Carnival Cruise Line
Fun, friendly and the easiest cruise to afford.
Casual and social.
What Carnival is like.
Carnival calls itself "The Fun Ships" and means it: casual dress, a lot of deck parties, comedy clubs, Guy Fieri burgers by the pool and a crowd that is there to have a good time rather than be impressed. It is the largest cruise line by passengers carried, and for a lot of American families it is the first cruise they ever take.
The big reason is geography. Carnival homeports in Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile, Charleston, Baltimore, Norfolk, New York, Long Beach, San Francisco and Seattle. Half the country can drive to a Carnival ship, which removes airfare from the budget and makes a long weekend at sea a realistic plan.
The fleet spans the newest Excel class (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee), with BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and six themed "zones," down to the Fantasy and Spirit classes that do short runs. The 2025 opening of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama gave Carnival a private destination to rival the other lines' islands, and Half Moon Cay remains one of the best beach days in the Caribbean.
Value is real but not automatic. Carnival's a la carte model means the fare is low and the extras are optional. We help you decide which extras matter (CHEERS! often does, Faster to the Fun often does not) and book excursions with independent operators where the ship's tours are overpriced.
Ship classes, and which one to pick.
Newer is not always better. The right ship depends on the itinerary, your group and what you want to do on a sea day.
Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Festivale (2027)
BOLT roller coaster, six zones, Emeril Lagasse restaurants, the best pool decks in the fleet.
Carnival Vista, Horizon, Panorama
SkyRide pedal track, IMAX theater on Vista, Havana cabins with a private pool area.
Carnival Dream, Magic, Breeze, Sunshine, Sunrise, Radiance
Mid-fleet workhorses on 6 to 8 night Caribbean routes; WaterWorks slides and Serenity adult retreat.
Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty, Freedom, Spirit, Legend, Miracle, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Firenze
Short cruises and Alaska; the Italian-built Venezia and Firenze carry the "Carnival Fun Italian Style" theme.
Celebration Key on Grand Bahama (opened 2025): the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean, Calypso and Starfish lagoons, Pearl Cove adults-only beach club (extra) and a mile of beach. Half Moon Cay, shared with Holland America, is a quieter classic.
Where Carnival goes, and what it typically costs.
Starting fares per person, double occupancy, before taxes, packages and flights. They move with season and demand; we price your exact dates.
| Itinerary | Nights | Sails from | Ports | Season | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas long weekend | 3 to 5 | Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Charleston | Nassau, Celebration Key or Half Moon Cay | Year round | from about $250 to $600 pp |
| Western Caribbean | 6 to 8 | Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa | Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize | Year round | from about $550 to $1,300 pp |
| Eastern Caribbean | 7 to 8 | Miami, Port Canaveral | Amber Cove, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan | Year round | from about $650 to $1,400 pp |
| Mexican Riviera | 5 to 7 | Long Beach, San Francisco | Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Ensenada | Year round, best Oct to Apr | from about $450 to $1,100 pp |
| Alaska | 7 | Seattle | Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Tracy Arm or glacier viewing | May to September | from about $800 to $1,700 pp |
Which cabin, and who should book it.
Carnival interiors are among the largest at sea (about 185 sq ft); ocean views add a picture window, some with floor-to-ceiling glass.
Groups that are out all day and want the lowest fare, or daylight for less than a balcony.
Standard veranda; Cove balconies sit low near the waterline and are cheaper and calmer.
Couples; Alaska; anyone who wants morning coffee outside.
Access to the Havana pool area, a Cuban-themed adults-only sundeck with its own bar.
Adults who want a quiet pool without paying suite prices.
Bigger rooms, priority boarding, Loft 19 private sundeck on Excel class.
Groups celebrating; the Excel Presidential suites are the largest at Carnival.
- Main dining room with Your Time or set dining
- Lido Marketplace buffet
- Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina
- Big Chicken (Shaq's), Street Eats on Excel class
- Pizzeria del Capitano 24 hours
- Seafood Shack and Chef's Table are extra
- Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
- Cucina del Capitano Italian
- Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki
- Emeril's Bistro (Excel class)
- Rudi's Seagrill
- Chef's Table experience
What a sea day looks like.
What is in the fare, what is extra, and which packages pay off.
Names and inclusions change by sailing. We confirm the current terms before you buy anything.
- Main dining, buffet and most casual venues
- Comedy, shows, deck parties
- Pools, slides, Serenity deck
- Camp Ocean kids programs
- Lemonade, iced tea, coffee, water
- Alcohol and sodas (or CHEERS! / Bottomless Bubbles)
- Wi-Fi
- Steakhouse and specialty dining
- Excursions and Celebration Key beach clubs
- Gratuities (~$16 to $18 per person per day)
- Spa, casino, arcade, photos
Up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day plus unlimited sodas, specialty coffee, juices and bottled water. Cheaper when bought before sailing; all adults in a cabin must buy it.
Unlimited sodas and juices, a common add for kids.
Social, Value and Premium tiers, priced per day for the whole sailing.
Priority check-in, early cabin access, dedicated guest services line and priority tenders. Limited quantity.
Steakhouse and Italian at a flat per-person price; booking the first night often includes a free bottle of wine.
Ship tours plus the independent beach clubs, snorkel boats and fishing charters we book directly in Cozumel, Roatan and Nassau.
- Buy CHEERS! in a pre-cruise sale and only if two adults will use it; the math rarely works for light drinkers.
- Cove balconies on Dream and Vista classes are the sleeper deal: closest to the water, least motion, cheapest balcony.
- Book the steakhouse for night one; the bottle of wine promo is real.
- Celebration Key: the lagoons and beach are included; Pearl Cove is extra and worth it for adults only.
- Galveston sailings: leave Houston early; the causeway backs up on embarkation days.
Our take How we plan Carnival.
Carnival is the right answer when the goal is a fun week that does not blow the budget, especially for groups driving to Galveston, Port Canaveral or New Orleans. We book early for the best cabin prices, add CHEERS! only when it pays for itself, and set up excursions in port with operators we know rather than the busiest ship tours.
Before you book Carnival.
Is Carnival good for families?
Yes, and it is often the best value for a family of four. The Excel-class ships have the most to do; older ships are fine for a short Bahamas trip where you will be on the beach most days.
What is Celebration Key?
Carnival's private destination on Grand Bahama, a short sail from Florida. Most Bahamas and many Caribbean itineraries stop there. The lagoons and beach are included; beach clubs and cabanas cost extra.
How much does a Carnival cruise cost all in?
A five-night Western Caribbean cruise for two in a balcony typically lands at $1,800 to $3,000 with gratuities, one excursion each and a modest bar tab. Interior cabins on short Bahamas trips can be under $1,000 for two.
Can we get cabins together for a group?
Yes. We block connecting or nearby cabins early, coordinate dining times so the group eats together, and handle the one person who books late.
Is Carnival too much of a party?
Short weekend sailings can be lively. Seven-night and longer cruises, Alaska, and the Serenity deck are calmer. We steer you to the right sailing for your group.
Which Carnival ships sail Alaska?
Typically two or three ships from Seattle each summer, most recently Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Spirit-class ships. We check the current deployment and match it to your dates.
Compare with the rest.
Ready to sail Carnival?
Tell us who is going and when. A person who has sailed it replies with the right ship, cabin and ports. No fee to you.