carnival cruise ship rankings 2022

Carnival Cruise Line

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Cruising with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line stays true to its lively reputation with its festive atmosphere and versatile entertainment options. Carnival's 26 ships depart from many cities in the U.S., including  Miami ,  Los Angeles ,  Baltimore ,  Seattle  and  New York City . With such a large fleet, Carnival offers cruisers their pick of destinations across  Mexico ,  Alaska ,  Hawaii , Europe ,  Australia  and the  Caribbean , among other locations. Voyages range from two to 16 days, with occasional transpacific cruises of up to 22 days. Each ship carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Just as Carnival's cruise lengths and itineraries vary by ship, so do its available shore excursions. You could learn how cacao is processed into chocolate in Costa Rica , explore Dubrovnik, Croatia , by tuk-tuk, , go whale watching in Juneau, Alaska , or swim with sharks in Belize .

Back on board Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships," you'll find plenty of activities to keep you busy. With waterslides, sports courts, casinos, piano bars, comedy acts and nightclubs, Carnival's fleet offers guests of all ages something to enjoy. The cruise line's knack for variety carries over to onboard cuisine, which includes three-course meals served in the main dining room, a Lido Marketplace deck buffet and specialty restaurants dishing out everything from Italian fare to sake and sushi.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Download the Hub App to access activity and show schedules, see restaurant menus, make dining reservations and chat with family members age 13 and older ($5 per person). – Karon Warren, Contributor

Book a Carnival cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Numerous ships and itineraries to pick from

Extensive selection of onboard amenities and activities

Variety of included dining options

Additional fees apply for shore excursions

High capacity ships can feel crowded

Wi-Fi access costs extra

• Expert Rating » 3.4
• Traveler Rating » 4.0
• Health Rating » 4.3

Carnival Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 3 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 6 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• # 7 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money

Explore Photos

Carnival Cruise Line Ships

Carnival Panorama

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Horizon

Carnival Miracle

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Breeze

Carnival Conquest

Carnival Vista

Carnival Glory

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Legend

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Magic

Carnival Valor

Carnival Dream

Carnival Paradise

Carnival Elation

Carnival Pride

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Jubilee

Before You Book

• Deposits are required for all cruises; deposit and payment due dates depend on cruise length. Typically, final payment is due 76 days before two- to five-day sailings and 91 days in advance of cruises that sail for six or more days, though this varies by destination.
• Early Saver, Super Saver and Pack & Go rates are cheaper than regular cruise rates. However, cancellation policies are stricter for these fares, so be sure to read the fine print . In addition, when booking at a Super Saver or Pack & Go rate, your fare is set and Carnival will choose your cabin location and deck.
• Cancellations for a full refund must be made up to 76 days before your sailing (for trips five days or less) or 91 days prior to sailing (for trips six days or more). If you miss these deadlines, you will forfeit your deposit and/or a percentage of the total fare paid, depending on the cancellation timeframe. If you cancel 14 days prior to sailing, you will receive no refund.
• For most sailings, Carnival Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 6 months old, though some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will reach 24 weeks before or during the cruise may not take the voyage due to safety concerns.
• Accessible staterooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests who are hearing impaired and need an interpreter are encouraged to give the cruise line a 60-day notice. Guests with special needs requests can contact Carnival's Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025 or email  [email protected]  before their cruise departure date.

Before You Board

• Certain ports of call require a passport that's valid for six months after your trip and a visa from the country to which you are traveling, which must be obtained before your cruise. For American citizens ages 16 and older departing from and returning to the same U.S. port (excluding those traveling to Cuba), a government-issued photo ID will suffice. Visit the  U.S. State Department website  for more information on visa requirements.
• Check the  Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  and  World Health Organization (WHO)  websites for the latest vaccination information for countries on your itinerary.
• Carnival passengers can check in online up to 14 days prior to their cruise departure and must do so before midnight EST on the morning of departure. All guests are required to board the ship by the Final Boarding time printed on the boarding pass or they will not be allowed to cruise.
• Up to two pieces of luggage weighing no more than 50 pounds each are permitted per person, though Carnival suggests bringing only one bag per person for cruises that last fewer than five days. Size restrictions apply for both checked bags and bags carried onto the ship by guests, so consult Carnival's  website  before your departure date.
• You can book both shore excursions and reservations at specialty restaurants prior to boarding the ship. Shore excursions can be reserved up to 11:59 p.m. EST two days before cruise departure, while specialty dining reservations can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure. Though you can book both shore excursions and dining reservations on board, Carnival recommends booking in advance for the best options.

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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Ships & Ratings

Ship Ratings Key

Carnival cruise ships by size: Here are the largest Carnival cruise ships, biggest to smallest, by tonnage

What is the biggest Carnival cruise ship? Currently, the largest Carnival ship is Carnival Jubilee, in terms of both tonnage and passenger capacity. Set to debut in late 2023, it will tie sister ship Carnival Celebration, which first set sail in 2022, at 183,521 gross tons and 5,374 passengers at double occupancy.

It's easy to remember that, generally, the newest ships are the largest Carnival ships. However, because Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, it can be difficult to keep track of the ships that fall in between the newest and oldest.

So, to help you out, here is a list of Carnival ships, biggest to smallest, based on tonnage — a ship's internal capacity, as measured by volume.

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Carnival cruise ships by size

1. carnival jubilee.

Size: 183,521 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 5,374. Maiden voyage: 2023.

2. Carnival Celebration

Size: 183,521 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 5,374. Maiden voyage: 2022.

3. Mardi Gras

Size: 180,800 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 5,282. Maiden voyage: 2021.

4. Carnival Venezia (formerly Costa Venezia)

Size: 135,225 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 4,072. Maiden voyage: 2019 (renamed in 2023).

5. Carnival Firenze (formerly Costa Firenze)

Size: 135,156 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 4,126. Maiden voyage: 2021 (renamed in 2024).

6. Carnival Panorama

Size: 133,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 4,008. Maiden voyage: 2019.

7. Carnival Horizon

Size: 133,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,960. Maiden voyage: 2018.

8. Carnival Vista

Size: 133,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,934. Maiden voyage: 2016.

9. Carnival Breeze

Size: 130,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,690. Maiden voyage: 2012.

10. Carnival Magic

Size: 130,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,690. Maiden voyage: 2011.

11. Carnival Dream

Size: 130,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,646. Maiden voyage: 2009.

12. Carnival Splendor

Size: 113,300 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,012. Maiden voyage: 2008.

13. Carnival Freedom

Size: 110,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,980. Maiden voyage: 2007.

14. Carnival Valor

Size: 110,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,980. Maiden voyage: 2004.

15. Carnival Glory

Size: 110,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,980. Maiden voyage: 2003.

16. Carnival Conquest

Size: 110,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,980. Maiden voyage: 2002.

17. Carnival Liberty

Size: 110,000 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,974. Maiden voyage: 2005.

18. Carnival Sunshine (formerly Carnival Destiny)

Size: 102,853 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 3,002. Maiden voyage: 1996 (overhauled and renamed in 2013).

19. Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory)

Size: 101,509 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,984. Maiden voyage: 2000 (overhauled and renamed in 2021).

20. Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Triumph)

Size: 101,509 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,984. Maiden voyage: 1999 (overhauled and renamed in 2019).

21. Carnival Luminosa (formerly Costa Luminosa)

Size: 92,720 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,260. Maiden voyage: 2009 (overhauled and renamed in 2022).

22. Carnival Miracle

Size: 88,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,124. Maiden voyage: 2004.

23. Carnival Legend

Size: 88,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,124. Maiden voyage: 2002.

24. Carnival Pride

25. Carnival Spirit

Size: 88,500 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,124. Maiden voyage: 2001.

26. Carnival Paradise

Size: 71,925 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,124. Maiden voyage: 1998.

27. Carnival Elation

Size: 71,909 gross tons. Passenger capacity : 2,190. Maiden voyage: 1998.

What is the biggest Carnival ship?

The biggest Carnival ships are Carnival Celebration (2022) and Carnival Jubilee, which will set sail for the line in late 2023. They're tied in terms of size, each coming in at 183,521 gross tons and carrying 5,374 passengers at capacity.

Both vessels are throwback ships, which are named after two members of Carnival's original fleet. They feature cutting-edge entertainment, luxury cabin options, a slew of cuisine choices, onboard breweries, tons of lounge areas and top-deck amusements — ropes courses, waterslides and even roller coasters — that rival what you might find at an amusement park.

What is the smallest Carnival ship?

The smallest Carnival cruise ship is Carnival Elation, the line's second-oldest vessel. At 71,909 gross tons, it carries just 2,190 passengers — less than half the amount accommodated on ships in Carnival's Excel class.

Are bigger Carnival ships coming?

At the time of publication, Carnival Cruise Line was building its newest ship, Carnival Jubilee. It's one of two vessels — including its older sister Carnival Celebration — that shares the "biggest Carnival ship" title.

After Carnival Jubilee, the line has no ships on order for the first time in years.

What is the Carnival Jubilee tonnage?

Carnival Jubilee is 183,521 gross tons. Not to be confused with weight, gross registered tonnage measures a ship's size in terms of internal volume and what a vessel can hold or contain. Each gross registered ton is equal to 100 cubic feet of space.

What's the difference between big and small Carnival ships?

One of the biggest differences is that Carnival's tiniest ships carry between 2,100 and 3,000 passengers, while its biggest can accommodate more than 5,000 people. In addition, the largest vessels measure more than 180,000 gross tons, while the smallest measure less than 90,000 gross registered tons.

Smaller ships don't have space to offer as many attractions as huge vessels, but Carnival invested $500 million over five years to make its fleet more uniform, regardless of ship size.

Thanks to this initiative, all ships now feature venues including Alchemy Bar, Guy's Burger Joint by Guy Fieri — now a staple, along with barbecue and microbrewed beer on some ships — and the Punchliner Comedy Club, among other popular amenities that are now Carnival hallmarks.

Besides the obvious size differences between big and small cruise ships, smaller ships also tend to be older than their larger counterparts.

Decor is a dead giveaway to the age of a Carnival ship. Older hardware boasts interiors designed by Joe Farcus, a renowned architect known for his kitschy, fun style that employs bright colors, whimsical art installations and neon lights. (He's also responsible for the line's iconic "whale tail" funnels.) Newer vessels tend to have a more toned-down look.

Finally, fares are a factor. The smaller the ship, the more likely it is to sail short, affordable itineraries. Major exceptions to this rule are Carnival Journeys voyages, which are offered a few times each year and feature extended itineraries of two weeks or longer.

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Carnival Cruise Lines' Cruise Ships, Build Dates, and Itineraries

Carnival Cruise Line is the world's largest cruise line. Carnival was founded in 1972 and currently operates 24 cruise ships.

The Carnival cruise ships primarily sail to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from several ports in the eastern and southern United States, but Carnival also cruises the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, and New England/Atlantic Canada.

The Carnival Horizon joins the fleet in April 2018 and sails a few European itineraries before moving to New York for the summer season. She then moves to her home port of Miami to sail through the spring of 2019.

Here is a list of the Carnival ships, along with their build date and current itineraries (as of June 2017).

• Carnival Fantasy (1990) - Bahamas and Caribbean from Mobile, AL
• Carnival Ecstasy (1991) - Caribbean, Bermuda, or Bahamas from Charleston, SC
• Carnival Sensation (1993) - the Bahamas and the Caribbean from MIami, FL
• Carnival Fascination (1994) - Caribbean from San Juan, PR or Barbados
• Carnival Imagination (1995) - Mexico from Los Angeles, CA
• Carnival Inspiration (1996) - Mexico from Los Angeles, CA
• Carnival Elation (1998) - Bahamas from Jacksonville, FL
• Carnival Paradise (1998) - Caribbean from Tampa, FL
• Carnival Triumph (1999) - the Caribbean from New Orleans, LA
• Carnival Victory (2000) - Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami, FL
• Carnival Conquest (2002) - the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Carnival Pride (2002) - the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Baltimore, MD
• Carnival Legend (2002) - Alaska and Hawaii from Seattle and Vancouver, BC
• Carnival Glory (2003) - Caribbean from Miami, FL
• Carnival Miracle (2004) - Hawaii and Mexico from Los Angeles, CA until January 2018 and then the Caribbean from Tampa, FL
• Carnival Valor (2004) - Caribbean from Galveston, TX
• Carnival Liberty (2005) - Bahamas from Port Canaveral, FL
• Carnival Freedom (2007) - Caribbean from Galveston, TX
• Carnival Splendor (2008) - the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Miami and Fort Lauderdale until January 2018 and then Mexico from Los Angeles, CA
• Carnival Dream (2009) - the Caribbean from New Orleans
• Carnival Magic (2011) - Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL
• Carnival Breeze (2012) - Caribbean from Galveston, TX
• Carnival Sunshine (2013) - Previously the Carnival Destiny, the ship was significantly refurbished, modified, and renamed in 2013 - Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada/New England and the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, New York, Charleston, Norfolk
• Carnival Vista (2016) - Sails year-round from Miami to Caribbean itineraries

Carnival Cruises is one of eight diverse cruise lines owned by the parent company, Carnival Corporation. The other cruise lines in the corporation include Aida Cruises (German), Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn Cruises. Fathom Cruises discontinued operations in June 2017. The company's one ship, the Adonia, was transferred back to P&O Cruises where it had been previously.

Carnival  is known worldwide as having "fun ships," and the company's cruise ships are filled with non-stop, fun activities. Although many of the activities are geared to younger families and couples, the cruise line has many loyal passengers over 45. The ships are also well-suited for multi-generational family groups. Carnival Cruises does not pretend that its ships are luxurious or elegant, and people return over and over because they love the constant entertainment, music, and party atmosphere.

How to Select the Right Carnival Cruise Ship

With 24 ships afloat, how do you choose the right Carnival ship for you and your traveling companions or family? When planning a cruise, determine where you want to cruise, where you want to embark/disembark, and how long you want to cruise. The ships sailing for 3 or 4 days to the Bahamas will have a much younger crowd since they are less expensive. These long-weekend sailings are often boisterous and filled with fun parties, but might not be attractive to those who want a quieter atmosphere.

The newer ships built in the 21st century have more balcony cabins, so if that's important to you, then check the destinations and prices for those ships first. Some of the older ships have a few balconies, but the prices might be higher since they are not as common.

After you do your research on the Carnival ships and destinations, work with a travel agent to book the cruise. They are probably well-versed in Carnival Cruises.

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How to Choose a Cruise for the First Time

• Cruise Ships
• Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic ®

• Dining & Activities
• Past Guest Photos
• Sails From:

We knew exactly what we were doing when we named this ship Carnival Magic... and we're sure you'll agree. At 1,004 feet, this one continued the Dream class tradition of large-scale, bow-to-stern cruise ship fun including the food-and-entertainment space Ocean Plaza, the splashy stylings of Carnival WaterWorks ™ ... and The Lanai, a convenient, scenic half-mile outdoor wraparound promenade deck. In other words, a cruise on Carnival Magic has no shortage of its namesake charm! It's no surprise Carnival Magic debuted all-new ways to have a good time onboard, and continues to prove it with the outdoor fitness-and-fun of SportSquare ™ , featuring the world's first ropes course at sea. This is also the ship that introduced the world to Cucina del Capitano ® , which serves up Italian favorites fit for a captain. Who can forget their first taste of RedFrog Pub ® , with its laid back, not-a-worry-to-be-found atmosphere... plus its exclusive, tasty, not-a-drop-to-be-found (on land, that is) beer, ThirstyFrog ® Red. And if you wanted to visit the original Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse ™ ... guess which ship you'd check out! Keeping with the times, Carnival Magic features the delicious good times of Guy's Burger Joint ™ , BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Alchemy Bar ® and RedFrog Rum Bar ® . Carnival Magic has a history of starting good things... and sharing them with guests.

• 130,000 Gross Tonnage
• 3690 Guest Capacity
• 1004 Length In Feet
• 1367 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Cloud 9 spa interior.

Amenities exclusive to Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms and suites:

• Unique welcome ritual
• Priority spa reservations
• Unlimited use of Thermal Suites, plus scrub kit
• Unlimited use of Hydrotherapy Pool
• Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
• Complimentary body composition analysis
• Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
• Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
• Upgraded ELEMIS in-stateroom toiletries

Plus, every room includes:

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• In-room safe for valuables
• Stateroom climate control

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior Upper/Lower (Porthole)

Interior upper/lower, cloud 9 spa ocean view (walkway view).

The best way to enjoy the relaxing, invigorating Cloud 9 Spa while on a cruise is in a spa stateroom, and this one fits the bill, providing comfy accommodations and convenient, priority access to treatments and services at the Cloud 9 Spa. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Deluxe Ocean View

On Carnival Magic, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms in this category feature great views, a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five cruisers.

Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)

On Carnival Magic, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are great for families. These rooms feature a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Magic, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space; not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Magic's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony (Large Balcony)

We designed Carnival Magic balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony. Enjoy the extra outdoor space, along with all the standard Carnival stateroom amenities.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Magic. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Cove Balcony

Love the sea? Carnival Magic's Cove Balcony staterooms are the best way to see the sea — these rooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location. Enjoy things from a whole new perspective: one amazing up-close view of the wake and seafoam as the ship cruises along.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Magic features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattress

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Plus, all suites include:

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Magic suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Junior Suite (Obstructed View)

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Magic, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Magic Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet; and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Onboard dining, where to for you.

This ship is always visiting great vacation spots. Where will your next vacation take you?

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

TAG & THEY'RE IT!

Meet the Norwegian-owned cruise challenger to Carnival and Royal Caribbean that just raised $1.54 billion

Viking had humble beginnings. 

The now-listed cruise line was once just a venture by “two guys with two mobile phones and four river ships,” as the company’s CEO, Torstein Hagen, puts it in Viking’s prospectus .

But a lot has changed in 27 years. Now, the Norwegian-owned, Bermuda-based business has a staff of 10,000 catering to guests with a taste for the finer things in life. 

The cruise operator, which made its name in European river tours, launched its initial public offering at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. It raised $1.54 billion , according to Reuters, making it the biggest listing in the U.S. this year. 

Viking rebounded strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated cruise travel and its public listing comes as luxury consumers are spending more on travel and less on shopping. Some of Viking’s competitors, such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, have seen record demand for cruises—opening a world of opportunity for the smaller company.    

Viking’s beginning

Viking was founded in 1997 by Hagen, who controls most of the company with his daughter, Karine Hagen.

From the start it aimed to give travelers an immersive experience in local cultures as they toured in one of its four river vessels. In the past three decades or so, Viking has expanded its fleet to 92 ships offering three types of experiences via rivers, oceans, and expeditions.

The company has also benefited from some savvy marketing plays: It sponsored PBS Masterpiece series, such as Downton Abbey , and offered themed trips linked to those shows. 

Between 2015 and 2023, Viking’s revenue grew at a compound annual rate of 14.4%, outpacing the rest of the cruise industry in the river and luxury ocean segments during this period, the company said in a public filing .

Viking has carved its strategic niche among older, well-off customers, a group it believes is “underserved.” These are not boozy party boats, and there are no kids allowed. 

“Our target demographic has greater financial stability, which can make them more resilient to economic conditions and more willing to invest in high-quality travel experiences,” Viking said. 

And that’s the space it hopes it can dominate, with the help of its IPO funds.

The Viking founder and road ahead

Hagen didn’t enter the world of cruises till the 1970s. 

A physics major in school, Hagen earned an MBA at Harvard University before entering management consulting. He dabbled with entrepreneurship a few times before finally succeeding, Bloomberg reported .

When business for Viking’s river cruises, its first service, began to pick up, Hagen expanded to offer journeys worldwide—from expeditions in Antarctica to river cruises in Vietnam. 

Viking is on an expedition of its own now that its shares are traded. Last year, the cruise line hosted close to 650,000 guests and generated $4.7 billion in revenue, up by almost 50% from 2022. Its underlying profits were $1.1 billion for the same period, according to Viking’s prospectus.

The cruise company is still much smaller than rivals like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. But it’s a global leader in some segments, such as luxury ocean cruises. 

Following a strong open, Viking’s market valuation has reached more than $10 billion, putting Hagen’s wealth at $5 billion. As the appetite for luxury travel builds , Viking is ready to ride the wave. 

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Carnival cruise ship returns to Florida after funnel fire

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Carnival cruise ship that caught fire over the weekend safely returned to Florida on Monday.

Video from WESH showed the Carnival Freedom bringing passengers back to Port Canaveral around 7:30 a.m.

The ship’s funnel caught fire off the coast of the Bahamas on Saturday.

“The ship’s fire response team was quickly activated, and the ship’s captain also turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximize the efforts to put out the flames. Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike and that is being investigated but cannot yet be confirmed,” Carnival told WFLA in a statement on Saturday.

A portion of the funnel fell onto Deck 10. The crew asked passengers to avoid balconies and open decks for safety.

Carnival said two crew members who extinguished the fire were treated for minor smoke inhalation. No guests were injured.

The cruise line had to cancel the Freedom’s next two voyages , departing on March 25 and March 29, out of Port Canaveral.

Guests scheduled for those cruises will be issued a full refund and a future cruise credit, Carnival said.

The ship will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday to undergo repairs.

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