There’s a version of the cabin upgrade conversation that goes like this: you book an interior cabin, feel vaguely guilty about it, and eventually pay whatever Carnival asks to move up to a balcony. That’s an upgrade, but it’s not a strategy. And more often than not, you paid more than you needed to. The…
I have a suite booked on Carnival Jubilee. Cabin 10420, January 31–February 6, 2027, sailing out of Galveston. It’s fully paid. So when I write about whether a Jubilee suite is worth it, I’m writing about a decision I’ve already made with my own money. That’s the most credible position I know how to be…
This debate comes up constantly in Carnival Facebook groups, and it gets surprisingly heated for a conversation about hotel rooms that happen to float. Team Interior thinks balconies are overpriced. Team Balcony can’t imagine spending a week at sea without private outdoor access. Both sides think the other side is missing something obvious. Here’s my…
There’s a version of cruise pricing where you just go to Carnival.com, pick a sailing, pay whatever the website says, and call it done. That’s a perfectly valid approach. But if you’re willing to spend a little time understanding how Carnival’s pricing and discount system actually works, you can often book a significantly better cabin…
By Jerry Robertson | GalvestonCruiseGuy.com If you’ve ever looked at Carnival cruise prices from Galveston and wondered why the same ship, the same itinerary, and the same cabin category can cost $400 one week and $900 the next, the answer is demand. Cruise pricing is dynamic, and the calendar is the single biggest driver. Understanding…
Galveston is one of the busiest cruise ports in the country, and Carnival is the reason. Carnival was the first cruise line to sail year-round from the Port of Galveston, and in 2026, they’re running a substantial fleet out of this port, multiple ships, multiple itinerary lengths, and a wide range of price points. If…
Picking a cabin on a Carnival cruise seems like it should be simple. Interior, ocean view, balcony, suite — pick one, pick a price, done. And if you want to do it that way, you can. But if you’re willing to think about it a little more strategically, cabin selection is one of the areas…
Cozumel gives you a lot of options for a port day, which sounds great until you’re sitting there staring at 40 excursion listings trying to figure out which ones are actually worth your time and money. Been there. After years of sailing Western Caribbean itineraries out of Galveston and stopping in Cozumel more times than…
Cozumel is one of those ports that keeps pulling people back. I’ve been there enough times now that I’ve stopped trying to see new things and started just picking a spot and staying there. That’s actually high praise for a place — when you’d rather return to something you love than go hunting for something…
When you first book a Carnival cruise, the word “included” gets used a lot. And it’s true your meals in the main dining room, the buffet, and most of the casual venues are included in your fare. So when someone mentions “specialty restaurants” and an added charge, a natural question comes up: if I’m already…
