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Carnival Panorama

A member of Carnival Cruise Line's Vista class, the Carnival Panorama debuted in December 2019 as the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years. With a capacity of 4,008 guests and 1,450 crew, Panorama is one of Carnival's largest ships.

Among the ship's standout amenities is the Sky Zone – a trampoline park that offers dodgeball and basketball games, toddler bounce sessions and more. Other unique Carnival amenities found on the ship include a suspended bicycle in the air called SkyRide, a sprawling water park, the Cloud 9 Spa and an open-air recreation area and ropes course.

Dining options on board are just as diverse. In fact, there are more than a dozen dining venues aboard Carnival Panorama, including multiple Guy Fieri eateries, a sushi restaurant, a steakhouse, a seafood eatery and more.

Carnival Panorama offers the line's typical range of accommodation classes (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) along with Family Harbor and Havana staterooms and suites. Havana Cabana Suites feature rain showers and patios equipped with hammock chairs, along with exclusive access to the Havana Bar & Pool. Meanwhile, Family Harbor accommodations are located next to the ship's Family Harbor Lounge and afford guests special perks, such as a free evening of babysitting and complimentary kids meals in the onboard specialty restaurants.

Sailing from Los Angeles , the ship cruises to destinations in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas . It also departs from Singapore for transpacific voyages. 

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance (previously Carnival Victory) set sail in December 2021 after a full transformation. The ship, which holds 2,984 guests and 1,108 crew members, boasts plenty of fun indoors and outdoors for cruisers of all ages.

Carnival Radiance features a ropes course, waterslides, a mini-golf course, dive-in movies in the evening and a sports area for activities like soccer, basketball, volleyball and boxing. The ship also offers a kids club for youths ages 2 to 17. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs – perfect for relaxing – and those seeking additional quiet space can spend some time at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. Inside, the spa, the piano bar, the comedy club and the performance event venue, which features musicals, concerts and more, round out some of Carnival Radiance's most popular offerings. Dining options (14 eateries in total, including a Chef's Table experience) abound on this ship as well: Cruisers can enjoy casual fare at Big Chicken or Guy's Burger Joint, or sit down for a more upscale meal at Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi or the Steakhouse.

Staterooms aboard the ship include Interior (porthole and picture window choices are available), Ocean View, Balcony and Suite category options. Carnival Radiance sets sail from Los Angeles to destinations in Hawaii and Mexico .

Carnival Mardi Gras

There's a good reason why Carnival named one of its newest ships Mardi Gras. The ship – which launched in July 2021 – is not only named after the first Carnival ship that entered service in 1972, but also features amenities and activities that keep guests entertained and the atmosphere energized. Carnival designed the ship with six different zones, each with a unique flair. Kids can play all day in the Ultimate Playground, which features WaterWorks (the onboard water park), SkyCourse (a ropes course) and Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, an onboard roller coaster that travels up to 40 mph. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of Lido, where the RedFrog Tiki Bar flanks one of the ship's pools. Additional activities include a comedy club, a casino, Family Feud Live (yes – it looks like the famous show's set) and a spa.

As you might expect from its large-scale amenities, Mardi Gras is sizeable: It accommodates up to 6,465 passengers and 1,745 crew members. To keep up with demand, the ship offers close to 20 different dining venues serving everything from sushi to burgers to fried chicken. When travelers need refreshments or a nightcap, they can visit one of seven bars and lounges.

Following a full day of fun, cruisers will need a quiet retreat to rest their heads. Staterooms feature Carnival Comfort Collection linens, TVs and a dedicated room steward. Upgraded rooms may include perks like exclusive access to ship amenities, bottles of water, in-room coffee makers and priority check-in and disembarkation. Rooms range in size from 158 square feet for interior staterooms to the massive 1,120-square-foot Carnival Excel Presidential Suite.

Catch Mardi Gras in Caribbean locales like San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Cozumel and Grand Turk .

U.S. News Insider Tip: To dine at Bonsai Teppanyaki (available on Celebration , Horizon , Panorama , Venezia and Mardi Gras), make your reservation as soon as possible. The restaurant only seats 16 people at a time, so reservations go fast. –  Karon Warren , Contributor  

Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon – which set sail in April 2018 – accommodates 3,960 passengers and 1,450 crew members. The ship offers a plethora of amenities for travelers of all ages. Children can ride the SkyRide suspended bike, play at the Dr. Seuss-themed water park and climb the ropes course, while parents can lounge on an adults-only deck and pamper themselves at the Cloud 9 Spa. At night, the whole family can enjoy live performances.

Onboard dining options are also plentiful, with 11 eateries that serve everything from steaks to Italian classics to burgers. Carnival Horizon was the first in Carnival's fleet to offer a teppanyaki-style restaurant and Guy Fieri's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse. 

The ship has a variety of cabins for passengers to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly Interior staterooms to specialty suites with spa, nautical and Havana themes. Each comes with modern conveniences like a minibar, a flat-screen TV and a Carnival Comfort bed.

Carnival Horizon departs from  Miami  for voyages throughout the Caribbean. 

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration debuted in early November 2022 and boasts a Las Vegas -style theater, a casino, an arcade, a saltwater pool and a top-of-the-line rooftop rollercoaster – the first one of its kind at sea. Complete with six separate zones to explore, including a summer-themed zone and a playground-themed zone, the 1,130-foot-long cruise ship has something for everyone. Celebration can hold up to 5,374 passengers and 1,735 crew members, and it features more than 20 dining venues, including a barbecue smokehouse and a full-service sushi restaurant.

Staterooms are comfortable with plush bedding, vanity mirrors and built-in reading lights, but for additional perks, guests can opt for a room with a balcony or ocean views. If you don't mind splurging a little, the Carnival Excel Suite offers upgrades like concierge service and complimentary admission to Loft 19, the ship's exclusive lounge fitted with infinity whirlpools and shaded cabanas.

Carnival Celebration explores an array of picturesque destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico ; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten and more. It sails out of Miami . 

Carnival Miracle

Like other Carnival ships, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle boasts activities and entertainment geared toward travelers of all ages. Thanks to a renovation in 2020, the ship features upgrades like Guy's Burger Joint, WaterWorks, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and more. The ship also received a minor refresh to interior and exterior spaces in 2022. 

Even with the added venues, a nearly 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio ensures service is a priority. And compared to other Carnival ships, Miracle offers a higher percentage of cabins with ocean views. While Interior staterooms provide more wallet-friendly digs, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite category cabins offer more space and scenery. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

During days at sea, grown-ups can enjoy poolside lounging or the adults-only Serenity Retreat, while kids ages 2 to 17 can play at age-specific programs.  There are also entertainment options like the Punchliner Comedy Club, the SkyBox Sports Bar and the Seuss at Sea program. Once the family works up an appetite, they'll have their pick of the main dining room, the Lido buffet, a specialty steakhouse (for an extra fee) and more.

Carnival Miracle departs from Galveston, Texas ;  Los Angeles  and  San Francisco  to destinations in the Caribbean, the Panama Canal,  Hawaii , Mexico , and Alaska . 

Carnival Luminosa

Formerly a Costa Cruises  ship, Luminosa joined the Carnival fleet in November 2022. This 2,260-passenger, 926-crew member cruise ship includes highlights such as a casino, a spa, an adults-only retreat and a comedy club.

There are plenty of ways to occupy your time on board, from deck parties and art seminars to karaoke and martini tastings. Plus, Luminosa offers a slew of amenities geared toward kids, including story time, supervised camps, a video arcade and a teens-only hangout space. When hunger strikes, this Carnival cruise ship offers around 10 eateries serving staples like sushi, steak and pizza.

Interior staterooms come equipped with a flat-screen TV, climate control, an in-room safe and a dedicated stateroom attendant. If you'd prefer accommodations with windows, consider upgrading to an ocean-view room or a cabin with a balcony. Guests seeking even more luxury can opt for a suite, which features exclusive perks like priority check-in; boarding and dining assignments; bathrobes and a pillow-top mattress. Cruisers looking for extra relaxation should consider a Cloud 9 Spa stateroom or suite, which includes a welcome ritual, two complimentary fitness classes, unlimited use of the thermal suites and hydrotherapy pool, priority spa reservations and more.

Carnival Luminosa departs from Seattle, Washington , and the Australian cities of Brisbane and Sydney . It sails to destinations in Alaska and the South Pacific, among others.

Carnival Breeze

The 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze was introduced in 2012 and last updated in 2017. On board, cruisers will find outdoor activities like a water park and a SportsSquare with games like mini-golf, as well as supervised (and free) age-appropriate programs for kids and teens. While the younger passengers play, adults can relax at the adults-only Serenity retreat, get treatments at the Cloud 9 Spa and sip cocktails at one of the ship's bars. 

As far as dining goes, cruisers can choose between several food options, including sushi, Indian, 24/7 pizza and more. Guy's Burger Joint and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, are passenger favorites. Nighttime entertainment ranges from karaoke to shows at the Punchliner Comedy Club.

Carnival Breeze offers a variety of cabin categories, all of which include flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service. The ship maintains a nearly 1-to-3 crew-to-guest ratio. While some recent cruisers appreciated the family atmosphere, others were disappointed by long lines and wait times during dinner service. 

Carnival Breeze cruises to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas . 

Carnival Conquest

Last revamped in 2022, Carnival Conquest features cosmetic enhancements to select staterooms, as well as upgrades like new carpeting and lighting in public areas. Still, some felt Conquest showed its age despite these upgrades and could use a more major refurbishment. The ship appeals to a wide range of travelers and budgets, with amenities like Seuss at Sea, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Alchemy Bar. It also includes "Fun Ship 2.0" features like Guy's Burger Joint and an outdoor movie theater, as well as signature bars BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar.

The ship carries 2,980 passengers and 1,150 crew members. Accommodations, ranging from Interior staterooms to Grand Suites, offer standard amenities such as flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service. Those looking for more space should consider splurging on a Suite category room, which includes a large balcony, a walk-in closet and a whirlpool tub. 

Along with signature line amenities, including a full-service spa, a casino and an expansive pool deck, the ship provides supervised programs and entertainment for cruisers ages 2 to 17, with various activities geared toward specific age groups. 

Conquest departs from Miami  for sailings in the Bahamas , the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

Carnival Vista

Introduced in mid-2016, Carnival Vista welcomes up to 3,934 passengers and 1,450 crew members. The ship offers unique dining, entertainment and cabin options not found on other ships in the fleet. In addition to staples like kids clubs, an adults-only retreat and a waterpark, new activities include the SkyRide suspended bike course, the first IMAX theater at sea and a Dr. Seuss-inspired library. The ship's next refurbishment is scheduled for early 2024. 

Recent passengers were most impressed with the accommodations. Typical cabin categories (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) are available, but cruisers recommend splurging on the Family Harbor or Havana staterooms and suites. Those who select Family Harbor cabins receive exclusive 24-hour lounge access with free breakfast and kid-friendly movies and games. Plus, children staying in these rooms enjoy free meals at most specialty restaurants and a free night of babysitting. Havana category rooms cater to adults, with access to a private bar and pool, as well as extra-large outdoor spaces and rainfall showers in suites. 

Dining options are just as diverse. While the Lido buffet offers everything from pasta to stir-fry to salad, other complimentary venues include BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint. A number of specialty restaurants are also available for an extra fee, such as JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano.  

Carnival Vista departs from Galveston  and Orlando for sailings in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. 

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

If the United States has a national cruise line, it's Carnival .

The self-described "fun ship" line is the king of short, affordable, fun-focused cruises from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and other nearby destinations. No matter where you live in the U.S., you're probably within a few hours of a Carnival ship.

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.

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Indeed, if you're going on a Carnival cruise , the odds are you're driving to the ship, not flying, and you're probably not paying much more than you would for a trip to a local beach town.

You're also not going for anything too highbrow. Carnival ships are all about fun in a very laid-back, unpretentious, nothing-too-fancy sort of way.

Entertainment, at times, is as lowbrow as the line is low-cost. 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.

The fun comes in many ways, though. While Carnival's ships for the most part aren't quite as big as the giant ships operated by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, they're packed with a wide range of fun features, from waterparks with multiple waterslides to cooking classrooms where you can learn how to make the line's signature chocolate melting cake.

Related: A beginner's guide to picking a cruise line

3 things TPG loves about Carnival

• The "fun" focus that oozes into everything.
• The food (really — see below).
• The kids' programs.

What we could do without

• The smoke in the casino.

The Carnival Cruise Line fleet

Carnival is one of the world's biggest cruise lines by passenger capacity, with 25 ships that together offer nearly 80,000 berths.

In general, these are big ships. However, with two exceptions, they're not giants by today's standards.

Carnival has just begun operating its first truly giant ships in years, the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and the 183,521-ton, 5,374-passenger Carnival Celebration . However, the line's next-biggest vessel, the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia , measures just 135,225 tons. That's about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean .

Seven of the line's 25 vessels measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost midsize by today's cruise ship standards.

Related: Every Carnival ship ranked from biggest to smallest

This is a notable change for the brand from just a couple of decades ago. There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

However, for many years it chose not to follow rivals such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in building ever-bigger ships . Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now the only Carnival ship on the list of the 50 biggest cruise ships.

The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration over the past two years has marked a major turning point for the line. At around 180,000 tons, they rank at No. 15 and No. 13, respectively, among the world's largest cruise ships — the only Carnival ships to crack the Top 20. They are roughly 35% bigger than the line's next-biggest ship. One more ship in the series — Carnival Jubilee — will arrive in December 2023.

The 25 Carnival ships currently in operation can be broken down into eight classes: Fantasy, Spirit, Conquest, Splendor, Dream, Sunshine, Vista/Venezia and Excel. Many of those classes have a lot in common. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival doesn't always drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.

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.

In addition, the line in 2024 will begin operating a ship in the fleet of its sister line Costa Cruises : Costa Firenze. It'll sail from Los Angeles.

Related: The 8 classes of Carnival ships, explained

Destinations and itineraries

Carnival is all about cruises from U.S. ports. You'll find at least one of its ships sailing out of pretty much every major port city around the country. It's rare to find them based anywhere else.

Carnival's biggest operations are out of PortMiami and Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; Long Beach, California; and New Orleans — all major cruise hubs. You'll also find Carnival ships in such secondary cruise ship ports as Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida.

The overarching idea for Carnival's ship deployments is that a large percentage of the U.S. population can reach one of the line's ships by car, saving the cost of flights.

For the most part, Carnival ships sail relatively short voyages of three to eight nights.

Carnival vessels based on the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico mostly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Some East Coast ships also head to Bermuda, New England and Canada. On the West Coast, sailings to Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska are the norm.

Carnival also offers some Panama Canal voyages.

Occasionally, Carnival will deploy a ship to Europe for a few weeks or months. This often takes place when a vessel needs to go to a European shipyard for an overhaul.

In recent years, Carnival also has deployed two of its vessels to Australia to operate voyages from Sydney and Brisbane. In a departure from Carnival's American-focused business model, the Australia sailings are aimed mostly at the local Australian market, though they are open to American travelers.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise

Who sails Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is the undisputed leader among North America-based cruise brands when it comes to affordability, which makes it popular with vacationers on a budget.

It's also popular with a fun-seeking crowd. Carnival trips are all about letting loose and having a good time. Maybe you'll drink a little too much, eat a little too much, play a little too much — but in the end, you'll say it was your best trip ever.

At one level, Carnival can best be described as a working man's or working woman's vacation. The typical Carnival customer is a teacher, a nurse, a firefighter, a contractor or the like, either still working or retired. This isn't a line for Wall Street bankers or white-shoe lawyers.

Carnival also is huge with families. The "fun" is for all ages, from 2-year-olds to retirees.

Still, it's just as much psychographics as demographics that define the typical Carnival customer. Carnival executives have often used the word "spirited" to describe the people who are drawn to the line, and that's as good a word as any.

Carnival draws a lively, outgoing crowd looking to be part of the action. The typical Carnival customer is the sort of person who shoots up a hand when an entertainer asks for a volunteer to come on stage or jumps up to dance during midmeal music shows in the dining room starring the waiters (yes, on Carnival, this is a thing).

Cabins and suites

Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels. The vast majority of the accommodations on Carnival ships fall into one of three broad buckets: windowless inside cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins.

You'll find relatively few suites on Carnival ships. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista Class series, for instance, offers fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest Class ships has around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy Class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.

This is in part due to Carnival's focus on affordability. The typical Carnival customer isn't in the market for a super fancy, high-priced suite.

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.

Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which are part of a new premium Excel category of suites that come with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ship called Loft 19.

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.

Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, several have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing these ships out of its fleet in recent years.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival ships

Restaurants and dining

Like other big-ship operators, Carnival packs a lot of dining options onto its vessels — some included in the price, some at an extra charge.

Every vessel has two main dining rooms and a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare. The buffet is called the Lido. For dinner in the main dining room, you must sign up for either Your Time dining (you go whenever you want) or Traditional Dining (you have a fixed table and time for dinner).

Other included-in-the-fare options found on most ships include what may be the two best quick-serve poolside dining venues at sea: BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint.

Related: 7 secret Carnival cruise breakfast spots that let you skip the buffet crowds

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.

In addition, every ship has at least one — and usually several — extra-charge eateries. The most common ones found across the fleet are Fahrenheit 555, the line's signature steakhouse, and Italian cuisine-serving Cucina del Capitano (if you're a Carnival fan, you know this as the place where waiters sing and dance between courses). The two venues have flat fees of $49 and $24 per person, respectively.

Other extra-charge eateries often found on Carnival vessels include Bonsai, an a la carte sushi restaurant (now on 14 ships), and JiJi Asian Kitchen, which costs $24 per person (now on four ships).

Six of Carnival's newest ships — Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon — also have teppanyaki eateries called Bonsai Teppanyaki (priced at a flat $42 per person for dinner; $38 at lunchtime). 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.

The latter venue was created in partnership with Food Network's Guy Fieri and serves a free lunch on embarkation and sea days, with all items smoked on board.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, notably, has its very own in-house brewery you can see behind glass walls — something still relatively rare on cruise ships. It makes house beers including Parched Pig West Coast IPA and Parched Pig Toasted Amber which you'll find on many Carnival vessels in kegs and cans. Carnival is the only cruise line to keg and can its own beer.

The quality of the food (and drink) on Carnival ships always surprises us, given the budget pricing of the brand. Despite being one of the industry's lowest-cost operators, Carnival manages to pull off one of the best steakhouses at sea in Fahrenheit 555, and even the no-extra-charge main restaurants get the basics right.

In general, the food isn't gourmet. For the price point of the line, it's quite impressive.

Related: The best meals you can have at sea

Entertainment and activities

For the most part, Carnival ships don't have quite as many features on board as Royal Caribbean or Norwegian vessels, in part because they're not as big. They're still packed with a variety of attractions, including multiple entertainment venues, casinos, spas and lots of deck-top fun zones such as water parks and ropes courses.

Theaters and shows

There's seemingly always something playing on a Carnival ship, whether it be a glitzy singing-and-dancing production in the main theater, a comedy show in a secondary lounge, a magical act or a call-you-up-on-stage interactive game show.

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).

In general, the production shows aren't nearly as sophisticated — or as long — as what you'll find on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian ships. But they're lively.

Carnival also uses its big theaters for lots of interactive shows that involve you, the passenger, getting a little silly. They include Lip Sync Battle Carnival — a shipboard adaptation of the Paramount Network TV series — and Hasbro, the Game Show.

With the latter, you can team up with your friends and family to play giant versions of Connect 4 Basketball or Simon Flash in front of a live audience.

Carnival is also well known for the Punchliner Comedy Clubs on its ships, which draw quality comedians and can get a little raucous late at night with adult-only performances.

When it comes to raucous, though, nothing on Carnival ships quite compares to the frequent karaoke nights on board. On Carnival, it's a thing. 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.

Insider tip: Get to the comedy shows early to snag a good seat — or any seat at all. These shows on Carnival ships are hugely popular.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Carnival ships are loaded with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including a wide range of bars, lounges and nightspots.

Every Carnival ship has a casino, usually smack in the middle of the main entertainment deck.

Also, there are always several music venues where you'll find live performers in the afternoons and evenings, including — on some ships — the Atrium Bar and a secondary hub area called Ocean Plaza. There's almost always a piano bar that's home to lively singalongs.

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.

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.

Carnival Panorama also houses Carnival's first cooking classroom. Dubbed Carnival Kitchen, it's located near the ship's main restaurants and is a seriously tricked-out venue complete with nine state-of-the-art, marbled granite cooking stations for two and a dedicated dining area.

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.

One other new-for-Carnival attraction on Carnival Panorama is the first Sky Zone trampoline park at sea.

Near the ship's tween and teen clubrooms, it has two padded trampoline areas where you can jump around and take part in games like jousting on a balance beam or shooting baskets while bouncing. There's even trampoline dodgeball and, at one end of the room, a climbing wall augmented with interactive game elements.

Deck-top attractions

The top decks of Carnival vessels are covered in family-focused attractions – pools, waterslide areas and bustling fun zones with such draws as ropes courses and miniature golf.

Waterslides, in particular, are a big thing. In fact, when it comes to waterslides on ships, Carnival is the cruise world's king. The line began adding them to vessels way back in 1978. There's now at least one waterslide on all but one ship in the Carnival fleet (Carnival Luminosa) — something no other line can say.

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.

On some Carnival ships, there's also a SportSquare area with such gee-whiz attractions as the high-flying, pedal-powered SkyRide (something that first debuted in 2016 on Carnival Vista and is now on four ships), a suspended-in-the-air ropes course, a basketball court, miniature golf, miniature bowling, ping-pong tables and other outdoor games.

It's a fun-at-sea focus that has gone to new levels over the past two years with the debut of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, each of which has — get this — a roller coaster on the top deck . Really. We're not making that up. At 800 feet in length, these aren't the biggest roller coasters ever. However, they're real ones — the first ever on a cruise ship.

Meanwhile, for passengers hoping for quiet time away from the kids, many Carnival ships also have an adults-only Serenity retreat area on their top decks with padded loungers, daybeds, hot tubs and often a bar.

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).

Unlike some lines, Carnival has resisted the trend of big-ship operators carving out whole sections of deck-top areas for the exclusive use of passengers staying in suites or willing to pay hefty access fees.

Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea

Children's programs

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.

The heart of the program, called Camp Ocean, brings free, supervised activities daily for children aged 2 to 11. The line splits children here into three age groups — Penguins (aged 2-5 years), Stingrays (aged 6-8 years) and Sharks (aged 9-11 years).

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.

While the free programming ends at 10 p.m., you can pay extra to leave your kids at Camp Ocean until 1 a.m. During those hours, Camp Ocean transforms into a supervised slumber party-type environment with games, movies, crafts and snacks, along with late-night parties called Night Owls.

Carnival also offers dedicated tween and teen programs on ships for children aged 12 to 17. The younger children in this age range (12-14) are grouped into what's known as Circle C and have their own dedicated lounge on ships. It's a place to get together to talk, watch movies, play video games and take part in other activities.

Older kids (aged 15-17) are grouped into what's known as Club O2 and have their own lounge for meeting up, listening to music, dancing, singing karaoke and other activities.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six more months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for the very latest on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $16 to $18 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category (children under the age of 2 are exempt). If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Carnival has been rolling out faster Wi-Fi systems across its fleet in the last couple of years, such that you can now stream video on some ships. Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Carnival vessels was recently priced at $21.25 per day when bought in advance ($25 per day when bought onboard).

Carnival also offers a less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp for $15.30 a day when bought in advance. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $19.55 per day when bought in advance, adds access to email and most websites.

The social and value plans cost $18 and $23 per day, respectively, when bought onboard a ship.

Related: Wi-Fi on ships really is getting better

Carry-on drinks policy

Carnival allows you to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne per person onto ships at boarding plus up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not allowed. 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.

Smoking policy

On most ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in casinos and nightclubs. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. In casinos and nightclubs, only cigarette smoking is allowed. On Carnival ships in Australia, smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas.

Most Carnival ships have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. There's a $3.25-per-load charge to use a washer or dryer. The launderettes also have vending machines that dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at $1.50 per box.

In addition, vessels offer extra-charge laundry and, on select ships, dry cleaning services.

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. Write the line a letter.

Electrical outlets

Most vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

The exceptions are the two Carnival ships that traditionally have sailed in Australia (Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor), which are fitted with a standard Australian three-point plug or adapter providing 220/240 volt 60Hz. Adapters are available on these ships for purchase if needed.

The currency used on most Carnival ships is U.S. dollars. The exceptions are any Carnival ship based in Australia, where pricing is listed in Australian dollars.

All vessels operate on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on most Carnival ships. The drinking age on sailings on Carnival ships in Australia is 18.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, there is an official dress code, but it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses, etc. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

One or two nights a cruise, there will be a more formal "cruise elegant" night where men are expected to turn out in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat, or even in a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program

Carnival has a point-based frequent cruiser program, the VIFP Club, that has five tiers, ranging from Blue (requiring no points) to Diamond (200 points).

Members earn one point for every night they sail on one of the line's ships. To hit the second tier, Red, takes one cruise. Reaching the third tier, Gold, requires 25 points.

There is one twist to the earning structure, and it's in your favor: If you're going to hit a tier cutoff during a voyage, you will receive the benefits of that tier from the beginning of that cruise.

In other words, if you are sailing seven-night cruises, you will be Gold level on your fourth sailing, as you will be passing the 25-day mark on that sailing.

As is typical with cruise line loyalty programs, lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits.

In fact, the lower tiers of the Carnival program are among the most stingy in the entire cruise universe. You'll receive things like a single complimentary bottle of water (at the Red tier) and a single free drink that only can be ordered on the last night of a cruise (at the Gold tier). Higher levels of the program are more enticing.

Related: Everything you need to know about Carnival's loyalty program

The second-to-highest tier, Platinum (75 points), brings such perks as priority check-in and boarding, priority debarkation, priority dinner reservations, priority spa reservations and priority water shuttle boarding. Platinums also get complimentary wash-and-fold laundry service (with a limit of two to five bags, depending on the length of the cruise).

The top Diamond level (200 points) brings such added perks as unlimited free wash-and-fold laundry service, a guaranteed seating time in the main restaurant, a dedicated toll-free number for sales and service and a one-time room upgrade.

Note that, in contrast to airline frequent flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year. So, yes, the perks with lower tiers aren't great. However, it's not as difficult as it might at first seem to hit the more rewarding higher-level tiers in just a few years if you're cruising a lot.

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 case you're curious, VIFP stands for Very Important Fun Person.

Related: The TPG guide to cruise line loyalty programs

How much does a Carnival cruise cost?

In general, Carnival ships are among the most affordable at sea. 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.

As of this story's posting, six-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami in 2024 were starting at $339 per person, not including taxes and fees of $170.19. That works out to just $85 per night, per person, with taxes and fees for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.

As you might expect, pricing for ships will generally be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.

The timing of when you book can also matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you that the best pricing for any given sailing is often available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board a Carnival ship, you'll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet service and a few other things — unless you've bought a package for some of these items in advance. Most onboard activities such as shows and deck-top attractions are included in the fare.

Related: 15 ways that first-time cruisers waste money on a cruise

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to Carnival.com to book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process; trust us — we recommend you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They can also help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure Carnival is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who understands all the little quirks that are unique to Carnival's cabin categories and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see the cabins firsthand.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card points when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . 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.

Bottom line

Carnival ships are all about fun, in a lively, let's-not-take-this-too-seriously sort of way. They're also incredibly affordable. Just don't expect anything too fancy or highbrow.

This is a budget vacation, not a luxury product, and one that is sometimes a bit over the top in its keep-the-party-going formula.

If the idea of crew members dancing during your meal in dining rooms or rowdy karaoke parties makes you cringe, this isn't the line for you. However, if you're ready to let loose and be a little goofy, it may be a perfect choice.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Carnival Cruise Line: The Complete Guide

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If you’re thinking of booking a Carnival cruise, be it on the new Carnival Celebration or any of Carnival's other massive ships, here’s what to expect and how to enjoy your time at sea.

If you’re not yet familiar with the cruise line, there’s lots to learn about the company. It has been around since 1972 and is part of the Carnival family of cruise lines that includes Princess, Holland America and Cunard.

About Carnival cruises

With plenty of routes from the U.S. and international destinations, countless member benefits and a wide selection of cabins to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect cruise for you.

Cabin types: There are a number of different cabin types to choose from depending on which ship you’re on, including interior rooms, ocean view rooms, balconies or suites. There are sometimes even themed or spa rooms.

Main U.S. routes: Carnival is best known for its Caribbean cruises, most of which depart from Florida, Texas or Louisiana.

Points currency and loyalty program: Carnival’s loyalty program is called VIFP Club (Very Important Fun Person). Members earn benefits like special offers, a free drink on board, priority boarding, cabin upgrades and more. Perks increase the more you sail.

» Learn more: How to leverage hotel elite status for a $100 Carnival cruise

Carnival cruise destinations

Carnival may be best known for its Caribbean cruises, but ships depart from every coast in the U.S., and Carnival ships sail to dozens of destinations all around the world, including transatlantic and transpacific routes. Expect to sail to such destinations as:

New Zealand.

Pacific Islands.

Panama Canal.

Papua New Guinea.

There are cruises as brief as two days and some as long as 31 days, depending on where you’re headed.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of cruises

Carnival cruise prices

Depending on where you’re headed, prices for cruises vary based on:

Carnival cruise rooms.

Carnival ship classes.

Destination.

Length of trip. 

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 time of year you sail matters, too. For example, an off-season cruise to the Bahamas in February might cost $189 while the same cruise in June could be $684 for the same cabin on the same ship.

Likewise, the nicer the cabin, the higher the price. An interior room might cost $469 while a suite costs $1,799.

Learn more : The best ways to book a cruise

What is the best Carnival ship?

Carnival has an impressive fleet of vessels and adds more every year. There are currently 24 ships with more maiden voyages scheduled later this year. Which one is the best depends on what you’re after.

If it’s family fun you want, the Carnival Breeze or Carnival Freedom may be just the thing. For luxury, it’s the Carnival Liberty. If the ship is more important than the route, take a look at Carnival’s ship lineup and what each has to offer, plus where they sail.

What is the newest Carnival ship?

The Carnival Celebration ship, which sails to the Caribbean from Miami, is the line’s newest ship, and debatably the best carnival cruise ship.

The Excel-class ship features an on-board roller coaster, can transport 5,282 passengers, has 20 dining venues, a dozen bars and lounges and is only the second Carnival ship to use liquid natural gas as fuel — a more eco-friendly fuel source.

Learn more : Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

What’s included on a Carnival cruise?

On any Carnival cruise you can expect the following to be included with your booking:

A stateroom based on your booking selection.

Three meals a day. 

Free non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolate and some coffees and teas.

Fitness center.

Shows and entertainment.

Pools and other water-based fun.

Youth programs.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Carnival loyalty program: VIFP

Carnival’s loyalty program is called VIFP which means Very Important Fun Person. Members earn benefits like special offers, a free drink on board, priority boarding, cabin upgrades and more. Perks increase with every sailing.

VIFP levels

The VIFP Club has five levels: Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.

How to earn: Sail once.

Best benefit: Members-only offers.

How to earn: Two sailings for 24 points.

Best benefit: Complimentary 1.5 liter bottle of water.

How to earn: Earn 25-74 points.

Best benefit: A free drink on 5+ day cruises.

How to earn: Earn 75-199 points.

Best benefit: VIFP Party on 5+ day sailings with complimentary drinks.

How to earn: Earn 200+ points.

Best benefit: One-time free cabin upgrade OR third and fourth guests sail free.

How to earn VIFP points

Earn one point for every day you spend cruising. The more you cruise, the faster you earn.

How to redeem VIFP points

VIFP points are earned and credited to your account automatically. Some benefits are linked to your Sail & Sign account and credits or perks will be applied when the benefits are redeemed.

Carnival Credit Card

While it won’t earn you VIFP points, the Carnival World Mastercard is a way to earn FunPoints, which you can use like cash toward your next cruise booking.

Earn 20,000 FunPoints after your first purchase or balance transfer, which is worth a $200 statement credit towards your next cruise. You’ll then earn 2 points per dollar on Carnival and partner cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

How to Redeem FunPoints

You can cash in your FunPoints by applying them as statement credits toward any Carnival purchases you make over $50, including:

Additional travel expenses.

Carnival cruise excursions.

Onboard amenities and more.

To use them, you can log into your Barclays account online or call to redeem points after you’ve made a purchase.

Point value varies depending on how much you’re spending. For example:

Carnival purchases between $50.00-$1,499.99 have a 1.00% redemption value.

Carnival purchases between $1,500-$5,000 have a 1.50% redemption value.

Purchases with other World’s Leading Cruise Lines cruises have a 1% redemption value.

Airline or hotel statement credits have a .90% redemption value.

Learn more : The best cruise lines

Wi-Fi doesn’t come free on Carnival ships. To get connected, you’ll have to purchase a Wi-Fi package, which you can do in advance of your trip or on board, which may cost more. Expect to pay from $12.75-$22 per day per device.

All Carnival ships include food and beverages, though there are speciality dining and beverage options and packages on most ships that cost extra.

There are two drink packages you can purchase on Carnival cruises: Bottomless Bubbles and Cheers!

Bottomless Bubbles offers unlimited soda during your voyage for $6.95 per day for children and $9.95 per day for adults.

Cheers! offers a flat price for alcoholic (and speciality non-alcoholic) beverages throughout your trip for $59.95 per person per day.

For cruises that last 15 days or less, neither pre-cruise COVID testing nor vaccinations are required for children or adults cruising with Carnival.

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.

Make sure to check the details of your booking to ensure you abide by current rules.

What is Carnival Cruise Line known for?

Carnival Cruise Line offers many budget-friendly sailings, many of which are designed with families in mind. Especially if you want to cruise to and around the Caribbean, Carnival is possibly the cruise line for you.

(Top photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

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Carnival Cruises Review

Monday, April 22nd

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Carnival Cruises
• Best for a party atmosphere and cruising on a budget
• Good for US port departures, with additional destinations in Europe

Carnival Cruise Line is a popular American cruise line that is part of the Carnival Corporation, the world's largest leisure travel company. The company was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and has since grown to become one of the most recognized names in the cruise industry, offering affordable and fun-filled vacations to travelers of all ages.

Lots of ships and itineraries to consider

Carnival has a fleet of 24 ships that sail to destinations all over the world, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and Asia. The cruise line offers a range of itineraries, from short weekend getaways to extended voyages, and caters to a variety of travelers, including families, couples, and groups of friends.

Fun fun fun

One of the defining characteristics of Carnival is its focus on fun and entertainment. The cruise line offers a wide range of onboard activities and amenities, including water parks, sports facilities, casinos, live entertainment, and comedy shows. Carnival's ships are known for their vibrant and colorful designs, which feature themes such as "Fun Ships" and "Carnivalization". The interiors of the ships are filled with bright colors, playful designs, and eye-catching art pieces, giving the vessels a lively and energetic atmosphere. But, depending on the Carnival ship you sail on, you might find that it has a somewhat outdated vibe - especially if you're been on other cruise lines that have been refreshed more recently.

Food is surprisingly good

Carnival features a variety of dining options, including casual eateries, upscale restaurants, and specialty dining venues that showcase global cuisine. Despite being a "bargain" cruise line, we were surprised to find that the food quality on our Carnival sailing rivaled other large cruise lines in the same class (not luxury or all-inclusive).

Over 50 options to spend spring break in the Caribbean

One of the reasons why Carnival is so popular is its commitment to providing an affordable vacation experience. The cruise line offers a variety of deals and discounts, making it possible for travelers to enjoy a cruise vacation without breaking the bank. Looking at our comparison sailing, a Caribbean cruise in March about a year in advance, Carnival was indeed one of the lowest-priced options out there - and with a whopping 53 results (where some rival cruise lines only had a handful or none at all during that time of year). There were several 4- and 5-day sailings from New Orleans, Tampa, Miami and Galveston, with starting prices under $400 per person (not including taxes, fees, and port expenses). Even on the high end, you'd still be paying under $1,000 per person, even on a 12-day Southern Caribbean sailing out of New York with stops in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten.

Higher-than-average gratuities

But, in some ways, Carnival makes up for its lower cruise fares with its extras. For example, you'll pay more in gratuities here than in some places: Carnival's recommended service charges are $16 per person per day in standard staterooms and $18 pp per day in suites Fortunately, you can ask that those be modified once your onboard, but that should only be done if you've received poor service and Carnival can't make it right.

Kids' clubs don't compete with other cruise lines

And, even though Carnival cruises are advertised as being fun for the whole family, that wasn't exactly our experience. First, at least on an Alaskan cruise we experienced, the kids' clubs were only open periodically and rarely followed the posted schedule. Even when the kids were in the club, the counselors seemed to phone it in most of the time and often didn't do the activities that had been planned - instead leaving the kids to play video games or have open time in the club. There weren't as many all-ages entertainment options either, so the kids in our travel party wound up in the stateroom watching TV because "there wasn't anything else to do" .

Not exactly PG-rated sometimes

Beyond that, Carnival cruises almost always have a party atmosphere. That's totally okay if you're sailing to celebrate a bachelorette party or trying to have a wild spring break in the Bahamas! But, for those traveling with children, it isn't the most wholesome environment. ( Let's just say that while one of our staffers went to look at the northern lights on that Alaska sailing, their kids had to avert their eyes from some... adult activities happening on the loungers ). You might want to look at other cruise lines if you wouldn't enjoy that kind of experience.

Underperforms with respect to safety

The last factor in Carnival's lower-than-them-all ranking here is safety. While most cruise lines experience issues from time to time, Carnival typically ranks as one of the lowest-performing. There have been several incidents involving Carnival ships, including fires, power outages, and mechanical failures. The highest-profile issue was back in 2013, when the Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea for several days. People even referred to it as the "poop cruise" because of how a fire aboard knocked out the power and left cruisers without AC, lights, water, food, and working toilets.

You won't choose Carnival again once you've tried another cruise line

Now, we'll probably incur the wrath of devoted Carnival VIFP Club members, who wouldn't dream of sailing on any other cruise line. That's fine, but most people we found who've cruised with one of our higher-ranked options ( which is ALL of them, by the way ), have a hard time seeing Carnival in a very positive light once they've tried a rival's ship, service, and itinerary. Even if a super-big bargain is your deciding factor, with the right promotions you can probably get a great deal with a higher-performing cruise line. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or you've sailed with Carnival before, we really encourage you to see if you can make the numbers work with a different company before settling for Carnival.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean

• Disney Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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47 Best Carnival Cruise Line Tips & Tricks

Looking for the best Carnival cruise tips and advice for your vacation?

Whether it’s your first cruise or you’re a Diamond level passenger (the highest tier of Carnival’s loyalty program, for those that have sailed more than 200 nights), there’s always more to know. Meanwhile, the cruise line is constantly innovating, making changes, and improving.

To help you out, we’ve rounded up dozens of our best Carnival cruise tips. The advice below can help you save money, save time, or generally just have a better trip.

Note: This article contains affiliate links. Cruzely earns a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

1. If you’re a Carnival stockholder, you can get free onboard credit

It’s a little-known perk for investors. If you own at least 100 shares of Carnival’s stock, then you are eligible for free onboard credit . Your benefit is $50 for cruises fewer than 7 days and $100 for trips of 7 to 13 days. Take a cruise 14 days or longer, then you’ll get $250 in free onboard credit. Learn how to take advantage here .

Just know that it’s not without risk. Shares of Carnival have been all over the map following the health crisis. However, if you do own the shares, you’ll definitely want to get your onboard credit.

2. Find your room: Odd cabin numbers are on one side of the ship, even are on the other

It’s easy to get turned around on the ship. Hallways can seem to go on forever and cabin doors can all look the same. One tip is that just like a neighborhood street, odd-numbered cabins are on one side of the ship, while even-number rooms are on the other. So when you step out of the elevator to head to your cabin, you can know which side of the ship your room is located.

3. Keep an eye out for happy hour deals

Like to drink but want to save some money? Keep an eye out for the RedFrog Pub happy hour or other specials on the ship. There will be a mention in the daily schedule and also signs posted around the ship. During happy hour — which we’ve seen going on from about 2:30-4:30 in the afternoon when offered — drinks are half-priced. That can save you a ton versus the regular menu price.

4. Know That Carnival Ships Generally Have the Smallest Size Per Passenger

Don’t be surprised if on your Carnival cruise you feel a little crowded. That’s because according to our analysis, Carnival ships in general have the least amount of size per passenger . 

Taking the gross tonnage (a measure of ship size) of more than 100 ships and dividing by the total passenger count at double occupancy, Carnival’s fleet averages a ratio of around 33-35. Compare that to Royal Caribbean, which often comes in around 40 gross tons per passenger.

You can find your specific ship here and compare it to others.

5. BlueIguana Cantina serves breakfast burritos

While BlueIguana Cantina — a Mexican-themed restaurant on the ship — is known for lunch, most people don’t realize that it also serves some fantastic breakfast burritos. Fill up a tortilla with sausage, eggs, ham, and potatoes and you’ve got a hearty (and free!) breakfast that will keep you full all morning, no matter how active you are on ship or in port.

6. Free souvenir? Ask if there are game-used items in the casino

It may not be on every Carnival ship, but we recently took a cruise and got a free souvenir from the casino. We simply went to the cashier during a slow time during the day and asked if they had any used dice or cards. To our surprise, the cashier came back with a casino-used die with the Carnival logo on it… and it was absolutely free.

It’s not much, but it’s a fun little keepsake to remember our time on the ship.

7. Costco member? Try booking your next cruise through them for cash back

Truth is that every website has the same prices for cruises. However, if you buy through a third-party site (as opposed to Carnival.com), then you might get extra incentives like onboard credit.

Costco has some of the best incentives . For cruises booked through CostcoTravel.com, the store will give you a Costco Shop Card potentially worth hundreds (amounts vary by cruise). That’s much more than what other booking sites will give you. If you’re a member, it’s worth looking into before you buy your cruise.

8. The drinking age in most ports is 18 years old… but 21 on the ship

If you are sailing from the United States on Carnival, then you have to be 21 to drink alcohol on the ship. But if someone isn’t quite of age, they can drink when in most ports. Places like Mexico and The Bahamas have drinking ages of 18. That means people underage in the U.S. can still drink legally when visiting.

9. Carnival offers a 110% “Best Price Guarantee” on excursions

If you’re worried about getting the best deal on an excursion, don’t. Carnival offers a 110% guarantee . If you find the same excursion for cheaper somewhere else, then they will refund 110% of the price difference as onboard credit.

That doesn’t mean you can’t find cheaper things to do, but know that if you do buy an excursion through the cruise line, you’ll be covered.

10. Don’t forget to bring your phone to dinner

Hopefully it won’t be this way forever, but one of the changes following the health crisis? Menus and daily schedules are harder to find. Instead, you’ll see QR codes on tables to scan with your phone to bring up the menu in a restaurant. And daily schedules are available within Carnival’s app on your phone.

While we expect things will go back to normal, at least for now, bringing your phone with you to eat is a smart idea. But, if you forget, you can request a paper menu from the staff.

11. Book specialty restaurants early in the cruise for quieter dining

Specialty restaurants offer something a little different from the main dining room. Maybe that’s why later in the cruise it feels like they get more crowded as people search out more variety in meals. However, it seems like early in the cruise people aren’t as interested.

The result? On a recent cruise we were able to dine in a specialty restaurant on night two with only a handful of other passengers. It was a nice way to have a quiet dinner that felt more intimate than busier venues.

12. Trying to budget? Sodas cost $3; Beers cost $6-8

This isn’t so much a Carnival tip as just a heads up on what you’ll spend. Sodas run about three bucks. Beers will set you back about $6-8. Don’t forget to add in 18% gratuity, which is automatically included to the price.

Worried about the bill? Carnival also sells the CHEERS! drink package that gives you access to whatever you want for one daily price. These packages are convenient and can help you budget.

13. There can be a HUGE difference between ships

One thing to know is that not all cruise ships are created equal. This goes for every cruise line, and you’ll find it on Carnival. The oldest ships in the fleet were built in the 1990s while the newest — such as Carnival Celebration — are brand new.

During that span, what is expected of and can be done on cruise ships has soared. Carnival’s newest ships feature more amenities, restaurants, and activities than you can imagine compared to older ships.

In our opinion, the newer ships are better, but the quieter, smaller, and less-expensive trips on older ships also have a lot to offer.

14. Where to find the cheapest beer on the ship

Six or eight bucks for a beer can be tough to swallow. If you want the cheapest beer, then head to the buffet. Ships have self-serve beer stations. At these spots you simply swipe your card, and then you pull the handle to dispense beer. 

Brews are sold by the ounce, and a full-sized glass runs about $5. The beers on tap are limited, but if you don’t care what you drink, it’s a good way to save money.

15. Some paid restaurants offer free lunch

Specialty restaurants charge an extra amount for passengers to eat there. Prices vary depending on the spot, but it’s usually around $15-30 per person. One tip is that on Carnival places like JiJi Asian Kitchen or Cucina del Capitano offer lunch service that’s free. The menu is different than the dinner options, but there’s no charge and you can get something tasty outside of eating at the buffet. 

16. Be prepared for poor cruise payouts in the casino

It’s common sense that with a ship full of people looking to be entertained, the casino should be a popular place… and it is! But with a captive audience and no other casinos around, the onboard casinos aren’t so generous with their payouts .

Expect blackjack that pays 6-5 (instead of the usual 3-2) at the lowest limits and video poker machines that pay 6/5 instead of the optimal 9/6 payout.

17. Guy’s Burger Joint is popular. Try it for dinner for shorter lines

Haven’t heard of Guy’s Burger Joint ? That will change. The free restaurant is across Carnival ships and serves up some great burgers. It’s also extremely popular. Hours are normally 12-6 p.m. and lunch can see long lines.

If you don’t want to wait in line, check it out before it closes for the evening. Most people eat dinner elsewhere, so the lines are much shorter. If you’re an early eater, then grabbing a burger without a line is a smart move.

18. Save that deck chair… but only for 40 minutes

Chair hogs. Perhaps no one draws the ire of cruisers more than the person that goes down early in the morning and puts a towel down to reserve a prime location by the pool… only to leave it for hours.

Yes, you are allowed to save chairs on Carnival, but the official rules are for only 40 minutes — enough time to go grab a bite to eat. After that time the crew may remove your items to let someone sit in the chair.

19. The age limit to gamble on a Carnival ship is 18

While you have to be 21 to drink on the ship, gambling is a different story. Carnival allows those 18 years and older to play in the casino. So while you might not be old enough to play in Las Vegas, you can still play the slots, roulette, or blackjack on the cruise ship.

20. Formal night? Wear what you want, except these items…

What to wear on formal night can be stressful. The truth is, you can get by wearing most anything, as long as it’s not too casual . You don’t have to wear a tux or an evening gown (but some people do).

What you will want to avoid are things like sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, ball caps, flip-flips, and bathing suits. In other words, just about anything outside of what you’d wear to the beach is just fine.

Our suggestion is to try and dress up some, but don’t stress. And if you don’t want to change out of shorts and sandals, it’s your cruise. You can skip the formal night dining altogether and just eat somewhere other than the main dining room.

21. Avoid kids in the Serenity adults-only area

Some people don’t mind kids. Others want to relax without them running around. If you fall into that second group, check out the Serenity area on your Carnival ship.

This spot is for adults 21 years old and up. It features some cozy and comfy seating you won’t find elsewhere on the ship and often has its own dedicated bar area and hot tubs. 

Even if you don’t care about kids one way or the other, you’ll often find the Serenity area less crowded than the pool area and has more cozy, private spaces. 

22. Cruise insurance is important, but buy third-party

When you book your cruise, Carnival will give you the option of buying the Carnival Vacation Protection . It’s definitely worth it to have some insurance for your trip, however, we think you’re better off going with a third-party insurance policy.

These policies are usually the same or cheaper in price than Carnival’s policy and can provide more coverage. 

23. Ordering a pack of water is a smart move

Before you board, go online and order a pack of water from the Carnival FunShops. It costs about $10 for a dozen bottles, and it’s nice to have in the room. Passengers aren’t allowed to bring on bottles in their luggage (cans/cartons only), so you can’t bring on most water containers. Plus, having some water in the room is nice to keep from having to head to the dining room or buffet to get a drink. It’s always right there waiting for you.

24. Take your drinking into port to save some cash

Want to drink but not break the bank? Just head into port. While drinks on the ship can be pricey — $6-8 for a beer and $10-12 for a cocktail — the bars in port cater to thirsty cruisers with cheap drink specials.

Just taking a walk down the pier can save you tons. Beers for $2-3 are common, so you can easily save 50% in some cases, while also getting to enjoy the local scenery.

25. Don’t worry, you don’t need to learn another language for ports of call

It can be intimidating going to a foreign country. After all, most people don’t speak a foreign language. The good news is that cruise ports in The Bahamas and Caribbean are built for tourism.

Most people in ports speak English, so you don’t have to struggle through trying to speak another language. In addition, U.S. dollars are widely accepted.

26. Short on cash? Carnival offers $50 deposit sales regularly

If you’re short on cash but have plenty of time before you book your cruise, then keep an eye out for Carnival’s famous $50 deposit sales. During these sales, which usually occur a few times a year, you can book your cruise for just $50 down and then pay off the rest later. It makes it affordable to book that trip you’ve had your eye on.

27. TV channels are limited… don’t expect much

Want to watch your favorite show on your cruise? Then you’ll want to download it to your device beforehand. The stations on a cruise television are limited ( you can see the full lineup here ), and most of the big channels you get at home aren’t available.

In fact, most of the time the channels are specific to the cruise, like info about port shopping or safety information. 

28. Don’t show up to the port until you are scheduled to board

Carnival offers a method of boarding known as staggered check-in. You select a 30-minute window of when to board. This keeps things running smoothly and avoids having too many passengers show up at once, such as right when the ship opens up to passengers.

If you show up before your boarding window, you could be asked to return later. If you show up after your boarding window, they will still let you board.

29. Every Carnival ship has a coin. See if you can find it

Want to have a treasure hunt on your cruise? It’s tradition for Carnival to place a coin on the ship when under construction as a good-luck charm. It’s a fun pastime to explore the ship and see if you can find it. It’s usually located on an upper deck in a public area where anyone can access it.

30. Buy the drink package early to save money

Carnival offers passengers the option of buying the CHEERS! drink package . For one set price per day, you can have your run of just about any beverage on the ship — alcoholic or otherwise. 

Now, this drink package isn’t for everyone. You definitely want to run the numbers on how much you’ll drink before you buy and if you’ll get your money’s worth ( see our drink package calculator here ). But if you do decide to purchase it, be sure to do so before you sail.

Carnival discounts the package $5 per day — or about 8% off the onboard price — if you buy the package online before you board.

31. You can bring on some drinks, so take advantage

Carnival allows you to bring some drinks on the ship with with you. You can bring a bottle of champagne or wine (standard size), and up to 12 cans or cartons of non-alcoholic drinks per person.

While a bottle of wine or a 12-pack of soda may not seem like much, it definitely makes a difference in your budget. Considering that a glass of wine can cost $8-12 and a soda costs $3 each, it’s worth it to bring what you can to keep costs down.

Plus, if you have a favorite brand, it makes sense to bring it because it might not be available on the ship. (Carnival ships serve Pepsi products.)

32. A $5 outlet adapter is worth its weight in gold

Cruise cabins are notorious for having limited outlet space, despite the fact that people travel with more devices than ever. Typically there is only one outlet per cabin in many older ships (newer ships are getting better at offer more outlets).

Bringing a cheap outlet adapter can be a lifesaver , giving you multiple plugs. Best of all, they are only a few bucks and don’t take up much space.

33. Past passenger? Try pricing without your VIFP number

Carnival’s loyalty program — VIFP — can give you special pricing on cruises. If you’ve sailed before, then you can enter your number during your search for cruises on the Carnival website for possible discounts. 

One thing we suggest is trying your search both with and without your VIFP number entered. We’ve personally found that having the number entered can sometimes actually mean you see a higher price than what’s shown without the number.

34. Book excursions online to save time

If you plan to take a shore excursion, you can book it on Carnival’s site ahead of time . If you do this you’ll get the same price you’ll find on the ship, but you have some advantages.

First, you don’t have to spend your precious vacation time waiting in line on the ship to book. Second, you get to book before everyone on the ship. If there’s limited space on an excursion, this could be the difference between getting the excursion you want or having it be sold out.

35. Bring cash, but ATMs are available on the ship

It’s better to bring all the cash you need, but don’t worry if you get an a jam. Carnival has ATMs on the ship where you can get some extra money . Be warned: The charges are high — $6-7 per transaction that we’ve seen. And that amount is before anything that your bank might charge you to access your money.

36. Look for deals on older Carnival ships

Carnival is always rolling out new ships. Mardi Gras, Celebration and Panorama have all been introduced in recent years. Rightly so, many people are eager to sail these newer ships.

But if you want a deal, look at the older ships in Carnival’s fleet. The vessels are still fantastic to sail, but don’t generate the buzz like a new ship does. Often you can find cruises for hundreds of dollars less, giving you a great vacation for less money.

37. Make sure your flip-flops have tread for walking on the ship

Do you wear a pair of old flip flops where the tread has been worn off? If so, it’s time for an upgrade.

Decks on cruise ships can get slippery. Between rain showers, splashes from the pool, or cleaning by the crew, there are lots of times you’ll find wet decks. If you don’t have sandals with grip, then it’s not just a nuisance — it’s downright dangerous. You don’t want a slip and fall ruining your vacation.

38. Even in the warm Caribbean, bring a jacket

You might not think of it, but the nights in the Caribbean can get cool, even in the summer. This is especially true when the ship is underway, which makes the breeze much stronger. Do yourself a favor and bring a light jacket to wear in the evenings. Even if you plan to stay inside on the ship, the air conditioning can get cool in many places.

39. Insert your keycard to cash out in the casino

If you like playing slot machines or video poker on a Carnival cruise, then be sure to insert your room keycard when you play. Not only is your play tracked with this card, which can lead to perks from free drinks to free cruises, but it’s needed when you cash out.

Instead of printing tickets that you can take from machine to machine or cash out at a redemption kiosk, Carnival puts the funds on your room keycard. If you don’t have it inserted, then you have to wait for an attendant to come pay you in cash by hand.

40. Carnival ships cater to families with kids. Take advantage of included childcare

If your child is over two years old, then they can be dropped off at Camp Ocean  on the ship. Not only does this give mom and dad a chance to vacation without having to watch the kids, it gives the kids some time away from parents with activities that they will enjoy. The kids clubs are broken up by age, and best of all, the service is included in your fare.

41. Babysitting is available for just $7.50 per hour

One of the best deals in cruising is that you can drop your kids off (above two years old) at Camp Ocean for no charge. But outside of normal hours or if you have a kid under two, then you can have babysitting at certain times . 

Here, the staff will keep an eye on the kids while they enjoy fun activities but there is a charge. Still, it’s only $7.50 per hour (plus 18% gratuity), so if you have a small kid and want to head to dinner and a show for a couple of hours, it’s a low price to pay.

42. Navigating the ship can be confusing. Only some floors go straight through

If you want to head from the back of the ship to the front of the ship, you might have to go up or down a floor or two to make your way the length of many Carnival ships. Things like the dining room and theater cut through multiple floors and keep you from being able to get through. Stick with the main promenade deck if you want an easy way to go back and forth.

43. Wait for people to get out of the elevator before you try to enter

Elevators are the heartbeat of the ship. They are used thousands of times daily and are typically busy as people travel around the ship. Since there are usually plenty of people on the elevator, it’s common courtesy to wait and let anyone get off at your floor before you try to get on. Otherwise there’s an easily avoidable traffic jam.

Even better, if you are traveling only a few decks, simply take the stairs. It’s faster.

44. BOLT! is worth the money… once

Carnival’s newest ships like Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee have made a big deal of having the first roller coaster on a cruise ship. The BOLT! coaster circles the top deck, taking two riders up to 40 miles per hour, with insane views of the ocean.

A ride costs $15 per person. Having done it, we can tell you that it’s a lot of fun. But considering the ride lasts a literal minute, we’d suggest trying it once but not going again and again.

45. Don’t miss the Love & Marriage game show

It’s one of the most popular shows on a Carnival cruise and one we think is a must see. The Love & Marriage game show is a take on The Newlywed Game. There are three couples who are asked some interesting personal questions to try and match their partner’s answers.

It’s definitely Rated R… or maybe more PG-13… so it’s not for kids. But it’s also one of the funniest things you’ll watch on the cruise.

46. Air freshener is a must. Cabins don’t have powered bathroom vents

Let’s get real. With two people in a small space, bathroom smells can be an issue. Cruise cabins don’t have vents in the bathroom. Foul smells, small cabins, and no ventilation are a bad combo. Pack some air freshener with you on your next cruise. Your cabin mate will thank you for it.

47. The cheapest Carnival cruise prices are when school is in session

Are you flexible with when you can sail? Then you can save a lot of money. Prices are lowest when school is in session and families have a tougher time sailing . The difference between the lowest fares and the highest fares can be hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars for the same cruise simply taken at different times of year.

Have more tips or questions about sailing on Carnival? Let us know in the comments below.

More on Cruising Carnival:

• Worth It? 15+ Questions & Answers About the Carnival CHEERS! Package
• Reviewed: Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, and More)
• Complete Guide to Sailing Carnival Cruise Line (What It’s Like)

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