Carnival Cruise Suites: Perks, Costs & What You Get

Carnival ships provide many choices for cabins-internal, ocean-view, balcony, and suites-but for the client seeking extra room, amenities, and luxury, a Carnival Cruise suite offers an alternate array of suite perks and suite benefits. Below, we discuss what is included in a Carnival suite, what a suite looks like on a Carnival cruise, how many people fit in a suite on a Carnival cruise, the difference between a suite vs balcony, pricing, and whether or not it is worth upgrading to a suite on a cruise.

What are Carnival Cruise Suites?

Photo by Carnival Cruises

Carnival Cruise suites lie in the highest category of cabins on Carnival Cruise ships. Suites are bigger than balcony cabins and may have different living and sleeping areas (for bigger suites), a larger balcony, better amenities, and sometimes more perks.

On older Carnival ships, suites tend to be on the modest side. But on the newer ships -- especially Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration -- there is a full slate of suite options to include premium "Excel" suites and even a Presidential Suite.

Carnival Cruise Suites Perks and Benefits

Suites on newer ships such as Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration feature extra premium touches such as a dedicated concierge phone line, guaranteed seating times at extra-fee specialty restaurants, complimentary room service and laundry service, sparkling wine upon arrival, superior bathroom toiletries, and free "Bottomless Bubbles" soda packages.

Access to exclusive areas: The newest ships feature an enclave called Loft 19, which suite passengers in the Excel categories can access.

Larger suites boast not only more room indoors but also larger balconies with outdoor space, which may be wraparound balconies and others with hot tubs.

Thus, what is included in a Carnival suite really depends on what category of suite you purchase and on which ship you sail. The higher one gets on the scale of suites-especially as one goes to the Excel or Presidential categories-an increasingly larger number of these enhanced benefits will be offered on a standard basis.

Carnival Suite vs Balcony: How do they compare?

A balcony cabin has a private veranda outside that is great for views and fresh air. Balcony cabins usually have convertible twin beds to king, a settee that sometimes pulls out, and sometimes fold-down bunks to increase sleeping capacity.

Thus Carnival Cruise suite vs balcony is a comparison of size, amenities, and exclusivity. Compared to a balcony cabin, a suite is:

Interior space-wise, more capacious (some suites have separate living and sleeping areas; grand suites may be nearly 345 sq ft inside, with balcony cabins about 185 sq ft inside).

• More premium amenities (see above).
• More exclusivity (fewer suites per ship, and or private areas).

If you value space, luxury touches, and more service, choosing a suite over a balcony cabin may well be worth the extra cost.

Size & Capacity: How many people fit in a suite on a Carnival cruise?

Capacity differs from suite type to suite type. Basic suites could very well sleep the same types of combinations as balcony cabins- sofas, sofa beds, or extra bunks might be used. Larger suites (Excel or Presidential) have a more formal layout: separate bedroom(s), living areas. The largest suites go more into spacious comfort than medium capacity.

I didn't find a specific uniform number from the reference to apply to each suite, but generally, given the bigger square footage and features (sofa beds, etc.), a suite tends to accommodate more comfortably 3-4 per configuration; the very large Presidential suites accommodate couples or big families in grand style with lots of space.

Types & Special Suites: Does Carnival Cruise have 2-bedroom suites?

Yes, at least in the newer upscale suite category. In ships like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, certain Excel category suites feature a separate living room and bedroom. For example, Excel Aft Suites, which look toward the back of the ship, treat the living room and bedroom separately. That creates an effective multi-room layout, somewhat like a two-bedroom feel, though not quite two fully separate standard bedrooms in all cases.

Also, these Presidential Suites have extra-large areas comprising separate sleeping and lounge spaces; very probably one of the largest multi-room suites with regard to Carnival's offer.

Cost: How much is a suite on a Carnival Cruise

The reference does not release fixed prices for each of the suites. Some information hints, however, at relative prices:

• Suite prices are among the highest for cabins on board; most get sold out first.
• On newer ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration feature 11 different sorts of suites, some quite enormous, offering superior perks, thus presumably pricing them higher.

Generally speaking, price depends more or less on the ship, depending on which category of the suite, the size, the position of the suite, the date, etc. Expect to pay way more than what you will pay for a balcony cabin, sometimes even a thousandfold more in the case of those top suites.

What does a Carnival suite look like?/Carnival suite room/Carnival family suite

Visually and functionally, suites differ by ship and category. Some common features:

• Spacious interiors-often with separate living and sleeping areas in the more upper-class suites.
• Giant balconies; in some cases, wraparound balconies, balconies with private hot tubs.
• More expensive bathroom toiletries and finishes, plus fine decorations.
• Comfortable furniture: sofa beds, possibly extra sleeping areas, dining/lounging areas.

A Carnival family suite is not specifically mentioned in the source beyond the description of a standard suite being bigger and probably more family-friendly (sofa/pull-outs, etc.). A finer suite would be better for families who want to stay together and have space.

Is It Worth Getting an Upgrade?

Anyhow, the answer will depend on your priorities, what you can pay, and how much value you put on space, extra luxury, added services, and privacy.

What might make it worth:

• If you do care about much bigger rooms, your own balcony, and much class in detail.
• If you want to avail yourself of some extras and privileges like specialty dining access, concierge, upgraded services, priority, or exclusive venues.
• If travelling with family or having to otherwise provide for additional sleeping capacity.

Considerations:

• It will cost quite a bit.
• There are limited suites, and these usually go out for sale well in advance. The upgrade gets questioned when the price is sky-high, and a majority of the perks might be useless to you.

Conclusion

To wrap up:

• Carnival Cruise suite benefits include more space and better amenities on Carnival Cruises. They also have access to exclusive areas and all sorts of perks: concierge, specialty dining access.
• Suite versus balcony: Suites generally offer far more - size, services, exclusivity - while a balcony cabin already offers outdoor access and pleasant features.
• Yes, Carnival does offer suites simulating 2-bedroom or multi-room arrangements in its Excel and Presidential categories.
• How many people fit in a suite depends on its size and configuration; larger suites have separate rooms with more space.
• Is it worth upgrading? That really depends on what you value on a vacation. For those who value luxury, comfort, and service, it truly is worthwhile.