A Carnival honeymoon works best when you plan the romance yourself: Carnival no longer adds free honeymoon perks just because you mention it, but you can pre-order celebration gifts, book a Havana or Cloud 9 Spa cabin, and use adults-only spaces like Serenity to carve out quiet time. Pick a newer ship, budget for drinks, Wi-Fi and specialty dining up front, and a fun, affordable honeymoon cruise is very achievable.
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Below are 14 practical honeymoon cruise Carnival tips, updated for November 2026, covering cabins, ships, packages, costs and the small details that make the week feel special.
Is Carnival a Good Choice for a Honeymoon?
It depends on the kind of trip you want. Carnival is lively, casual and good value, with plenty of entertainment and short Caribbean itineraries from many US ports. It is also very family-friendly, so if you want a strictly kid-free, hushed atmosphere, a line built around adults may suit you better (our guide to the best all-inclusive honeymoon cruise lines compares the options). If you like a fun, social vibe and smart spending, these tips will help you get the most from a Carnival honeymoon.
14 Carnival Honeymoon Tips for Newlyweds
1. Don’t expect automatic honeymoon perks
Carnival stopped handing out complimentary honeymoon cakes, decorations and upgrades years ago. Treat anything extra from your room steward or waiter as a kind surprise, not a guarantee. Planning your own touches is the reliable route.
2. Set up the Carnival honeymoon registry
Carnival points couples to an official honeymoon registry run through a third-party partner. Friends and family can contribute toward things like a cabin upgrade, shore excursions or onboard experiences instead of buying another toaster. It is a simple way to turn wedding gifts into a spa day or a specialty dinner at sea. Check the registry terms for how contributions are paid out before you share the link.
3. Order a Carnival cruise honeymoon package from the gift shop
Carnival does not sell a single all-in honeymoon package, but its online Bon Voyage gift shop offers celebration bundles. The best known is the Just Married cake package, which has been listed at around $60 and includes a cake plus decor such as a banner, window cling and lanyards. You will also find sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and cabin decorating options. Order at least a couple of weeks before sailing so items are scheduled for the right day. If you are marrying on board, Carnival’s wedding packages (starting at $1,799 for the Signature Ceremony) include a honeymoon dinner for the couple.
4. Choose the right cabin
Your cabin is your private retreat, so it is worth spending a little more here. Popular choices for couples include:
- Havana cabins on Vista-class and Excel-class ships, which come with access to the Havana pool and bar area. Young children are not allowed in the Havana area, so it is usually calmer than the main pool deck.
- Cloud 9 Spa cabins, located near the spa, typically with perks such as thermal suite access and spa discounts. Read our breakdown of Cloud 9 Spa room perks to see if they are worth it for you.
- Cove balconies, set lower on the ship close to the water line, which feel more private than standard balconies.
- Suites, especially on Excel-class ships, which add priority boarding, extra space and in some cases a large wraparound balcony. Our guide to every suite on Mardi Gras includes floor plans.
5. Sail on a newer ship
Carnival’s ships vary a lot in age and features. For honeymooners, the newest classes give the most choice of restaurants, bars and quiet corners:
| Class | Ships | Why couples like it |
|---|---|---|
| Excel | Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee | Largest choice of dining, Havana and suite options, Loft 19 cabanas |
| Venice | Carnival Venezia, Carnival Firenze | Italian-themed styling, more elegant feel |
| Vista | Carnival Vista, Horizon, Panorama | Havana cabins, Cove balconies, good value |
Carnival Venezia sails from New York and Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, while the Excel ships are based in Florida and Texas. Our comparison of Carnival ship classes covers the rest of the fleet.
Finding Romance and Quiet Time on Board
6. Claim your spot at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
Every Carnival ship has a Serenity area for guests 21 and over, with loungers, hammocks or clamshell chairs and a nearby bar. Access is free, so the best spots go early on sea days. Go before lunch or late in the afternoon for a calmer experience. On Excel-class ships, paid private cabanas at Loft 19 are another way to guarantee shade and space. If you want the whole ship to be adults-only, Carnival has started running occasional 21-and-over sailings, though they are limited and sell out quickly.
7. Book specialty dining for at least one night
The main dining rooms are included, but a specialty dinner feels more like a date. Good picks for couples:
- Fahrenheit 555, Carnival’s steakhouse, for a classic dressed-up dinner.
- Chef’s Table, a multi-course tasting dinner for a small group, often with a galley tour. It costs well over $100 per person and has very limited seats, so book early.
- Ship-specific venues such as Rudi’s Seagrill or Bonsai Teppanyaki on Excel-class ships.
Booking a specialty restaurant for the first night of a cruise can come with a wine discount on some sailings, and prices have risen recently, so check the current menu fee in the Carnival app.
8. Treat yourselves to a couples’ massage at Cloud 9 Spa
Cloud 9 Spa offers couples’ treatment rooms, and port days are often when the spa runs its best deals because many guests are ashore. A thermal suite pass, where available, is a good-value way to relax together for the whole cruise. Pre-book before sailing if you have a particular time in mind.
9. Tell the crew it’s your honeymoon
There is no dedicated booking field for a honeymoon, so share the news yourself. Mention it to your travel advisor when booking, to the guest services desk and your cabin steward on day one, and to your dining room waiter. Wear something like a “Just Married” T-shirt or lanyard on embarkation day. You are not owed anything extra, but crew members often add a small touch such as a towel animal or a song at dinner.
10. Do the math on the CHEERS! drink package
Carnival’s CHEERS! beverage package has recently been around $70 per person per day before the 20% service charge, or roughly $84 with it, and pricing varies by sailing, so check your own quote. Both of you must buy it if you are both 21 or over, it covers up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, and it lasts for the whole cruise. As a rule of thumb, it pays off if you each plan on five or six alcoholic drinks a day. If not, pay as you go or try the Bottomless Bubbles soda package.
Honeymoon Cruise Carnival Tips for Costs and Itineraries
11. Pick an itinerary that suits couples
Longer cruises tend to have fewer families and party crowds than three- and four-night weekend trips. Good options for newlyweds include:
- Eastern or Southern Caribbean sailings of seven nights or more, with beach-focused stops.
- Celebration Key, Carnival’s Bahamas destination, which has an 18-and-over Pearl Cove Beach Club with a paid day pass and cabanas.
- Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach for West Coast couples.
- Alaska or Hawaii sailings if you prefer scenery over beach bars.
Avoid school holidays and spring break if you want a quieter ship.
12. Budget for Wi-Fi, room service and photos
The cruise fare is only part of the price. Plan for these extras:
- Wi-Fi: plans have recently run from about $20 to $26 per person per day when bought before sailing, and more onboard. Buying ahead saves money; if you want to switch off, the Social plan covers messaging apps.
- Room service: continental breakfast is free, but most other room service items carry a charge.
- Photos: professional photo packages are sold onboard, and buying before or early in the cruise is usually cheapest. A formal-night portrait makes a nice keepsake.
- Gratuities: daily service charges are added automatically per person.
13. Use smart budget tricks
Book early for the best cabin choice, watch for price drops before final payment, and pre-purchase anything you know you want (drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, excursions), since onboard prices are higher. Ask your registry contributors to cover the splurges, and set a shared daily spending limit in the Carnival app so you are not surprised by the final bill.
14. Plan some down time
Carnival’s daily schedule is packed, which is fun, but you have just been through a wedding. Leave at least one sea day mostly free for Serenity, a late breakfast on your balcony and an unhurried dinner. That balance is often what makes a honeymoon cruise memorable.
FAQs
Does Carnival do anything special for honeymooners?
Not automatically. Carnival no longer offers free honeymoon perks, but you can pre-order celebration gifts such as the Just Married cake package, and crew may add small touches if you let them know.
Is there a Carnival cruise honeymoon package?
There is no single all-inclusive honeymoon package. You can build one from gift shop bundles, spa treatments, specialty dining and a drink package, and couples marrying on board get a honeymoon dinner with Carnival’s wedding packages.
Which Carnival ship is best for a honeymoon?
Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee) offer the most dining, suites and Havana options, while the Venice-class ships Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze have a more elegant style.
Can you go on a Carnival honeymoon cruise without kids around?
Kids sail on most Carnival cruises, but Serenity is 21 and over, Havana areas exclude young children, and Carnival now runs a limited number of adults-only sailings.
