There is no doubt that it is a lot of fun to book a dream vacation with Carnival Cruise Line, but unfortunately, life events or mistakes may require you to change your reservation. If you have recently married, changed your legal name, or just mistyped a letter, knowing the Carnival Cruise name change policy is something that can help you save a lot of time and money.
The method of changing a name on a Carnival Cruise that is used depends on the type of the correction, your closeness to the date of the cruise, and the fare rules that are linked to your booking. This manual is like a guide that will inform you about everything from fixing minor spelling mistakes to handing over your booking to someone else.
What Is a Carnival Cruise Name Change Policy?
Carnival Cruise Line name change policy keeps the door open for customers to revise or replace the names of the passengers on the cruise reservations under a certain set of circumstances. Still, it is implied that these alterations are not always straightforward – they stipulate the kind of the booking, the hour before the departure and if the airfare or special fares are included.
So, what are the essentials:
- A minor point (as a typo correction) is generally free of charge.
- Major changes (such as changing the name of a passenger) can result in a fee being charged.
- You’re not allowed to make any last-minute changes if you are very close to the day of the sailing, normally within a time span of 14-30 days before the departure.
With the aim of ensuring the accuracy of the passenger data while at the same time maintaining the booking security for the purposes of travel documents and security, the Carnival Cruise name change policy has been put in place.
When Do You Need to Change a Name on Your Carnival Cruise Booking?
Passengers on a Carnival Cruise might have to change the name on their reservation for a variety of reasons:
- Spelling Mistakes: A common mistake could be “John” instead of “John”, this might have been done when typing in the information.
- Alterations to a person’s legal name: If the change of your name occurred due to marriage, divorce, or any other legal change.
- Transfer of a Reservation: If the initial traveler is not going anymore, you may need to hand over the cruise to another person.
- Partial Information: At times, the middle names or suffixes could be missing and have to be rectified for correct identification.
- Booked Through a Travel Agent: When booking, miscommunication can sometimes result in wrong passenger details.
In all these situations, Carnival Cruise Line has the means to fix or update the passenger information but also indicates that the right time and proper documentation are very important.
Carnival Cruise Name Correction vs. Name Change – What’s the Difference?
It’s important to understand that a name correction and a name change are treated differently by Carnival Cruise Line.
- Name Correction:
This refers to minor errors, like fixing a misspelled letter or reversing first and last names. These are typically free and don’t require legal documentation if corrected early.
- Name Change:
This means replacing one passenger’s name with another person entirely. In such cases, Carnival may charge a name change fee, and approval depends on the booking type.
For example, correcting “Sara” to “Sarah” is a correction, while changing the traveler from “Sarah Jones” to “Emily Davis” is a full name change that may cost $50 to $100 or more.
How to Change a Name on a Carnival Cruise Booking?
Firstly, the options for a name change on a Carnival Cruise reservation depend on the place of purchase. If the tickets were bought directly from Carnival, from a website, or via a travel agent different methods are used.
1. Rename Yourself Online
- Go to the “Manage My Booking” area of your account on the Carnival Cruise website.
- Choose the option “Modify Guest Information.”
- Put the new or changed information.
- Save your modifications to be checked.
If it is just a minor change, you will hear back from them very soon. Nevertheless, substantial name changes may take extra verification or provision of certain documents.
2. Speak with a Carnival Cruise Customer Service Representative
- Carnival Cruise Line’s customer service should be reached by phone at 1-800-CARNIVAL (+1(888) 980-4643).
- After giving them the booking number, telling the correction or the change that you want is the next step.
- The representative you talk to will give you information about the charges and the requirements for the documentation.
3. By a Travel Agent
If you booked via a travel agency, you must contact your travel agent directly. They will handle the name change on your behalf according to Carnival’s policy and the agency’s own procedures.
Documents Required for a Carnival Cruise Name Change
Depending on the type of change, Carnival may ask for supporting documentation. Below is a breakdown of common requirements:
|
Type of Change |
Documentation Required |
|
Minor spelling correction |
None or ID proof |
|
First name correction |
Government-issued ID |
|
Last name change |
Legal documents (e.g., marriage certificate, court order) |
|
Full passenger replacement |
New traveler’s identification and authorization |
Always double-check that your travel documents (passport, visa, or ID) match your booking name exactly, as mismatched information could cause issues during check-in or boarding.
Carnival Cruise Name Change Fees and Charges Explained
The Carnival Cruise name change fee varies depending on the timing, type of booking, and the nature of the change.
| Type of Change | Estimated Fee | Notes |
| Minor spelling correction | Free (if done early) | Early corrections usually incur no fee. |
| First or last name change | $50–$100 | Fees depend on timing and fare rules. |
| Full passenger replacement | $100+ | Subject to Carnival approval. |
| Travel agent booking | Varies | Agency service fees may apply. |
Carnival’s policies can differ for promotional fares, such as Early Saver, Pack & Go, or Super Saver offers, where name changes may not be allowed or may involve additional charges.
How to Avoid Carnival Cruise Name Change Fees?
Here are a few smart ways to avoid paying unnecessary Carnival Cruise name change fees:
- There are some clever methods by which you may keep from shelling out unneeded name change fees for your Carnival Cruise:
- Confirm everything down to the last detail prior to your reservation – It is very important that the names be identical to those on the official ID of the person traveling.
- Do not use fare types that are heavily restricted – Extremely discounted offers usually have very strict rules and in these cases, any changes are not allowed.
- Make it right with yourself first – If you are changing your name more than 60 days prior to departure, then you will hardly be charged for the change.
- If your name change was because of marriage or divorce, please submit the proper documents to get your fees waived.
- Use flexible air bookings – Carnival’s Fly2Fun Flexible Air option allows more freedom for name updates before penalties apply.
Can You Transfer a Carnival Cruise Ticket to Another Person?
Yes, but there are stipulations. A Carnival Cruise can be given to another individual, however, this is contingent on the type of fare and how close you are to the departure.
How to transfer a booking:
- Check with Carnival Cruise Line whether your transfer is possible.
- If necessary, cancel the original booking.
- The new passenger will have to book a ticket at the current rate.
- If there is a difference in the price, pay it along with the applicable fees.
In some fare categories, it is possible to do “name substitutions,” i.e., you can just change the name of the guest instead of canceling and rebooking. Always double-check with Carnival to be on the safe side.
How to Change the Name After Final Payment or Check-In?
It is quite hard to change a name after the final payment is done or if you are in the check-in period. Usually, Carnival does not allow changes of names within 14-30 days before the sailing time unless it is for a legal reason
If a name change is your only option:
- Firstly, you should get in touch with the carnival guest services as soon as possible at +1 (888) 980-4643.
- Along with the change request, you should also give the legal documents (e.g., marriage certificate or court documents).
- Keep in mind that you will have to pay a higher change of name fee by Carnival Cruise or, if you want to avoid such a situation, you can cancel and rebook with the new details.
At no point are name changes allowed at the terminal or during check-in, so double-check that all your information is accurate long before your trip.
Tips to Avoid Name Change Issues on Carnival Cruise Bookings
- When making a reservation, use the exact name that is indicate on your passport or ID.
- Check the guest information right after the booking and also before making the final payment.
- Don’t allow mistakes to be made on your behalf by third parties and thus ensure that you book directly with Carnival or through a travel agent whom you trust.
- It is always a good idea to have copies of your legal documents handy just in case you will be required to prove your legitimate name change.
- Be sure to check fare rules thoroughly — some heavily discounted fare may not accept any name changes or transfers at all.
- Take your decision quickly — by the time you bring changes, it will be a less complicated and less expensive way if it is early.
Conclusion
The Carnival Cruise name change rules could be a bit confusing at first, however, once you have the correct details, it is very simple to work your way through it. If you are just correcting a mistake or simply changing your name after your wedding, it is always better to be ahead of the game and know the restrictions of the fare so that you do not get into trouble with stress and extra money.
It is always a good idea to double-check the details of your booking long time before the trip and if you are still not sure, do not hesitate to ask the customer service of the Carnival Cruise Line for help. Just a couple of checks now can spare you the inconveniences of the last moment — thus, making the beginning of your Carnival holiday as nice as it can be.
Related Post: Royal Caribbean Name Change
FAQs
A. Yes. Your booking name must exactly match the name on your government-issued photo ID. Different names may stop you from getting on, so change it right away through Carnival or your travel agent.
A. Yes, but it depends on your booking type and timing. Some fares allow guest substitutions, while others require cancellation and rebooking.
A. Yes, you can. Just submit a copy of your marriage certificate or legal documentation and change your name sans fees.
A. Name changes are generally allowed up to 30 days before departure. 14-30 days Changes might be limited or be subject to additional fees within this time period.
A. Generally, yes — but Carnival will determine the transfer possibility and it depends on your fare rules. The new traveler may be required to pay current fare rates as well as any associated fees.