Sunday, March 31, 2024

Upcoming Carnival Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries + Activities on Cruise Critic

carniva cruise ship

Still, you'll find a lot of the classic Carnival "fun ship" attractions on these vessels including water play areas with waterslides, miniature golf courses and adults-only Serenity deck-top retreat areas. Carnival Splendor is an outlier in the Carnival fleet — a ship that makes up a class all its own. That said, it has a lot in common with the ships of Carnival's Conquest-class ships (see below). The ships in this class hold 3,646 to 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy. The Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels.

Balcony

Most of these six ships (all but Carnival Venezia) have an a la carte barbecue-and-beer joint called Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, too. For the most part, Carnival ships sail relatively short voyages of three to eight nights. Retired travelers have all the time in the world to take longer cruises, which generally allow them to visit more far-flung locales. Those trips can come with a substantial price tag, which is why, as a budget option, Carnival is such a great choice.

The Carnival Cruise Line fleet

Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, which officially are Vista-class ships, also have Imax theaters — the first in the cruise industry. Carnival Panorama, also a Vista-class ship, instead has the first trampoline park ever put on a cruise ship, in a partnership with Sky Zone. In general, Carnival's biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. Six of the 27 vessels Carnival will operate by the summer of 2024 measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost mid-size by today's cruise ship standards. Carnival has earned the title “America’s Cruise Line” as they sail from more U.S. ports than any other cruise line. 50% of the population in the U.S. can drive to a Carnival homeport in five hours or less.

Captain's Suite

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Each group has its own age-appropriate activities ranging from face painting to pirate adventures. On many ships there are extensive dedicated spaces for the different groups. In short, there's a ton to do up top on Carnival vessels — and it's almost all available to every passenger on board the vessels at no extra charge (the roller coaster is the only exception). When it comes to raucous, though, nothing on Carnival ships quite compares to the frequent karaoke nights on board. Sometimes held in a secondary lounge or a shipboard pub, karaoke on Carnival draws a big crowd. Passengers come prepared with rehearsed songs and sometimes even their own guitars.

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Carnival Vista

That said, Carnival has seen the success that some of its competitors have had with a bigger range of upscale accommodations, and it's eyeing more suites for future vessels. The new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each have 180 suites — more than twice the number of Carnival's other recent ships. That actually works in its favor if you're a retiree who enjoys smaller ships and vintage design — in this case, more artwork and decor by Farcus. A great contender for the title of best Carnival ship for singles is Carnival Sunrise.

Dream class

A private yacht it’s not… but leave the sailing to us — you’d rather be relaxing anyway. All Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy not only exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, but more great perks around the ship.

carniva cruise ship

Note that three of the line's newest ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia — do not have launderettes. Carnival fans are quite peeved about this, and you should be, too. Note that you'll be charged a $15 corkage fee if you want to bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage. Passengers can learn to cook everything from Carnival's classic warm chocolate melting cake to its popular saffron risotto during one- to two-hour classes that cost $30 to $59 per person. Other popular venues found on some Carnival ships include RedFrog Pub, which serves up Carnival's tasty housemade beers on tap, as well as plenty of other choices.

Havana Premium Vista Balcony

Carnival Sunshine originally debuted in 1996 as Carnival Destiny. Carnival Destiny was the first passenger cruise ship ever built over 100,000 gross tons in size. The 3,002 passenger ship is currently 102,853 gross tons after the remodel. The first Dream class ship from Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Dream was the first Carnival ship to be over 120,000 gross tons in size.

This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points on dining. It's not uncommon to find Carnival voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico starting well under $100 per person, per night including all taxes and fees — at least in the offseason. Members earn one point for every night they sail on one of the line's ships.

The vessel is 92,720 gross tons, has a passenger capacity of 2,826, and a crew capacity of 926. The Carnival cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 130,000, a guest capacity of 3,690 at double occupancy, and a crew capacity of 1,367. The ship, which was constructed by Fincantieri is 133,500 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 3,934 at double occupancy and 1,450 international crew members. She is the first Vista-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line and was the first new-class vessel since Carnival Dream in 2009.

Every Carnival ship has one big theater where you'll often find flashy, fast-paced production shows that string together a medley of loosely related tunes. Designed to be quick and digestible, they typically last around 30 minutes and have relatively small casts (just eight on some ships). Carnival trips are all about letting loose and having a good time.

Note that one of the Spirit-class ships, Carnival Luminosa, was originally built for Costa Cruises, a sister line to Carnival (it originally sailed under the name Costa Luminosa). The vessel was built to the same basic specifications as the four Spirit-class vessels built for Carnival in this class, although it is a tad bigger and can hold a few more passengers. In addition to being smaller than Vista-class and Dream-class ships, Conquest-class ships also sail with fewer passengers.

There was huge anticipation for the Carnival Vista on her features and design. She entered service in 2016 and was named by godmother Miss USA, Deshauna Barber. Carnival Elation is currently the fleet's oldest ship, debuting in March 1998, and the only cruise ship from any cruise line that sails from Jacksonville, Florida. Even though the ship is small, with a total guest capacity of 2,606, it’s ideal for a quick weekend away if you want a mix of relaxation and high-energy activities. I've sailed the most on Carnival Elation since the ship sails from my hometown of Jacksonville.

Most men, however, opt for long pants and collared shirts, while women don sundresses, or a skirt or pants with a blouse. Carnival ships are all about fun, in a lively, let's-not-take-this-too-seriously sort of way. As you might expect, pricing for ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.

Formerly Carnival Triumph, the ship was completely gutted, overhauled and renamed in 2019. Although it originally debuted in 1999, it feels fresh and nearly new. It offers the line's signature Serenity adults-only sun deck, RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and a slew of lounges, nightclubs and daily activities. We've built a lot of ships over the years, but for a truly unique experience at sea, you've gotta see Carnival Vista. Carnival Vista has a whole new relationship to the sea, and you get to experience this as you explore the Caribbean with all-new views. On the entertainment side of things, Carnival Liberty features two of our best, live on stage.

Carnival Cruise Line guide: Everything to know about ships, itineraries and more

carniva cruise ship

The Carnival ship became the first in the new Sunshine class after completing a major bow-to-stern transformation in November 2013. The vessel has become completely new after previously being named Carnival Destiny, which originally entered service in 1996. You could call the Carnival Venezia half new, as she was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises in 2023 and sailed her inaugural voyage as part of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet on May 29, 2023. The ship underwent a huge multi-million-dollar transformation in Cadiz, Spain, but still kept with her Italian traditional decor. In 2001, the new Panamax size Spirit class debuted with the Carnival Spirit, the first of the four-ship class within the Carnival fleet.

Ocean View (Obstructed View)

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Mardi Gras' new sister ship, Carnival Celebration, is also a fantastic option in this category, offering a nearly identical experience (with just a few changes in the names and themes of specific venues). See how your selections stack up, or go back for some new ships to compare. Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Venezia also have teppanyaki restaurants, and all four ships have dedicated chef's tables located within their galleys. Carnival Magic debuted in 2011 and has the same dimensions and passenger capacity as Carnival Breeze. Carnival Cruise Line officialy took control of the ship from Costa at the shipyard in Cadiz, Spain in February 2024. She’s the second “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ship, following int he footsteps of sister Carnival Venzia.

Carnival Jubilee

Carnival claims to draw more children than any other cruise line. So perhaps it makes sense that it has one of the most extensive children's programs at sea. The line has formal children's programming and activities for children as young as 2 years old through the age of 17. Carnival Panorama also houses Carnival's first cooking classroom. On one of Carnival's newest ships, Carnival Panorama, there's no RedFrog Pub, but the Smokehouse Brewhouse has a stage that's home to live music nightly and some of the ship's karaoke sessions.

Ocean Suite

First there's Playlist Productions™, where pros sing and dance their hearts out, performing high-energy themed revues of tunes you know, backed by amazing visual effects. Then there's Punchliner™ Comedy Club where you'll find some real pros who know how to wedge a little laughter into anyone’s evening. Kids have three unique youth spaces where they can hang out with others their age and enjoy supervised activities, games and more. This is one ship that’s ready to put its fun where your vacation is, with plenty of ways to enjoy your time away. Carnival has quite a few different classes of ships, but the differences between many of them aren't as big as the differences between classes at other lines. Carnival spent $200 million alone in 2019 overhauling Carnival Sunrise.

Havana Premium Vista Balcony

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Carnival Dream – 2009

You'll also find a solid array of eateries on each of the ships including a Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlets and steakhouses. Two of the three ships — Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream — also have sushi eateries, while Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic have Carnival's Caribbean-inspired watering hole, RedFrog Pub. The Carnival Glory is the second ship built in the hugely popular Conquest-class. She was constructed by Fincantieri in Italy and cost $500 million. Carnival Mircale is the latest ship in the Spirit-class from Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel was constructed in Helsinki, Finland and was completed in 2004.

Night Mexican Riviera Cruise

All Carnival cruises go to great spots — what sets each ship apart is how it gets you there. Every one of our ships features its own unique twist on Carnival-style fun. Carnival Glory returned to service today in Barcelona following a 21-day dry dock. The ship is setting sail on a 14-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic cruise to the ship’s new homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla.

carniva cruise ship

All Havana Cabana cruisers get access to an exclusive lanai and pool deck. With a suite booking, you'll also receive priority embarkation and disembarkation. Choosing a Carnival cruise ship is no simple task, especially if you're new to cruising. As one of the largest cruise brands in the world, Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, offering everything from megaship adventures to smaller-ship experiences. Many variables — price, embarkation dates, travel companions, ship size and amenities, and destination — can shape the way you make your choice. That said, the two remaining Fantasy-class ships have undergone renovations over the years to add more balcony cabins.

On the vast majority of Carnival ships, there's not just a single waterslide but a whole water park area. Dubbed WaterWorks, these areas vary in size and features from vessel to vessel. They typically have one or two big waterslides (sometimes three!), a play zone with interactive water features and a large, continuously filling dump bucket that periodically soaks everybody within range.

BlueIguana is a Chipotle-style restaurant, with yummy made-to-order burritos and tacos. Created in partnership with Food Network's Guy Fieri, Guy's Burger Joint offers burgers that beat anything you'll find around the pool on other mass-market ships and even most luxury vessels. Design-wise, Carnival's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish. Cabins on recently unveiled or overhauled vessels have a soothing palette of creams and blues. Cabinetry in these rooms is a crisp and clean faux wood, and cabin bathrooms are neutral.

More ships leaving from a specific port means more competition, which can drive prices lower. If a traditional suite is more your style, consider a Grand Suite, which includes priority embarkation, disembarkation and dining times, as well as access to the Havana pool area. Note, however, that Grand Suites run only 345 square feet with 85-square-foot balconies — disappointing when you consider some of Royal Caribbean's largest rooms are nearly five times that size. For digs that include pampering, try a Cloud 9 Spa cabin to receive extras like complimentary thermal suite access and two free yoga or Pilates classes. As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Liberty, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury, just in a smaller package. In a Carnival Liberty Junior Suite you'll find everything there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, a full-size balcony...

The makeovers of the ships, which began in 2013, were so thorough that Carnival has given each of the vessels a new name. Carnival Sunshine is what old-time Carnival fans will remember as Carnival Destiny. Carnival Radiance is the ship that began life as Carnival Victory. These are also the ships that Carnival uses for winter sailings to the Caribbean from Baltimore, which can involve a day or two of cold and stormy sailing in the Atlantic. Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama also feature Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano, as well as JiJi Asian Kitchen, while Carnival Venezia has an Italian restaurant called Il Viaggio.

Terrazza staterooms access a private sun deck with whirlpools and a bar. Carnival’s fan-favorite dining options and amenities, like Guy’s Burger Joint and WaterWorks, will be on board. A Dreams Photography Studio was also added and upgrades were made to the ship’s spa. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.

Note that the Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels. As noted above, the line has ordered another sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration that will be ready to sail in late 2023. Where you won't find Carnival ships, notably, is in Asia, South America or, for the most part, Europe. Unlike other big cruise brands such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, Carnival doesn't spread its vessels around the world to draw a fly-in crowd. Aimed squarely at Americans, its trips are all about cruising close to home at a reasonable price.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

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