Carnival Launches 4-Day Unwrap Fun Sale With Up to 40% Off

Carnival Cruise Line has rolled out a four-day, limited-time sale called “Unwrap Fun with Holiday Cruise Savings,” offering fare discounts and booking incentives on select sailings through April 2028. The promotion applies only to new reservations made between December 23, 2025, and December 27, 2025, and is scheduled to end December 27.

What the “Unwrap Fun” promotion offers

Carnival is advertising the deal as a bundled offer that combines a fare discount with multiple booking perks. While the exact value can vary by sailing and cabin type, the promotion includes:

• Discounts of up to 40% off cruise fares
• Reduced deposits starting at $50 per person on eligible itineraries
• Free stateroom upgrades within the same cabin category (assigned automatically at booking and subject to availability)
• Bonus onboard credit of up to $50

Carnival did not include executive commentary with the promotion announcement, instead emphasizing the terms and booking rules.

Booking window and eligible travel period

The sale is limited to bookings made from December 23 through December 27, 2025. While the booking window is short, the eligible departure window is broad, covering select Carnival itineraries scheduled through April 2028.

How Carnival’s deposit tiers and exclusions work

Deposit requirements under the promotion vary based on voyage length, region, and (in some cases) the ship. Carnival’s terms outline multiple tiers rather than a single flat deposit amount:

• $50 per person deposits apply to many 2- to 9-day cruises, but not to all itineraries. Carnival excludes all Alaska and Europe sailings from the $50 tier, and it also excludes sailings on Celebration, Festivale, Mardi Gras, and Jubilee.
• $75 per person deposits apply to select Festivale sailings, specifically 4- and 5-day Festivale cruises.
• $99 per person deposits apply to sailings on Celebration, Festivale, Mardi Gras, and Jubilee, as outlined in the deposit rules.
• $149 per person deposits apply to cruises of 10 days or longer and to all Alaska and Europe itineraries.

Because the deposit level depends on itinerary and ship, travelers comparing sailings may want to confirm which tier applies before finalizing a reservation.

What “free cabin upgrades” mean in practice

The promotion includes a free upgrade that Carnival describes as “like-to-like,” meaning the upgraded stateroom remains within the same general cabin type rather than moving to a new category. Carnival’s terms indicate:

• Interior upgrades remain within interior cabins
• Ocean-view upgrades remain within ocean-view cabins
• Balcony upgrades remain within balcony cabins

Upgrades are assigned automatically at the time of booking and are subject to availability, so the specific upgraded cabin location can vary by sailing.

Why holiday cruises attract travelers

Beyond sale pricing, holiday sailings have continued to appeal to travelers looking for a more structured alternative to hosting and coordinating celebrations. Scott Campbell, Manager of Cruise Relations at AAA, described the appeal as “a no-hassle holiday for families,” pointing to the convenience of having meals, lodging, and entertainment bundled into one trip.

Campbell said cruise lines such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean typically lean into the season with festive decor, themed activities, and special meals. Carnival’s private island, Celebration Key, has also received a seasonal makeover during the holiday period, according to the report.

Onboard holiday programming, services, and New Year’s events

Holiday sailings often include seasonal events such as Christmas movie screenings, gingerbread house decorating, and ugly sweater contests, along with shipwide decorations including Christmas trees, lights, and wreaths. In addition, holiday decorations are typically installed shortly after Thanksgiving and remain up through the New Year.

For families traveling with children, cruise lines may extend kids’ programming hours on New Year’s Eve so parents can participate in late-night celebrations. Many sailings also feature New Year’s countdown parties and Champagne toasts, and ships typically broadcast major New Year’s Day college bowl games such as the Rose Bowl.

Religious services may be available on some ships during major holidays, though they are not always led by official onboard clergy. Carnival has said on its website that it invites clergy guests to voluntarily conduct services, while Royal Caribbean prioritizes select religious observances depending on availability. Passengers interested in attending are advised to check with the Guest Services Desk.

Pricing: convenience comes with a holiday premium

Holiday cruises can be more expensive than comparable sailings at other times of year, reflecting peak travel demand. “It’s just like traveling during Easter or other holidays,” Campbell said, as higher demand tends to push fares up.

As an example of seasonal pricing, a four-day Carnival sailing to the Bahamas over Christmas in 2026 was listed as starting at $616 per person based on double occupancy.

How to book

The promotion is available for new bookings made during the December 23–27, 2025 window, for eligible Carnival departures through April 2028. Travelers can book through Carnival.com or through a travel advisor, and Carnival directs guests to review full terms and conditions before booking. With the sale scheduled to end December 27, travelers who want the discounted fares, deposit options, and automatically assigned upgrades must reserve within the four-day period to qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Carnival’s “Unwrap Fun with Holiday Cruise Savings” sale end?

The promotion is scheduled to end on December 27, 2025, and it applies only to new bookings made between December 23 and December 27, 2025.

What travel dates are included in the promotion?

The offer applies to eligible Carnival cruises departing through April 2028, as long as the booking is made during the sale period and meets the promotion’s terms.

Do the “free cabin upgrades” include moving from an interior room to a balcony?

No. Carnival’s terms limit upgrades to “like-to-like” categories, meaning interior-to-interior, ocean-view-to-ocean-view, and balcony-to-balcony. Upgrades are assigned automatically at booking based on availability.

Which itineraries require the $149 per person deposit?

Carnival applies the $149 per person deposit to sailings of 10 days or longer and to all Alaska and Europe cruises under the promotion’s deposit rules.

Are religious services available during holiday sailings?

Religious services are often held onboard during major holidays, though they may not be led by official clergy. Carnival has said it invites clergy guests to voluntarily conduct services, and Royal Caribbean prioritizes select religious observances depending on availability. Guests are encouraged to ask at the Guest Services Desk.