Carnival Cruises Ships

There are 27 Carnival Cruises ships where excitement, entertainment, and fun are guaranteed. Get ready to dive headfirst into the fun onboard a Carnival Cruises ship, prepare for supreme relaxation in the Cloud 9 Spa, enjoy hand-crafted cocktails at the Alchemy Bar, ride the Bolt: the ultimate sea coaster, delight your tasting buds with fine dining and tasty comfort food options on one of their +40 venues, get ready for an incredible night playing Deal or no Deal, Family Feud Live or dance the night away in the ship's Nightclub. Whichever mood you are in, Carnival Cruise ships have something to offer to all kinds of cruisers!

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Carnival Cruises Ships by Size

The biggest, most thrilling, and boldest adventures at sea usually occur on the biggest cruise ships, Carnival Cruises is no exception. Not sold yet? How many other cruise lines do you know that feature a roller coaster onboard? This is exclusive to Carnival Cruises ships; Bolt: the ultimate sea coaster rivals even the best coaster you could find at your favorite amusement park. Carnival Cruises ships are also great for pampering and treating yourself thanks to their spas, fitness, and wellness centers that boast state-of-the-art facilities. The more restaurants, the hungrier. Maybe that's not how the saying goes but Carnival Cruise ships have a great offer of 10+ dining venues per ship, of course, the bigger they ship, the more restaurants you can expect to find inside. Feeling too full after eating a delicious meal? No problem! Consider going for a "bike" ride on the Skyride, although SkyRide is also completely unlike riding a bike, because when was the last time you biked around a ship, high above the deck and even higher above the sparkling blue sea? If you are hungry for big adventures, excitement, relaxation, and great food, Carnival Cruises might be what you're looking for!

Newest Carnival Cruises Ships

Carnival Cruises Ship Classes

Carnival Cruise Line has a total of 9 different categories; all 27 ships in the fleet fall into these categories. The newest Carnival Cruise ships are, at the same time, the biggest and most amenity-packed. Some activities, restaurants, and staterooms are exclusive to certain classes.

• Fantasy Class: There are only two ships in this class that are still active as of now Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation - both of them built in the late '90s. Because of their smaller size, these two ships are only used in secondary ports, and they hold a little over 2,000 guests at max occupancy. This class of ships doesn't have the newest and most enticing amenities such as the coasters or water slides, the dining venues and options are also limited and the amount of balcony staterooms available is very low - most cabins are ocean view or have portholes. Regardless of their age and limitations, these ships are still a great option to enjoy a nice vacation.
• Spirit Class: This class is comprised of Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, and Carnival Luminosa, all these ships have retractable domes on the pool deck so that guests can still enjoy the pools and other amenities regardless of the weather. This ship class sails to Alaska, Australia, and the Caribbean during winter. Spirit Class ships are somewhat bigger than Fantasy Class ships but are still towards the smaller side of Carnival Cruise Ships. Last but not least, this class also boasts the highest percentage of balcony and oceanview staterooms in the Carnival fleet.
• Conquest Class: All 5 ships in this class have a gross tonnage of 110,00 tons and are labeled as mid-sized ships by the cruising community. Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Freedom are part of this class - all commissioned in the early 2000s. Ships in the Conquest Class accommodate almost 3,000 guests at full capacity, making it a great option for people who don't enjoy big crowds. The Conquest Class also has areas with waterslides, miniature golf courses, and adult-only zones for maximum relaxation.
• Splendor Class: There is only one ship in this class - Carnival Splendor. Splendor Class is also the only class in Carnival Cruises' fleet comprised of only one vessel. Carnival Splendor is very similar to all the ships in Conquest Class, the main and biggest difference being the enlarged and redesigned top deck, the main pool onboard has a retractable, sliding glass roof. Carnival Splendor has the same amenities and facilities you can expect onboard Conquest Class ships while having a slightly higher occupancy than ships on that class.
• Dream Class: Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Breeze are the three ships that make up the Dream Class. This class features waterslides, miniature golf courses, multiple pools, and sports courts for cruisers who want to make friends while playing basketball or volleyball. The entertainment venues such as the comedy club, the piano bars, the casino, and the onboard theater are all great spots to visit and enjoy a fun and exciting night. With a gross tonnage of 130,00 tons, the dining options are also more varied and offer fine dining, treats, and comfort food.
• Sunshine Class: This ship class has been refurbished and almost rebuilt completely; Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Radiance were originally built and commissioned in the late 90s - early 2000s, making them some of the oldest ships in the Carnival fleet, but not necessarily the most outdated, on the contrary, they have some of the newest facilities on the entire fleet. This whole makeover brought more staterooms and a higher max occupancy as well as more dining venues that can also be found on bigger Carnival Cruise ships such as Carnival's signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, or Carnival's signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano. Newer amenities like the Sports Square or a mini-golf course onboard are also now available in the Sunshine Class ships.
• Vista Class: The ships on the Vista Class are amongst the biggest ones in the Carnival Cruise Line's fleet. With a gross tonnage of 133,500 tons, Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Panorama can accommodate more than 3,900 guests at max occupancy. These ships are equipped with the first IMAX theater at sea, which allows for outdoor movie nights and some quality time with your loved ones. Vistas Class ships have a mini-golf course, SkyCourse rope courses, WaterWorks aqua parks, and the SkyRide. The dining options are countless, you find Guy's Burger Joint and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse onboard plus a ton of bars and lounges to enjoy your favorite cocktails. Carnival Panorama has the Sky Zone, a trampoline park that replaces the IMAX movie theater.
• Venice Class: This class is the latest one in the Carnival fleet and, as of 2024, includes only two sister ships; Carnival Venzia and Carnival Firenze, commissioned in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Despite being a class on its own, Venice Class ships are very similar to Vista Class ships, the main difference lying in the Italian-inspired design not only for the decor and the interiors but also for some dishes and other menu items across the wide variety of dining venues found onboard.
• Excel Class: This is Carnival's biggest class as of 2024. The ships in this class have a gross tonnage of over 180,000 tons, making Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee the biggest and best-equipped ships in the entire fleet. These ships are packed with fun, adventures, excitement, and great food, of course! Excel Class ships feature two new dining venues: Big Chicken a restaurant chain created by the one and only Shaquille O'Neal and the first Emeril Lagasse, a famous and well-known chef, restaurant at sea. Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster is also available onboard all ships from this class. They can accommodate more than 5,000 guests at max occupancy, making them the most crowded ships on the entire fleet.

Best Carnival Cruises Ships for Kids

All Carnival Cruises ships are family-friendly and suitable for kids. Fun is on every corner and there are always activities for the little ones to enjoy, from games and social activities to interactive and scientific workshops, all children traveling on a Carnival Cruise ship are guaranteed to have a blast! Carnival offers a nighttime nursery service so parents can enjoy their night out worry and stress-free.

These are the best Carnival Cruises ships for babies and toddlers, little kids, older kids, and teens and tweens.

• Carnival Jubilee: As of 2024, this is the newest, biggest, and boldest ship in the entire Carnival fleet, commissioned in 2023, the ship has a total gross tonnage of 182,800 tons, which allows it to be packed with thrilling activities, fun, and excitement! Kids aged 2-11 years old can enjoy a summer camp onboard their Carnival Cruise ship called Camp Ocean where they are divided into three groups according to their age: Penguins (2 - 5 years), Stingrays (6 - 8 years), and Sharks (9 - 11 years). Together with their group, they'll enjoy tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, games, toys, dancing, movies, and video games. Camp Ocean recently added a new program called Space Cruisers where kids get to learn about outer space and space exploration, it is a partnership between Carnival Cruise Line and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Carnival Jubilee also features a daycare and nighttime nursery program where parents can drop off their toddlers and make the best of their vacations and all of the amenities this vibrant and fun ship has to offer.
• Carnival Celebration: This ship is like a retreat of fun, activities, and games for some of the youngest cruisers onboard! Little kids can enjoy different Dr. Seuss-themed activities such as Seuss at Sea, Seuss-a-palooza Story Time, or Dr. Seuss Bookville. Carnival Celebration also features Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea, kids can now create a new companion to join them in all the fun and make new ever-lasting memories together. Is your little kid more on the energetic and playful side? If that's the case, Zumbini will surely be the perfect activity for them! Kids aged 2-5 years old will enjoy a 30-minute Zumba-tailored class for kids where they can expect Zumbini songs, activities, special instruments, and more, all in the name of movement. Carnival Celebration also features the Space Cruisers program.
• Carnival Sunshine: Older kids need more thrilling and exciting activities where fun is present every second, thankfully Carnival Sunshine is a synonym for thrill, excitement, and fun! Waterworks is Carnival's onboard waterpark and features 4 slides: the Twister Waterslide, Speedway Splash, DrainPipe, and Power Drencher; fun, splashes and great times are guaranteed! Feeling bold? The Rope Course is another exciting activity available on Carnival Sunshine for all thrill-seekers, especially older kids. What's better than completing this challenging course high above it all with some stunning views and the cooling sea breeze (and a safety harness, of course, safety is very important) while adrenaline rushes over your body?
• Carnival Panorama: Teens need their own space and most of them love socializing and meeting fellow teen cruisers, that's why Club O2 for ages 15-17 onboard Carnival Panorama is a social meeting point where teens can hang out and watch movies, listen to music, play video games or join in karaoke jam sessions. Tweens and teens alike can unleash their playful and competitive spirit at SportsSquare where they can join or assemble their dream team and play friendly basketball, volleyball, and even soccer matches against fellow cruisers. What's better than having fun and exercising at the same time? In the mood for partying all night long? The Nightclub is the venue to dance the night away and enjoy your favorite drinks while listening to the hottest tunes of the moment, tweens will love this place if they are a party animal at heart.

Best Carnival Cruises Ships for Adults

Depending on the age group, adults can be very different and each has their definition of cruising, usually younger adults prefer partying and more thrilling activities as they have more energy, on the other hand, elder adults may only want to unwind and relax in the spa and enjoy good food during their journey. Thankfully Carnival Cruises knows that and has adults (young and old) covered with different amenities that will surely speak to them.

These are the best Carnival Cruises ships for young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

• Carnival Jubilee: What's more exciting and fun than a rollercoaster at sea? Exactly, it doesn't get better than that! Carnival Jubilee features BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first rollercoaster at sea, and what makes it even more special is that you decide how fast you go, power is controlled with a throttle inside the cart. The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is also available on Carnival Jubilee, this exclusive spot is perfect for young couples to relax and chill in a calm setting away from all the action. Last but not least, young adults can start the night by attending the Punchliner Comedy Club and enjoying great stand-up comedy shows that are guaranteed to wedge a little laughter into their evening.
• Carnival Pride: Being one of the oldest ships in Carnival Cruises' fleet, Carnival Pride is also amongst the smallest ones, this means more intimate venues and spots to relax and enjoy a rejuvenating vacation for middle-aged adults and seniors looking to unwind and rest away from all the thrills and excitement. The Cloud 9 Spa is a synonym for relaxation, where guests can expect to have rejuvenating and relaxing massages, facial treatments, and other pampering services. Enjoying a good meal is one of the biggest pleasures in life, thankfully Carnival Pride features over 15 different dining venues where middle-aged adults and seniors can further elevate their cruising experience, what? 's better than relaxing and enjoying good food? Carnival Pride also offers longer sailings, which is perfect for middle-aged adults and seniors who have more free time on their hands.