Table Of Content

A Carnival passenger taking seven-night cruises will hit the Platinum level during their 11th sailing. Sail a few longer voyages, like a transatlantic sailing, and you could reach it even sooner. In addition, vessels offer extra-charge laundry and, on select ships, dry cleaning services. On most ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in casinos and nightclubs. On Carnival ships in Australia, smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. Carnival also offers dedicated tween and teen programs on ships for children aged 12 to 17.
Final Thoughts on Best Carnival Cruises for Families
Carnival ships are all about fun in a very laid-back, unpretentious, nothing-too-fancy sort of way. A four-day trip from Miami to the Caribbean might cost under $200 for an interior cabin while a 10-day trip from Sydney, Australia to the Great Barrier Reef might start at $450 and go up from there. The Wanderlust Project is a website that offers all the info you need for your next cruise trips. With over 7 years of experience in the cruise industry, she brings a blend of insightful reporting and firsthand cruising knowledge. You can head to the Taste Bar, which is a neat little place where you can try appetizers from the ship’s specialty dining spots for free.
Final Thoughts on the Best Carnival Cruise Ship Choices

You can eat at Cucina del Capitano or Jiji Asian Kitchen, among several others, like the Guy Fieri-inspired choices mentioned on Carnival Breeze as well. The Carnival cruise line doesn’t disappoint with the Carnival Horizon. If you decide to board this vessel, you can look forward to plenty of entertainment. These two onboard restaurants were inspired by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and both offer delicious meals.
Carnival Horizon — Overall Score: 9.7/10
Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Triumph) features an exciting splash zone for kids and a piano bar where adults can sing along to their favorite songs all night. The ship sails on two to five-night and six to nine-night cruises from Miami, Florida, to the Bahamas. During my recent sailing, I found all the Carnival classics, like the Alchemy Bar and Guy’s Burger Joint, a thrilling ropes course, dive-in movies, and plenty of themed deck parties. Rent cabanas or lounge in the ocean-view whirlpools at Loft 19, where attentive staff take care of everything, like delivering you fruit and chilled towels. My favorite spot to hang out was the aft Patio Pool because it wasn't ever super crowded, and the view of the ocean was unmatched. Before committing to a cruise, I break down the price per person per night, particularly if I need multiple cabins because I'm traveling with a group.
Which cruise line is best? Fans say why they prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival - Royal Caribbean Blog
Which cruise line is best? Fans say why they prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival.
Posted: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Whether it’s sushi that you’re craving or a classic burger, the ship has a dining venue to match. However, while the options are plenty, there’s room for improvement in the main dining room, as per some travelers. The best Carnival Cruise ships are not dependent on which one offers the best overall experience. Gearing your journey to reflect the tastes of everyone going aboard will make for the greatest excitement.
Introduced in 2016, Carnival Vista brings a fresh perspective to the Carnival fleet. We think it’s one of the best Carnival Cruises for families — it’s designed to ensure every member of the family, from toddlers to grandparents, has an unforgettable experience. The ship’s Clubhouse features indoor activities like mini-bowling and arcade games, while the SkyRide lets you pedal your way around an elevated track, offering panoramic sea views. Launched in July 2021, Carnival Mardi Gras is a nod to Carnival’s rich legacy, blending both entertainment and innovation. This floating marvel is divided into six immersive zones, each offering a distinct flavor of fun. Young explorers can head to the Ultimate Playground, home to a roller coaster that offers breathtaking views as it races across the ship.
The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
She’s one of the best Carnival ships if you want to relax on board. With that in mind, I set about ranking all of the Carnival ships in the fleet from best to worst. Everyone loves a good ranked list, and this is a great opportunity to remind everyone of what makes Carnival such a popular cruise line – and identify which ships are best for you. Of all the ocean cruise lines, Carnival’s fleet is one of the biggest. There are currently 27 ships in the fleet, from the oldest still in operation (Carnival Sunshine) right up to Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Firenze, the newest in the fleet.
Carnival Panorama — Overall Score: 9.8/10
Best Cruise Ships for Families in 2024 - Cruiseline.com
Best Cruise Ships for Families in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:27:13 GMT [source]
Accommodations also received an upgrade during the refurbishment. The Cloud 9 Spa rooms, for instance, offer guests exclusive spa access and special amenities. Overall, you can expect a better experience overall than what you would’ve gotten on Triumph.
What Is the Best Carnival Cruise Ship?
It’s well maintained and offers a good mix of itineraries across the Caribbean and Central America from Texas. So remember, this is still subjective but it’s based on cruise passenger experiences, and all of the ships are at least “good”. Deciding whether drink packages are a deal for you depends on your consumption habits. If you usually drink a soda or two a day, it's tempting to buy the soda package, to simplify things. But you could save money because under Carnival's policies, you can bring up to twelve cans of soda onboard on embarkation day. If, however, you also plan to drink a few alcoholic beverages per day, the Cheers drink package would include the sodas and cover the cost of beer, glasses of wine, and cocktails (up to $20 menu price).

Those don’t always come in the form of additional cruise ship expenses but purchases made while at your destination. You want to enjoy your holiday and not be concerned about being strapped for cash. Therefore, it is a good idea to plan ahead and bring some extra money just in case. Carnival's fun-focused, affordable ships are a popular pick with families looking to visit Alaska during the short Alaska cruise season, which lasts roughly from May to September. Head to the main theater for enchanting live performances and shows every night, enjoy tacos and burgers on the pool decks, or find a lounge chair around the pool and soak up the sun. Carnival Freedom is ideal for first-time cruisers because of the lower guest capacity and the smaller ship size.
This is, after all, the brand that for many years held a Hairy Chest Contest around the pool deck on every voyage, to a standing-room-only, hooting and hollering crowd. For cruises longer than 15 days, depending on the destination, guests may be required to provide proof of vaccination and/or a negative test prior to embarkation. Earn 20,000 FunPoints after your first purchase or balance transfer, which is worth a $200 statement credit towards your next cruise.
Carnival’s fan-favorite dining options and amenities, like Guy’s Burger Joint and WaterWorks, will be on board. When you plan to travel on a cruise to some of the best places to visit across the world, consider these fine ships to have an amazing time on. You can cruise to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, or even breathtaking Hawaii, among other gorgeous destinations. You have the option of traveling for just two days or being aboard for more than ten days. With that in mind, one ship that offers slightly more exclusive options is Carnival Horizon — the second vessel in Carnival's three-ship Vista class.
I recommend you take advantage of Carnival's convenient 24-hour reservation hold, which displays the total cost, itinerary, and a countdown timer so you know when to purchase to secure the locked-in price. Carnival Dream is actually the pioneer of the Dream class of cruise ships that includes Carnival Breeze. This Carnival cruise ship also offers the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat as the perfect place to relax.
There are also some late-night shows to watch and delectable dining opportunities on offer. It also has pool areas where you can spend time winding down and relaxing. There are many options you can choose from to enjoy your stay in, including a family harbor, balcony, or suite. Of course, each specific cruise ship travels to specific destinations at a given time of the year or season, so it’s best to check on sites like Expedia, Orbitz, or Cruise Direct.
Plus, to top off your evening, enjoy a Dive-in Movie, which is their mash-up of Hollywood meets islands. At least a couple of Carnival ships typically sail to Bermuda every year between May and October. Carnival offers a broad range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from no fewer than 11 U.S. ports. Be sure to check Expedia, Orbitz, or Cruise Direct to get the best cruise deals for your next trip.