Carnival HUB App: Why You’ll Want to Download It Before Your Cruise
Updated: Aug 12
Before you sail, you’ll want to download the Carnival HUB App to your phone. This is one app you’ll definitely want to have ready to go before you board!
Once you’re onboard, it becomes your go-to for keeping up with what’s happening around the ship. You can check activities, dining menus, venue hours, your Sail & Sign account, deck maps, reservations, and much more.
One of the best things about the HUB App is that you do NOT need to purchase a Carnival Wi-Fi plan to use it.
The app works through Carnival’s onboard Wi-Fi network. You’ll connect your phone to the ship’s Wi-Fi, but you don’t have to purchase an internet package unless you want internet access outside of HUB.
Here’s what you need to know before you sail.
Download the Carnival HUB App Before Your Cruise
Don’t wait until embarkation day to download the app. Get it set up at home while you have a good internet connection.
Download it, sign in to your Carnival account, and make sure everything is ready before you leave home.
Once Onboard, Here's How to Connect
Getting connected is easy:
Put your phone in Airplane Mode.
Turn Wi-Fi back on.
Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network.
Open the Carnival HUB App.
That’s it!
You do not need to purchase a Carnival Wi-Fi plan to use HUB. Connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi network and purchasing internet access are two different things.
Keeping your phone in Airplane Mode also helps prevent it from connecting to cellular service at sea and potentially racking up roaming charges.
What Can You Do With the Carnival HUB App?
Once onboard, you’ll probably find yourself opening HUB throughout the day.
Depending on your ship and sailing, you can use it to:
See daily activities and entertainment
Favorite ❤️ activities and keep track of your plans
Check restaurant, bar, shop, and venue hours
View food and drink menus
Check in for Your Time Dining
Order available food for delivery
Check your Sail & Sign account
View deck maps
Make select reservations
View shore excursion information
Chat with family and friends
View and purchase cruise photos on supported ships
Schedule your debarkation
Some features vary by ship and sailing, but HUB puts a surprising amount of cruise information right in your pocket.
Your Digital Fun Times
Think of HUB as your digital Fun Times.
You can scroll through the day’s shows, trivia, comedy, live music, games, deck parties, and other activities. When you see something you don’t want to miss, favorite it so you can easily find it again.
Your reservations are also added to your planner, making it easy to see what you have coming up.
Tip: Take a few minutes each morning to look through the day’s schedule and favorite what interests you.
Just don’t favorite everything. Sitting by the pool doing absolutely nothing deserves a spot on the itinerary too.
Check What's Open and What's on the Menu
I use HUB all the time to check operating hours for restaurants, bars, shops, and other venues.
It saves you from walking across the ship only to discover that the restaurant you wanted doesn't open for another hour.
You can also view food and drink menus through HUB. When you sit down in the Main Dining Room, you'll find a QR code at the table that you can scan to pull up the menu on your phone.
Prefer a paper menu? Just ask your server for one.
Check In for Your Time Dining
If you have Your Time Dining, HUB makes dinner much easier.
When you're ready to eat, you can check in through the app instead of heading to the dining room just to get in line. HUB will let you know when your table is ready.
That means you can check in while you're getting ready in your cabin, finishing a drink, or relaxing somewhere else on the ship.
There can still be a wait during popular dining times, so your table may not be ready immediately.
You Can Even Order Food
Depending on your ship and sailing, you can also order available food for delivery through HUB.
Yes, that includes pizza. 🍕
Check the app for what's currently available, delivery hours, and any applicable charges. It's especially handy when you're comfortably planted in a deck chair and have absolutely no intention of moving anytime soon.
Keep an Eye on Your Sail & Sign Account
This is one feature I think everyone should use.
HUB lets you check your Sail & Sign account throughout the cruise, so you can keep track of your onboard spending.
A drink here, dinner there, a little shopping, some photos... cruise spending can add up quickly.
Checking your account periodically also gives you a chance to catch a charge you don't recognize while you're still onboard and can easily get it corrected.
View Your Cruise Photos
On Carnival ships equipped with the Pixels Digital Photo Gallery, you can view your cruise photos through HUB.
You may also be able to purchase digital copies and download them directly to your device, or order prints.
Check the app once you're onboard to see which photo features are available on your ship.
Chat With Family and Friends
Traveling with other people? HUB Chat can make it much easier to find each other around the ship.
The chat feature costs $5 per person for the entire cruise, not $5 per day.
Each person who wants to participate needs to activate chat on their device, but you do not need a Carnival internet plan to use it.
Carnival requires parental or guardian consent in the app for guests age 15 and younger to activate chat.
HUB Helps on the First and Last Day Too
HUB isn't only useful during the middle of your cruise.
When you first board, the app can show your assigned muster station and help you navigate there to complete the required safety check-in.
Then, unfortunately, there eventually comes a morning when Carnival insists you give the ship back.
On debarkation day, Carnival's Digital Debark feature lets you schedule your debarkation through HUB. You'll receive a notification when it's time for your group to leave the ship.
Don't Forget Your Phone Battery
You're probably going to use your phone more than you expect.
Between HUB, photos, videos, and everything else you're doing, your battery can disappear quickly.
I recommend bringing a portable charger or power bank, especially on sea days when you might be away from your cabin for hours.
My Carnival HUB App Tips
Download it before you leave home. Don't wait until embarkation day.
Put your phone in Airplane Mode once onboard. Then turn Wi-Fi back on and connect to the ship's network.
Don't buy an internet plan just because HUB asks you to connect to Wi-Fi. You can use HUB without purchasing internet access.
Check the app every morning. See what's happening and favorite the activities you don't want to miss.
Check venue hours before making the walk. Your feet will thank you.
Keep an eye on your Sail & Sign account. It's much easier to deal with a questionable charge while you're still onboard.
Consider HUB Chat if you're traveling with a group. At $5 per person for the voyage, it can be a convenient way to stay in touch around the ship.
Bring a portable charger. HUB isn't very helpful when your phone is at 2%.
Carnival HUB App FAQs
Is the Carnival HUB App free?
Yes. HUB is free to download and its included onboard features can be used without purchasing a Carnival internet package. HUB Chat is an optional paid feature.
Do I need to buy Wi-Fi to use HUB?
No. Connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network, but you do not need to purchase an internet plan to use the HUB App.
Can I use HUB in Airplane Mode?
Yes. Put your phone in Airplane Mode, turn Wi-Fi back on, and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network.
Can I order food through HUB?
Yes, food delivery is available through HUB, although options and charges can vary. Check the app onboard to see what's available.
How much is Carnival HUB Chat?
HUB Chat costs $5 per person for the duration of the cruise, not per day.
Can I see my cruise photos in HUB?
On ships equipped with the Pixels Digital Photo Gallery, you can view your photos through HUB and purchase available digital copies or prints.
Final Thoughts
If you're getting ready for a Carnival cruise, put downloading the HUB App on your pre-cruise checklist.
Once onboard, put your phone in Airplane Mode, turn Wi-Fi back on, and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network.Remember, you don't need to purchase a Carnival Wi-Fi plan to use HUB.
From checking what's happening and what's open to menus, dining, onboard spending, photos, chat, and even debarkation, you'll probably use the app more than you expect.
Then put your phone away for a while and enjoy your cruise. 🚢
Veteran Carnival cruisers: What's your favorite HUB App feature?
Comments