Carnival Cruises
Overview
Carnival Cruise Line has earned its title as "America's Cruise Line" by delivering more fun-filled vacations than any other cruise company. Since 1972, Carnival has introduced millions of passengers to the joy of cruising, building a reputation for value, entertainment, and the energetic atmosphere that defines the "Fun Ships."
What sets Carnival apart is their commitment to accessibility. Starting at just $50 per night for some sailings, Carnival removes barriers to cruising. The line proves that a cruise vacation doesn't require a massive budget - yet the experience remains rich with entertainment, dining, and destinations. This democratic approach to cruising has made Carnival the most popular cruise line in North America by passenger count.
The Fun Ship atmosphere permeates everything. From the moment you board, the energy is palpable. The iconic Carnival funnel, tilted and whale-tail shaped, has become a symbol of vacation freedom. Pool decks pulse with music and activities. The Lido Marketplace offers casual dining with incredible views. Evening entertainment ranges from comedy shows to dance parties that last until the early hours.
Carnival's fleet spans multiple generations of ships, from the classic Fantasy Class vessels offering short getaways to the revolutionary Excel Class ships featuring BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea. This variety means there's a Carnival ship for every preference and budget. Newer ships like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration push boundaries while maintaining the core Carnival spirit.
Family-friendliness runs deep at Carnival. Camp Ocean programs engage kids aged 2-11 with marine-themed activities. Circle C keeps tweens entertained. Club O2 provides teenagers their own space. Meanwhile, adults enjoy Serenity adults-only retreats, spa facilities, and Casino action. The line strikes a balance that keeps everyone happy.
Fleet Information
Carnival's fleet offers ships for every preference and budget:
Excel Class (2020+):
The revolutionary new generation featuring BOLT:
- Mardi Gras (180,000 GT, 5,282 passengers)
- Carnival Celebration (182,800 GT, 5,374 passengers)
- Carnival Jubilee (182,800 GT, 5,374 passengers)
- BOLT roller coaster - first at sea
- Six themed zones creating distinct neighborhoods
- Expanded dining including partnerships with celebrity chefs
Starting at $549-699 per person for 7-night sailings
Vista Class (2016-2019):
Innovative design with SkyRide and more:
- Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama
- 133,500 GT with 3,934 passengers
- IMAX Theatre (first at sea)
- SkyRide aerial bicycles
- Havana cabins with private pool area
Starting at $449-599 per person
Dream Class (2009-2012):
The sweet spot of size and features:
- Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze
- 128,000-130,000 GT with 3,646-3,690 passengers
- WaterWorks aqua park
- SportSquare with ropes course
- Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant
Starting at $349-499 per person
Conquest Class (2002-2007):
Reliable favorites with proven track records:
- Carnival Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty, Freedom
- 110,000 GT with 2,974 passengers
- Great value propositions
- Recent refurbishments added new features
Starting at $299-449 per person
Spirit Class (2001-2004):
Mid-sized ships perfect for certain itineraries:
- Carnival Spirit, Pride, Legend, Miracle
- 88,500 GT with 2,124 passengers
- Intimate feel with full resort amenities
- Often positioned for Alaska, Hawaii, Australia
Starting at $349-549 per person
Fantasy/Sunrise Class:
Classic Fun Ships with renovated experiences:
- Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine
- 102,000 GT with 2,764 passengers
- Kitchen Table chef's table experience
- Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse
Starting at $249-399 per person
Onboard Experience
The Carnival experience centers on fun, relaxation, and great value:
Accommodations:
Carnival provides comfortable cabins across categories:
- Interior Staterooms: Cozy and budget-friendly, perfect for those who spend time exploring
- Ocean View: Natural light through portholes or windows
- Balcony: Private outdoor space for morning coffee and evening relaxation
- Havana Cabins (Vista/Excel): Premium Cuban-themed with exclusive pool access
- Family Harbor (Select ships): Family-focused suites with exclusive lounge access
- Excel Suites: Top-tier accommodations with butler service
Serenity Adults-Only Retreat:
Every Carnival ship features dedicated adult space:
- Adults-only pool and hot tubs
- Comfortable loungers
- Bar service
- Quiet atmosphere
- No age-restricted times - always adults only
Activities Throughout the Day:
Carnival keeps guests engaged:
- WaterWorks: Multi-story water slides and splash zones
- SkyRide (Vista Class): Aerial bicycles over the ship
- BOLT (Excel Class): First roller coaster at sea
- SportSquare: Basketball, volleyball, mini-golf, ropes course
- Cloud 9 Spa: Thermal suite, treatments, fitness center
- Casino: Tables and slots with ocean views
- Pool Deck Activities: Belly flop contests, hairy chest competitions, trivia
- Movies Under the Stars: Seaside Theatre outdoor screenings
- Alchemy Bar: Craft cocktails by mixologists
Family Programming:
Carnival's youth programs keep kids happy:
- Camp Ocean: Ages 2-11 with marine-themed activities
- Circle C: Tweens (12-14) with their own hangout
- Club O2: Teens (15-17) with nightclub atmosphere
- Build-A-Bear Workshop: Available on most ships
- Family Events: Character experiences, game shows, and more
Dining & Entertainment
Carnival's dining delivers far beyond expectations for the price point:
Included Dining:
- Main Dining Room: Your Time or Traditional seating with multi-course dinners
- Lido Marketplace: Massive buffet with excellent variety
- BlueIguana Cantina: Fresh Mexican fare (included!)
- Guy's Burger Joint: Partnership with Guy Fieri - legendary burgers
- JavaBlue Cafe: Coffee and pastries (specialty coffees extra)
- Swirls: Soft-serve ice cream 24/7
- Pizza Pirate: Fresh pizza around the clock
- Deli: Sandwiches and snacks
- Room Service: 24-hour options
Specialty Dining (Additional Fee):
- Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse: Premium cuts, extensive wine list
- Bonsai Sushi: Fresh Japanese creations
- Bonsai Teppanyaki: Hibachi entertainment
- Cucina del Capitano: Family-style Italian
- JiJi Asian Kitchen: Pan-Asian favorites
- Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse: BBQ excellence
- Emeril's Bistro 1396 (Jubilee): Celebrity chef partnership
- Rudi's Seagrill (Excel): Seafood specialties
- Chef's Table: Multi-course gourmet experience
Entertainment:
Carnival delivers non-stop entertainment:
- Playlist Productions: Broadway-style shows
- Punchliner Comedy Club: Headliner comedians nightly
- Piano Bar 88: Sing-along dueling pianos
- Lip Sync Battle: Compete like the TV show (Excel Class)
- Family Feud Live: Play the game show
- Love & Marriage Show: Hilarious couples competition
- Deck Parties: DJ, dancing, and celebrations
- Live Music: Bands throughout the ship
BOLT Roller Coaster (Excel Class):
The first roller coaster at sea delivers:
- 800 feet of track above the top deck
- Speeds up to 40 mph
- Motorcycle-style vehicles
- Day and night rides available
- $15 per ride or unlimited packages
Pricing Guide
Carnival pricing delivers exceptional value:
Base Cruise Fares:
Rates per person, double occupancy, vary by season and ship:
- Interior: $50-120/night (among lowest in industry)
- Ocean View: $75-150/night
- Balcony: $100-200/night
- Havana Cabins: $150-275/night
- Suites: $200-500+/night
Package Options:
- Cheers! Beverage Package: $52-60/day for unlimited drinks
- Bottomless Bubbles: $8-9/day for unlimited soda
- Dining Package: Specialty restaurant credits
- WiFi: $12-17/day
- Gratuities: $14.50-16/day prepaid
Cruise Now, Pay Later:
Carnival makes cruising accessible:
- Book with deposit as low as $50-100
- Payment plans available
- Flexible financing options
- Final payment 90 days before sailing
- Price protection on early bookings
Why Carnival Offers Best Value:
- Lower base fares than competitors
- Many included dining venues (Guy's Burger Joint!)
- Abundant free entertainment
- Generous beverage package portions
- Frequent promotions and sales
- VIFP loyalty program with escalating benefits
VIFP Club Loyalty Program:
Earn points toward benefits:
- Blue (1+ cruise): Welcome back bonus
- Gold (25 points): Priority check-in
- Platinum (75 points): Steakhouse dinner, priority boarding
- Diamond (200+ points): Free laundry, Cloud 9 amenities
Money-Saving Tips:
- Book Early Saver rates for best prices
- Short cruises offer lowest total cost
- Inside cabins on newer ships still access all amenities
- Wave Season (January-March) brings best promotions
- Consider driving to nearby ports to save flights
Frequently Asked Questions
Carnival has an energetic atmosphere but isn't exclusively for partiers. There's absolutely celebration on deck and in the clubs, but there's also quiet Serenity adult areas, relaxing spas, and mellow lounges. Families with young children cruise Carnival happily. The vibe is fun and spirited without being overwhelming.
Babies as young as 6 months can cruise on most itineraries. For transatlantic, Hawaii, or longer voyages, the minimum is 12 months. Camp Ocean accepts children from age 2. Babysitting in Night Owls is available for ages 6 months to 11 years for $7.50/hour.
Yes! Guy Fieri's famous burgers are completely complimentary. The patties are fresh, never frozen, with gourmet toppings including Guy's signature Donkey Sauce. Lines can be long at peak times but move quickly. This alone makes Carnival an incredible value.
BOLT roller coaster is exclusively on Excel Class ships: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. Rides cost $15 each or you can purchase unlimited packages. The experience is thrilling with ocean views from the track 187 feet above sea level.
Yes! Serenity is an adults-only retreat on every Carnival ship with dedicated pool, hot tubs, loungers, and bar service. It's a haven for adult relaxation away from family activities. No additional cost - it's included for all adult guests.
Carnival is notably casual. Most nights are 'Cruise Casual' (shorts and nice shirts acceptable). 'Cruise Elegant' nights allow dressier attire but remain relaxed. There's no strict formal requirement. Jeans are fine in the dining room on most nights. Specialty restaurants may have slightly stricter codes.
If you'll drink 5-6 alcoholic beverages daily, Cheers! pays for itself. The package includes premium spirits, wine, beer, cocktails, specialty coffee, and non-alcoholic drinks. At $55-65/day, you need roughly $55+ in drinks daily to break even. Light drinkers should skip it.
Guest Reviews
First cruise for our family of four on Carnival Celebration. BOLT exceeded expectations - we rode it 8 times! Guy's Burgers became a daily habit. Camp Ocean kept our 7 and 9-year-olds busy and happy. The zones concept meant finding something new every day. We thought big ships would feel crowded but the layout prevented that. Can't wait to try Mardi Gras next!
Ship: Carnival Celebration | Destination: Caribbean | December 2023Cruised Carnival Breeze to the Eastern Caribbean for under $400 including port fees. That's insane value. The Havana cabins sold out but my balcony was perfect. BlueIguana Cantina for free? Guy's Burgers for free? The included food alone justified the price. Comedy shows had me crying laughing. Serenity kept me sane on sea days. Can't understand why anyone pays three times more elsewhere.
Ship: Carnival Breeze | Destination: Eastern Caribbean | February 2024Jubilee from Galveston was fantastic overall. BOLT, the zones, and dining options impressed us. A few issues: some staff still learning the new ship, Cozumel tendering took forever, and the Emeril restaurant was booked solid. We loved the Texas energy on this ship. Pig & Anchor smokehouse was divine. Would absolutely sail again once they work out kinks.
Ship: Carnival Jubilee | Destination: Western Caribbean | January 2024First solo cruise at 50 on Carnival Magic. Was nervous but everyone was so friendly. Made friends at the piano bar, joined trivia teams, and danced at deck parties. Fahrenheit 555 was worth the splurge for a treat-yourself dinner. The crew remembered my name by day two. Sea days flew by between the spa and pool deck. Already booked my next solo adventure.
Ship: Carnival Magic | Destination: Caribbean | October 2023