The Short Answer
The figure most often cited for an upper Pullman bunk on Carnival ships is 250 pounds (about 113 kg). Cruise forum members sometimes report that adults close to that weight have used the upper bunk without trouble, but those are anecdotes, not guarantees. Carnival does not always make a weight limit prominent in the booking flow, so if the number matters for your party, confirm it directly with Carnival before you book and again before you sail.
What Is a Pullman Bunk?
A Pullman is an extra bed that folds down from the wall or ceiling above the main beds. It is usually hidden during the day and lowered by cabin staff in the evening. It is how many cabins that look like they sleep two actually sleep three or four. If you want to put an extra guest on an existing booking, see whether you can add someone to your cruise last minute.
Typical features include:
- A built-in ladder or steps
- A guard rail or barrier
- A fairly thin mattress compared with a lower bed
- Limited headroom, since the bed sits close to the ceiling
Because it is a suspended bed, the weight limit is a safety matter, not just a comfort one.
Sofa Beds and Lower Beds
Some cabins add a sofa bed instead of, or as well as, a Pullman. These sit at floor level and are generally not subject to the same hanging-berth limit. Many travelers find them more practical for adults. They do take up floor space during the day, though, and comfort varies, so read the description for the exact cabin category.
How Big Are Cruise Ship Beds?
In many standard Carnival staterooms, the two lower beds are twin beds that can be pushed together to form a larger bed. Exact dimensions vary by ship and category, and Carnival does not use the same measurements as every hotel, so do not assume a particular size. If bed size matters, check the cabin description or ask Carnival. Cabins are also compact, with published sizes for standard interior cabins in the range of roughly 150 to 200 square feet on newer ships, so a fully occupied room can feel snug.
Who Should Take the Upper Bunk?
Think about:
- Age and mobility. Climbing a ladder in the dark, on a moving ship, is different from doing it at home. Younger children, and anyone with balance or mobility concerns, may be better off on a lower bed or sofa bed. Carnival may have its own rules about who can use an upper berth, so ask.
- Weight. If anyone in your group is close to the limit, treat it with caution and ask the cruise line for the official figure.
- Sleep comfort. Light sleepers may find the upper bunk less stable and closer to the ceiling.
How to Confirm Before You Book
- Check the cabin category’s description and the stated maximum occupancy.
- Contact Carnival, or your travel agent, and ask for the weight limit and any age rules for the bed type in your specific cabin.
- Ask which beds will be used for each guest.
- Write down who you spoke to and what they said.
- If the limit is a problem, consider a connecting cabin, a cabin with a sofa bed, or a family-focused stateroom type.
Other Cruise Lines
Weight limits and bed arrangements differ by cruise line and by ship, so a figure you read for one line, including the numbers people mention for Disney Cruise Line, should not be assumed to apply to Carnival. Always check the specific line you are sailing with.
More Carnival Planning Help
- What to expect on your first Carnival sailing
- How big your carry-on bag can be
- Carnival Celebration ship guide, which includes cabin sizes and occupancy for a newer ship