Luxury Cruising Editorial

Carnival Cruise Line has 29 ships in service, with five more set to join the fleet by the end of 2033. That’s more than any other cruise line in the world!

With nearly 30 ships and a diverse lineup, it can be tough to remember which ones are shiny and new – and which might be showing their age. That distinction matters, especially since sailing aboard a Carnival ship built in the early 2000s offers a very different experience compared to stepping onto a modern mega-liner with all the bells and whistles.

To make matters more confusing, Carnival has renamed and repurposed several older ships, sometimes making them feel “new” even when they’re not.

So if you’re wondering which ships are fresh off the block and which might come with some quirks, you’re in the right place. Here’s your essential guide to Carnival ships ranked by age – and a few you might want to think twice about before you book.

Carnival Ships in Age Order

This table shows all Carnival cruise ships from newest to oldest, as well as when they were last refurbished.

Although some Carnival cruise ships are pretty old, every ship undergoes an extensive dry dock refurbishment at least every five years. So even if you choose one of the oldest ships, you can rest assured that everything will be in good working order and looking nice and fresh.

Carnival Cruise Line acquired Costa Luminosa from Costa Cruises, renamed her Carnival Luminosa, and added her to the fleet in September 2022.

Then Costa Venezia was renamed Carnival Venezia and relaunched in 2023. To complete the trio of ex-Costa ships, Costa Firenze launched as Carnival Firenze in 2024.

And then in 2025, the ex-P&O Australia ships joined the fleet as the new Adventure Class.

You can read more about those here: The Newest Carnival Ships

Five More Ships Are On Order

Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed two additional Excel-class ships: Carnival Festivale, debuting in spring 2027, and Carnival Tropicale, scheduled for spring 2028. These will join sister ships Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

While they’ll share many amenities with the existing ships, these new vessels will not feature the BOLT rollercoaster – instead, guests can look forward to an enhanced WaterWorks waterpark with exciting new slides.

Looking further ahead, Carnival is developing a brand-new class of vessels known internally as Project Ace. Scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033, these three ships will each be approximately 230,000 GT.

Built by Fincantieri, they will feature 3,000 guest staterooms and be able to accommodate nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity, making them by far the largest in Carnival’s fleet.

Carnival Sunshine Is Still Shining on as the Oldest Ship

The oldest Carnival ship in service is the Carnival Sunshine, which was launched in 1996. This Sunshine-class ship was known as Carnival Destiny until it was renamed in 2013 during a refit.

Carnival Sunshine was groundbreaking in the 1990s as the first-ever ship to exceed 100,000 gross tonnes in size. Modern cruise ships are now much larger, with Royal Caribbean’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas, exceeding 250,000 gross tonnes.

Prior to October 2022, the oldest Carnival ship in service was the Carnival Ecstasy, which was launched in 1991. This Fantasy-class ship was also one of the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet, accommodating just 2,606 guests across 10 decks.

A Fond Farewell – Scrapped Ships for Carnival

Here’s a list of Carnival ships that have been scrapped recently:

• Carnival Ecstasy was scrapped in Turkey in November 2022 at 31 years of age.
• Carnival Sensation retired in February 2022. The ship never restarted operations after the global pause in 2020.
• Carnival Fascination left the Carnival fleet in September 2020. After initial plans to be turned into a floating hotel fell through, the ship was scrapped in Pakistan.
• Carnival Imagination was sold in September 2020 after a long lay-up. The ship then headed to Turkey to be scrapped.
• Carnival Inspiration was sold for recycling in July 2020 along with the Carnival Fantasy.
• Carnival Fantasy was the first ship to leave the fleet in July 2020 as a result of the shutdown. The ship was scrapped in Turkey.

The Big Question – Are Newer Ships Better?

Many people believe that the newest Carnival cruise ships are the best. And if you want to ride a sky bike or rollercoaster high above the top deck, then they might well be.

However, even the oldest Carnival cruise ships have water slides, splash parks, mini golf, kids’ clubs, casinos, and nightclubs, so you’ll never be short of something to do.

Carnival cruises can be very loud and brash, so you may even find that sharing your ship with 5,000 other guests is a little too much and prefer the atmosphere of a smaller 2,000-passenger ship.

To find out which Carnival cruise ship is considered the best, I collated the review scores from all of the major cruise review sites. You can find the verdict here: Carnival Ships Ranked From Best To Worst, and in this video…

You’ll also want to think about the price. People are willing to pay a premium to be among the first to try the latest and greatest new ships, so there are some real bargains to be had if you’re willing to give one of the older vessels a chance.

One thing to consider, though, is that balcony rooms are pretty rare on Carnival’s oldest ships. But if you’d be happy with an Ocean View, then these can be a good option.

Suggested read: What to Expect From Carnival’s Ocean View Rooms

A Full List of All Ships (With Info and Photos)

Here’s some more information about each of the ships in the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet, along with photos…

Carnival Adventure

The former Pacific Adventure, Carnival Adventure, offers sailings from Australia and blends classic features with newer Carnival touches for a fun-packed family getaway.

Carnival Encounter

Just like sister ship Carnival Adventure, the newly-renamed Carnival Encounter retains everything that guests loved from the old Pacific Encounter, but with a ‘Carnival’ fun refresh.

Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze launched in 2021 as Costa Firenze and is the second in the Venice Class.

Carnival Jubilee

Carnival Jubilee is Carnival’s newest cruise ship in terms of new builds, launching in December 2023. This Excel-class cruise ship is a sister ship to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia was the first of the Venice-class ships to transfer over from Costa. She made her debut as Costa Venezia for Costa Cruises in May 2019 and was originally made to serve the Chinese market. In 2023, the ship was transferred to Carnival and renovated before making her debut for Carnival.

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration launched in 2022. This Excel-class cruise ship is a sister ship to Mardi Gras and the second ship to feature the BOLT rollercoaster. Carnival Celebration cruises out of Miami all year round.

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa was launched for Costa Cruises as Costa Luminosa in 2009. While Carnival calls this a Spirit-class ship, the design also features elements from the Vista Class. She was transferred to the Carnival fleet in 2022.

Mardi Gras

Carnival’s Mardi Gras cruise ship was launched in 2021. This Excel-class cruise ship can accommodate up to 6,500 passengers at maximum occupancy as well as a crew of 2,000.

Carnival Panorama

Carnival Panorama launched in 2019. This Vista-class cruise ship can accommodate 4,008 guests and was the flagship of Carnival Cruise Line until Mardi Gras was launched.

Carnival Horizon

The Carnival Horizon cruise ship launched in the spring of 2018. This Vista-class cruise ship can accommodate 3,960 guests, slightly less than sister ship Carnival Panorama.

Carnival Vista

Carnival Vista was launched in 2016. The first of Carnival’s Vista-Class ships, this ship was highly-anticipated, marking the end of a four-year-long pause in shipbuilding for the cruise line.

Carnival Breeze

The Carnival Breeze cruise ship is over ten years old, but still extremely popular. The ship was launched in 2012 and was last refurbished in 2023. Carnival Breeze is a Dream-class cruise ship and can accommodate 3,690 guests and 1,386 crew members.

Carnival Magic

The Carnival Magic launched in 2011, and the ship was last refurbished in May 2021 and now has the new blue, white and red livery. Carnival Magic is a Dream-class cruise ship and can accommodate 3,690 guests.

Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream was launched in 2009. The most advanced cruise ship in the world at the time, this ship was last refurbished in 2021. Like the other Dream-class ships, she can accommodate around 3,600 guests at double occupancy.

Carnival Splendor

Carnival Splendor launched in 2009 and was last refurbished in 2024. She is the only Splendor-class ship in Carnival’s fleet. This is because she was originally ordered by Costa Cruises as a sister ship to the Costa Concordia, which tragically sank in 2012.

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Freedom is a cruise ship that was launched in 2007. She has since been refurbished in 2023. The last of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships, she can accommodate 2,980 guests at double occupancy.

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Liberty was launched in 2005. This ship has been refurbished several times. In 2011, she was the first ship to receive the FUN 2.0 enhancements, and in 2021, she received the new blue, white and red livery. Most recently, in July 2025, she underwent a major dry dock with upgrades including a new WaterWorks aqua park, refreshed spa, and updated youth areas.

Carnival Miracle

The Carnival Miracle cruise ship launched in 2004 and was recently refurbished in 2025. Carnival Miracle is a Spirit-class cruise ship, offering more space per passenger than any other ship in the fleet.

Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor launched in 2004. However, she was refurbished recently in 2025. This Conquest-class cruise ship accommodates just under 3,000 guests.

Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory made her debut in 2003 but was last refurbished in 2024. This cruise ship is a Conquest-class ship, accommodating around 3,000 guests.

Carnival Conquest

Launched in 2002, the Carnival Conquest cruise ship was the first of a new class of ships for Carnival Cruise Line, back in the day. The ship was last refurbished in 2022.

Carnival Legend

The Carnival Legend cruise ship was launched in 2002 and was last refurbished in 2024. Carnival Legend is a Spirit-class cruise ship with space for 2,124 passengers – relatively small compared to most modern cruise ships.

Carnival Pride

Carnival Pride is a Spirit-class cruise ship. Launched in 2002, this ship is now over 20 years old but was last refurbished in 2023. Carnival Pride can carry just 2,124 passengers but is one of the most spacious ships in Carnival’s fleet.

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Spirit debuted in 2001. This first of the spacious Spirit-class ships, Carnival Spirit, was refurbished recently in 2025.

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance was first launched in 2000 under the name Carnival Victory. In 2021, the ship underwent a huge $200 million bow-to-stern makeover, was given the new livery and was christened again with the new name. She was last refurbished in 2024.

Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Sunrise started off as Carnival Triumph in 1999. But in 2019, the ship underwent a $200 million transformation that took 38 days to complete. She was then christened again with the new name – Carnival Sunrise. She was last refurbished in 2024.

Carnival Elation

The Carnival Elation cruise ship was launched in 1998 and was last refurbished in 2023. One of the smallest in Carnival’s fleet, Carnival Elation is a Fantasy-class cruise ship and can accommodate 2,130 guests.

Carnival Paradise

Just like Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise also made her debut in 1998. This Fantasy-class cruise ship was last refurbished in 2023.

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine was originally named Carnival Destiny when the ship was launched in 1996. In 2013, the ship underwent a $155 million transformation, which saw an entire deck added to the front third of the ship and the addition of 182 more cabins. She was last refurbished very recently in 2025.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Carnival cruise fans are a passionate bunch. And they’re often fiercely loyal to the brand. But that doesn’t mean they don’t also like to have the occasional moan about how the cruise line has changed over the years.

And there have been some big changes.

Some are specific to Carnival while others are part of the shifting landscape of cruising in general, as every cruise line tries to be more environmentally-friendly, a little more budget-conscious, and perhaps even a little less controversial?

That’s definitely the case with some of these Carnival changes…

1. The Midnight Extravaganza

The Midnight Extravaganza was Carnival’s buffet blow-out, held just after midnight.

Picture walls of crab legs, mountains of carved ice, chocolate fountains and flaming Baked Alaska – all laid out in an over-the-top display four times the size of the regular buffet.

Actually, you don’t need to imagine it. Take a look at this video from the Carnival Celebration in 2007…

The rising waste and the sheer cost of those ice sculptures saw Carnival quietly scale it back and eventually retire it.

Read more: Skeet Shooting At Sea

5. Twice-Daily Cabin Service & Turndown

Once upon a time, your cabin steward would visit not just once a day, but twice – making your bed in the morning and returning in the evening to turn it down, leave chocolates on the pillows and reset the room for the night.

These days, unless you’re in a suite, you’ll only get one visit per day – part of Carnival’s shift to streamline operations and reduce strain on housekeeping staff. It also happens to be better for the environment, with less laundry and water usage.

Most guests have accepted the change without much fuss, but that second visit did add a little something extra. There’s just something nice about coming back to a freshly fluffed bed and a mint, especially after a long evening show or late dinner.

6. Onboard Videographers

In the pre-smartphone era, Carnival had onboard videographers filming everything from sailaways to poolside games and formal nights. They’d then edit it into a souvenir video, which you could purchase at the end of the cruise.

It was never cheap, and it was never subtle. I’m told that the camera crews had a knack for appearing right when you were red-faced and half-drenched after a bellyflop contest, or trying to dance when you absolutely should not have been.

Eventually, as passengers started documenting their own holidays with phones and GoPros, the onboard video team quietly disappeared.

These days, you make your own memories – for better or worse. And while some might miss the polished, ship-produced recap, most people are probably happy not to have a camera following them around every deck.

7. Printed Carnival Capers and Menus

Carnival Capers – the daily printed newsletter – was once the lifeblood of the cruise. Slipped under your door each night, it laid out every event, activity and show happening the next day, plus the weather forecast, dress code and a few bits of cruise director humour.

Alongside it, you’d also get printed menus in the dining room, which you could read at your leisure or even take as a souvenir.

Eventually, these all moved to the Carnival Hub app. It’s efficient, saves paper, and lets the cruise line make real-time updates – handy when something’s cancelled or moved.

But it’s not quite the same as sitting on your balcony in the morning, coffee in hand, flicking through a physical copy of everything going on that day. You can still request the (now rebranded) Fun Times as a paper copy, and you can get paper menus if you ask – but a lot of people just feel like it’s inconvenient.

Menus especially felt like keepsakes – people would take them home, fold them into scrapbooks, or use them to remember their favourite dishes. Now it’s all on a screen, and while it works just fine, it doesn’t have the same charm.

8. Topless Sunbathing Deck

For a while, Carnival allowed topless sunbathing in designated adults-only areas on some of its ships. These decks were usually tucked away in quiet corners and not widely promoted, but they existed – and some guests made full use of them.

Over time, those spaces were phased out. They were never hugely popular, and there were ongoing issues with signage, guests wandering in by accident, and a general sense of awkwardness for staff who had to enforce the rules.

These days, it’s swimsuits on for everyone, everywhere. Not many people even noticed the change, but there’s a small group of loyal naturists who still bring it up from time to time – usually with a nostalgic shrug and a sigh about “how cruising used to be.”

Suggested read: The Do’s and Don’ts of Topless Sunbathing on Cruise Ships

9. 24/7 Pizza

Carnival’s pizza has always had a bit of a cult following – hot, fresh, thin-crust slices served from the poolside pizzeria. And for years, it was available 24 hours a day. Whether you’d just come back from a late-night comedy show or were heading out for a sunrise walk, pizza was always there.

But not anymore. The hours have been scaled back, mostly to give the staff a break and cut down on late-night food waste. It still runs most of the day and well into the evening, but if you’re looking for a 3 am pepperoni fix, you’ll probably be out of luck.

A late night snack menu has been added to the buffet, but it’s not the same – choices are limited and the pizza isn’t the same quality you can enjoy elsewhere on the ship during daytime hours.

A shame – and something people are still unhappy over.

10. Bluetooth Speakers Permitted

There was a time when guests could bring Bluetooth speakers on board and use them freely – on balconies, in cabins, and even on deck.

It didn’t take long for that to become a problem. Competing playlists at the pool, thumping bass at 7 am from the balcony next door, and impromptu parties that no one else signed up for.

Carnival eventually stepped in and banned them completely. It was one of those rare changes that almost everyone welcomed. Peace returned to the pool deck, and now the only music you hear comes from the ship’s own sound system.

Some people still ask why they can’t play their music in private, but the blanket ban avoids any grey areas. And really, no one’s ever missed someone else’s speaker blaring EDM at sunrise.

11. Free Popcorn at Dive-in Movies

Dive-In Movies – the open-air films shown on deck under the stars – are still going strong. What’s missing now is the free popcorn that used to come with them. For years, Carnival would hand out small tubs of popcorn at no charge, and it added a proper cinema feel to the experience.

That’s all stopped now. These days, if you want popcorn, you’ll have to buy. It’s a small change, but noticeable for anyone who remembers the old days.

Some say it’s no big loss – after all, it’s still a free movie with a sea breeze. And apparently it’s stopped some issues with people taking the freebie and then just throwing it around the pool deck.

But there’s something undeniably satisfying about munching popcorn under the stars, and without it, the Dive-In Movie nights just feel a bit more… ordinary.

12. Tablecloths in the Main Dining Room

There was a time when dinner in the main dining room meant crisp white tablecloths, neatly folded napkins, and a more traditional, formal dining experience – even on casual nights. It gave meals a little extra sense of occasion, whether you were tucking into lobster tail or just ordering a burger with fries.

Carnival started phasing them out years ago. These days, most dining rooms have bare tables with simple place settings. It’s more relaxed, easier to clean, and cuts down on laundry – all sensible reasons.

Still, some guests miss that touch of elegance. Tablecloths made dinner feel like a proper event. Without them, it’s still enjoyable – but there’s no denying it feels just a little more like a busy restaurant than a special night out.

13. Trays in the Buffet

Buffets on cruise ships used to have trays – the big kind you’d balance on your arm, stacking up plates, bowls, drinks, and maybe even dessert if you were confident. Carnival removed them to reduce spills, ease traffic flow, and discourage guests from piling up more food than they could eat.

It’s a change that’s mostly stuck. Today, you’ll grab a plate or two and make more trips if you’re hungry.

And while that’s probably a good thing, there are people who say they found it easier to carry a tray, some old-school cruisers still bring it up, especially when juggling plates during peak lunch rush. But for most, it’s just the new normal.

14. Free Room Service

For years, room service on Carnival was completely free, available day and night. You could order sandwiches, desserts, hot meals, even breakfast trays delivered to your cabin – all without paying a penny (though tipping the delivery staff was always encouraged).

That’s changed. Room service now comes with a charge for most items, especially during evening hours. A few light bites remain complimentary during the day, but the full menu is behind a price tag.

Understandably, this one still stings for a lot of guests. There’s something deeply satisfying about eating a grilled cheese in your pyjamas while watching the waves go by. People will still use the service, but that sense of indulgent luxury – the feeling that you could order just because you could – has definitely faded.

15. Special Menu Items

Carnival used to offer a wider range of special menu items that would pop up on certain nights – whether it was a regional dish inspired by the ship’s itinerary, a themed dessert night, or an over-the-top presentation like Baked Alaska parades. These items were often a surprise and gave meals a bit of extra excitement.

But over time, the menus have been simplified. Fewer one-off dishes, fewer theatrics, and a more standardised experience across the fleet. It helps things run more smoothly in the galley and keeps waste down – especially as dining rooms got busier.

That said, people still talk about the “old menus.” The Elegant Night lobster tails. The escargot. The crew marching in with flaming desserts. Those touches might not have been essential, but they were memorable – and the current dining options, while solid, don’t always spark the same level of enthusiasm.

16. Pepsi Products

Carnival used to be a Coca-Cola cruise line – you could get all your familiar Coke products onboard, from Diet Coke to Sprite to the occasional exotic Fanta flavour.

But that changed when Carnival made the switch to Pepsi, a change that rolled out across the fleet in early 2020.

And for something as small as a soft drink, it stirred up a surprising amount of emotion. Some people genuinely didn’t mind, or even preferred Pepsi. But others… didn’t take it quite so well.

But then they got some good news in the summer of 2025 as the cruise line announced it was returning to Coca-Cola products.

So great news for Coca-Cola fans, but the people who prefer Pepsi are now the ones missing out.

17. Personalised Service

One of the things long-time Carnival fans talk about is how personal things used to feel. Cabin stewards and bartenders would remember your name, your drink order, even how you took your coffee in the morning.

You didn’t have to ask twice – they just knew.

As the cruise line got bigger and the ships more crowded, some of those little touches started to fade. Service is still friendly, but it’s more streamlined now – less time to chat, more focus on efficiency. For newer cruisers, it’s still impressive. But if you’ve sailed Carnival for years, you’ll probably notice the difference.

It’s not that the crew don’t care – far from it. They’re working just as hard as ever. But with more guests and fewer repeat interactions, that feeling of being known and recognised throughout the ship isn’t as common as it once was. And for some people, that’s the thing they miss the most.

Final Word

Cruising with Carnival has never stood still. Over the years, the cruise line has evolved – trimming back, streamlining, and modernising its experience in ways that make sense from a business, environmental, or logistical perspective.

Some of these changes have been welcomed with open arms (goodbye, Bluetooth speaker battles), while others still spark the occasional nostalgic rant on cruise message boards.

What’s clear is that Carnival has tried to strike a balance between keeping things fun and moving with the times. But for long-time cruisers, the small touches that used to define the experience – the turndown, the midnight crab legs, the cheeky bellyflop contests – still hold a special place in their memories.

So if you find yourself grumbling about missing chocolate on your pillow or scanning the buffet for a tray that isn’t there, you’re not alone. And who knows? Maybe some of these lost favourites will find their way back in one form or another.

Related Posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me