What Does Carnival Provide in Your Cabin? A Woman’s Guide to Toiletries, Hair Dryers & What to Pack
- Cruising with Lynnie
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re getting ready for a Carnival cruise, you may be standing in your bathroom wondering how all those bottles, hair products, makeup and styling tools are supposed to fit into your suitcase.
The good news is that you can leave quite a few things at home.
Carnival provides shampoo, body wash, bar soap, towels, washcloths and a hair dryer in its staterooms. Carnival also provides beach and pool towels, so you can leave those bulky towels at home too.
But there are some important differences depending on the type of cabin you booked.
And conditioner? Whether you need to pack it depends on your room.
Here’s what Carnival currently provides, what’s different in Cloud 9 Spa accommodations and Excel Suites, and what you should still pack for your Carnival cruise.
Quick Answer: What Does Carnival Provide?
If you're trying to decide what to pack in your suitcase, start here.
🏠 LEAVE THESE AT HOME
🧴 Shampoo unless you prefer your own
🫧 Body wash/shower gel
🧼 Bar soap for handwashing
💨 Hair dryer unless you need something more powerful
🛁 Bath towels, hand towels and washcloths
🏖️ Beach and pool towels
🥼 Bathrobe because you can request one even in a regular stateroom
🧳 PLAN TO PACK THESE
🧴 Conditioner if you're in a regular stateroom or suite that doesn't include it
🪥 Toothbrush and toothpaste
✨ Deodorant
🧖♀️ Skincare products
💄 Makeup and makeup remover
💇♀️ Hair products
🪒 Razor and shaving supplies
🌸 Feminine products
💁♀️ Curling iron or flat iron if you use one
🩴 Slippers unless you're staying in a Cloud 9 Spa room
⚠️ Before You Start Packing
Some Carnival cabin amenities depend on the type of stateroom you've booked.
Cloud 9 Spa rooms and Excel Suites have some bathroom extras that aren't provided in standard Carnival cabins, so check your room category before filling all those travel bottles.
What Shampoo and Body Wash Does Carnival Provide?
Carnival provides shampoo and body wash in the shower in its staterooms and suites, so you don't necessarily need to pack either one.
The products are provided in wall-mounted shower dispensers.
The refill products shown here are Victoria Bay Shampoo and Victoria Bay Body Wash.
I wouldn't count on a particular brand being available for your cruise. Carnival can change the products it uses.
The more useful question is whether you actually need to bring shampoo and body wash.
If you're not picky about either one, these are two easy things to leave at home.
However, if you have color-treated, curly or otherwise particular hair, sensitive skin, or simply prefer your usual products, bring your own. Small refillable travel bottles are an easy way to bring what you need without packing full-size bottles.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 LEAVE IT HOME: If you're happy using the products Carnival provides, you don't need to pack shampoo or body wash.
🧳 PACK IT: Bring your own if you have particular hair or skincare needs or simply prefer your products from home.
Does Carnival Provide Conditioner?
This depends on your cabin.
Carnival currently lists conditioner in one type of accommodation:
🧴 Excel Suites on Excel-class ships: Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided.
For all other Carnival suites and staterooms, Carnival currently lists shampoo and body wash but not conditioner.
So if you're staying in a regular Interior, Ocean View or Balcony stateroom, you'll want to bring your own conditioner if you use it.
The same goes for suites that aren't among the accommodations where Carnival specifically provides conditioner.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🧳 CLOUD 9 SPA & REGULAR STATEROOMS: Pack your conditioner.
🏠 EXCEL SUITE: Conditioner is currently provided.
Of course, if you're particular about what you use on your hair, bring your favorite regardless of what's waiting in the shower.
Does Carnival Provide Hand Soap?
Yes.
Carnival says your stateroom attendant supplies bar soap and tissues as needed.
That means you don't need to bring hand soap unless you have sensitive skin or simply prefer your own.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 LEAVE IT HOME: Carnival has you covered.
Does Carnival Have Hair Dryers in the Cabins?
Yes, and this is probably one of the biggest getting-ready questions women have before a Carnival cruise.
Carnival provides a 1,250-watt hair dryer in every stateroom and suite on every ship.
Depending on the ship and stateroom, the dryer may be in the bathroom or around the desk/vanity.
So technically, you do not need to pack a hair dryer.
But there's another question that's probably more important.
Is Carnival’s Hair Dryer Powerful Enough?
That depends on your hair.
A 1,250-watt dryer may be perfectly adequate if you have shorter, finer or relatively easy-to-dry hair.
If you have very thick, long or curly hair, or you're accustomed to using a more powerful dryer at home, you may decide Carnival's dryer isn't going to work well for you.
Nobody wants to discover this at 6:15 when dinner is at 6:30 and her hair is still soaking wet.
Fortunately, Carnival allows guests to bring personal grooming devices including hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons and shavers when they're used with proper caution.
Carnival does note that if one of these devices is determined to pose a hazard, it can be removed and returned on the last day of the cruise.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 LEAVE IT HOME: If a 1,250-watt dryer works for your hair, use Carnival's and save the suitcase space.
🧳 PACK IT: If you know you need something more powerful, bring your own.
Can You Bring a Curling Iron or Flat Iron on Carnival?
Yes.
Carnival specifically lists flat irons and curling irons among the personal grooming devices guests can bring onboard when used with proper caution.
That's good news if either one is part of your regular getting-ready routine.
Just remember that not every heated appliance is treated the same way by cruise lines, so don't assume the rules for a curling iron also apply to things like clothing irons or steamers.
Does Carnival Provide Towels and Washcloths?
Yes, and this is an easy place to save a surprising amount of suitcase space.
Your Carnival stateroom attendant supplies:
🛁 Large bath towels
🧼 Hand towels
🚿 Washcloths
Carnival says these are supplied daily, so there's no reason to pack bathroom towels.
What About Beach and Pool Towels? 🏖️
Carnival provides those too.
Oversized Carnival beach towels are provided for guests, and you can take them ashore with you.
You can also use Carnival's towels when you're enjoying the pools onboard, so you don't need to devote half your suitcase to a giant beach towel.
Keep track of the towels you're issued, particularly when taking them ashore.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 LEAVE THEM HOME: You don't need to pack bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, beach towels or pool towels.
Save that suitcase space for something you'll actually need.
🥼 Does Carnival Provide Bathrobes?
Yes, and here's something that's especially useful to know:
You can get a Carnival bathrobe even if you're staying in a regular stateroom.
Carnival automatically provides two bathrobes in all suites and Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites.
If you're staying in another accommodation, such as a regular Interior, Ocean View or Balcony stateroom, you can request a bathrobe from your stateroom attendant.
Carnival says requested robes for these accommodations are provided during turndown service on the first evening of the cruise.
So don't look around your regular cabin on embarkation day, see no robe and assume you can't get one. Ask your stateroom attendant.
And more importantly for packing purposes, don't sacrifice a giant chunk of your suitcase to a fluffy bathrobe.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 LEAVE IT HOME.
Suites and Cloud 9 Spa accommodations automatically receive robes, and guests in other staterooms can request one.
Your suitcase just gained some breathing room.
Does Carnival Provide Slippers?
This one depends on your cabin.
🩴 Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites include Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers.
Slippers aren't listed as a standard amenity for regular Carnival staterooms.
If you like having something on your feet while getting ready or walking around your cabin, pack a lightweight pair of slippers or flip-flops.
Pack It or Leave It Home?
🏠 CLOUD 9 SPA: Leave them home. Slippers are included.
🧳 OTHER CABINS: Pack a pair if you want them.
🧖♀️ What’s Different in a Cloud 9 Spa Cabin?
If you booked a Cloud 9 Spa stateroom or suite, you get some nice upgrades in the getting-ready department.
Carnival currently lists:
🧴 ELEMIS shampoo
🫧 ELEMIS body wash
🥼 Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes
🩴 Cloud 9 Spa slippers
Those are in addition to the other Cloud 9 Spa perks that come with these accommodations.
So if you're booked into a Cloud 9 Spa room, you can potentially eliminate a few more things from your suitcase.
Of course, if you're devoted to your particular shampoo or conditioner, there's nothing wrong with bringing it anyway.
What About Excel Suites?
Excel Suites on Carnival's Excel-class ships also receive upgraded bathroom products.
Carnival currently lists:
🧴 Shampoo
🧴 Conditioner
🫧 Body wash
So guests staying in an Excel Suite don't need to pack conditioner unless they prefer their own.
🪞 Does a Carnival Cabin Have a Makeup Mirror?
This one really does depend on your ship and, on some ships, your cabin.
Carnival currently provides bathroom makeup mirrors in all staterooms and suites on many ships.
On Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunrise, Carnival lists makeup mirrors in suites.
Carnival Sunshine has them in staterooms on certain decks, while Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter list them in certain suite categories.
So if having a makeup mirror is important for applying makeup, putting in contacts or doing your skincare routine, check the current information for your particular ship and cabin.
[Affiliate opportunity: compact lighted travel makeup mirror]
💄 What Toiletries Should You Bring on a Carnival Cruise?
Carnival provides quite a few bathroom basics, but you'll still need your personal toiletries.
Depending on your normal routine, consider packing:
🧴 Conditioner, unless your accommodation includes it
🪥 Toothbrush and toothpaste
✨ Deodorant
🧖♀️ Facial cleanser and moisturizer
☀️ Sunscreen
💄 Makeup and makeup remover
⭕ Cotton rounds or reusable makeup pads
💇♀️ Hairbrush or comb
🎀 Hair ties and clips
💆♀️ Styling products
🪒 Razor and shaving products
🌸 Feminine hygiene products
💊 Medications and personal necessities
👁️ Contact lens supplies, if needed
🫧 Your preferred shampoo and body wash, if you don't want to use Carnival's
A hanging toiletry bag can be especially useful in a cruise cabin because it keeps everything together without taking over the bathroom.
🏠 What Can You Leave at Home?
Now for the fun part. Let's get some things out of that suitcase.
For most women sailing Carnival, you can leave these at home:
🛁 Bath towels: Carnival provides them.
🧼 Washcloths and hand towels: Provided.
🏖️ Beach and pool towels: Provided.
🧼 Hand soap: Carnival supplies bar soap.
🧴 Shampoo: Leave it home if you're happy using Carnival's.
🫧 Body wash: Same story.
💨 Hair dryer: Probably. Carnival provides a 1,250-watt dryer in every cabin, so bring yours only if you know you'll want something more powerful.
🥼 Bathrobe: Leave it home. Guests in regular staterooms can request one, while suites and Cloud 9 Spa accommodations automatically receive them.
If you're staying in a Cloud 9 Spa room, you can also leave your slippers and potentially your conditioner at home.
That leaves considerably more room for the things Carnival doesn't provide and, perhaps, another pair of shoes.
My Cruise Toiletry Packing Strategy
The easiest way to pack is to divide everything into three categories:
🏠 Carnival provides it: Don't pack it unless you strongly prefer your own.
⚠️ Carnival might provide it: Check your cabin category before deciding.
🧳 Carnival doesn't provide it: Into the toiletry bag it goes.
For most regular cabins, conditioner belongs in that last category.
The hair dryer is more of a personal decision. Carnival has one waiting for you, but 1,250 watts won't necessarily make everyone happy.
And robes? Leave yours home. Even if one isn't automatically waiting in your cabin, you can request one from your stateroom attendant.
The goal isn't to pack as little as humanly possible.
It's to avoid hauling things onto the ship that Carnival was already going to give you while making sure you have the personal-care products you'll actually miss.
Carnival Cabin Toiletries FAQ
Does Carnival provide shampoo?
Yes. Carnival provides shampoo in all staterooms and suites. Cloud 9 Spa accommodations currently receive ELEMIS shampoo.
Does Carnival provide body wash?
Yes. Carnival provides body wash in its stateroom and suite shower dispensers.
Does Carnival provide conditioner?
It depends on your accommodation. Carnival currently provides conditioner in Excel Suites on Excel-class ships and Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites. Other staterooms and suites currently receive shampoo and body wash but not conditioner.
Does Carnival provide hand soap?
Yes. Carnival supplies bar soap as needed.
Does Carnival provide tissues?
Yes. Carnival says stateroom attendants supply tissues as needed.
Does Carnival have hair dryers?
Yes. Carnival provides a 1,250-watt hair dryer in every stateroom and suite on every ship.
Can I bring my own hair dryer on Carnival?
Yes. Carnival permits personal hair dryers when used with proper caution.
Can I bring a curling iron on Carnival?
Yes. Carnival specifically permits curling irons when used with proper caution.
Can I bring a flat iron on Carnival?
Yes. Flat irons are also permitted when used with proper caution.
Does Carnival provide robes in regular cabins?
Yes, upon request. Ask your stateroom attendant. Carnival says bathrobes for other accommodations are provided during turndown service on the first evening when requested.
Does Carnival provide robes in suites?
Yes. Two bathrobes are automatically provided in all suites and Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites.
Does Carnival provide slippers?
Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites include Cloud 9 Spa slippers. Carnival does not list slippers as a standard amenity for regular staterooms.
Does Carnival provide towels?
Yes. Carnival supplies large bath towels, hand towels and washcloths.
Does Carnival provide beach and pool towels?
Yes. Carnival provides oversized beach towels, so you don't need to pack your own beach or pool towels.
One Last Tip Before You Zip That Suitcase
Don't pack based on what someone had in her Carnival cabin several years ago.
Carnival can change products and amenities, and some amenities vary by ship and stateroom category. Check Carnival's current information for your ship and cabin before sailing, especially if you're counting on something like conditioner or a makeup mirror being provided.
Once you know what's already waiting for you onboard, packing your bathroom and getting-ready essentials becomes much easier.
And maybe, just maybe, you'll close the suitcase on the first try.
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