About Carnival Cruise Line

• Carnival Conquest Seaside Theater
  
  Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the members of the World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. The Carnival line is considered the most modern and accessible of the of the World's Leading Cruise Lines and travels to multiple destinations, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and South America.
  
  

Step 1: Selecting Your Cruise

• Carnival Cruise Line offers discounts for early bookings.
  
  With over 15 destinations, 22 departure ports and length of cruises ranging from three to 10-plus days, the possibilities are endless. Carnival offers special rates to passengers booking early, with prices as low as $60 a day for a three-day cruise and less than $70 a day for a week-long cruise. Most itineraries can be generated directly from the Carnival Cruise Lines website, although inexperienced travelers might wish to get the help of a travel agent.
  
  

Step Two: Gathering Travel Documents

• This is one of the most important steps. In the past, many cruise passengers needed to carry only a birth certificate and photo identification (such as a driver's license) to disembark at the various ports along the cruise. But new Department of Homeland Security rules effective June 1, 2009, require that U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. and non-U.S. citizens entering the U.S. have either a valid passport or one of the limited acceptable forms of identification. If you don't have a passport, it is highly recommended that you obtain one before traveling; this is the most widely used form of travel identification. Allow at least eight weeks to process your passport application.
  
  

Step Three: Plan Ahead and Budget

• Many dining and onboard activities are included in the price of the cruise. But for some onboard activities and shore excursions, you may have to pay additional fees. Before traveling, explore the options available on your particular cruise and budget accordingly. You should also budget for tips and gratuities. A gratuity of $10 per day and 15 percent on beverages is automatically added to your onboard account. You might wish to give additional tips to onboard staff who exceed your expectations.