Carnival Increases WiFi Prices Across All Plans Without Notice to Guests

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Just a day after cruise guests discovered the price hike for its Cheers! beverage package, Carnival Cruise Line has quietly raised the prices for all three of its WiFi plans: Social, Value, and Premium.

a girl using phone on a ship

The increases, which range from 12% to 22%, apply whether guests pre-purchase internet access before sailing or buy it onboard, leaving many cruisers frustrated by the lack of advance notice.

Carnival’s WiFi plans cater to different levels of connectivity needs, but all have seen significant price increases.

The Social WiFi Plan has seen the biggest price rise of 22%. This is the most basic plan which only grants access to social media apps.

The price for purchasing before you board the cruise has risen from $15.30 per day to $18.70 per day. If you wait until you board, the price has risen from $18 per day to $22 per day.

The Value WiFi Plan is the mid-tier plan which includes slightly faster speeds and limited internet browsing as well as social media.

The price for this plan has risen from $19.55 per day to $22.10 per day if bought before you sail. Buying on board has increased from $23 per day to $26 per day.

The Premium WiFi Plan has seen the smallest percentage price increase but it still all adds up.

With the 12% price increase, the pre-cruise price has increased from $21.25 to $23.80 per day, with the onboard price going from $25 per day to $28 per day.

For a 7-night cruise, the additional costs can quickly add up, especially for families or groups purchasing multiple packages. One person can now expect to pay up to an additional $28 per week, depending on their package and when they book.

Unlike previous price increases, Carnival did not notify guests about these changes.

In past instances, the cruise line has given travellers the opportunity to lock in lower prices before the increases took effect. This time, however, the new prices appeared without warning, frustrating loyal passengers who had carefully budgeted for their trips – just as with the drinks packages.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, acknowledged guests’ frustrations while defending the cruise line’s decision, though he did say that he would pass on guests’ frustrations to “the Beards”.

Many Carnival guests book their cruises months or even years in advance, planning their budgets carefully.

For these travellers, unexpected price hikes can disrupt financial planning, particularly for optional add-ons like WiFi or beverage packages. Early notification of price increases could help undecided guests secure lower rates and avoid surprises.

While Carnival has not violated any policies, the situation highlights the importance of planning add-on purchases early to avoid unexpected cost increases.

For cruisers considering Carnival in the future, the best advice is to pre-purchase packages as soon as they are available and lock in the current rates. Whether for internet, beverages, or other extras, early planning remains the best way to manage cruise budgets and avoid surprises.

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