Booking a Carnival Cruise is an exciting moment, but plans don’t always go as expected. Maybe one of your travel companions can’t make it, or you need to swap out a guest for someone else. In such situations, travelers often wonder: “Can I change the person on a Carnival Cruise Line cruise ticket?”
The good news is that Carnival Cruise Line does allow some guest name changes — but with specific rules, time limits, and possible fees. While you can’t completely transfer your cruise ticket to a new person in every case, you can often update or replace a name if you meet certain conditions.
This guide explains everything about the Carnival name change policy, including how to change a cruise passenger, what it costs, and the steps to modify guest details before sailing.
Carnival Cruise Line’s name change rules are designed to protect both guests and the cruise company from fraud or misuse. Because each reservation includes detailed passenger information like birthdates, identification, and travel documents, changing a name isn’t as simple as editing a field online.
Here’s the general rule:
Carnival allows limited name changes before final payment is made.
At least one original guest’s name must remain on the booking.
Completely changing all names is treated as a cancellation and new booking, which could result in penalties.
This policy applies to all Carnival Cruise Line sailings and ensures compliance with travel regulations, including those for passport and security checks.
You can modify or change a guest’s name on your Carnival Cruise reservation only before the final payment date. Once the booking has been paid in full, most changes become restricted or incur additional fees.
For example:
If your cruise is six months away and you haven’t yet made final payment, you can likely replace a guest’s name without much hassle.
If you’ve already made full payment and your sailing date is near, name changes may be limited or denied altogether.
Carnival’s policy ensures that all passenger information matches what appears on official travel documents, including passports and boarding passes.
If you need to replace a guest, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Contact Carnival or Your Travel Agent
If you booked directly through Carnival, call.
If you booked through a travel agent, contact them — they’ll handle the change on your behalf.
Step 2: Provide the New Guest’s InformationCarnival will ask for the new guest’s full legal name, date of birth, and travel document details. Make sure these match their passport or government ID exactly.
Step 3: Pay Any Applicable FeesIf there’s a Carnival name change fee or fare difference, you’ll be required to pay it before the update is confirmed.
Step 4: Review the Updated BookingOnce processed, you’ll receive a new confirmation email with the updated guest name. Double-check that all information is correct before finalizing check-in.
Carnival has specific restrictions to prevent confusion and unauthorized transfers:
One original guest must remain on the reservation.If all names are changed, the booking is canceled and must be rebooked.
All name changes must be made before final payment.After that point, changes are allowed only in exceptional cases and may carry higher fees.
Government regulations apply.Names must exactly match those on passports or government IDs.
Group bookings may have different policies.If your reservation is part of a group or promotional fare, special conditions may apply.
If your sailing includes airfare purchased through Carnival, additional airline name change rules may also come into play.
The cost to change a name on a Carnival Cruise Line ticket depends on the timing and type of change:
Minor spelling corrections: Usually free of charge if caught early.
Full guest substitution (one person replaced): A small administrative fee may apply, typically between $50–$150 per person, depending on the cruise.
After final payment: Changes may incur higher fees or be denied.
If the fare for the new guest differs (for example, due to age-based rates or promotional pricing), you may also need to pay the fare difference.
To avoid surprises, always confirm the Carnival name change policy for your specific booking before requesting a modification.
If you’re close to your sailing date and suddenly need to replace a traveler, your options become more limited. Carnival generally restricts name changes within 72 hours of sailing, as passenger manifests must be finalized for security reasons.
In such cases, you might have to cancel the reservation for that guest and book a new one if availability allows. However, cancellation fees could apply depending on your fare type and timing.
Many travelers wonder why they can’t freely transfer cruise tickets to someone else. Carnival’s restrictions are primarily for security, regulatory, and pricing reasons:
Security requirements: Cruise lines must submit passenger manifests to authorities in advance.
Identity verification: Tickets must match legal IDs to prevent fraud.
Fare integrity: Prevents resale or transfer of discounted fares.
By controlling how names are changed, Carnival ensures that all passengers meet documentation requirements and fare policies remain fair for everyone.
If you anticipate needing flexibility, consider these options before booking:
Flexible Fare Options: Choose refundable or flexible fares, which allow more changes.
Travel Insurance: Protects your investment if you need to cancel or replace a guest due to illness or emergencies.
Future Cruise Credit (FCC): If a traveler cancels, their portion may convert to FCC for future use, depending on the fare type.
These options can help reduce stress if plans change unexpectedly.
To make your Carnival name change process smooth:
Double-check passenger details when booking — match all IDs exactly.
Make changes early — before final payment for the easiest process.
Keep documentation ready — government IDs, booking confirmation, and payment proof.
Stay in touch with your travel agent if you booked through one.
Review Carnival’s policies regularly — they may update from time to time.
Following these steps can help you avoid extra costs or last-minute problems at check-in.
So, can you change the person on a Carnival Cruise Line cruise ticket?Yes, you can make certain name changes or replace one guest with another, provided you follow Carnival’s policies and act before final payment.
Carnival Cruise Line’s passenger name change process is straightforward if done early, but it becomes more complex closer to the sailing date. Always ensure at least one original guest remains on the booking, confirm any fees beforehand, and double-check all documents to match the traveler’s ID.
By understanding the Carnival name change policy before sailing, you can handle unexpected changes smoothly and keep your vacation plans on track.
1. Can I change the name on my Carnival Cruise booking?
Yes, Carnival allows limited name changes before final payment. After that, changes may be restricted or require a fee.
2. How much does it cost to change a name on a Carnival ticket?
Minor corrections are usually free, while full guest substitutions may cost around $50–$150 per person, depending on the cruise.
3. Can I transfer my entire cruise ticket to someone else?
No, you cannot transfer the entire booking to a new person. At least one original guest must remain on the reservation.
4. Can I change a passenger’s name after final payment?
In most cases, no. After final payment, name changes are subject to approval and may carry higher fees.
5. How do I update a guest name on my booking?
Contact Carnival Cruise Line or your travel agent. Provide the new guest’s details and pay any applicable fees to finalize the change.
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