Everything You Need To Know About Carnival Cruise
Carnival is one of the world’s biggest cruise lines by passenger capacity, with 27 ships that together offer nearly 90,000 berths. In general, these are big ships. However, with a handful of exceptions, they’re not giants by today’s standards.
Only three of the line’s vessels — the recently built Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — make the list of the world’s 20 biggest cruise ships. Each measures around 180,000 tons and can hold about 5,300 passengers at double occupancy. But after that, there isn’t a single Carnival ship in the list of the world’s 50 biggest ships.
The line’s next-biggest vessel, the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia, measures just 135,225 tons. That’s about 46% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean.
Seven of the line’s 27 vessels measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost midsize by today’s cruise ship standards. The arrival of Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee over the past four years has marked a major turning point for the line. At around 180,000 tons, they are roughly 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ship. And they’re just the first of a series of new, bigger ships coming to the brand.
Two more sister ships in the same series are on order for 2027 and 2028, respectively. And Carnival has ordered three even bigger ships to arrive between 2029 and 2033. At around 230,000 tons, the three bigger ships on order will be about 25% bigger than any vessel currently in the Carnival fleet. That’ll put them among the very biggest cruise ships in the world. Perhaps even more notably, these three new ships will be able to hold nearly 8,000 passengers with every berth filled.
The 27 Carnival ships currently in operation can be broken down into eight classes: Fantasy, Spirit, Conquest, Splendor, Dream, Sunshine, Vista/Venezia and Excel. Many of those classes have a lot in common. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival doesn’t always drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.
Carnival is all about cruises from U.S. ports. You'll find at least one of its ships sailing out of pretty much every major port city around the country. It's rare to find them based anywhere else.
Carnival operates out of major cruise hubs including Port Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida, Galveston, Texas, Long Beach, California, New Orleans, and Seattle. Additionally, Carnival ships can be found in secondary ports such as Baltimore, Mobile, Alabama, Jacksonville, Tampa, and San Francisco. The deployment strategy is designed so that a large percentage of the U.S. population can easily reach a Carnival ship by car, minimizing the need for flights.
Carnival primarily offers short voyages, ranging from three to eight nights. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ships typically sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, with some heading to Bermuda, New England, and Canada. West Coast sailings include destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Carnival also provides Panama Canal voyages and occasionally deploys ships to Europe for brief periods, often coinciding with scheduled shipyard overhauls. In recent years, two Carnival vessels have been stationed in Australia, operating from Sydney and Brisbane for the local market, though American travelers are also welcome. In 2025, Carnival’s Australian operations will expand as the brand absorbs P&O Cruises Australia, a line focused on the Australian market.
Carnival is the undisputed leader among North America-based cruise brands when it comes to affordability, which makes it popular with vacationers on a budget.
Carnival is known for its lively, fun-filled atmosphere, making it a popular choice for those looking to relax and enjoy themselves. The typical Carnival guest includes working professionals such as teachers, nurses, firefighters, and contractors, along with families and retirees, making it a vacation destination for all ages.
Carnival’s accommodations primarily consist of three main types: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, and balcony cabins, with fewer suites available compared to other cruise lines. For example, each ship in the Vista Class series has fewer than 75 suites, while the Conquest Class ships offer around 50 suites, and the older Fantasy Class vessels have just 28 suites and 26 junior suites. This focus on affordability reflects Carnival’s appeal to guests seeking great value rather than luxurious, high-priced suites.
In general, Carnival ships are among the most affordable at sea. It's not uncommon to find Carnival voyages to the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Mexico starting well under $100 per person, per night, including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason.
As of 2025, seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises departing from Long Beach, California, are priced starting at $509 per person, which includes all taxes and fees. This works out to about $73 per night, per person for accommodations, transportation, and meals.
Prices tend to be lower during the offseason, particularly in September, October, and parts of November.
Booking early is often the key to securing the best prices, as cruise reservations typically fill up much faster than flights or hotels. Many guests find that the best fares are available when cruises are first released for sale, sometimes as much as two years before departure, and early bookings increase the chances of selecting the preferred cabin type and location.
While onboard, additional charges apply for drinks, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, shore excursions, and internet access, unless bundled into a pre-purchased package. However, most onboard activities, such as shows and deck-top attractions, are included in the cruise fare.
Like other big-ship operators, Carnival packs a lot of dining options onto its vessels — some included in the price, some at an extra charge.
Each Carnival ship features two main dining rooms and a casual buffet called the Lido, where meals are included in the fare. For dinner in the main dining room, guests can choose between Your Time Dining (dine whenever you want) or Traditional Dining (with a fixed time and table).
In addition to the main options, most ships offer popular quick-serve dining spots like BlueIguana Cantina, serving made-to-order burritos and tacos, and Guy’s Burger Joint, a burger joint created with Food Network’s Guy Fieri, offering some of the best burgers at sea.
Extra-charge dining venues include the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse ($49 per person) and Cucina del Capitano ($24 per person), which offers Italian cuisine and lively entertainment. Other specialty eateries include Bonsai sushi, JiJi Asian Kitchen ($24 per person), and Bonsai Teppanyaki ($42 for dinner), available on some of the newest ships. Additionally, the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse serves smoked barbecue and brews its own craft beers, available on several ships. Despite its budget pricing, Carnival consistently impresses with food quality, offering standout dining experiences, even in its no-extra-charge venues.
Carnival ships may not offer as many features as larger vessels from Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, but they still provide a wide range of attractions, including multiple entertainment venues, casinos, spas, and fun deck-top areas like water parks and ropes courses.
There is always something happening on board, from lively production shows in the main theater to comedy acts, magic performances, and interactive game shows. The main theater hosts flashy, fast-paced production shows that are short and entertaining, typically lasting around 30 minutes with smaller casts, offering a lively experience.
Carnival is also known for interactive shows like Lip Sync Battle Carnival and Hasbro, the Game Show, where passengers can participate in giant versions of popular games. The Punchliner Comedy Clubs are a highlight, offering top comedians and late-night adult-only performances.
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