack purchases.

With the October 30 deadline approaching, passengers have a limited window to decide whether the convenience and potential savings justify the price.

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