Booking a Carnival Cruise is an exciting step toward a dream vacation at sea, but plans can change unexpectedly. Sometimes, you may no longer be able to travel on your booked dates — or you might want to transfer your cruise reservation to someone else. This raises a common question among travelers: “Can I transfer a reservation on Carnival Cruise Line?”
The short answer is it depends on what kind of transfer you want to make. Carnival Cruise Line allows certain types of booking transfers but under strict guidelines. While you can’t simply change the traveler’s name or give your entire reservation to someone else, there are some exceptions and workarounds depending on your booking stage, fare type, and payment status.
how to transfer a Carnival Cruise reservation, Carnival Cruise Line’s transfer policy, and what options you have if you need to modify your booking.
Carnival Cruise Line’s reservation transfer policy is designed to protect travelers and prevent unauthorized changes to bookings. In general:
You cannot transfer your reservation to another person once it is paid and finalized.
You can transfer your booking to a travel agent if you originally booked directly with Carnival (under specific conditions).
Name changes or guest substitutions may be possible before final payment but are subject to approval and potential fees.
Carnival’s system ties reservations to specific passenger information, including passport and identification details, which are verified before boarding. That means transferring a booking to another traveler involves more than just changing a name — it requires a full rebooking.
If you’ve booked a Carnival Cruise but can’t travel, you might wonder if you can transfer your reservation to a friend or family member. Unfortunately, Carnival Cruise Line does not allow full passenger transfers in most cases.
Here’s what you need to know:
Once a reservation is confirmed and the deposit is paid, it is non-transferable to a different individual.
The passenger listed on the booking is the only one authorized to use that reservation.
Any attempt to completely replace one traveler with another is treated as a cancellation and new booking, which may involve penalties.
However, minor name changes or corrections (like fixing a spelling mistake) can be made at no cost or for a small administrative fee if done early enough.
While you can’t transfer your entire reservation to someone else, Carnival allows limited name changes under certain conditions:
Name changes must be completed before the final payment due date.
Only one original guest name must remain on the reservation to qualify for a change.
If all names are changed, it’s considered a cancellation.
For example:If you and a friend booked a cruise together and your friend can’t go, you can replace them with another guest — as long as your name (the original lead guest) remains on the booking.
To process a name change:
Contact Carnival’s Customer Service or your travel agent.
Provide the new guest’s full legal name, date of birth, and passport details.
Pay any applicable administrative fee (if required).
If you originally booked directly with Carnival but later decide you want a travel agent to manage your reservation, you can transfer your booking — but only under specific conditions.
Carnival allows this type of agency transfer if:
The booking was made within the last 90 days.
The reservation is not yet paid in full.
The request is made by the lead guest on the reservation.
To initiate this process:
Contact your preferred travel agent.
They’ll complete a Booking Transfer Form and submit it to Carnival on your behalf.
Carnival reviews and confirms the transfer within a few business days.
After the transfer, your travel agent will become your primary contact for any changes, payments, or special requests related to the cruise.
If you can’t transfer your cruise reservation but still want to share some benefits — such as onboard credit, gift cards, or special perks — Carnival allows partial transfers in some cases.
Onboard credits (OBC) can sometimes be gifted or reassigned to another passenger on the same booking.
Carnival gift cards can be used by anyone during the cruise.
However, exclusive offers or upgrades tied to your reservation (such as casino deals or promotional discounts) are non-transferable.
It’s best to verify these details by calling Carnival’s Guest Services before making changes.
While some updates (like correcting a typo) are free, other transfers and modifications may include:
Administrative fee: Small charge for processing guest name changes.
Fare difference: If changing names affects the pricing tier or available promotions.
Cancellation fee: If the transfer requires a full cancellation and rebooking.
Carnival’s fees depend on your fare type and how close you are to your sailing date. Always check the Carnival booking policy before making changes to avoid penalties.
If your goal is to change who’s traveling or when you’ll cruise, consider Carnival’s flexible options:
Rebook the same cruise for new passengers: Cancel your current booking (subject to fees) and create a new one for the new guests.
Use Future Cruise Credit (FCC): If your cancellation qualifies, apply the credit to a future cruise for yourself.
Use “Cruise with Confidence” offers (if available): These promotions allow penalty-free changes within specific time frames.
You can contact Carnival Cruise Line Customer Service directly to ask about transfers, name changes, or agency transfers:
Phone (U.S. & Canada)
Website
Live Chat: Available during business hours via the “Contact Us” page
If you booked through a travel agent, contact them first — Carnival will require their authorization for any transfer or change requests.
So, can you transfer a reservation on Carnival Cruise Line? The answer depends on the situation. While you can’t transfer an entire booking to another person, you can make guest name changes, transfer your booking to a travel agent, or adjust certain details before final payment.
If you’re unsure whether your booking qualifies for transfer, contact Carnival or your travel agent right away. Acting early gives you the best chance to avoid penalties and preserve your booking benefits.
Carnival’s transfer and change policies are designed to maintain security and fairness while offering flexibility when plans change. By understanding these rules, you can manage your cruise reservations more confidently and make the most of your travel investment.
1. Can I transfer my Carnival Cruise reservation to another person?
No, Carnival does not allow full transfers to a different person. However, you can make limited name changes if at least one original guest remains on the booking.
2. Can I transfer my Carnival booking to a travel agent?
Yes, if your reservation was made within the last 90 days and isn’t fully paid, you can transfer it to a travel agent by submitting a transfer request.
3. Are there fees for transferring or changing names on a booking?
Minor corrections are free, but major name changes or substitutions may involve an administrative fee or fare difference.
4. Can I give my Carnival cruise to someone else if I can’t go?
No, reservations cannot be transferred entirely. You must cancel your booking and have the new traveler book separately.
5. How do I request a reservation transfer?
Contact Carnival’s customer service or your travel agent. Provide your booking number and request details — they’ll confirm if your reservation is eligible for transfer.
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