Carnival Rolls Out Digital Shore Excursion Platform

Carnival Cruise Line has launched a new digital platform designed to replace paper tickets for shore excursions, aiming to streamline guest check-ins and communication.

Rather than using traditional paper tickets, guests can now simply present their Sail & Sign card to board directly with participating tour operators. Before their excursions, guests receive digital confirmations along with real-time updates—such as meeting times and locations—through the Carnival HUB App.

The system also allows tour operators to handle last-minute bookings and check-ins on-site, offering added flexibility and ease for both guests and tour staff.

“Our new ticketless platform prioritizes convenience for our guests and equips our tour operator partners with better tools, making the shore excursion experience more seamless, efficient and enjoyable,” said Sam Ackrill, vice president of shore excursions for Carnival Cruise Line.

“Eliminating the need for physical tickets and streamlining the process of checking in for shore excursions will be a great benefit, but the real-time functionality that’s built into our platform will give tour operators more opportunities and guests more choices.”

After its initial success in Australia earlier this year, the platform is now being expanded. It will be fully operational for all excursions at Celebration Key—Carnival’s new exclusive destination in Grand Bahama—when it opens on July 19.

Carnival is working closely with local tour operators to provide training on the new system. After the full rollout at Celebration Key, the digital platform will extend to more ports across The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico during 2025, with plans to reach Alaska and European itineraries by summer 2026.