Ocean Cruising · Contemporary

Carnival Cruise Line

The biggest line in North America, and usually the best value.

Carnival Cruise Line logo

Overview

Sailing with Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival carries more passengers than any other line in North America and sails from more home ports than anyone else, which usually means a shorter drive and no flight. High energy, playful theming, budget-friendly.

Good to know

  • Very family-friendly
  • Casual, budget-conscious
  • Shorter 3–7 night sailings common

What Makes Them Different

What sets Carnival Cruise Line apart

The most home ports of any line

The most home ports of any line

More departure cities than any competitor, so a cruise is often just a few hours’ drive away.

Guy Fieri’s actual burger joint

Guy Fieri’s actual burger joint

Guy’s Burger Joint is a real partnership, not just a licensed name on a menu.

Serenity adult-only retreats

A quieter adults-only deck on every ship, for when the Fun Ship energy gets to be a lot.

The Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line ship classes

Excel Class

Excel Class

Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, the newest and largest ships in the fleet, each built around BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.

  • BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster is the first roller coaster at sea, an 800-foot electric-powered track 187 feet above the water, hitting speeds up to 40 mph
  • The newest and largest Carnival ships, built with the most onboard variety in the fleet
  • A strong pick for groups who want maximum adrenaline built right into the ship
Vista Class

Vista Class

Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Panorama, mid-2010s ships that added the Seuss at Sea water park experience most families with kids gravitate toward.

  • Home to the first IMAX Theater at sea, a three-deck-high screen for the kind of movie night you cannot get on land
  • SkyRide suspends you on a pedal bike 150 feet above the sea along an 800-foot track
  • The Seuss at Sea experience is a big draw for families cruising with young kids
Dream Class

Dream Class

Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Breeze, slightly older ships still built at a scale that packs in a serious amount of onboard activity.

  • WaterWorks aqua park keeps kids and teens busy for a full sea day without repeating a slide
  • Slightly older ships still built at a scale that packs in serious onboard activity
  • Often available at a friendlier fare than Excel or Vista Class
Sunshine Class

Sunshine Class

Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Radiance, all originally built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, then completely gutted and rebuilt years later so they feel newer than their age suggests.

  • Ground-up rebuilds of an older hull, meaning modern features like the AquaTunnel and Twister waterslides on a ship that still feels intimate
  • SkyCourse ropes course and SportSquare add real activity without the newest-class price tag
  • A smart pick if you want current amenities without paying newest-class fares
Conquest Class

Conquest Class

A run of six ships, including Carnival Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty, Freedom, and Splendor, each around 110,000 gross tons and carrying close to 2,900 guests. The backbone of the mid-size fleet.

  • The three-deck Twister waterslide runs 214 feet, one continuous ride down the side of the ship
  • Carnival Conquest’s mural collage of backlit Murano glass flowers is one of the more striking design details in the fleet
  • The backbone of the mid-size fleet, a proven layout with strong availability across ports and dates

Next Step

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