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The 5 Cruise Lines That Once-Loyal Carnival Guests Are Switching To

With the announcement of Carnival Rewards, the cruise line’s new loyalty program, there’s been no shortage of backlash.

Many long-time fans feel like their loyalty has been wiped out, and that the perks they once enjoyed are now locked behind sky-high spending thresholds.

Angry at Carnival

Some are frustrated enough to say they’ll be cancelling upcoming bookings. Others are simply looking at alternatives for future sailings.

So where are they going? I’ve analysed the comments online, and these are the top choices…

1. MSC Cruises

Why it’s good for Carnival fans:

  • One of the cheapest cruise lines in the US market
  • Offers status match from most other cruise lines, including Carnival
  • Fun ships with water parks, ropes courses and more

Why it might not suit Carnival cruisers:

  • European-style service and dining can feel a little different
  • Not as high-energy as Carnival – entertainment is more reserved
  • Some guests find the onboard experience a bit inconsistent
A smiling woman in a leopard print dress with sunglasses on her head, extends her arms joyfully on a sandy beach with the MSC cruise ship in the background, floating on calm turquoise waters under a partly cloudy sky.

MSC Cruises has made huge waves in the US market in recent years, and it’s no surprise that disillusioned Carnival guests are giving them a look.

The biggest draw? Status Match. If you’re Platinum or Diamond with Carnival, you can often jump straight into a higher loyalty tier with MSC, unlocking benefits from your very first cruise.

Read more: MSC’s Status Match Program

They’re also pretty affordable, and with family-friendly ships like MSC Seashore and MSC World America, you’ll find a similar energy – especially during school holidays.

That said, MSC’s European roots are noticeable. Dining can feel slower and more traditional, entertainment is less raucous, and service standards can vary.

If you’re looking for an exact Carnival clone, this isn’t it – but if saving money and keeping perks is your goal, they’re worth a look.

Read more: Carnival Vs MSC Cruises: Which Is Best?

2. Virgin Voyages

Why it’s good for Carnival fans:

  • Offers status match through the “Deep Blue Extras” loyalty tier
  • Ultra-modern ships with a great party vibe
  • No kids onboard – just adults relaxing and enjoying themselves

Why it might not suit Carnival cruisers:

  • Adults only – no families or kids allowed
  • Pricing is higher, especially upfront (though more is included)
  • A different kind of “fun” – more chic than cheeky
My first Virgin Voyages cruise

Virgin Voyages is one of the newer players in the cruise game, but they’ve made a splash – especially with adults who love food, cocktails, and a bit of flair.

If you’re a Carnival fan who cruises without kids and loves a good time, Virgin might feel like a grown-up version of what you already love.

There’s still live music, themed parties and energetic shows – but the whole thing feels more curated, more premium.

The big caveat is that they’re adults only, so families are out of luck. And while pricing can seem high at first glance, it does include things like WiFi, gratuities, and all dining venues – which Carnival doesn’t.

Virgin Voyages Perks

And they’re the other major cruise line offering status match – so Carnival guests who are Platinum or Diamond can start enjoying enhanced perks right away.

Read more: Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club Explained (Including Status Match!)

However if you’re a Carnival cruiser who likes to order a drinks package, you’re out of luck – Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer them, though you can get bonus ‘bar tab’ credit by loading your account in advance.

Compared to Carnival, Virgin Voyages is definitely a shift in tone. Less hairy chest contest, more rooftop yoga.

3. Royal Caribbean

Why it’s good for Carnival fans:

  • A very similar cruise experience – lively ships, family fun, upbeat vibe
  • More onboard features – surfing, zip lines, robot bartenders…
  • Huge global fleet with loads of itinerary options

Why it might not suit Carnival cruisers:

  • Usually more expensive than Carnival, especially for similar itineraries
  • You’re starting loyalty status from scratch
Me and my son riding a bumper car

If Carnival is the party cruise line, Royal Caribbean is its slightly shinier, slightly more advanced cousin.

There’s a lot of overlap – family-friendly ships, upbeat entertainment, relaxed dress codes – but Royal Caribbean ups the ante with larger ships and more ambitious features. Icon of the Seas is practically a floating resort, with seven pools, a waterpark, and Central Park all onboard.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas luxury cruise ship sailing at dusk, with its name visible on the hull and a calm sea in the background.

The downside? Price. Royal ships are generally more expensive than Carnival’s even with itineraries that are almost identical, and you’ll be starting from zero on the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder.

But if you’re happy to spend a little more and want that familiar energy with bigger ships and more toys, Royal Caribbean’s an easy next step.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Vs Carnival: Which Is Best?

4. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Why it’s good for Carnival fans:

  • Similar casual vibe – “Freestyle” cruising is very relaxed
  • Comparable itineraries, especially in the Caribbean
  • Newer ships packed with fun features and entertainment

Why it might not suit Carnival cruisers:

  • Higher prices, especially when you start adding extras
  • No status match – loyalty status starts from your first cruise
  • Entertainment can be more Broadway, less poolside party
A woman in a red and white summer dress stands smiling at the dockside with the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship moored in the background, under a bright blue sky with some clouds.

NCL is another cruise line that appeals to the same kind of guest Carnival does – people who don’t want to dress up, who like lots of choice, and who want a good time at sea.

The “Freestyle” approach means you can eat when you like, dress how you like, and build the cruise you want. And ships like Norwegian Prima and Encore are packed with go-karts, VR gaming, and even open-air laser tag.

But like Royal Caribbean, you’ll likely pay more for a similar cruise – and while onboard perks are good, you’ll have to earn them from scratch. No status match here.

Read more: Everything You Need To Know About NCL’s More At Sea – Is It Good Value?

5. Celebrity Cruises

Why it’s good for Carnival fans:

  • Offers a more premium, relaxed cruise experience
  • Great for those who want to “upgrade” from Carnival’s fun-focused style
  • Exceptional dining and service

Why it might not suit Carnival cruisers:

  • Much quieter – less party, more peaceful
  • No status match from Carnival
  • Higher pricing – especially with extras
Cruise Mummy in a light blue dress stands in front of a large silver sculpture of two hands forming a heart shape on a Celebrity Cruises ship. The deck features a small pool in the background, and the woman smiles at the camera under a partly cloudy sky.

Celebrity Cruises isn’t a direct Carnival competitor – and they’re not trying to be. But for some Carnival fans who feel the magic is gone, this is the cruise line they’re “growing into”.

Celebrity ships are chic, food-focused and calm. Entertainment is polished, the crowd tends to skew older, and everything just feels a touch more elegant.

But if you loved Carnival for the music, the trivia, the late-night pizza and the party energy, Celebrity might feel like a step too far in the other direction.

Celebrity Apex Retreat Sundeck

Still, if you’re looking for a change and don’t mind paying more for a bit of luxury, they might surprise you.

Read more: Celebrity Cruises Vs Carnival: Which is Better?

Honourable Mentions: Princess Cruises & Holland America Line

Both of these are technically still part of the Carnival Corporation family – so they may not feel like much of a change if you’re trying to move away from the Carnival brand entirely.

Why they’re good:

  • You’ll still get your shareholder onboard credit if you own Carnival Corp stock
  • A more relaxed atmosphere – ideal if you want to cruise in peace
  • Great for Alaska, Europe and longer itineraries

Why they’re not ideal for Carnival fans:

  • Still part of the Carnival Corp group
  • Much quieter – very little in the way of high-energy nightlife or entertainment
  • Tends to appeal to older guests
Sun Princess with family

If you’re moving on from Carnival but want to keep your shareholder perks, Princess and Holland America are solid options.

But don’t expect the same atmosphere – these are laid-back, traditional cruise lines with a more refined tone.

Think afternoon tea and enrichment lectures rather than deck parties and DJ sets.

Read more: Princess Cruises Vs Carnival: Which is Better?

Final Word

The launch of Carnival Rewards has shaken things up – and for many long-time fans, it’s the push they needed to start exploring other cruise lines.

Whether you’re looking to keep your perks via a status match, or you’re just curious to try something new, there are plenty of options out there.

Some feel familiar, others offer a totally different experience – and that’s the beauty of cruising today: there’s something for everyone.

Just remember, no cruise line is a perfect replacement for Carnival. Each one comes with its own pros, cons, and quirks. But if you’re feeling let down by the loyalty shake-up, it might be the perfect time to broaden your horizons.

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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.

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7 Reasons The New Carnival Loyalty Program Makes Sense

I’m well aware that there will be Carnival cruise fans who see the title of this article and will be triggered already.

Trust me, I’m being very careful while I peek out over the parapet with this article…

Carnival Rewards Makes Sense

But while I totally understand the reasons that many cruisers hate the new Carnival Rewards loyalty program, I can also see (some) sense in why it’s going to happen, and why it’ll be a good thing. For some people.

I don’t expect to convert the haters by the end of this guide, but maybe you’ll at least see that some of the reasons behind the change are reasonable…

1. Thinning Out the Top-Tier Members

The main reason Carnival decided to get rid of the VIFP loyalty program and replace it with Carnival Rewards is because there are just too many loyal Carnival fans reaching the upper tiers of the existing system.

It’s impossible to give special treatment to the Diamond cruisers when there are hundreds of them boarding a ship. In fact, there have been some cruises where it hasn’t been possible to offer priority disembarkation as there have just been too many people in the priority group, meaning everyone loses out.

“Priority boarding” just becomes, well, “boarding” by that point. And there were plenty of other perks where there are just too many people to properly accommodate them.

Passengers walking towards the priority check-in for a Carnival Cruise, guided by a sign that says 'Boarding This Way' with a red arrow, indicating the direction in a bright and airy terminal with glass walls and festive decorations.

So yes, a lot of Platinum and Diamond cruisers are going to be very upset about the changes, as they eventually lose their status if they don’t spend the money to maintain it.

But for those that do spend that money, they should find that their rewards perks feel a lot more like a perk, something that’s special for them.

It’s a tough balance. But when a “loyalty” system gets too crowded at the top, it stops feeling like a reward and starts feeling like something everyone gets just for turning up.

The new program gives Carnival a way to better control numbers at the upper tiers, while still offering a path to reach them – just with a bit more effort (or money) required.

"To all of those who are caught up on VIFP level status, do you actually enjoy the time cruising?  Or are you 24/7 contemplating your next perk and level? I get the feeling many of you just don't relax and enjoy the experience""Wow. What is wrong with you? Cruise line apologist ."

2. Big Spenders Will Love It

Let’s be honest – some cruisers spend a lot of money. They book the best balcony cabins, splash out on shore excursions, order drinks by the bucket, and hit the spa without blinking at the prices.

Under the old system, those people weren’t rewarded more than someone who booked a cheap interior cabin and didn’t spend a penny onboard.

Drinking wine on a Carnival cruise

Now, with Carnival Rewards, spend is rewarded. If you’re someone who loves a bit of luxury and is happy to treat yourself, you’ll climb the loyalty ladder faster and get more back in return.

It’s a loyalty program that finally recognises value, not just volume.

And yes, that will upset the inside cabin bookers who can’t afford to spend all those extras onboard. I sympathise with those people.

They do have to remember that their existing status will remain in place for at least a couple of years though.

And if you remove the emotion from the situation, can you blame a company for wanting to reward the people who spend the most money with them?

Carnival suite

3. It Can Be Faster to Rise Up the Tiers

One of the biggest surprises for new cruisers is just how long it used to take to move through the VIFP tiers. Unless you were doing multiple cruises a year, progress could be painfully slow.

With the new Carnival Rewards system, there’s a real chance to rise through the tiers much quicker – if you’re spending the money.

Since you earn three stars for every eligible dollar you spend, the more you invest in your cruise experience, the quicker you unlock benefits.

The image captures a close-up of a hand holding a cruise ship boarding pass with the name "Robert Kottkamp" visible, indicating his suite and folio number. In the background, a dining table is set with a gourmet meal, creating an ambiance of luxury and leisure aboard a cruise. The setting underscores the convenience and elegance of cruise dining experiences.

And you don’t need to wait until the end of a two-year cycle to enjoy your upgraded status – as soon as you hit a new tier, you get those perks right away.

For newer cruisers who want to build status quickly, this is a major improvement.

4. More Opportunity to Tailor Your Own Perks

One of the clever things about the new program is that it separates rewards (points) from status (stars).

That means you’re not just working toward a fixed tier – you’re also earning points that you can spend however you like.

Fancy a steakhouse dinner? Use your points.

The image displays a fine dining setting at Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse on a cruise ship. Plates with gourmet dishes, including perfectly cooked cuts of meat like lamb chops and steaks, are arranged on a dark, elegant table. The table is set with wine glasses, cutlery, and a small candle, creating a sophisticated and inviting dining atmosphere.

Want an internet package, or a bottle of bubbly for sailaway? Use your points.

It’s not just about climbing the status ladder. You can get little wins along the way, and that helps the program feel more rewarding – even if you’re only an occasional cruiser.

5. The Best Status Perks Remain in Place

Despite the drama, it’s worth pointing out that many of the most-loved perks from the old system are still available – you just have to earn them under the new rules.

Carnival cruise diamond vifp card

Platinum and Diamond members still get things like priority boarding, dedicated support, complimentary laundry, and Captain’s events (for Diamond only).

If you make it to those tiers, the benefits do still feel valuable – maybe even more so now that fewer people will be there with you.

And with tier matching in place for the first two (or six, for Diamond) years, past cruisers aren’t being completely cast aside. There’s a grace period to adjust and show Carnival you still deserve those perks.

6. Casino Players Can Get Triple Perks

If you enjoy spending time in the casino while you cruise, then Carnival Rewards could be a huge win – because you’re now earning three different types of rewards from a single activity.

Vibrant casino floor on the Carnival Horizon, featuring an array of colorful slot machines and gaming tables, with dynamic lighting overhead and a bold, patterned carpet adding to the lively atmosphere.

For every point you earn through the Carnival Players Club – the cruise line’s casino-specific rewards program – you’ll also earn a Rewards Point (which you can spend on drinks, excursions, internet and more), and a Status Qualifying Star (which helps move you up the Carnival Rewards tiers).

So you’re essentially getting triple perks from the same casino play:

  • Carnival Players Club points – used for offers like free drinks while you play, discounted (or even free) cruises, and other casino-specific benefits
  • Carnival Rewards Points – which can be spent on all sorts of onboard extras
  • Status Stars – which help you reach higher status tiers and unlock broader perks

And the best part? The Carnival Players Club is staying exactly as it is – it hasn’t been replaced or watered down.

So casino guests now have more ways to earn and enjoy rewards than ever before. If you’re a regular in the onboard casino, this change really works in your favour.

7. It Encourages People to Try Other Cruise Lines

This one might sound strange in an article about why Carnival’s new loyalty system is a good thing, but hear me out.

When loyalty is permanent and status never drops, there’s less reason to try other cruise lines. You might feel “locked in”, even if you’re a bit bored of the same ships or itineraries.

Carnival vs MSC

But now that status is temporary and spend-based, there’s less to lose by broadening your horizons.

If Carnival Rewards feels harder to maintain, some cruisers might decide to explore Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, or others – and that could be a good thing. It adds variety, and you might even find another line you love just as much (or more).

I have some guides that will help you compare the Carnival experience to that with other cruise lines…

MSC and Virgin Voyages in particular are proving to be very popular amongst the social media chatter about Carnival Rewards, because of their Status Match.

Read more: MSC Cruises Status Match Charts – Free Perks When You Sail!

You don’t have to start from scratch with those cruise lines and their loyalty programs, if you already have earned your way up the VIFP ladder.

Loyalty should reward you, not trap you. And Carnival Rewards might nudge people into rediscovering their freedom to cruise how they want.

Zipline on Mardi Gras Carnival

Final Word

It’s easy to see why so many Carnival fans are upset about the changes to the loyalty program. Losing lifetime status, spending thresholds, and the complexity of earning periods have all triggered strong reactions – and understandably so.

But there is another side to the story.

Carnival Rewards brings in more flexibility, more personalisation, and better recognition for those who spend more on their cruises. For big spenders, casino players, and newer guests, this new system could actually offer more tangible benefits than VIFP ever did.

No loyalty program is perfect – and this one might still evolve based on feedback – but for the right kind of cruiser, Carnival Rewards could be a very rewarding change.

And now I’ll dip back down below the parapet.

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The 7 Things Cruisers Hate Most About Carnival’s Loyalty Program Changes

Sometimes cruise lines announce a new feature or change to their policies and the reaction is more mixed than they hoped. But to call the reaction of Carnival’s new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, “mixed” would be extremely generous.

“Overwhelmingly negative” feels a bit more accurate.

Guest unhappy at Carnival Loyalty Changes

And there are plenty of reasons people are expressing that anger across social media – let me tell you why.

1. Long-Time Loyalty Is Being Wiped Out

One of the biggest issues people have with Carnival Rewards is how it will, eventually, wipe out many years of loyalty that people have built up with the cruise line.

Many people commented on how they’d been sailing with the cruise line for 20+ years, and had reached Platinum or Diamond status, but now wouldn’t be able to maintain it.

Carnival cruise diamond vifp card

You can read my explainer on Carnival Rewards if you want to get all the detail of how it works, but in summary – you no longer maintain your status level for life.

Under the new program, you earn your status every two years – and then it resets.

Tiers are being grandfathered into the system, but for Gold and Platinum that’s only for 2 years. Diamond members get more, with 6 years of status protection.

But that means, if you’re a Platinum VIFP member, you’ll enjoy Platinum status from June 2026 to May 2028, while starting at zero to earn your status for the June 2028 to May 2030 period.

A lot of long-time fans aren’t happy about this because they don’t have the money to spend to maintain their status (and more on that later in the list). So they feel like the ‘work’ they’ve put in to remain loyal to Carnival is being wiped out.

And it is, essentially.

VIFP platinum card

There are two very different mindsets here of course. The people who are upset believe that their loyalty deserves rewards and status.

And there are those who believe that they’re just paying for a cruise holiday, and any loyalty benefits are a nice bonus to have.

The former group are the ones who are upset, even though the actual cruise experience isn’t changing – minus a few extra perks that those guests will lose.

2. Cruisers Will Need To Spend More

Another key complaint with the new Carnival Rewards system is that it clearly incentivises spending more money – not just cruising more often.

Previously, under the old VIFP program, you earned loyalty status based on cruise nights – so the more time you spent on a Carnival ship, the better your status. It didn’t matter how much you spent onboard or how much your cruise fare cost.

"Think about this:Carnival’s new rewards structure is nothing short of insulting to loyal cruisers. For a couple to maintain Diamond Status, they’ll now have to shell out $66,000 every two years — that’s $264,000 over eight years just to hold onto a status many have already sacrificed and invested years to earn.Let me say it plainly: It’s not a rewards program anymore; it’s a financial stronghold disguised as a benefit."

Now, your status is based on how much money you spend – whether that’s cruise fare, shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, or other onboard purchases. Even a casino flutter counts (and earns you both points and stars).

So, if you’re a budget cruiser who loves the Carnival experience but doesn’t splash out on extras, you’ll find yourself falling behind. Meanwhile, someone who cruises less frequently but spends big when they do will climb the tiers faster.

Carnival casino

To many, that feels less like a loyalty program and more like a spending competition.

3. The Credit Card is Now More Important

Then there’s the credit card angle.

"John I will politely add my disgust to the new changes. Not so much the new ways of earning points, but seriously why take away the status folks already earned? It took us two decades to reach platinum. And now we will need to spend almost 17k in two years to keep it. I don't need another credit card. Please let the beards know this is beyond wrong. Thanks."

Under the new Carnival Rewards system, the Carnival Mastercard has become a much more important tool for earning points – although it doesn’t help you earn stars for status.

Still, it means that cardholders can build up points to spend on rewards like drinks or excursions, even without cruising regularly.

Carnival Mastercard

On the surface, that might seem like a good thing. But to many guests, it feels like a shift towards rewarding financial products over actual cruising loyalty.

Worse still, this benefit isn’t even available to everyone…

4. The New System Favours US Guests

One of the most frustrating aspects for international cruisers is that the Carnival Mastercard is only available to US residents.

So while American guests can rack up points with everyday spending – even between cruises – guests from Canada, the UK, Australia and beyond are at a clear disadvantage.

That means fewer points to spend on rewards, and less flexibility to build value within the program.

Carnival might be a US-based cruise line, but they have a huge international following – and this change makes those guests feel like second-class citizens.

"I don't think they have considered Australian cruises. We have less ships over here, therefore less opportunity to sail on other cruise lines. Australians can't use the American cruise card, so how are we supposed to spend using that bank card. We have already lost P&O and Carnival didn't carry over the nights spent on those ships, even though Carnival took over Australian P&O. I enjoy cruising with Carnival and have only just reached Platinum. We only get priority boarding, priority boarding on tenders and free laundry. We get a pin and last time a free cap. I don't really care about the freebies, just recognising for my loyalty."

Again, it’s important to clarify that the credit card can only be used on Rewards Points, not on Status Qualifying Stars.

And it’s not new – the Carnival World Mastercard already exists, and lets people earn FunPoints. Not a huge amount is really changing here.

But, because it’s all being bundled together under this new umbrella of Carnival Rewards, it does make some people from non-US countries feel like they’re not being considered.

5. The Spend Numbers Needed for Higher Tiers Are Big

Let’s talk about the cost of loyalty under the new system.

To reach Platinum status, you’ll need to earn 50,000 stars in a two-year period. That’s the equivalent of spending $16,667 on eligible purchases with Carnival.

"My wife and I don’t drink and we don’t gamble. We don’t take excursions. But I won’t cruise without a balcony. We usually buy photos, but we spend modestly. Once in a while, we’ll go to a special restaurant. We just made platinum in January and I’m not sure what’s gonna happen next. I don’t care about the freebies. I just liked having the status of my card. More than a few times because of my card, I was able to give advice on what was going to happen next or where to find, what  newer cruisers were looking for."

Diamond status? You’ll need to spend over $33,000 within two years.

For frequent cruisers, those numbers might be just about achievable. Especially if you’re a casino player. But for many loyal Carnival fans, especially those on a budget or retired guests cruising more modestly, that level of spend is completely out of reach.

women having drinks at Carnival Cruises

And because your stars reset every two years, this isn’t a one-time hurdle – you have to hit that same spending target again and again to maintain your tier.

6. Perks Are Being Removed

It’s not just that the program is changing – in some cases, guests are outright losing perks they previously enjoyed.

Many of the benefits that came with higher VIFP tiers are now harder to earn, or gated behind a higher spending threshold.

"I agree that we don't cruise for the perks, but we have avoided trying out any other cruise lines because of our platinum perks. We greatly appreciate the free laundry, being able to put our luggage in our room as we get on the ship, and having a dedicated guest services line. These are important enough for us that we have convinced others to cruise with us on Carnival so we could get those perks. Without them, there's nothing to encourage us to cruise only with Carnival. Now, we may or may not return to Carnival, but we will be trying out others. I hope you relay to the beards how disappointed a lot of Carnival-loyalists are."

For example, complimentary laundry services – you still get it at Platinum level, but not as much. And Diamond isn’t completely unlimited either.

The Platinum and Diamond party? Gone.

VIFP Party

The pin badge for reaching Gold status? Also gone.

The loyalty gifts are gone too, as is the Chocolate Delight treat that Platinum guests would get to try once for free.

These may sound small but they all add it, and that’s a bitter pill to swallow – especially for those who felt their past loyalty had “earned” them a level of treatment that now vanishes overnight.

7. People Feel They Aren’t Being Listened To

Finally, one of the biggest sources of frustration is the perception that Carnival isn’t really listening to its guests.

Yes, Brand Ambassador John Heald has acknowledged the backlash. And yes, there have been vague suggestions that Carnival might tweak the program based on feedback. But for many guests, that simply isn’t enough.

"Not that I am expecting this program to get reworked, but I do wonder what type of group was used to create this? In general, it is without concern for the loyal passengers that have built Carnival into what it is today. When you consider the revenue, you are basically telling your most loyal Platinum and Diamond guests that thank you for your past loyalty, but you will need to prove that loyalty every 2 years or go to the back of the line. I may not want to purchase a suite every time or a balcony cabin. If I get a free interior room offer from the casino, it won’t be enough to keep my Platinum status, so I’ll have to spend more and more money, which is what this is about. I think this was done by a team that looked only at the cost analysis, and not the bigger picture, which is your most valuable guests, and how to keep them loyal under this new program. The new motto should read, “spend more, get more, spend less, get less.”"

The announcement went ahead despite clear and immediate criticism. And even though there’s nearly a year until the new system takes effect, there’s no concrete indication that any changes will be made in response.

Carnival’s reasoning – that the old system couldn’t keep up with the number of guests reaching higher tiers – might make sense from a business point of view.

But for many cruisers, the new program feels like a betrayal of the loyalty they’ve shown over years, even decades.

Final Word

There are always growing pains when a major loyalty program changes, but Carnival’s rollout of Carnival Rewards has struck a nerve with many guests.

"Carnival didn’t need a new “rewards” program. They need new management! "

While some may adjust and adapt to the new system, others are left wondering if their loyalty was ever truly valued – or just a number on a spreadsheet.

The coming year will be crucial for Carnival. Whether they listen, adjust, and respond to the criticism, or stay the course, could make a real difference in how loyal their most dedicated fans choose to remain.

What do you think about these changes? Please do share your view in the comments below.

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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.

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Carnival Rewards Explained – Your Full Guide To Carnival’s New Loyalty Program

I can’t remember the last time a cruise line launched something with such a huge backlash. It’s fair to say that, from the moment Carnival Rewards was first announced as the cruise line’s new loyalty program, people got mad.

Carnival Rewards

Thing is, there are actually some good parts to the changes – which a lot of loyal Carnival fans might be overlooking.

Of course there are some losses too, and once you understand everything that’s changed, you might be feeling pretty annoyed too if you’re a Carnival fan…

Before I Start…

I’ve mentioned the backlash already but I’m not going to go into that in any more detail in this guide. I’ve got other articles about the launch and the feedback that Carnival received.

This is my neutral guide to Carnival Rewards. It’ll cover what’s changed from VIFP, but purely from a factual, here’s-what-you-need-to-know basis.

Carnival Rewards Summarised

There are several big changes from the older VIFP system to Carnival Rewards, but there are three main headlines:

1 – Guests will now take part in two separate earning systems – with ‘points’ and ‘stars’ earned which unlock different rewards

2 – Both points and stars are now earned based on how much guests spend, not how many nights they cruise

3 – Points and stars don’t last forever – they reset every two years, meaning guests can no longer rely on historic cruises to retain their status

    This last point is really crucial and having expiring points is a first for a major cruise line – but it does bring Carnival’s loyalty program in line with many rewards programs offered by hotel chains and airlines.

    Carnival Rewards – Important Dates

    Carnival Rewards is the new loyalty program from Carnival that’s been rumoured for some time now. We knew it was coming, and it was teased even senior figures at Carnival.

    On 18th June 2025, the announcement was made on the launch and what the new program would entail.

    However, one of the most important details to note is that Carnival Rewards only comes into effect from 1st June 2026.

    So, there’s nearly a year between the announcement and the launch – giving people plenty of time to learn the new system (and to complain about it – with hints from Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald that things could change if feedback is strong enough, but only ‘could’ – he makes no promises).

    John Heald

    Whereas with all other cruise lines, your tiers last for life, under Carnival Rewards you’ll only benefit from the stars earned in the current or previous cycle.

    I’ll explain earning cycles in more detail below.

    Next, it’s important to understand that the new Carnival Rewards program is a combination of two different systems – you’ll earn ‘points’ and ‘stars’. Let’s delve into those in a little more detail, starting with the points.

    Reward Points

    The points you can earn with Carnival Rewards are completely new. They’re points that you’ll earn whenever you cruise with Carnival or spend money on Carnival-related purchases. And they’re expendable – you can spend points to buy rewards for your cruise.

    How to Earn Points

    There are many different ways you can earn points towards your Carnival Rewards.The main method will be through the money you spend on Carnival-related purchases.

    For every $1 you spend with Carnival, you’ll get 3 Rewards points.

    Most of the things you buy with Carnival will earn you points, such as:

    • Your cruise fare
    • Spa treatments
    • Shore excursions
    • Speciality dining
    • Drinks
    • Shopping purchases
    • Onboard activities such as BOLT or IMAX

    But there are some things that won’t earn points, such as:

    • Port fees and taxes
    • Airfare, including anything booked through Fly2Fun
    • Certain cruise fare types such as charters and packaged rates

    One thing that’s not clear yet is whether gratuities will earn you points. As soon as Carnival clears that up, I’ll let you know.

    Carnival has a calculator to help you estimate how many Points you’ll earn.

    Any time you’re spending actual money on the eligible purchases, you’ll earn points, and so will everyone in your cabin.

    But if you aren’t spending money on the purchases, you don’t get the points. So that means if you have onboard credit, or a Future Cruise Credit, any purchases made using those won’t earn rewards points.

    Casino Points

    Another way you can earn rewards points is by gaming at the casino.

    Carnival Rewards Points Earning

    Carnival Rewards doesn’t replace the Carnival Players Club, which is the existing casino rewards program. That’s still continuning.

    For every 1 casino point you earn in the Carnival Players Club, you’ll also earn 1 Rewards point.

    The way you earn casino points varies for table games, but for slot machines it’s 1 casino point (and therefore 1 rewards point) for every $2 played.

    So, if you’re someone who likes to gamble while you cruise, you could rack up quite the number of rewards points.

    Vibrant casino floor on the Carnival Horizon, featuring an array of colorful slot machines and gaming tables, with dynamic lighting overhead and a bold, patterned carpet adding to the lively atmosphere.

    Carnival Mastercard

    A third way you can earn rewards points is by using the Carnival Mastercard. New cardmembers get a bonus number of points, and then you’ll earn points for every purchase you make using the card.

    Carnival Mastercard

    If you’re already earning Carnival Fun Points using the Carnival Mastercard then those will convert to Rewards Points once the new program kicks in. It sounds like it’ll be a direct conversion (so 1 Fun Point = 1 Rewards Point) but if that changes I’ll let you know.

    For every 1 Fun Poiny you earn in with a Carnival Mastercard, you’ll also earn 1 Rewards point.

    It’s worth noting that the Carnival Mastercard is only available to US residents. So if you live in Canada, the UK, Australia or anywhere else, you’ll find it much harder to rack up Rewards points than US residents will.

    What to Spend Points On

    There are lots of different options for how to spend your Rewards Points, including:

    • Cruise deposits
    • Cruise fare
    • Onboard activities
    • Shopping onboard
    • Gaming at the casino
    • Speciality dining
    • Drinks
    • Shore excursions

    And more.

    women having drinks at Carnival Cruises

    The cost of experiences hasn’t been revealed yet, but as a guideline you’ll be able to get the following:

    Under 2,000 points:

    • 6-pack of soda
    • A frozen Pina Colada
    • A Banana Boat Ride at Princess Cays
    • Rental or snorkel equipment at Princess Cays
    • Internet plans (per day)

    2,000 to 4,999 points:

    • Dinner at Cucina del Capitano
    • A manicure at the spa
    • A Thermal Suite day pass
    • A Stingray Beach Encounter experience at Princess Cays

    5,000 to 9,999 points:

    • Steakhouse dinner
    • A Charm of Grand Turk excursion
    • A Multi-Mask Facial at the spa
    • A Pixels photo package

    10,000+ points

    • A 3-day cruise of the Bahamas in an Interior Cabin (doesn’t include taxes and fees)
    • A Dolphin Swim excursion at Ocho Rios
    • A Swedish massage in the spa
    • A private beach club pass

    You can spend your points when booking your cruise, or to pre-book activities before you sail, or while you’re onboard.

    But remember, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

    Status Qualifying Stars

    Status Qualifying Stars are the other thing you’ll earn when you cruise with Carnival. And these are closer to what you’d normally expect from a loyalty program.

    They aren’t permanent, but they do last for two years once the qualifying period ends, and you don’t “spend” them on rewards. Instead, you’ll just enjoy the perks of your status tier for every cruise you take in the rewards period.

    How to Earn Stars

    You can earn stars in the same way as you earn points, with a couple of exceptions. You earn both at the same time – it’s not an either/or situation.

    Carnival Rewards Stars

    Just like with Rewards Points, you earn 3 Stars for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases.

    Carnival has a calculator you can use to see how many stars you’ll earn. Be careful though – this one shows you the stars you’ll earn every 2 years, even though it’s asking how many cruises you take each year.

    Casino play still earns you stars too – 1 Casino Point = 1 Star.

    But, it’s important to note that Carnival Mastercard purchases won’t earn you status stars. They only earn points.

    There are some milestone rewards you can earn to help boost your totals.

    • After your first 50 nights cruising with Carnival, you earn 5,000 bonus points and get a special milestone Sail & Sign card
    • After every 100 nights sailed, you’ll get another bonus 10,000 points, a different milestone Sail & Sign card, and a commemorative gift.

    You only earn stars during the earnings period (more on that below) and then they reset back to zero – you need to start earning again for the following two-year period.

    Status Levels & Rewards

    Here’s a look at the different tiers, and the perks you’ll get.

    Carnival Status Perks

    Red

    There’s no minimum star number needed for Red status. It’s the entry-level status for anyone signed up to Carnival Rewards.

    Red perks include:

    • A members-only newsletter
    • Access to members-only deals
    • A Red Sail & Sign card
    • A complimentary 1.5 litre bottle of water whenever you sail

    Gold

    To reach Gold tier, you need 10,000 stars – the equivalent of spending $3,334 on Carnival purchases within the 2-year earning period.

    Gold perks include all Red-status perks, as well as:

    • A Gold Sail & Sign card
    • Dedicated customer support for Gold members
    • One complimentary drink on cruises of 5+ nights
    gold card on Carnival

    Platinum

    Platinum status is given to anyone with 50,000 stars – the equivalent of spending $16,667 on Carnival purchases within the 2-year earning period.

    As well as all previous perks, Platinum will get:

    • A Platinum Sail & Sign card
    • A collectible pin badge
    • Dedicated customer support for Platinum members
    • Two complimentary drinks when you cruise
    • Priority dining reservations (Main Dining Room and Speciality Dining)
    • Complimentary wash & fold laundry service – 1 to 4 bags depending on the cruise length
    • Early online check-in up to 16 days before you cruise
    • Priority check in at the terminal
    • Priority security queue at the terminal (where available)
    • Access to the Captain’s Lounge in the terminal
    • Priority boarding and luggage delivery
    • Early bag drop-off in your stateroom
    • Dedicated queues at Guest Services and the Casino
    • Priority spa reservations onboard
    • Priority tender/water shuttle where needed
    • Priority debarkation
    VIFP platinum card

    Diamond

    To reach Diamond status, you need 100,000 stars. That’s the equivalent of spending $33,334 within the two-year earnings period.

    Diamodn guests receive all previous perks, as well as:

    • A Diamond Sail & Sign card
    • Dedicated sales and customer support for Diamond members
    • A Guaranteed Main Dining Time (early or late dinner)
    • 2 to 5 complimentary wash & fold laundry bags, depending on cruise length
    • Priority retail concierge services
    • A dedicated casino host on request
    • A special event invitation from the Captain
    Carnival cruise diamond vifp card

    How Earning Periods Work

    One of the biggest (and most contentious) changes to Carnival Rewards is the fact that your status is no longer earned for life. Now, you need to keep spending money in order to maintain your status, otherwise it can drop or completely reset.

    It works using set earning periods, or earning windows. These last for two years and have a fixed date. The first begins on 1st June 2026 and will last until 31st May 2028.

    Carnival Rewards Earnings Period

    So whatever guests spend during that two years will help them reach a certain number of stars, and then that tier is the tier they will cruise at for the following two years – from 1st June 2028 until 31st May 2030.

    But your earned stars then reset. You don’t keep them and build on them.

    Here’s an example of how it’s supposed to work:

    • From 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2028, you earn 50,000 stars.
    • Therefore, for any cruises you take from 1st June 2028 until 31st May 2030, you’re a Platinum guest.
    • But say during that 2028-2030 window, you only earn 10,000 stars as you cruise a lot less.
    • This means from 1st June 2030, you drop back down to Gold. Your ‘status qualifying stars’ is 10,000 – it isn’t the combined total of 60,000.
    • But then if you earned another 50,000 stars from 2030 until 2032, you’d move back up to Platinum.

    At least, that’s the theory – but in reality it does work slightly differently, and to your favour. Because as soon as you’ve earned enough stars to move up a tier, you will start enjoying that status tier immediately.

    So using that example above – say you actually reach 50,000 stars on 12th March 2028. You don’t have to wait until 1st June to become Platnium.

    Instead, you would be Platinum from 12th March 2028 until 31st May 2030. However, from 1st June 2028, your star number drops to zero again as you begin earning for the 2030-2032 rewards period.

    Why VIFP is Changing

    It’s also worth adding in a brief explanation of why Carnival is changing its loyalty program, and to be fair to the cruise line, they are very honest about this on their new website.

    Carnival cruise ship

    Simply, there were too many people reaching the higher tiers of VIFP – Platinum and Diamond – and as a result, the cruise line was frequently unable to deliver on the onboard perks to those members.

    You can’t offer priority boarding, for example, if a large percentage of guests on the ship are entitled to it. Priority boarding then just becomes ‘boarding’.

    So the cruise line instead decided to revamp their program, and instead of just adding some new tiers to spread out the rewards, they’ve completely overhauled how it works.

    VIFP Status Match

    While many people are annoyed that their years of VIFP points are going to be wiped out when the new system comes into effect, there is some good news for Carnival fans. Their current VIFP status will be matched for the initial period of the Carnival Rewards program.

    For Red, Gold and Platinum VIFP members, this means that they will remain a Red, Gold or Platinum tier member under Carnival Rewards for the first two years from 1st June 2026 until 31st May 2028, and enjoy the new perks of that tier.

    It’s even better for Diamond guests, as their status will be preserved for the first three reward cycles – in other words, for six years.

    They won’t be able to earn more status qualifying stars for the first four years, but they will remain Diamond until 31st May 2032, and then from 1st June 2032 will revert to the tier that matches their stars earned in the earning period 1st June 2030 to 31st May 2032.

    Final Word

    It’s a lot to remember, isn’t it?!

    Regardless of whether you hate the new system or you’re non-plussed by it, if you’re planning on sailing with Carnival then it’s worth getting your head around the way Carnival Rewards will work.

    It might not be your ideal loyalty program, but you can earn some good rewards via both the Rewards Points and your Status Qualifying Stars. And yes, you’ll lose the stars every two years, but if you’re cruising frequently then you’ll earn them back quickly enough.

    Just remember:

    • For every $1 you spend, you get 3 points and 3 stars
    • Points must be spent on rewards, such as drinks, meals and even cruise fare
    • Stars give you status, which comes with perks every time you sail

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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.

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Carnival-Celebration-Restaurant-1.jpg

Carnival Celebration Restaurants Guide – The Many Places You Can Dine Onboard!

There aren’t many cruise ships where you could sail for 7 nights and dine in a different venue for every single breakfast, lunch and dinner. But there aren’t many cruise ships like Carnival Celebration…

Carnival Celebration Restaurant

Of course, there’s a caveat – quite a few of those 20+ dining venues have an additional charge attached to them. But there are plenty of complimentary dining options available too.

I bet you’d have a hard time picking favourites from this list…

List of Complimentary Dining Venues on Carnival Celebration 

Here’s a look at all the complimentary dining venues you can enjoy on Carnival Celebration:

Restaurant Type Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Snacks?
Big Chicken Fried Chicken YES YES YES –
BlueIguana Cantina Mexican YES YES YES –
Chibang Chinese and Mexican – YES YES –
Deco Deli Sandwiches – YES YES –
Guy’s Burger Joint Burgers – YES –
Guy’s Pig and Anchor BBQ BBQ – YES Paid –
Lido Marketplace International Buffet YES YES YES –
Main Dining Room Varied 3-Course Dining YES – YES –
Miami Slice Pizza YES YES YES YES
Room Service Breakfast Continental Breakfast YES – – –
Seaday Brunch Brunch YES YES – –
Street Eats Street Food (Bao Buns, Kebabs, Loaded Fries) – YES – –
Swirls Ice Cream Ice Cream – – – YES

It’s worth pointing out that these are the official categorisations of the dining venues, but you don’t have a limit on how often you visit them.

So if you want to head to Street Eats for lunch, but then grab a burger from Guy’s and call it a snack, then go for it. You enjoy the Carnival Celebration food the way you want to!

Carnival Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s Burger Joint

The good news is that the ship has an excellent gym, if you’re at all concerned about how much you’re eating with all these free restaurants on Carnival Celebration.

Miami Slice was a new pizzeria for the fleet when launched, replacing similar pizza venues on other Carnival ships. Here you can get free pizza at any hour of the day, all freshly prepared using authentic dough.

Carnival Miami Slice
Miami Slice

Deco Deli is another venue that was new when launched on Carnival Celebration, although again there have been deli sandwich bars on other ships previously. This offers an expanded menu though, including Miami-inspired staples such as croqueta, Cubano and pan con lechon sandwiches served on authentic Cuban bread.

Carnival Deco Deli
Deco Deli

Other popular venues that are returning include Big Chicken (a fried chicken joint created by Shaquille O’Neal, because why not?)

Carnival Big Chicken
Big Chicken

There’s also Street Eats – a food cart-style venue that has stations serving different kinds of loaded fries, bao buns, and kebab skewers each day. This is one of the more popular Carnival Celebration free restaurants, just because it offers something a little different.

The Blue Iguana Cantina is always popular and served Mexican delights like tacos and burritos.

If you’re vegan, this is one of the few places outside the Main Dining Room and buffet where you can find vegan food on Carnival Celebration, although nothing is labelled for you and you should avoid the rice as it contains butter!

Carnival Blue Iguana
Blue Iguana

And of course, who could forget Chibang – the Chinese and Mexican fusion restaurant that debuted on sister ship Mardi Gras. This is a great place to eat for free on Carnival Celebration.

Carnival Chibang
Chibang

If you’re feeling healthy then you’ll falso ind a very small salad bar by the adult pool called Fresh Creations.

Carnival Fresh Creations

Plus, of course, you have the Main Dining Rooms – Carnivale and Festivale. Here, you can enjoy a served breakfast in the morning (or brunch on a seaday, if you want a lie-in) plus full three-course dinners in the evenings.

And when you want something more casual, the Lido Marketplace is the ship’s buffet venue. Here there are many different stations serving cuisine from around the world, including lighter bites, main meals and, of course, sweets and desserts.

Carnival Lido Marketplace
Lido Marketplace

List of Speciality Dining Venues on Carnival Celebration 

There are 16 different speciality dining options on Carnival Celebration, although not all of them could be classed as unique venues.

Here’s a look at the speciality dining options that you can enjoy on the ship:

Restaurant Type Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Snacks?
Bonsai Sushi Sushi – YES YES –
Bonsai Sushi Express Sushi Takeout – YES YES –
Bonsai Teppanyaki Teppanyaki – YES YES –
Carnival Kitchen Cookery classes
Cucina del Capitano Italian – – YES –
Emeril’s Bistro 1396 Creole YES YES YES –
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast Breakfast YES – – –
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse BBQ – Complimentary YES –
JavaBlue Cafe Coffee & Cakes – – – YES
Pizza Delivery Pizza YES YES YES YES
Room Service Various Complimentary YES YES YES
Rudi’s Seagrill Seafood – – YES –
Seafood Shack Seafood – YES YES –
Steakhouse Steaks – – YES –
Steakhouse Selections Steaks – – YES –
The Chef’s Table Fine Dining – – YES –

Sounds good, right? Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the specialty restaurants on the ship, what you get, and how much they cost.

Bonsai Sushi

Carnival Bonsai Sushi
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Type: Sushi
  • Price: $5-7 per roll, other items vary

Bonsai Sushi is a beautiful venue that offers a range of a la carte sushi and sashimi options, along with a wide variety of rolls and authentic soups, plus a selection of side dishes and desserts (and sake too). It’s a modern venue with bonsai trees at each table, offering a picturesque place to sit and enjoy your sushi.

It’s relatively cheap too, costing just a few dollars per sushi roll. Obviously, if you’re here for dinner then you might spend a bit more on a larger meal, but for lunch you really don’t have to worry about expensive charges – you can easily eat for less than $10 per person.

Bonsai Sushi Takeout

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Type: Sushi
  • Price: $5-7 per roll, other items vary

While it’s great to kick back and enjoy your sushi in the Bonsai restaurant, sometimes it’s just not possible. There’s a lot to see and do on Carnival Celebration, and you won’t always have time to grab a table and enjoy the full dining experience. Thankfully it’s really easy to order a takeout box of some of your favourite sushi dishes and sides. 

Grab a box as you’re on the way to the theatre or to grab a live music performance in a bar – you won’t miss out on your sushi, and nor will you miss out on the show. Who said you needed to compromise on your vacation? Again, this is classed as a Lunch & Dinner venue, but feel free to grab a sushi roll as a snack too.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Carnival Bonsai Teppanyaki
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Type: Teppanyaki
  • Price: Lunch $46, Dinner $58

The Bonsai Teppanyaki grill is not just a restaurant, it’s a food performance. Here you’ll sit around the chef’s hot plate and watch as they serve up some extraordinary dishes, blending both their culinary and their dramatic flair for a real show.

You can try a variety of options, ranging from fillet mignon and various impressive seafood dishes to some of the best grilled tofu you’ll ever taste. This is an interactive food experience, so make the most of it. And if you can’t decide on a meal, choose a combination of two.

Carnival Kitchen

Carnival Kitchen
  • Meals: Culinary School
  • Type: Various
  • Price: $30 (60 min classes), $59 (120 min classes)

Not so much a dining venue as a fun experience related to eating, this is the Carnival cookery school, where you’ll have the chance to learn how to make some of the dishes that are prepared on the ship – but then you do get to eat them, so it definitely counts as a restaurant of sorts!

There are many different classes you can take, including learning to make pizza or pasta, baking cakes, picking up some BBQ skills or trying some of the signature dishes from across the ship’s venues, including the famous Chocolate Melting Cake. And the benefit here is that you can take your knowledge home and relive some of your favourite cruise food memories.

Cucina del Capitano

Carnival Cucina del Capitano
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Type: Italian
  • Price: One complimentary meal, $8 for others

This great value Italian restaurant has an amazing authentic atmosphere – from the chequered red and white tablecloths, to the crew’s family portraits on the wall and the bustling atmosphere of family conversation. Everything feels like a really traditional family dining venue.

Of course, the food’s pretty good too! Expect antipasti, entrees, various pasta dishes all cooked fresh and some delicious Italian desserts for afters too. This is a low-cost speciality restaurant, and reservations aren’t necessary but are recommended.

It’s worth noting that the venue works differently on the Excel-class ships (including Carnival Celebration) compared to the rest of the fleet. On other ships, you don’t get a complimentary dinner, and meals are priced at $24 for adults.

Emeril’s Bistro 1396

Carnival Emeril’s Bistro 1396
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Type: Creole
  • Price: A La Carte, $3+

Emeril’s Bistro returns after making its debut on Carnival Celebration’s sister ship Mardi Gras. Set up by Emeril Lagasse, this will be his second restaurant at sea and it offers some incredible Creole dishes straight from the heart of New Orleans.

Some of the options you can look forward to include duck and sausage gumbo, jambalaya, fried oysters, BBQ shrimp, breakfast po-boys, bananas foster crepes and more. Serving meals throughout the day with many dishes starting from $3-4, you don’t want to skip this venue.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Type: Fun Breakfast with Character Meets
  • Price: Adults $15, Kids $10

The Green Eggs and Ham book features the line “I like green eggs and ham! I do! I like them Sam-I-Am! And I would eat them in a boat…” – so why don’t you? The Green Eggs and Ham breakfast has a small cover charge and includes some fun and unique breakfast items – yes, including green eggs.

More importantly, you’ll also get to meet Dr Seuss characters while you eat, with photo opportunities available. If you’re sailing with kids then they’ll love this dining experience – trying strange coloured foods and having the chance to hug the Cat in the Hat.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse

Carnival Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse
  • Meals: Dinner (Lunch is complimentary)
  • Type: BBQ
  • Price: A La Carte, $4-16

At Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, you can sample some classic slow-and-low meats all infused with sumptuous BBQ flavours. Take your pick from brisket, pork, dry-rubbed chicken and more, smoked to perfection over hickory and apple wood. 

The venue also doubles up as a brewery, so you can sample some fresh beers and enjoy live music while you dine too. And if you’re not sure whether you want to give it a go, come at lunchtime – the food’s free, so you can sample it to your heart’s content.

JavaBlue Cafe

Carnival JavaBlue Cafe
  • Meals: Snacks
  • Type: Coffee and Cakes
  • Price: Cakes $2

The JavaBlue Cafe is a great coffee shop that also serves a selection of cakes, starting from just $2. Options include Blue Velvet Cake, miniature cheesecakes, oversized cookies and more – plus chocolate-covered strawberries can be bought for 75 cents each.

That’s a super cheap price for a sweet snack, ideal as an accompaniment to your afternoon coffee that’s designed to help you keep pace with all the fun you’ll be having onboard, so that you don’t crash too early before dinner.

Pizza Delivery

  • Meals: 24/7
  • Type: Pizza
  • Price: $5 Delivery Fee (Pizza is free)

Everyone loves pizza. And everyone loves free pizza – which is available from Miami Slice on board. But not everyone loves having to make the trip to grab their pizza when they’re in the middle of a very important sun-lounging day, or when it’s late at night and you’re cosy in your PJs in your stateroom.

So just use the app on your smartphone to place your order, and for a $5 fee your pizza will be brought right to you. It’s available across the ship, and 24/7 too, so you never need to go hungry, or give up your sun lounger either.

Room Service

Carnival Room Service
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner & Snacks (Breakfast is complimentary)
  • Type: Various
  • Price: Varies

Some of the items on your room service are free, including continental breakfast items. Others do have a small charge, whether it’s a small hot snack or a chilled beverage.

All you need to do is dial room service from the phone in your stateroom and your order will be with you before you know it. Woken up at 3 am with a grumbling belly? It’s a good thing that the room service is 24/7 then – just don’t wake up your family when you call to place your order.

Rudi’s Seagrill

Carnival Rudi’s Seagrill
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Type: Seafood
  • Price: Adults $52, Kids $15

One of the more upmarket restaurants on Carnival Celebration (and with a cover charge that matches), Rudi’s Seagrill is a quality seafood restaurant designed by master chef Rudi Sodamin.

This is a more elegant venue, where menu options will include things like crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial and a luxurious seafood bisque. It’s a great choice for a more formal meal (although it isn’t stuffy). However, if your kids are fussy, then it might not be for them since the dishes are quite intricate.

Seafood Shack

Seafood Shack
  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Type: Seafood
  • Price: A La Carte $4-16

Love seafood but not in the mood for a more fixed meal at Rudi’s? Head to the Seafood Shack instead, where you can enjoy some more casual menu options at lower prices too, including lobster rolls, clam chowder and the classic fish and chips.

Grab a table with an ocean view, kick back and sample some of the affordable seafood dishes served fresh – and don’t worry, just because it’s a budget venue doesn’t mean the food is low quality.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Carnival Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Type: Steaks
  • Price: Adults $77, Kids $15

Another of the pricier restaurant options on Carnival Celebration is the steakhouse, which offers some of the finest cuts of beef along with other classic steakhouse dishes. The atmosphere is premium but not super-formal – it’s your typical steakhouse vibe.

Reservations are definitely needed here, and the steakhouse is always one of the more popular venues on a Carnival ship, so try to book early if you can so that you can secure a good time.

Steakhouse Selections

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Type: Steak
  • Price: $23

If you want to sample some of the succulent cuts of meat from the steakhouse restaurant but you couldn’t get a reservation, or the rest of your travelling party aren’t interested, just head to the Main Dining Room.

Alongside your main menu is a Steakhouse Selections list, where you can enjoy some (but not all) of the steak dishes served in the specialty restaurant. You won’t pay the full steakhouse cover charge since you won’t get the full experience, but there is a $23 extra charge for these menu items.

The Chef’s Table

Carnival The Chef’s Table
  • Meals: Dinner
  • Type: Fine Dining
  • Price: $90-150

The most premium dining experience available on Carnival Celebration, the Chef’s Table is a private restaurant where groups of up to 14 guests can sample an exquisite menu put together carefully by the chef, and all paired with a selection of wine fines to match.

It’s an expensive venue but it’s a proper fine dining experience set over multiple courses. This isn’t grabbing a quick bite, but making your dinner into the focal point of your whole evening.

If you want to sample some exceptional food then this is a wonderful option, especially if you’re travelling as part of a larger group and can all enjoy it together.

To Conclude

As you can tell, you really aren’t short of Carnival Celebration food options. I love just how much variety there is in the complimentary options, and also how many of the specialty venues only charge small fees for their dishes.

There are only a couple that have hefty cover charges, and those are some excellent restaurants that many view as worth it.

But you can clearly see that, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to pay anything extra for your food on your Carnival cruise. But if you do have some Carnival onboard credit to spend during your voyage, there are also many great options available for special snacks or meals.

If you’d like to take a closer look at the menus for each of the complimentary and specialty restaurants on Carnival Celebration, you can do so here: Carnival Cruise Dining Menus.

Do you have a favourite venue?

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Carnival Celebration Suites Are Stunning

The Carnival Celebration is an incredible ship, and if you’re considering her for your next cruise then you’re certain to have an amazing time.

Newest Carnival ship - Carnival Celebration

But you can make your experience even more exciting by booking a suite – the question is, which one? After all, there are plenty of options, with nine different suite categories for you to choose from.

Carnival Celebration is one of the newest Carnival ships and so every suite is modern and beautiful – but some offer different perks, and they’re different sizes too – plus you need to consider the location on the ship.

It’s a lot to think about, and could lead to an expensive mistake if you make the wrong choice…

If you’re also keen to learn about the different staterooms on Carnival Celebration as well as the suites, I have a guide for that too here: Carnival Celebration Staterooms Guide.

To help you avoid these worst cabins on Carnival Celebration, I’ve created a cabin checklist that you can get for free. Just enter your email address below and you’ll receive it in your inbox straight away.

The 9 Different Suites on Carnival Celebration (Best to Worst)

There are nine different suite types to choose from on Carnival Celebration, here’s an overview of each to help you decide which to choose…

1. Excel Presidential Suites

Presidential Suite

Sleeps: Five guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size, a double sofa bed and one upper bed.

Size: 1120 square feet. The interior is 476 square feet and the balcony is 646 square feet.

Category: SV

Suite Numbers: 17209, 17210

Why Choose: Carnival Celebration’s Excel Presidential Suites are the largest suites you’ll find on any Carnival cruise ship. These luxurious suites feature huge balconies with an outdoor hot tub and shower, a day bed, loungers, an outdoor dining table and enough space for your to invite all of your friends over for a party.

When you stay in the Carnival Celebration Presidential Suite, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the Havana Pool and the Spa’s Thermal Suite.

How much is the Presidential Suite on Carnival Celebration?

A stay in the Presidential Suite on Carnival Celebration costs from $3,675 per person for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. However, on popular itineraries, you can expect to pay $10,000 per person or more.

2. Excel Aft Suites

Mardi Gras Excel Aft Suite

Sleeps: Two to five guests. In the bedroom, there are two twin beds that convert to a king-size. In the living room, some suites have a single sofa bed, some have a double sofa bed and some also have an extra Pullman bed that comes down from the ceiling.

Size: 861 square feet. The interior is 463 square feet and the balcony is 398 square feet.

Category: LS

Suite Numbers: 9503, 9506, 10502, 10503, 11509, 11514, 12510, 12515, 14506, 14525, 15486, 15525

Why Choose: If you don’t manage to get a Presidential Suite, then the Carnival Celebrartion Excel Aft Suite is the next best choice. In fact, some may even prefer it as it has views over the wake of the ship, whereas Presidential Suites are forward-facing.

When it comes to space, the interior area of the Excel Aft Suite is almost identical to the Presidential Suite and you’d barely notice the difference in size. The wraparound balcony is pretty large too, with almost all of the same facilities, except for the outdoor shower.

3. Excel Corner Suites

Excel Corner Suite

Sleeps: Two to four guests. Depending on which Excel Corner Suite you choose, there will be space to accommodate two, three or four guests. Some suites come with a single sofa bed, some have a double sofa bed and some have a single sofa bed with an upper Pullman bed.

Size: 710 square feet. The interior is 398 square feet and the balcony is 312 square feet.

Category: KS

Suite Numbers: 9210, 9211, 10209, 10210, 11211, 11212, 12211, 12212, 14210, 14211, 15209, 15210

Why Choose: Located on the forward corners of Carnival Celebration, the Excel Corner Suites offer huge wraparound balconies at a more affordable price. You won’t get a Jacuzzi on your balcony, but there is a lounge chair, patio chairs and a dining table for two.

You might want to avoid the Excel Corner Suites on deck 15, these have a split balcony due to the presence of a structural support.

4. Excel Suites

Carnival Excel Suite

Sleeps: Two to five guests. There are various bed configurations with a combination of sofa beds and upper Pullman beds. The Suites on Deck 10 are fully-accessible and feature king beds that do not convert to twins.

Size: 615 square feet. The interior is 410 square feet and the balcony is 205 square feet.

Category: DS

Suite Numbers: 9357, 9361, 10363, 10367, 11359, 11363, 12363, 12367

Why Choose: Excel Suites on Carnival Celebration are twice the size of Extended Balcony Staterooms with space for a four-seater dining table and two loungers on the balcony.

If you want the Carnival Celebration Excel Suite perks (more on those later in this guide), then this is the cheapest type of suite that will get them. It’s also the only Excel Suite that has a wheelchair accessible option for disabled guests.

5. Havana Cabana Corner Suites

Havana Cabana Corner Suite

Sleeps: Two guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed.

Size: 511 square feet. The interior is 350 square feet and the patio cabana is 161 square feet.

Category: HU

Suite Numbers: 8209, 8210

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU8CDJ_T8qc

Why Choose: Havana Cabana Corner Suites feature a large patio cabana. There’s a walkway between the cabana and the edge of the ship and the view is obstructed by a steel railing. However, the hammock makes the cabana a nice place to relax and you’ll also get exclusive access to the Havana Pool area.

These suites aren’t good options for families as they only sleep two people and children under 12 years old are not allowed.

6. Havana Cabana Suites

Sleeps: Two or three guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed. One suite also has a single sofa bed.

Size: 426 square feet. The interior is 308 square feet and the patio cabana is 118 square feet.

Category: HS

Suite Numbers: 8250, 8251, 8256, 8257

Why Choose: Located on Deck 8, Havana Cabana Suites have a large cabana area with a lounger and comfy chairs. There’s a walkway between the patio and the edge of the ship though, so you won’t get the best views of the ocean. But, you do get access to the exclusive Havana Pool and Bar.

If you want a Havana Suite with three guests, this is your option as one of the suites has a sofa bed with a privacy divider between it and the bedroom area. However, kids under 12 are not allowed.

7. Cloud 9 Spa Suites

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

Sleeps: Two guests, with two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed.

Size: 341 square feet. The interior is 287 square feet and the balcony is 54 square feet.

Category: SS

Suite Numbers: 17229, 17233, 17258, 17267, 17284, 17293

Why Choose: Cloud 9 Spa Suites are located on Deck 17 of Carnival Celebration, close to the spa area and come with exclusive spa perks. These suites are the same size as Ocean Suites, but with relaxing decor and upgraded ELEMIS in-suite toiletries.

8. Ocean Suites

Carnvial Celebration Ocean Suite

Sleeps: Two to five guests. Various bed configurations are available in addition to the twin beds that convert to a king-size. Some suites have a single sofa bed and an upper bed, some have a double sofa bed and some have a double sofa bed and one upper bed.

Size: 341 square feet. The interior is 287 square feet and the balcony is 54 square feet.

Two of the suites are fully-accessible, these are larger at 410 square feet with a 205-square-foot balcony to accommodate wheelchair users.

Category: OS, OT

Suite Numbers: 9284, 9286, 9288, 9289, 9290, 9291, 9292, 9293, 9294, 9295, 9296, 9297, 9298, 9299, 9300, 9301, 9302, 9303, 9304, 9305, 9306, 9307, 9308, 9309, 9310, 9311, 9315, 9317, 9405, 9407, 9409, 9410, 9411, 9412, 9414, 9415, 9416, 9417, 9418, 9419, 9420, 9421, 9422, 9423, 9424, 9425, 9426, 9427, 9428, 9429, 9430, 9431, 9432, 9433, 9434, 9435, 9436, 9437, 9438, 9439, 9440, 9441, 9442, 9443, 9444, 9445, 9446, 9447, 9448, 9449, 9450, 9451, 9452, 9453, 9454, 9455, 9456, 9457, 9458, 9459, 9460, 9461, 9462, 9463, 9464, 9465, 9466, 9467, 9468, 9469, 9470, 9471, 9472, 9473, 9474, 10276, 10287, 10302, 10315, 10401, 10402, 11282, 11283, 11308, 11309, 11409, 11414, 12278, 12291, 12304, 12315, 12410, 12415, 14277, 14280, 14303, 14306, 14410, 14429, 15266, 15279, 15292, 15301, 15390, 15407, 16250, 16253, 16276, 16279

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_op1Z7Hsvg

Why Choose: Ocean Suites are the most popular suite type on Carnival Celebration and also the most affordable. Staying in an Carnival Celebration Ocean Suite is the best way to get Carnival’s suite perks without the hefty price tag of some of the larger suites.

Each suite has a privacy curtain to divide the bedroom from the living area where the extra beds are found. There are three closets for lots of storage space and two TVs.

On Carnival Celebration, some Ocean Suites have larger balconies than others. If you want a big balcony, then avoid the Ocean Suites on Deck 9 and choose one of the higher decks where the balconies are larger.

9. Family Harbor Ocean View Suites

Family Harbor Ocean View Suite

Sleeps: Five guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size along with a double sofa bed and one upper bed.

Size: 312 square feet. These suites do not have a balcony.

Category: FP

Suite Numbers: 4330, 4332, 4370, 4376, 4388, 4394

Why Choose: For families who want space to relax but do not want the worry of a balcony with young kids, Family Harbor Ocean View Suites are ideal. Instead of a balcony, there’s a large picture window with a window seat to look out and admire the view.

Each Family Harbor Ocean View Suite on Carnival Celebration sleeps five people with a privacy curtain between the bedroom and sitting area. There are two bathrooms – one with a shower, toilet and sink and one with a small bathtub and sink.

Suite Perks

While suites offer extra space compared to staterooms, it’s not all about the square footage. Carnival Cruise Line’s suites come with a whole host of extra benefits and amenities that will make you feel like the VIP that you are.

The perks differ depending on which suite you choose, so I suggest that you now take a look at my Guide to Carnival Suite Perks before you finalise any decisions about the best accommodation for your cruise on Carnival Celebration.

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Carnival Is One Of The Best Cruise Lines For Singles

Carnival cruises are known for fun – and that goes double if you’re cruising solo.

Whether you’re looking to mingle, flirt, party, or maybe even meet someone special, there’s a Carnival sailing that fits the vibe.

However, while the cruise line has the perfect atmosphere for solos, there are some key drawbacks for single travellers too…

Carnival’s a Great Option for Fun Single Cruises!

Carnival cruise ships are known as ‘fun ships’, so they’re a great option for single people in their twenties and thirties. The short cruises are best, as you’re likely to find lots of single friends travelling together, especially during the spring break season.

Lots of people go on a Carnival solo cruise and everyone is generally pretty friendly. It’s the kind of place where you can sit at the pool bar or in a jacuzzi and strike up conversations with whoever looks interesting.

Carnival cruises offer singles mixers as well as LGBT meet-ups, so be sure to attend those to connect with fellow solo travellers. It’s a good idea to join a Facebook group for your sailing so that you can arrange to meet with a group of other singles on board.

Carnival singles mixer

List of Carnival Singles Cruises

If you’d prefer to go on a cruise where all of the solo travellers hang out together, then you should book with a tour operator like SinglesCruise. They organise singles cruises on board Carnival cruise ships, as well as others like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

These cruises include a group of between 50 and 500 single people who will enjoy hosted meet-ups, organised fun activities and excursions together. Not everyone is looking for romance, many just like to hang out with a group of people rather than being alone.

Carnival Singles Cruises Dates:

  • 26 October 2025 – Halloween cruise from New Orleans on Carnival Liberty (7 Nights)
  • 27 December 2025 – New Year’s Eve Southern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Vista (8 Nights)
  • 17 January 2026 – Panama Canal cruise on Carnival Miracle (8 Nights)
  • 10 May 2026 – Caribbean cruise on Carnival Celebration (7 Nights)

For more information check out my guide to singles cruises or visit SinglesCruise.com.

glow deck party

The Big Drawback – No Single Cabins

Unlike many other cruise lines, Carnival doesn’t have any single staterooms. This means that solo travellers need to pay a supplement to have a double stateroom to themselves. This supplement is often 100% – meaning that single travellers have no option but to pay for two people.

Occasionally, there are special deals with reduced or waived single supplements. These are usually introduced around 12 weeks before departure, on the ships that Carnival is struggling to fill.

To find Carnival cruises with no single supplement, I like to use CruisePlum.com. Using this site, it’s possible to find Carnival cruises for one person for as little as $89 per day.

Havana Interior Room

If you book on an organised singles cruise, you may have the option to be matched up with a room share. If you’re a non-smoker and willing to share a room with someone of the same sex, you can usually get your cruise for the normal double occupancy rate.

Be quick on any of these deals though – Carnival solo cruise rates tend to sell out fast.

No Adults-Only Cruises Either

Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t offer adult-only cruises, but most ships have adult-only areas on board. These include the Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite, the casino and an outdoor area called the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

Occasionally, companies will charter Carnival ships for adult-only cruises that you can book onto. One such example is the Big Nude Boat, a clothing-optional cruise that’s only for those aged 21 and over.

nude cruise

Getting Laid on a Carnival Cruise

People can, and do, hook up with people that they meet on cruises. Carnival’s drink packages are very popular and the nightclubs are often pumping long into the night. Just remember to stay safe and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t normally do on land.

If you’re looking for a casual encounter then a Carnival cruise could be a good idea. Here are some tips for getting laid on a Carnival cruise.

You should also take a look at The Best Cruises for Singles to Hook Up for some more options.

Carnival singles cruise people

Another option is to download the Cruise Ship Mingle dating app. You can use it to get to know people before you embark on your Carnival cruise and decide who you would like to meet up with once on board.

To Conclude

Carnival is a great cruise line for single travellers, particularly if you’re young and up for fun.

If you’re a little more mature and it all sounds a bit much, then be sure to check out my guides to The Best Singles Cruises If You’re Under 30, The Best Singles Cruises For Over 40s and The Best Singles Cruises For Over 50s as well.

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14 Must-Know Tips For The Perfect Carnival Honeymoon

Your honeymoon isn’t just any holiday — it’s the start of your biggest adventure yet! You deserve more than just a “nice trip”… you deserve jaw-dropping views, mouthwatering food, and memories that will make every future anniversary even sweeter.

That’s why a Carnival cruise could be the perfect choice. But before you book, there are a few must-know tips that could make your honeymoon even more magical.

Here’s everything you need to know to make your Carnival honeymoon cruise truly once-in-a-lifetime…

a couple on honeymoon on a Carnival cruise ship

1. Carnival Lets You Set Up A Gift Registry For Your Cruise

Carnival doesn’t offer special honeymoon cruise packages – they focus more on those that include a wedding ceremony instead. But one cool thing they do is let you set up your own cruise registry on their Carnival Wishes website.

Here, you can add a list of gifts tailored to your cruise, and send it to your wedding guests. They can then pay for things on your registry directly, meaning that when you set sail, you’ll be able to enjoy a host of little extra touches without having to pay for them yourself.

There are lots of options too – you can set up contributions towards shore excursions, ask for drinks packages, speciality dining reservations, or even just let people pay towards the cost of the cruise itself.

If you don’t have a specific list of gifts that you want for your wedding, a Carnival Wishes registry is a great way of making your honeymoon even more special.

a couple enjoying dinner on honeymoon on a Carnival cruise

2. You Can Pre-Order Gifts For Your Stateroom With Carnival

If you don’t want to set up a registry, or you’ve got other wedding gifts in mind, then you can still pay for your own little extras to make your honeymoon cruise go perfectly. Visit the Carnival Funshops site and you can pre-order all kinds of added extras.

You might just want some drinks to be waiting for you in the room, or even a cake – they do a special six-inch honeymoon cake shaped like a heart that is available in chocolate or vanilla, or in sugar-free options of both flavours too.

Just to give you an idea of the scale of options available, there are over 150 items you can pre-order from the food and beverage section alone. So you don’t have to settle – you’ll find something special that you’ll both love.

a couple inside their room on a Carnival cruise ship

3. Buy A Drinks Package So You Can Fully Relax

Nobody wants to go on a cruise and spend the entire time worrying about their budget. And that’s especially true on a honeymoon. If you’re having to do the math while you’re staring at the drinks menu to see whether you can comfortably afford the beers you wanted to buy, then something’s not right.

Instead, consider paying for the Cheers package. That way, you can really relax and just enjoy the time with your partner, having as many drinks as you want (within reason).

Even if you don’t drink, there are packages that will let you and your partner enjoy as many non-alcoholic beverages as you want, so you can try something a little more unusual – an alcohol-free cocktail can really make that tropical cruise feel extra special.

a couple holding a drink while having fun on honeymoon on a Carnival cruise

4. Consider Upgrading To A Suite

Upgrading to a suite is a surefire way of making your entire cruise feel so much more special. 

It’s not just about the extra space, although that is a nice bonus. Having a more roomy cabin and a larger balcony will help you to really have that VIP feeling during your cruise.

But there are also a host of Carnival suite perks that you get when booking one of these special accommodation options, including things like priority boarding, free laundry services, the best service and depending on your chosen suite, access to exclusive areas of the ship as well.

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a couple relaxing on the balcony of a Carnival cruise ship's suite

5. Choose One Of The Newer Carnival Ships For The Best Experience

While you will no doubt want to spend some time exploring the ports that you visit, and also just relaxing by the pool, you’ll want to keep yourself busy during your cruise with the various entertainment and dining options too.

So, make sure to choose one of the newer Carnival ships if you want the best choice of experiences. The newer ships are the biggest, and they are packed with some of the most exciting features to make every night a new and unique date night during your honeymoon.

And it’s not just about the things to do, being on a bigger ship means you’ve got more space to unwind together and just watch as the world sails by.

Read more: Carnival Cruise Ships By Size

However, bigger isn’t necessarily better for everyone. If you’d prefer your cruise to be a little more laid back and put more value on visiting interesting destinations and enjoying great service, then you may actually prefer one of the smaller Carnival ships.

Take a look at this list of the best Carnival cruise ships according to reviews to help you make your decision.

Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship sailing

6. Plan Your Days Ashore In Advance

When you book a honeymoon cruise, you’ll have the advantage of being able to see multiple destinations in one vacation. But you don’t get a huge amount of time ashore, and the best excursions may book up in advance.

While you will no doubt be spending time planning your wedding, don’t forget to plan your cruise too, and that includes looking at where you’ll be getting off the ship, and working out what you want to do in advance.

Otherwise, you might miss some key experiences or, worse, you could get caught up and distracted and miss your return time for the ship.

My first-ever cruise was for our honeymoon and we left for the airport straight from the wedding reception! I was so busy planning the wedding that I didn’t plan the cruise at all. We had no excursions planned and had to book them on the ship, which wasn’t ideal as it was the most expensive way to do it.

a couple enjoying their honeymoon on an excursion in the Caribbean

7. Don’t Wear Pineapple Print During Your Cruise!

A small tip, but a vital one – you shouldn’t wear pineapple print during your cruise. 

You might like the idea of getting some tropical outfits together if you’re sailing to a destination like the Caribbean for your honeymoon, but pineapple print is best avoided as some people believe pineapples (especially upside-down pineapples) to have a hidden meaning – being a code for swinging or wife-swapping.

Of course, if you’re into that lifestyle, then feel free, especially if you or your partner are the new ‘wife’ to be swapped.

Also, bear in mind that pineapples are not a definitive code, so don’t assume that someone else wearing a pineapple is also up for joining you!

Read more: Upside Down Pineapple: The Secret Meaning

Pineapple motif on denim shorts

8. Treat Yourself (And Your Partner) To Speciality Dining Reservations

Carnival cruises are not all-inclusive; while many things will be covered by your cruise fare, not everything is. One of the things you’ll need to pay extra for is dining in a speciality restaurant.

Suggested read: 5 Best All-Inclusive Honeymoon Cruises

That doesn’t mean you should avoid it, as these restaurants are normally quieter (ideal for a honeymoon) and they have a more premium menu. The main dining room menu is still excellent, but at these restaurants, you can sample some truly special options that are befitting a honeymoon cruise.

honeymooners eating at Speciality restaurant on a Carnival ship

9. You Can Get a Portrait Photo To Commemorate Your Honeymoon

There are official photographers on any cruise that will offer to take your photo for you – you need to pay for the service, but at least you get a professional-quality photo to commemorate your cruise.

So why not pay the extra to enjoy this on your honeymoon? The photos will make a great appendix for your wedding album, after all.

Cruise couple studio photo

10. There Are Couples’ Massages Available for Shared Experiences

What’s better than treating your partner to a luxurious massage at the spa, where they can truly relax and have their stresses almost pushed out of them by a trained masseuse? Joining them for one at the same time, of course.

Couples’ massages are available at the spa on any Carnival cruise, meaning you don’t need to spend time away from your new spouse while you both benefit from the soothing experience. You both deserve it, so why not?

couple having a massage on a Carnival cruise ship

11. Room Service Is Available 24/7

Sometimes on a honeymoon, you don’t want to get dressed and go exploring the ship – and that’s fine. Sometimes you might just prefer to take it easy in your stateroom and enjoy some quiet, quality time together.

So it’s good to know that room service is available 24/7 for your Carnival cruise right up to the last night. Have a lazy start to the day and order breakfast in bed, or order a bottle of fizz for your cosy evening together. It’s your honeymoon, so do it your way.

couple having breakfast in bed on honeymoon on a Carnival cruise

12. Carnival WiFi Can Be Expensive – Which Might Be A Good Thing

It can be tempting to always stay connected to the outside world through the internet. Especially once you’ve just got married, you might want to check in to see which photos your guests have been posting of your big day.

But to be honest, Carnival WiFi can be pretty expensive, since you need to pay for it for the entire cruise. It’s not the most expensive of any other cruise line – compared to others, it’s not too bad – but you might not want to pay $100+ to get online during your cruise.

So maybe don’t? It’s up to you, but a honeymoon cruise is the perfect time to disconnect and just enjoy each other’s company.

Carnival Couple Using Phone

13. Take Time To Unwind In The Serenity Retreat

The one important thing to consider when choosing Carnival for your honeymoon cruise is that this is a family-friendly cruise line, and so there might be a lot of kids running around and enjoying their break too.

But every ship in the Carnival fleet has a Serenity Retreat, which is an adults-only space where you can escape for a little while if things do get a bit noisy. It’s definitely the place to be on a honeymoon.

If you’re among the 66% of cruisers who want kids banned from hot tubs, then the Serenity area is just perfect for you!

couple on a cruise enjoying the hot tub

14. Your Waiters Might Sing To You At Dinner

Just a heads up – some people have reported that their waiting staff have sung to them when they’ve discovered it’s their honeymoon. You might think this is cute, or you might be mortified – so be careful who you tell!

happy couple on honeymoon on Carnival ship

The Bottom Line

Knowing these tips and details about honeymoon cruises will help you have the best time when you sail with Carnival. You’ll get married, have the best day ever, and then have an incredible cruise waiting to receive you.

But have you considered other cruise lines as well? You might have assumed Carnival was the best, but there may be others that could be a great choice too. It’s definitely worth checking those out before you make your decision.

If you’re not 100% set on a Carnival cruise, I suggest that you check out my next article – 5 Amazing Cruise Lines For The Perfect Honeymoon Getaway.

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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.

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Carnival Cruise Showdown: Elation Vs Liberty

Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty are both great choices of Carnival ships, with varying similarities and differences. If you’re looking to choose between the two or would like to know more about what to expect on board, read on and compare with a side-by-side guide on which is the best Carnival ship for your next cruise.

Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty pictured side by side

Ship Details

Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Class Fantasy Conquest
Year 1998 2005
Last Refurbished 2017 2021
Size 71,909 GT 110,000 GT
Guest Capacity 2,190 2,974
Length 855 feet 952 feet
Onboard Crew 900 1,160

Carnival Liberty is the newest of the two ships, initially launching in 2005 as part of the Conquest Class. In 2011, she was the first ship in the whole fleet to receive the Fun 2.0 renovations – a multi-million dollar project to bring enhanced facilities with improvements to existing water parks, mini-golf, a new restaurant, bar and entertainment options and more. In 2021, Carnival Liberty had a dry-dock renovation with the addition of the new blue livery.

Couple being served cocktails by a bar man onboard a Carnival cruise ship

The smaller and older Carnival Elation is part of Carnival’s Fantasy Class. The ship began sailing in 1998 and also had a refurbishment in 2017 as part of the Fun 2.0 renovations.

Read more: Carnival Ships By Age

Carnival Liberty is more than 50% larger than Carnival Elation at 111,000 gross tonnes, compared to Elation’s 71,909. Read on to find out what Carnival Liberty has that Carnival Elation doesn’t…

Itineraries

Carnival Elation sails out of Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida, on a range of 2- to 9-night sailings around the Caribbean, including the Bahamas. Ports include Nassau, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.

Carnival Liberty also sails from Port Canaveral but instead focuses just on the Bahamas on shorter 2- to 5-night sailings, calling at ports including Bimini, Nassau, Princess Cays and Freeport.

Princess Cays

Each ship offers very similar itineraries for short Caribbean-based cruises to ports based in the Bahamas and northern islands.

Comparison

Both ships have undergone renovations to bring them up-to-date with several Fun 2.0 enhancements as seen on newer ships such as Carnival Vista or Carnival Panorama. Carnival Liberty holds more guests and is much bigger than Carnival Elation, so would be a better pick if you’re seeking more space and facilities.

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Dining Options

Both Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty offer a wide variety of dining venues and options. Each offers the usual classic places such as BlueIguana Cantina, Main Dining Room, Guy’s Burger Joint and the Lido Marketplace, as well as additional venues that incur a charge, such as Bottomless Bubbles, Pizza Delivery and The Chef’s Table.

On Elation, you can also find Bonsai Sushi Express and JavaBlue Café, while Liberty features Coffee Bar, Mongolian Wok and Steakhouse. Elation features 20 dining selections, compared to Liberty’s 22.

Carnival Bonsai Sushi Restaurant
Restaurant Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
24-Hour Room Service Included Included
BlueIguana Cantina Included Included
Bonsai Sushi Express Extra Charge –
Coffee Bar – Extra Charge
Dining Room Included Included
Guy’s Burger Joint Included Included
JavaBlue Café Extra Charge –
Lido Marketplace Included Included
Mongolian Wok – Included
Pizza Delivery Extra Charge Extra Charge
Pizza Pirate Included Included
Seaday Brunch Included Included
Seafood Shack – Extra Charge
Steakhouse – Extra Charge
Steakhouse Selections Extra Charge Extra Charge
Sweet Spot Included Included
Swirls Included Included
The Carnival Deli Included Included
The Chef’s Table Extra Charge Extra Charge

Comparison

There are only a few dining venues different between the two ships, though Liberty has more overall in total. Both ships offer a fantastic range of eateries from those which are included in your cruise fare to speciality dining and additional extras. With Carnival Liberty offering more and only missing JavaBlue Café and the Coffee Bar, this would be the best ship in terms of food variety and venues.

If you’d like to sample some of the speciality restaurants, this is a great way to spend any onboard credit you may have. Check out my guide – 12 Ways to Use Your Carnival Onboard Credit Like a Pro for more tips and ideas.

Main Dining Room dessert

Bars

Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty are incredibly similar in terms of bar options. Both ships include the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar and Alchemy Bar.

The only differences are that Carnival Elation has the Beer Station, where you can pour your own beer at any time of day and that Carnival Liberty has the SkyBox Sports Bar, where you can catch all the latest games on the big screens and check out the real-time scores and headlines on the panoramic ticker.

Bar Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Alchemy Bar YES YES
Beer Station YES –
BlueIguana Tequila Bar YES YES
Casino Bar YES YES
Cheers! YES YES
Cruise the Vineyards YES YES
Exclusive Carnival Brews YES YES
RedFrog Rum Bar YES YES
SkyBox Sports Bar – YES

Comparison

In terms of keeping up with sports news and the latest matches, Carnival Liberty is your best option with the SkyBox Sports Bar. Otherwise, both ships offer the same bars to visit. If you’re not a keen sports fan, Carnival Elation may be your better choice.

Whichever ship you choose, make sure you check out my guide to Carnival drink packages to work out whether you should buy the package in advance or not.

Red Frog Rum Bar

Activities

Both ships offer plenty to keep kids, adults and families entertained, from games and mini-golf to the adult-only retreat at Serenity and pools to take a dip.

Carnival Elation offers Master the Martini, which is a mini martini tasting for an additional fee and not available on Carnival Liberty. However, the larger and newer ship of the two offers Alchemy Martini Tasting, which is a similar experience. Liberty also offers the chance to play basketball, which isn’t available on Elation.

Activities Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Alchemy Martini Tasting – Extra Charge
Art Auctions Included Included
Art Exhibitions Included Included
Art Games Included Included
Art Seminars Included Included
Atrium Included Included
Basketball – Included
Bingo Extra Charge Extra Charge
Cooking Demonstration – Included
Games Included Included
Library Included Included
Master the Martini Extra Charge –
Military Appreciation Included Included
Mini Golf Included Included
Mixologist Competitions Included Included
Serenity Adult Only Retreat Included Included
WaterWorks Included Included
Pools Included Included
Twister Waterslide Included Included

Comparison

The only main difference in terms of activities is that Carnival Liberty offers basketball, while Carnival Elation doesn’t. Both ships have been upgraded with the Fun 2.0, so each has the same facilities to enjoy, including WaterWorks, bingo and art auctions.

However, if you’re a keen sports player and love to make friends on the court, Carnival Liberty is the ideal option.

Waterslides on Carnival Elation

Entertainment & Events

There is plenty of entertainment and events to get stuck into with Carnival Cruise Line and both Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty spare no exception.

Both ships offer the same range of entertainment, aside from the Dive-in Movies, which are only available on Carnival Liberty. This is a poolside movie played on the big screen outdoors, which you can watch from your lounger, pool or table.

Entertainment Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Dive-In Movies – Included
Karaoke Included Included
Live Music Included Included
Nightclub Included Included
Piano Bar Included Included
Playlist Productions Included Included
The Punchliner Comedy Club Included Included
Dive-In Movies

On all Carnival cruises, you can expect a variety of organised events during your sailing. Enjoy games, giveaways, line dances and more at the Mega Deck Party or celebrate the start of your holiday with the Sailaway Party.

Events Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Mega Deck Party Included Included
Groove for St. Jude Extra Charge Extra Charge
Holidays Aboard Included Included
Sailaway Party Included Included

Comparison

Other than the movies by the pool, there isn’t much to distinguish between the ships in terms of entertainment or events. Carnival Liberty has just a little more to offer, thanks to the ship featuring the Dive-in Movies, which is a great activity to enjoy on a quiet evening.

Kids Facilities

Carnival is definitely one of the best cruise lines for families and kids of all ages are sure to love the non-stop fun.

Activity Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Arts and Crafts Included Included
Big Fun for Infants and Toddlers Extra Charge Extra Charge
Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea Extra Charge Extra Charge
Camp Ocean Included Included
Circle “C” Included Included
Club O2 Included Included
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast Extra Charge Extra Charge
Night Owls Extra Charge Extra Charge
Seuss at Sea Included Included
Seuss-A-Palooza Parade Included Included
Seuss-a-palooza Story Time Included Included
Towel Animal Theater Included Included
Video Arcade Extra Charge Extra Charge
Zumbini Included Included

Comparison

The Carnival Elation activities for kids are the same as those on Carnival Liberty, from arts and crafts to the video arcade available for a range of age groups. Both Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty offer the same options of kids’ facilities with highlights including the Build-A-Bear Workshop, kids’ clubs and the Dr Seuss® events and activities such as character parades, interactive storytime and a character breakfast featuring their favourite Dr Seuss friends.

No matter which ships you pick, the same features will be on board that your children are sure to love.

Camp Ocean

Spa & Fitness

For those seeking a chance to work out, keep fit or enjoy a class or two, Carnival has a range of facilities great for keeping up your routine or just trying something new.

Some ships have been upgraded to the Cloud 9 Spas for the facilities, though this is only available on the cruise line’s newest ships, not including Carnival Elation or Carnival Liberty.

Spa & Fitness Carnival Elation Carnival Liberty
Acupuncture Extra Charge Extra Charge
Facial Treatments Extra Charge Extra Charge
Fitness Center Extra Charge Extra Charge
Fitness Classes Extra Charge Extra Charge
Hair & Beauty Salon Extra Charge Extra Charge
Jogging Track – Included
Massage Extra Charge Extra Charge
Medi-Spa – Extra Charge
Men’s Spa Services Extra Charge Extra Charge
Spa Carnival Extra Charge Extra Charge
ZSpa Extra Charge Extra Charge

Comparison

There are only slight differences between the spa and fitness offerings of Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty. Liberty offers more in terms of a jogging track and Medi-Spa facilities, which include treatments such as Botox and Dysport. Other than that, both ships offer the same Spa Carnival experiences.

Two women enjoy a moment of relaxation at the Cloud 9 Spa on a Carnival cruise ship, sitting by a therapeutic pool. They are clad in plush white robes, laughing together in a luxuriously designed spa interior with a backdrop of textured white walls and neatly stacked towels.

The Overall Verdict

After reviewing all the details of what’s available for Carnival Elation and Carnival Liberty, I would say that the better ship of the two would be Carnival Liberty. The ship is newer and has had a more recent upgrade, and it’s larger meaning there is more space for guests to wander and enjoy life on board. There are also a few extra features for bars, dining venues, entertainment and activities.

Of course, you might read some Carnival Elation reviews and decide that the longer itineraries sound more fun. Or maybe you’ve made your mind up just by looking at the Carnival Liberty pictures.

When it comes down to Carnival Liberty vs Elation, there’s no single choice – but if you want my opinion, Liberty just about edges it.

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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.

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Carnival-Breeze-1.jpg

Carnival Breeze Vs Carnival Freedom: What Sets Them Apart

Carnival Breeze and Carnival Freedom are both great ships and you may be struggling to decide which to choose for your next vacation. In this guide, we’ll take a side-by-side look at these two ships to help you pick the best one for your cruise…

Carnival Breeze in St Thomas
Carnival Breeze

Ship Details

Carnival Breeze is a more modern ship than Carnival Freedom, although neither of them are particularly new. However, despite being five years older, Carnival Freedom did undergo a major refurbishment in 2019 which saw the addition of a new mini golf course and a 203-foot-long water slide, amongst other things.

Read more: Carnival Ships By Age

Carnival Breeze is 18% larger than Carnival Freedom. However, 23% more guests are allowed on board the Breeze, so the smaller Freedom may actually feel more spacious despite the smaller size.

Feature Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Class Dream Conquest
Year 2012 2007
Last Refurbished 2017 2019
Size 130,000 GT 110,000 GT
Guest Capacity 3,690 2,980
Length 1,004 feet 952 feet
Onboard Crew 1,386 1,150

Itineraries

Carnival Breeze sails out of Galveston, Texas all year round, while Carnival Freedom sails out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

On the Breeze, you’ll find only back-to-back four- and five-day cruises to Cozumel, with occasional stops at Costa Maya or Progreso.

By contrast, Carnival Freedom offers a range of mainly Bahamas cruises, also four- and five-days. Most cruises call at one of Carnival’s private destinations, either Half Moon Cay or Celebration Key (or both!)

Breaking Down the Best Choice

Carnival Freedom has better itineraries than Carnival Breeze, but only because of the private resort calls. Although if you just want a short trip to Cozumel, then the Breeze is reasonably priced.

Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom

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Dining Options

Both Carnival Freedom and Breeze have a great selection of dining options. On the Breeze, you’ll find a few extra places to eat, like the Captain’s Pasta Bar and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que which are both included in your cruise fare. For an extra fee, you’ll also get the option to eat at the Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano.

Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Breeze
Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Breeze

The only other difference between the two is the Bonsai Sushi – on the Freedom, it’s the express version which means you can enjoy sushi to go, whereas on the Breeze you can enjoy sit-down service.

Restaurant Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
24-Hour Room Service Free until 10 pm Free until 10 pm
BlueIguana Cantina Included Included
Bonsai Sushi Extra Charge –
Bonsai Sushi Express – Extra Charge
Coffee Bar Extra Charge Extra Charge
Cucina del Capitano Extra Charge –
Dining Room Included Included
Dining Room Breakfast Included Included
Guy’s Burger Joint Included Included
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Included –
Lido Marketplace Included Included
Mongolian Wok Included Included
Pizza Delivery Extra Charge Extra Charge
Pizza Pirate Included Included
Seaday Brunch Included Included
Seafood Shack Extra Charge Extra Charge
Steakhouse Extra Charge Extra Charge
Steakhouse Selections Extra Charge Extra Charge
Swirls Included Included
The Captain’s Pasta Bar Included –
The Carnival Deli Included Included
The Chef’s Table Extra Charge Extra Charge

Breaking Down the Best Choice

While both Carnival Freedom and Breeze have a huge selection of included and speciality dining options, the Breeze has a few more, making this the best ship of the pair in terms of food variety.

If you’d like to sample some of the speciality restaurants, this is a great way to spend any onboard credit you may have. Check out my guide – 12 Ways to Use Your Carnival Onboard Credit Like a Pro for more tips and ideas.

Bars

For somewhere to enjoy a drink, both ships have the same bars, including the RedFrog pub, BlueIguana tequila bar and the Casino Bar. The only difference is that Carnival Breeze also has the SkyBox sports bar where you can catch all the latest games on the big screens and check out the real-time scores and headlines on the panoramic ticker.

Bar Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Alchemy Bar YES YES
BlueIguana Tequila Bar YES YES
Casino Bar YES YES
Cheers! YES YES
Cruise the Vineyards YES YES
Exclusive Carnival Brews YES YES
RedFrog Pub YES YES
RedFrog Rum Bar YES YES
SkyBox Sports Bar – YES

Breaking Down the Best Choice

If you’re a sports fan, then Carnival Freedom is the better option of the two ships as you won’t miss any of the latest sports news. However, if you’d rather your other half didn’t spend all of their time glued to the big screen on vacation, then perhaps the Carnival Breeze is the better ship to choose.

Whichever ship you choose, make sure you check out my guide to Carnival drink packages to work out whether you should buy the package in advance or not.

Bartender serving drinks on a Carnival cruise ship

Activities

Both Carnival Breeze and Carnival Freedom have so many activities to enjoy that you can never be bored. However, the larger and newer ship, Carnival Breeze has a few more things up on the top deck, including the SportSquare where you can play games like football and ping-pong as well as the high ropes course with epic views over the ocean.

The SkyCourse on Carnival Breeze
The SkyCourse on Carnival Breeze
Activity Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Alchemy Martini Tasting Extra Charge Extra Charge
Art Auctions Included Included
Art Exhibitions Included Included
Art Games Included Included
Art Seminars Included Included
Atrium Included Included
Basketball Included Included
Bingo Extra Charge Extra Charge
Cooking Demonstration Included Included
Games Included Included
Library Included Included
Make It With Michaels Included Included
Master the Martini Extra Charge –
Military Appreciation Included Included
Mini Golf Included Included
Mixologist Competitions Included Included
Ocean Plaza Included –
Pools Included Included
Serenity Adult Only Retreat Included Included
SkyCourse Included –
SportSquare Included –
Twister Waterslide Included Included
Volleyball Included –
WaterWorks Included Included

Breaking Down the Best Choice

Although Carnival Freedom has been recently upgraded to add the waterpark with slides and a giant tipping bucket, the newer and larger Carnival Breeze still has the edge with more activities to enjoy on board.

Entertainment & Events

Both Carnival Breeze and Carnival Freedom have plenty of entertainment on offer throughout the day and late into the night.

The slightly larger ship, Carnival Breeze, features the Thrill Theater – a small 3D movie theatre with moving seats and lots of special effects for total cinematic immersion. Tickets cost $5.50 each.

Thrill Theater on Carnival Breeze
Thrill Theater on Carnival Breeze
Entertainment Venue Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Dive-In Movies Included Included
Karaoke Included Included
Lip Sync Battle: Carnival Included Included
Live Music Included Included
Nightclub Included Included
Piano Bar Included Included
Playlist Productions Included Included
The Punchliner Comedy Club Included Included
Thrill Theater Extra Charge –

On a Carnival cruise, you can attend a variety of organised events during your vacation. If you like to dress up in costume then don’t miss the White Hot Night on the Breeze and the 80s Night on the Freedom.

Event Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Mega Deck Party Included Included
80s Night – Included
White Hot Night Party Included –
Groove for St. Jude Extra Charge Extra Charge
Holidays Aboard Included Included
Sailaway Party Included Included

Breaking Down the Best Choice

When it comes to entertainment, there’s not much in it to distinguish between Carnival Breeze and Carnival Freedom. The Breeze has a slight edge because it has the 3D movie theater and White Night is always a great party that’s easy to dress for.

Kids Facilities

Carnival is definitely one of the best cruise lines for families and kids of all ages are sure to love the non-stop fun.

Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze
Activity Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Arts and Crafts Included Included
Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea Extra Charge Extra Charge
Camp Ocean Included Included
Circle “C” Included Included
Club O2 Included Included
Dr. Seuss Bookville – Included
Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast Extra Charge Extra Charge
Night Owls Extra Charge Extra Charge
Seuss at Sea Included Included
Seuss-A-Palooza Parade Included Included
Seuss-a-palooza Story Time Included Included
Towel Animal Theater Included Included
Video Arcade Extra Charge Extra Charge
Zumbini Included Included

Breaking Down the Best Choice

Carnival Breeze and Carnival Freedom are almost identical in terms of what they offer for kids. The only real difference is that Freedom features Dr. Seuss Bookville – a children’s library where kids can enjoy reading Dr. Suess books in fun surroundings.

Spa & Fitness

Whether you want to work up a sweat or lie back and relax, Carnival cruise ships offer plenty of spa and fitness facilities.

Like all of the newer Carnival cruise ships, Carnival Breeze features the Cloud9 spa which is an upgraded version of the regular Carnival spa that you’ll find on Carnival Freedom and the older ships.

Both ships offer a range of spa treatments for women and men as well as the dedicated ZSpa which is just for teens.

As well as the standard indoor gym, Carnival Breeze also features the SkyFitness gym, located outside on the top deck! With punching bags and a host of exercise bikes and machines, you can work out while enjoying the best views of the ocean.

Outdoor gym on Carnival Breeze
Outdoor gym on Carnival Breeze
Facilities Carnival Breeze Carnival Freedom
Acupuncture Extra Charge Extra Charge
Cloud 9 Spa Extra Charge –
Cloud 9 Spa: Hydrotherapy Pool Extra Charge –
Cloud 9 Spa: Thermal Suite Extra Charge –
Facial Treatments Extra Charge Extra Charge
Fitness Center Included Included
Fitness Classes Extra Charge Extra Charge
Hair & Beauty Salon Extra Charge Extra Charge
Jogging Track Included Included
Massage Extra Charge Extra Charge
Medi-Spa Extra Charge Extra Charge
Men’s Spa Services Extra Charge Extra Charge
SkyFitness Included –
Spa Carnival – Extra Charge
ZSpa Included Included

Breaking Down the Best Choice

If wellness is your thing, then there’s no question as to which ship is best. Carnival Breeze wins over Carnival Freedom thanks to the Cloud9 Spa and the outdoor gym.

The Overall Verdict

After comparing these two Carnival cruise ships in detail, I would say that Carnival Breeze is the better ship overall compared to Carnival Freedom. The Breeze is larger, newer and has a larger choice of restaurants, facilities and onboard activities.

However, when choosing between these ships you’ll really want to look at the itineraries. If you’re considering a short cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, you’ll want to pay close attention to the ports of call on offer as well as working out the cost of getting to the port to begin your trip.

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Cruise Mummy

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


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