Carnival Cruise Line has announced the Behind the Fun Tour will be returning onboard ships in March & April 2023. The Behind the Fun Tour is an onboard excursion where guests can see select crew areas of the ship. Carnival used to offer the Behind the Fun tour on cruises before the Covid-19 shutdown, but after cruising restarted Carnival was unable to offer this tour due to the health & safety protocols. The good news is that Carnival is now going to be able to offer the Behind the Fun Tour again! This post will take a look at the Behind the Fun Tour's rollout schedule, things guests will see on the tour, prices, and more.
What do guests typically see on the Behind the Fun Tour?
For guests that remember the Behind the Fun Tour before Covid-19, this list of places will look very similar to what guests used to see before the pandemic. The tour is led onboard by the Training & Development Manager. According to John Heald, the tour will include visits to the main galley, bridge, engine control room, storeroom, environmental room, marshaling area, crew mess/staff mess, learning resources center, main laundry, crew laundry, crew gym, and backstage. Please note, Carnival advertises guests will see the engine control room. This is an entirely different area than the actual engine room, which is not included on the tour. However, in the engine control room you will likely be able to see some video footage of what is going on in the actual engine room. I just wanted to make this distinction to avoid confusion.
What do guests typically see on the Behind the Fun Tour?
For guests that remember the Behind the Fun Tour before Covid-19, this list of places will look very similar to what guests used to see before the pandemic. The tour is led onboard by the Training & Development Manager. According to John Heald, the tour will include visits to the main galley, bridge, engine control room, storeroom, environmental room, marshaling area, crew mess/staff mess, learning resources center, main laundry, crew laundry, crew gym, and backstage. Please note, Carnival advertises guests will see the engine control room. This is an entirely different area than the actual engine room, which is not included on the tour. However, in the engine control room you will likely be able to see some video footage of what is going on in the actual engine room. I just wanted to make this distinction to avoid confusion.
How much will the Behind the Fun tour cost?
The Behind the Fun Tour costs much more than pre-Covid shutdown and range between $90 to $150 per ticket. As of 4/2/2023, Carnival's prices for the Behind the Fun Tour vary by ship and are as follows:
The Behind the Fun Tour costs much more than pre-Covid shutdown and range between $90 to $150 per ticket. As of 4/2/2023, Carnival's prices for the Behind the Fun Tour vary by ship and are as follows:
- Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Sunshine will have the Behind the Fun Tour at $90 USD per ticket
- Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Valor and Carnival Vista will have the Behind the Fun Tour at $130 per ticket.
- Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee will have Behind the Fun Tour at $150 per ticket.
Behind the Fun Tour Age Restriction:
Carnival requires guests be at least 8 years old to participate on the Behind the Fun Tour. Guests who under 18, are required to be accompanied by a participating adult that is 18+.
Carnival requires guests be at least 8 years old to participate on the Behind the Fun Tour. Guests who under 18, are required to be accompanied by a participating adult that is 18+.
Can you bring a camera or phone on the Behind the Fun Tour? What items are prohibited?
Carnival does not allow cameras, phones, recording devices or bags on the tour. Sorry, this means you cannot take pictures to commerate the tour or get a great photo to share on social media.
Carnival does not allow cameras, phones, recording devices or bags on the tour. Sorry, this means you cannot take pictures to commerate the tour or get a great photo to share on social media.
What To Wear & What Not To Wear:
Guests participating on the tour will need to wear closed toed shoes. Carnival does not allow sandals or flip flops on the tour. This is because some areas on the tour are only accessible by stairs and the stairs can be a steep.
Guests participating on the tour will need to wear closed toed shoes. Carnival does not allow sandals or flip flops on the tour. This is because some areas on the tour are only accessible by stairs and the stairs can be a steep.
How long does the Behind the Fun tour last and when is the tour typically held?
Exact timing can vary by cruise and the tour is generally held on the last sea day of the cruise. Carnival advertises the tour can last anywhere between 2 - 3.5 hours. The price is usually higher the longer the tour goes.
Exact timing can vary by cruise and the tour is generally held on the last sea day of the cruise. Carnival advertises the tour can last anywhere between 2 - 3.5 hours. The price is usually higher the longer the tour goes.
Security Accompanies Guests On The Tour
Due to the areas that guests are scheduled to visit, Carnival assigns at least one member of the onboard security team to stay with the tour group.
Due to the areas that guests are scheduled to visit, Carnival assigns at least one member of the onboard security team to stay with the tour group.
What about guests with disabilities that want to go on the Behind the Fun Tour?
Guests who have disabilities should speak with the shore excursions desk. According to John Heald, the shore excursions staff will explain which areas on the tour may be difficult to access and will do their best to modify the tour.
Guests who have disabilities should speak with the shore excursions desk. According to John Heald, the shore excursions staff will explain which areas on the tour may be difficult to access and will do their best to modify the tour.
How do you book the Behind the Fun Tour? Can you reserve a ticket online before the cruise?
Guests who want to take the Behind the Fun Tour will need to reserve onboard the ship. There are no tickets for the tour sold before the cruise. Space on the tour is limited and usually ranges to a small group or a couple of small groups. When I did the tour there were typically 8-16 guests per cruise and it was offered once. The tour can be booked through the Shore Excursions Desk onboard.
Guests who want to take the Behind the Fun Tour will need to reserve onboard the ship. There are no tickets for the tour sold before the cruise. Space on the tour is limited and usually ranges to a small group or a couple of small groups. When I did the tour there were typically 8-16 guests per cruise and it was offered once. The tour can be booked through the Shore Excursions Desk onboard.
Carnival Cruise 2023 Behind the Fun Tour Returns Implementation Schedule:
- Carnival Elation - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Paradise - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Radiance - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Sunrise - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Sunshine - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Spirit - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Pride - Tour Returns March 1, 2023
- Carnival Legend - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Miracle - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Luminosa - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Conquest - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Glory - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Valor - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Liberty - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Freedom - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Splendor - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Dream - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Magic - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Breeze - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Vista - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Horizon - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Panorama - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Mardi Gras - Tour Returns April 1, 2023
- Carnival Celebration - Tour Returns March 6, 2023
- Carnival Jubilee - To Be Announced
- Carnival Venezia - To Be Announced
- Carnival Firenze - To Be Announced
If you are going on the Behind the Fun Tour, I hope you have a great time. Try to think of a few questions before you go on the tour because the crew members are very willing to answer any questions guests have.
Please keep in mind that the exact tour, areas shown, prices, and return of the tour could change, vary by ship, or be modified. The tour could also be cancelled or modified for any reason at any time.