Overview

  • Founded: 1972

  • Ships in Fleet: 25+

  • Style: Casual, high-energy, family-friendly

  • Best For: Budget travelers, families, first-time cruisers

  • Vibe: Loud, fun, colorful, party-like

  • Tagline: “Choose Fun”

Why Carnival?

  • Affordable prices with tons of value

  • Water slides, comedy clubs, live music, and pool parties

  • Great kids clubs and family options

  • Wide variety of casual dining options

  • Sailings from more U.S. ports than any other line

Top Destinations

Loyalty Program

Carnival Rewards (June, 2026)

  • Dual-Earning Structure

  • Earn Points (redeemable for cruises, spa, dining, excursions, Wi‑Fi, etc.) and

  • Stars (these determine your status tier)

  • Full details HERE

Atmosphere

Carnival’s vibe is all about fun, energy, and letting loose. From poolside DJs and deck parties to spontaneous dance-offs and drink specials, this is where casual meets carnival. Think flip-flops, frozen drinks, and a crowd that came to have a good time—not impress anyone.

Cabins

Carnival offers a variety of cabins that are simple, comfortable, and budget-friendly, with options for every type of traveler. Choose from cozy interiors, oceanviews, balconies, or suite upgrades. Some ships also feature Havana Cabana suites with private patios or Family Harbor rooms for groups. Clean, functional, and perfect for unwinding between the action.

Food & Drink

From Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina to 24/7 pizza and endless buffets, Carnival keeps the food fun, fast, and satisfying. Upscale your meals with steakhouse dining, sushi, or teppanyaki—and don’t miss the chocolate melting cake. Drink-wise? The CHEERS! package keeps the party going with cocktails, beer, wine, soda, and specialty coffee.

Entertainment

Whether you’re into game shows, stand-up comedy, water slides, or karaoke, Carnival packs the schedule with something for everyone. There’s live music, dance clubs, Broadway-style productions, and the ever-popular Love & Marriage Show. For the adrenaline crowd, check out ropes courses, mini-golf, and onboard thrill rides like the BOLT roller coaster.

Itineraries

Carnival sails to more home ports across the U.S. than any other line, making it easy to cruise without flying far. Popular routes include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and Alaska, plus select sailings to Europe, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal. Cruises range from short 3-day getaways to longer adventures.

Top Highlights

  • Affordable pricing with great value

  • Guy’s Burger Joint and other foodie favorites

  • Lively deck parties and nightlife

  • Extensive kids & teen programs

  • WaterWorks slides, Serenity adults-only area, and Cloud 9 Spa

  • A massive fleet with new innovations like the BOLT roller coaster

Ready to Set Sail with Carnival?

Let’s build your perfect cruise.

Fleet by Class

Fantasy Class (72,000 gross tons)

Small, classic ships with a more intimate, old-school cruise vibe.

Sunshine Class (102,000 gross tons)

Former Destiny-class ships transformed with modern features and brighter design.

Carnival Sunshine (originally launched 1996, reimagined 2013)

Carnival Sunrise (originally launched 1999, reimagined 2019)

Carnival Radiance (originally launched 2000, reimagined 2021)

Spirit Class (86,000 gross tons)

Designed for scenic cruising with lots of windows and smaller port access.

Conquest Class (110,000 gross tons)

Classic Carnival fun on mid-size ships with vibrant decor and plenty to do.

Splendor Class (114,000 gross tons)

A one-off class with a unique layout and bold personality.

Spirit Hybrid (93,000 gross tons)

A Vista-style experience on a smaller platform for global cruising.

Carnival Luminosa (2009, joined Carnival in 2022)

Dream Class (128,000 gross tons)

Spacious ships that brought waterslides, expanded dining, and seaside fun to the fleet.

Vista Class (134,000 gross tons)

Modern ships with sky rides, breweries, and more balcony staterooms.

Carnival Vista (2016)

Carnival Horizon (2018)

Carnival Panorama (2019)

Carnival Venezia (2023) (Italian-inspired Fun Ship 2.0)

Carnival Firenze (2024) (Also Italian-themed, from Costa Cruises)

Excel Class (183,000 gross tons)

Carnival’s newest and largest LNG-powered mega-ships packed with innovation.

Adventure Class (109,000 gross tons)

Refreshed ships from P&O Australia offering a new twist on classic cruising.

Carnival Adventure (ex–Pacific Adventure, joining in 2025)

Carnival Encounter (ex–Pacific Encounter, joining in 2025)