Cruise Lines · Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line Cruises, Booked by Travel Consultants Who Know the Fleet
What Carnival feels like
Carnival is upbeat and on all the time. There is always something going on: live DJs, comedy clubs, dance clubs, family programs and a place to get a drink on every corner. It is not your parents’ traditional cruise.
Pricing is budget-friendly at one end and spans a much wider range than many expect, from long-weekend Bahamas getaways to longer voyages on the newest ships. Carnival Cruise Line is part of Carnival Corporation.
What our clients tell us
We share the good and the not-so-good, based on the feedback we receive, so you can make the right decision for you.
What they love: the crew works hard to keep you happy, and the atmosphere is lively and fun. Casual dining is a highlight, from Guy’s Burger Joint (the one thing all cruisers seem to agree on) to BlueIguana Cantina and The Big Chicken, with free pizza and soft-serve always close by.
What they flag: on the big ships, crowds and lines are a fact, especially at the most popular venues and the elevators. Maybe this is the time to start that cardio program and take the stairs. Some of the older ships show their age, with dated interiors and more frequent reports of maintenance issues. The newest ships are a major step up, but they also carry more guests, which often means longer waits.
A party ship? It depends on the cruise
Carnival is known as a “party ship,” but that is not as accurate as you might think. The length of the cruise and the ship itself shape the experience. Shorter Bahamas cruises tend to have more of a party vibe, a lower price and a more intense pace. The newer ships, on longer voyages with more interesting itineraries, have more of a family-fun feel.
If you want to get your party on for a long weekend, we can point you to the right cruise. If you want an affordable, upbeat cruise that visits several interesting places, that is a different cruise, a different conversation and a different plan. Carnival makes room for both.
About the headlines
There has been a lot of press lately about cruisers drinking too much and getting into fights, sometimes before they even board. Carnival has been the source of much of that reporting. They have had their share, but they are not alone in this industry-wide struggle, so do not be too quick to assume it only happens on Carnival. It is a big reason reviews are so polarized, and why the right fit matters more than the price or the pace.
Dining: casual favorites
You can’t sail Carnival without a stop at Guy’s Burger Joint. Casual dining is well represented, with BlueIguana Cantina for tacos and burritos, The Big Chicken on newer ships, and free pizza and soft-serve ice cream nearly around the clock. The main dining rooms serve classic dinners, and specialty restaurants carry an added charge.
Choosing the right Carnival ship
Clients tell us the Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, stand out for the best traffic flow, updated features and fewer maintenance issues. Older designs, such as Carnival Elation and Carnival Pride, have less efficient layouts, and some show more wear on the interiors. Refurbishments help, but they don’t change the layout of an older ship.
Both come with trade-offs. If you want the best experience, the newer ships may be the way to go. If price is your top factor, you will find lower fares on the older ships, but go in with your eyes open: it really is a case of getting what you pay for. Guiding you through that choice is what we do every day.
Why your stateroom choice matters
Book online or call the cruise line and you get whatever stateroom the system offers. We look at where it sits on the ship, away from late-night venues and busy corridors, with less motion, and close to what matters to you. On a lively ship, that makes a real difference to your sleep.
Sailing from Central Florida
Carnival sails from Port Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando, and from Miami. Mardi Gras, an Excel-class ship, sails weeklong Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, and Carnival Elation offers shorter Bahamas getaways. In May 2027, the new Carnival Festivale debuts at Port Canaveral and takes over the weeklong schedule, while Mardi Gras shifts to short Bahamas cruises. Carnival Celebration sails from Miami. Many sailings call at Celebration Key, Carnival’s private destination on Grand Bahama.
Every Carnival cruise we book includes Shore Secrets, our port guide with offline maps for each stop.
What’s included in a Carnival fare, and what isn’t
Included
- Main dining rooms and the Lido Marketplace buffet
- Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, pizza and soft-serve
- Water, coffee, tea and lemonade
- Comedy clubs, live music, shows and family programs
- Pools, water slides and Dive-In Movies
Extra, or in a package
- CHEERS! drinks package, sodas and Wi-Fi
- Specialty dining, including The Big Chicken on some ships
- Daily crew appreciation charge, per person
- Spa, thrill attractions and most shore excursions
Carnival bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and more into packages such as CHEERS! and the new FunPacks, and from December 1, 2026, drinks packages and Wi-Fi use pricing that varies by sailing. As across the industry, the real cost is buried in the fine print. Our Voyage Journal shows how to compare cruise costs side by side: Not Another Cruise Cost Comparison, Stop Comparing Cruise Prices and Everything That’s Included. And Everything That Isn’t. Or let us do it for you: that is part of why we are here.
Inclusions, packages and service charges are set by Carnival Cruise Line and can change. We confirm the current terms for your sailing before you book.
Who Carnival suits
- Long-weekend cruisers who want to get their party on with a short Bahamas getaway.
- Families who want water slides, kids’ programs and casual food everyone likes.
- Value-minded travelers who want an affordable, upbeat cruise to several interesting ports.
- Central Florida cruisers, with sailings from Port Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando.
Not sure which cruise line fits this trip?
The Carnival fleet at a glance
| Class | Ships | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Excel | Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee | Newest and largest, from 2021 to 2023. Carnival Festivale joins in 2027 and Carnival Tropicale in 2028. |
| Vista | Vista, Horizon, Panorama | Mid-2010s ships with water parks and newer venues. |
| Dream | Dream, Magic, Breeze | Big, busy ships from 2009 to 2012, updated over the years. |
| Older classes | Including Pride, Elation and others | Lower fares and older layouts, with more wear on some. Refurbishments help, but the design stays the same. |
Carnival questions we hear
Is Carnival a party ship?
It depends on the cruise. Shorter Bahamas sailings tend to have more of a party vibe, while the newer ships on longer itineraries have more of a family-fun feel. We help you pick the cruise that fits what you want.
Is Carnival good for families?
Yes. Carnival has family programs, water slides and casual food that kids and adults both enjoy. The newer Excel-class ships, on longer itineraries, tend to have the most family-fun feel.
What is the newest Carnival ship?
Carnival Jubilee, which debuted in 2023, is the newest of the Excel-class ships. Carnival Festivale debuts in May 2027 from Port Canaveral, and Carnival Tropicale follows in 2028.
Does Carnival sail from Port Canaveral?
Yes. Mardi Gras sails weeklong Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, about an hour from Orlando, and Carnival Elation offers shorter Bahamas cruises. Carnival Festivale takes over the weeklong schedule in May 2027.
Are Carnival ships crowded?
On the big ships, expect lines at the most popular venues and the elevators. The Excel-class ships move people best but also carry the most guests. We help you choose the ship, sailing and stateroom that fit.
Does it cost more to book Carnival through a travel consultant?
No. You pay the same fare as booking direct with Carnival Cruise Line. Through us you also get a stateroom chosen for how you travel, planning before you sail, and Shore Secrets port guides for every stop.
Plan your Carnival cruise with travel consultants who know the fleet
Tell us how you like to travel, and your Aurévia travel consultant will reply within one business day with ship, stateroom and fare options. Let us hold your cabin.