Carnival

Loyalty programs are a good way for a cruise line to reward passengers who decide to keep cruising with the same line. After all, there are so many great cruise lines to choose from that it benefits them to try to keep you loyal.

Carnival’s program is called VIFP, and like many other similar schemes, it has multiple tiers that you progress through as you cruise. You start with Blue for your first sailing and then move to Red, then Gold, then Platinum and ultimately Diamond – the best of the Carnival VIFP levels.

But Platinum is the one to pay particular attention to, because it’s very achievable if you’re a loyal Carnival customer, and it has a lot of benefits. Gold status doesn’t get you a lot, so the step up to Platinum is really noticeable.

Let’s dive into what you get when you reach Platinum VIFP status.

The cruises needed to reach VIFP Platinum

To reach Carnival Platinum level, you need 75 points. You get one point for every night you spend on a Carnival ship, so it doesn’t matter how many cruises you take, you just need to cruise for 75 nights.

Since most Carnival cruises last 3-7 nights, the fastest way to get to Platinum is to take 11 cruises – 10 of them lasting a week and then the last one being at least 5 nights. If you’re lucky enough to cruise twice a year, this means you’ll get to Platinum status in your sixth year of cruising.

What Platinum members get with Carnival

You get a lot of benefits when you’re at Carnival cruise Platinum level. These include priority check-in, boarding and debarkation, priority spa reservations, special parties exclusively for Platinum and Diamond members, and free laundry services.

Here’s a rundown of everything you get as a Platinum member:

1. Priority check-in and boarding

Being first on the ship is always a fun experience – you don’t have to queue for a long time at port, and you’re able to get straight to the fun. While being a Platinum guest doesn’t guarantee you being the very first person on the ship, it does mean you can book early check-in and be on the ship sooner.

There have been some changes to this perk while Carnival adjusts to new health and safety protocols, which means you can’t necessarily choose an early embarkation time but you do get 48 hours advance notice to book your Arrival Appointment for check-in.

Boarding times are based on the arrival appointments so if you make sure to grab one of the first, then you will still be one of the first people onto the ship.

2. Priority debarkation

While it’s always sad to leave a cruise ship, it still makes sense to be one of the first people off on the last day if you can be. You’ll beat the rush, which means a smoother journey back through the port and potentially first dibs on taxis or getting to your car and out of the car park faster if you’re parked at the port.

It’s worth noting that this perk isn’t always available. It depends on how many Platinum and Diamond guests are on-board – if there are too many then the service can’t be offered.

3. Priority access to Guest Services

If you’ve got any problems or queries that you need Guest Services to resolve, then you don’t want to spend time queuing and wasting precious cruise fun time. So as a Platinum guest, there are two ways you get priority access to the Guest Services team.

Firstly, if you visit them in person there’s a priority line for Platinum and Diamond guests. Any guests in this line will be seen before others in the standard line.

And if you don’t want to visit in person, you get a priority phone number, so you don’t have to wait in a holding queue on the phone with other non-Platinum guests.

4. Priority reservations at speciality dining restaurants

The speciality restaurants on a Carnival ship always prove to be popular. They offer unique dining opportunities and a more varied menu than you would enjoy if you ate purely in the Main Dining Room or the buffet.

It’s not super-common for speciality restaurants to be fully booked on a Carnival cruise, because a lot of people are perfectly happy with the free options. But as a Platinum member, you do still get priority reservations, which means you can choose the best nights and times to enjoy the restaurants that you want to visit.

5. Priority spa reservations

The onboard spa on a Carnival ship offers a wide range of treatments that are perfect for relaxing. Whether it’s a specialist massage, a detox wrap, or even acupuncture, there are some great options to soothe away the stresses of modern life.

And similar to speciality dining, these don’t tend to get fully booked out in most cases, but it is still beneficial to have first dibs on the best days and times for your treatments. A lot of people like to book early-morning treatments or those around two hours before dinner on a special night.

When you’re a Platinum member, you get priority access to secure your treatments at the time that you want them.

6. Priority water shuttle boarding

Heading to shore for an excursion or just a day of exploring independently? You won’t be the only one – hundreds of people will be leaving the ship on a day at port. So on days where you need to use a water shuttle to get to shore, it’s a nice benefit to have priority access so that you can beat the lines and have more time to explore.

You only get priority traveling from ship to shore – on the return to the ship, you’ll need to queue with everyone else. And it’s not always available either – it varies by destination based on local guidance, and it can be withdrawn as a perk at short notice. So don’t be too disappointed if you have to wait in line with everyone else.

7. Platinum and Diamond VIFP Party

On sailings lasting 5 days or more, all Platinum and Diamond guests are invited to a special VIFP party. This is a good chance to mingle with other loyal Carnival guests and swap stories of your favourite ships.

Oh, and the drinks are complimentary too. So even if you just want to go hang out with your own traveling party, it’s still worth paying the party a visit just to get a few drinks free.

8. Complimentary drink

Platinum guests are permitted to enjoy a free cocktail of their choosing during their cruise.

It used to be that this was only offered during the SeaDay brunch, but this changed in July 2024 and the drink can now be enjoyed at any time during a cruise (minimum five nights).

9. Complimentary water

Bottled water can be expensive on a cruise ship but it’s always good to have one in your stateroom. And if you’re a Platinum guest, then you get a 1.5-litre bottle for free, which is a nice touch.

You just need to redeem it to pick up your bottle, which you can do at any bar or restaurant on the ship. You can also use room service to claim your free bottle as well.

10. Chocolate Delight delivery

A smaller touch, but one that’s definitely appreciated by any chocolate lover – Platinum guests are able to request the Chocolate Delight treat to be delivered to their room once for free during the cruise (normal value $12.50).

Chocolate Delight consists of four chocolate-dipped strawberries that have been rolled in red velvet cake crumbs. There are also two red velvet and chocolate ganache macaroons, and two chocolate truffles. It’s a sumptuous treat, and it’s just a phone call to room services away.

11. Free arcade credit for under 18s

Platinum guests used to get a few extra benefits in the casino, ideal if you were into gaming. This included buy-one-get-one-free entries in tournaments, and $25 of casino credit. But those perks have since been removed, unfortunately.

Guests under 18 still have their gaming perk though – those who are lucky enough to have reached Platinum status before adulthood get $5 free to spend in the onboard arcade.

12. Carnival logo gift and collectible pin

It’s always fun to bring home a special souvenir from your cruise, and as a Platinum guest, you get two!

The first is a Carnival logo gift. These can vary, but are usually small items that bear the Carnival logo. Past examples have included a travel planner with a pen, or even a night light. They tend to change the gift every few months, so unless you’re sailing super-regularly, then you should always get something new.

The second gift is a collectible pin. These are unique to each sailing and are perfect whether you already have a pin collection or if you just want something to remember each cruise you take.

Both of these gifts can be claimed at the Photo Gallery on the cruise ship – just make sure you visit before the last two days of your cruise, as they stop offering them then.

13. Complimentary Wash & Fold laundry

Once you reach Platinum, you’re allowed to make use of the laundry services for free. You get two bags of laundry on 3-6 day cruises, 3 bags on cruises up to 12 days, and 5 bags of laundry for cruises lasting longer than 12 days.

That’s plenty of free laundry already, although if you do make it to Diamond status, then you get unlimited free laundry too.

To conclude

The perks you get with any cruise line’s loyalty program are designed to be nice little extras just to make your cruise that touch more special. And Carnival’s Platinum VIFP level is one of the better ones when you weigh up what you get versus how many nights you have to cruise to earn it.

There’s a lot here that won’t make or break your cruise but will just make you feel like a Very Important Fun Person during your cruise. And if you combine the Platinum rewards with Carnival’s suite perks that you get when you book a suite for your accommodation,  then you get a whole lot extra for your holiday.

If you have any questions about Carnival’s loyalty perks or would like to make any suggestions, then I recommend that you contact Carnival’s brand ambassador John Heald. He’s incredibly helpful and I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.

Another useful thing to know is that once you reach Platinum on Carnival, if you ever cruise with MSC Cruises, you can claim Gold status with the MSC Status Match Program.

You don’t have to wait until then to take advantage of the status matching, check out this MSC Cruises Status Match Chart for more information.

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

Read more about me

Credit cards often have special deals and offers that work as a sort of loyalty scheme, letting you spend points that you’ve earned for your regular spending. And the Carnival World Mastercard is a great example.

But what does the Carnival World Mastercard give you, and is it worth replacing your everyday credit card? Let’s take a look.

How the Carnival World Mastercard Works

The Carnival World Mastercard is a credit card, and so it works just like any other Mastercard credit card – you spend money from your credit allowance and then pay it off using your own money.

The Carnival World Mastercard is not issued by Carnival. It has to be issued by a bank, after all, and Carnival prefers to focus on fun cruising rather than banking. Instead, the card is issued by Barclays, one of the biggest banks in the world.

You can use a Carnival World Mastercard anywhere in the world that accepts Mastercard – which is most places. Mastercard is one of the most widely accepted cards around the globe – second only to Visa. You can use the Carnival World Mastercard at over 37 million merchant locations in over 210 countries and territories.  

By using your Carnival World Mastercard, you’ll build up FunPoints, and these can be redeemed against purchases with Carnival (and sister cruise lines). There are other benefits too, which I’ll get into.

It’s worth noting that the Carnival World Mastercard is only open to residents of the United States aged 18 and over. While Barclays Bank does have bases around the world, this particular credit card is for the US market only.

What credit score do you need for a Carnival card?

The credit score you need to qualify for a Carnival World Mastercard isn’t published officially, but realistically you need a ‘Good’ credit score. A ‘Good’ score is between 670 and 739, although being in this range does not guarantee you will be accepted.

Everyone’s credit score is judged alongside their financial habits. Many people who have applied for the credit card with a score below 700 have been declined, although some have been accepted. You’re more likely to be accepted if your credit rating is ‘Very Good’ (740 to 799) or ‘Excellent’ (800 to 850).

Your credit score won’t just impact whether or not you are accepted – it will also affect your credit allowance and the APR you are assigned for your card.

Depending on your creditworthiness, you will either be assigned an APR of 19.99%, 25.99%, or 29.99%.

The Benefits of the Carnival Credit Card

Here are the benefits of taking out a Carnival World Mastercard. These are correct at the time of writing, but they may change, so be sure to consult the Carnival website for the latest Ts&Cs.

1. Low APR On Carnival Cruise Bookings

Using your Carnival World Mastercard when booking a cruise essentially lets you spread the cost for six months without penalty. That’s because you get a rate of 0% APR on Carnival cruise bookings for six months with the card.

It’s important to make sure you clear the balance within six months of your purchase, otherwise, your remaining balance will be charged at your regular APR – either 19.99%, 25.99% or 29.99%, depending on your credit score when you took out the card.

This is a promotional APR and therefore could be changed or withdrawn in future. But if you don’t own a credit card, and you really want a cruise (especially last minute) that you don’t have the immediate funds for, then a Carnival World Mastercard at least makes it viable. Though you should only book a cruise if you know you’ll be able to clear the balance.

2. Bonus FunPoints

When you first take out a Carnival World Mastercard, you’ll be rewarded the first time you either make a purchase or transfer over a balance from another credit card.

Regardless of the size of the purchase or the balance transfer, you’ll be given 20,000 FunPoints, which can be redeemed for a $200 statement credit the next time you book a cruise with Carnival.

Again, this is a promotional offer so this may not be available in future. There will typically be some kind of offer, but exactly what it is can vary. For example, in early 2023 the offer was that you would be given 25,000 FunPoints but only after spending $500 within your first 90 days of owning the card.

Bear this in mind – if you want to get a free $200 towards your next Carnival cruise then it may be worth getting the card sooner rather than later, as the offer could change again.

3. 10% Back On Shore Excursions

When using a Carnival World Mastercard to book shore excursions through Carnival.com, you’ll get 10% of the cost back as a statement credit. Essentially you’re getting 10% off the cost of shore excursions, though you’ll pay in full and then get 10% back on your credit card as a refund.

This only works for official Carnival shore excursions booked through the Carnival website. If you book shore excursions through a travel agent, or you book third-party shore excursions using your credit card, you won’t get the 10% back.

According to the terms and conditions of the card, you can book excursions up to 11.30 pm ET the evening prior to your cruise departure, and you’ll be eligible for the statement credit. It’ll be applied to your account within 1-2 business days and you’ll see it on your next card statement, alongside the purchase of the shore excursions.

4. Double FunPoints On Carnival Purchases

Whenever you use your Carnival World Mastercard for purchases, you’ll earn 1 FunPoint for every $1 spent. However, when making any purchase with Carnival, you’ll earn twice the reward – so 2 FunPoints for every $1 spent.

This includes making cruise bookings, but it also includes any purchases you make with the cruise line onboard the ship. So if you assign your Carnival World Mastercard to your Sail & Sign account, then every time you have a drink onboard, or you book a speciality dining meal, or you make a purchase in a retail store, you’ll earn double the points.

And even better, this offer also applies to the sister cruise brands of Carnival, under the umbrella of “World’s Leading Cruise Lines”. So any time you spend on AIDA, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK or Seabourn, you will earn double FunPoints.

5.No Annual Fee Or Foreign Transaction Fees

Some credit cards will charge an annual fee for owning the card, or they will charge an additional fee every time you use the credit card at an international vendor.

The Carnival World Mastercard has neither of these fees – so you don’t need to worry about paying every year for just owning the card. And more importantly, you can use the card internationally without additional penalties.

Considering how the card is aimed at cruise passengers, this is a pretty important benefit.

6. Low Introductory APR On Balance Transfers

When you first open a Carnival World Mastercard, you can transfer the balance of any other credit cards you own to the card for a 0% introductory APR. You’re permitted to do this within 45 days of opening an account, and the 0% APR remains in place for 15 months.

After this 15-month period, any outstanding balance will be charged at your typical APR.

This isn’t a unique benefit – many credit cards offer similar benefits, often for longer periods. But if you’re interested in the cruise-related benefits and you have an existing credit card with a balance that you’re paying interest on, you could save money by opening a Carnival World Mastercard and transferring that balance over.

Also, it’s important to add that balance transfers aren’t completely free. You will need to pay either $5 or 5% of the balance transfer value – whichever is the higher amount.

How Carnival FunPoints Work

The rewards system with the Carnival World Mastercard is called FunPoints. Every time you spend using the card, you’ll earn points back.

Specifically, you’ll earn 1 FunPoint for every $1 you spend using the card. The exception is when you make any purchases with Carnival or any of its sister cruise lines, where the reward is doubled – so you get 2 FunPoints for every $1 you spend.

These FunPoints can then be redeemed for the following:

• Statement credit for cruise bookings and purchases with Carnival
• Statement credit for cruise bookings and purchases with sister cruise brands
• Carnival merchandise and onboard amenities
• Airline, hotel and car rental purchases
• Gift cards

At least – that’s the official line on what you can use the card for. But many people have reported that the options for merchandise and onboard amenities have essentially disappeared and are no longer available. So if you were hoping to use FunPoints towards fun little gifts for your cruise on the ship, you might be disappointed.

One other thing to note – Carnival has previously offered another benefit named “Fun Points” but this was aimed at people making group bookings. They’re not the same, so don’t get them confused if you stumble across “Group Booking Fun Points”.

What are FunPoints worth?

Here’s a look at what FunPoints are worth for each redemption category:

How To Use Carnival FunPoints

The best way to take advantage of your Carnival FunPoints is to use them against purchases of $1,500 or more with Carnival. That way, you’ll get the most value back from your FunPoints.

As a quick example – say you book a cruise and it costs you $1,000. To redeem the full value of that cruise, you’d have to use 100,000 FunPoints.

But if your cruise costs $1,500, then it would cost the same number of FunPoints. So if you end up with 100,000 FunPoints to spend on a cruise, and your fare is around the $1,000-$1,499 mark, you might as well upgrade your room and get a bigger statement credit!

You can use FunPoints for purchases on the other brands under the World’s Leading Cruise Lines name, including AIDA, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK and Seabourn.

However, no matter how much you’re redeeming against, it will always only be 1 cent per FunPoint.

Carnival merch, if it’s available, is the same conversion rate and the minimum number of FunPoints you have to redeem will vary.

How many Carnival FunPoints for a free cruise?

The number of Carnival FunPoints needed for a free cruise depends on the cruise you’re booking. 1 FunPoint = 1 cent for purchases under $1,500, so a cruise costing $1,000 would need 100,000 Fun Points. However, many Carnival cruises are cheaper so would need fewer points.

At the time of writing this guide, the cheapest 3-day cruise I’ve found on the Carnival website costs $706.40, which is for two people and includes taxes, fees and port expenses. So this would need 70,640 FunPoints if you wanted the cruise for free.

However, you don’t need to wait until you’ve got enough FunPoints to redeem against the full value of a cruise. You can redeem as few as 5,000 FunPoints to get $50 statement credit against your cruise booking.

That’s good, since to earn those 70,640 FunPoints for that free cruise, you would need to spend $70,640 using your Carnival World Mastercard.

You could fast-track it though – you get 20,000 free FunPoints for your first purchase, and then you could earn the other 50,640 FunPoints by spending $25,320 on Carnival purchases only, since you get double points for purchases with the cruise line.

How To Redeem Carnival Mastercard FunPoints

You can redeem Carnival Mastercard FunPoints by logging onto your online account with Barclays. The bank then has a menu that you can browse, in order to spend your FunPoints.

How to Redeem Carnival FunPoints for Statement Credit

To redeem Carnival FunPoints for statement credit you need to:

• Log onto your Barclays account and navigate to the FunPoints section
• Choose “Pay with FunPoints”
• A list of eligible purchases from the last 180 days will be shown
• Click “Redeem Now”
• Choose the value of FunPoints to apply
• Confirm your decision

The statement credit will be posted to your account within 1-2 business days and will show on your next statement.

To be clear, you can only claim statement credit on cruise purchases and travel purchases made within the last 180 days using your Carnival World Mastercard.

Things To Know About The Carnival Credit Card

Do Carnival FunPoints expire?

Carnival FunPoints don’t expire. As long as you keep your account open, your FunPoints will accumulate until you decide to spend them. If you close your account and you have enough FunPoints to redeem against a reward, you will have 60 days to do so.

Does the Carnival cruise credit card have an annual fee?

There is no annual fee for the Carnival World Mastercard, nor are there any fees for foreign transactions.

Does Carnival Mastercard have travel insurance?

Unlike many other credit cards, the Carnival World Mastercard does not include travel insurance. You will need to make sure you take out a suitable travel insurance policy elsewhere whenever you are cruising.

Can you use Carnival Fun Points with other cruise lines?

You can use Carnival FunPoints with any other cruise line owned by the Carnival Group. This includes AIDA, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK, Seabourn, and Fathom.

Is The Carnival Credit Card Worth It?

It’s tough to give an easy answer on whether the Carnival World Mastercard is worth it, because it depends on your own personal credit situation.

Many other credit card companies will offer better value rewards, and you do have to earn a lot of FunPoints in order to redeem high amounts against your Carnival purchases.

But if your typical spending habits do mean that you use a credit card regularly, and you’re a loyal Carnival cruise guest, then it’s certainly worth considering this card, provided you can keep up with repayments.

If you want to be loyal to Carnival but a credit card doesn’t feel right, there are other options too, including Carnival’s casino points (which gets you benefits such as free drinks if you spend enough in the casino during one sailing), and the VIFP program, which rewards regular cruisers with benefits such as free laundry, complimentary speciality dining, cabin upgrades and more.

You’ll also get benefits from being a Carnival shareholder.

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

Of all the ocean cruise lines, Carnival’s fleet is one of the biggest. There are currently 27 ships in the fleet, from the oldest still in operation (Carnival Sunshine) right up to Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Firenze, the newest in the fleet.

But newest doesn’t automatically mean best.

With that in mind, I set about ranking all of the Carnival ships in the fleet from best to worst. This is a great opportunity to remind everyone of what makes Carnival such a popular cruise line – and identify which ships are best for you.

Let’s take a look…

And one last thing before we get into the list – remember that this is from “best” to “worst”. Not “good” to “bad”.

In fact on average scores, the worst ship on the list scored a 3.2 out of 5 – that’s still pretty good.

But now, which is best?

Now, let’s have a look at what people love about the Carnival Panorama, and which other ships get high praise (or not)…

The best Carnival ships, ranked by reviews

1. Carnival Jubilee

So maybe newest/biggest is the best, after all.

Carnival Jubilee is the latest addition to the Carnival fleet and, along with her sisters in the Excel Class (Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration), she’s the biggest.

There is so much to see and do onboard and guests love the variety of the experiences, as well as the food options and the standard of service too. Overall, everything seems to be a winner.

There may be some recency bias – it’d be interesting to see if Carnival Jubilee stayed near the top of this list after a couple of years of service or if she’d be lower down, like her sisters.

For now though, Carnival Jubilee is queen of the fleet.

2. Carnival Breeze

The Carnival Breeze seems to sum up everything that’s great about cruising with Carnival, and yet at the same time highlights some of the major drawbacks of the cruise line too. 

There are loads of places to eat and drink, thrilling water slides, and a friendly crew that will bend over backwards to make your cruise feel special.

But, you can also expect crowds, noise, and plenty of people living carefree and maybe having a couple of drinks too many after taking advantage of Carnival’s drink package deal.

Relaxing? Kinda. Fun? Absolutely! For everyone? Not so sure.

And yet, it’s the second-most popular ship in the fleet!

Carnival Valor offers itineraries to the Caribbean from New Orleans, with a focus on more time in port – a typical 5-day itinerary will include an extra port rather than a day at sea compared to some other ships. So she’s great if you prefer to spend more time ashore.

On board, expect the same quality of service and blend of Fun Ship features as you find on other Carnival ships that have been upgraded. She has some quirks, including the kids club being situated close to the spa and Serenity decks, but she offers a relaxing cruise for all ages.

Her popularity is clear, being behind Carnival Breeze by only the thinnest of margins!

Carnival Panorama is a ship for ‘everyone’. The reason she’s scored so well on reviews is that she does a great job of pleasing cruisers of all ages.

Whether that’s in the things you can do on-board, the variety of food options, the live performances and the interesting itineraries around the Mexican Riviera, Carnival Panorama is loved by many.

People love the service too – Carnival’s service is generally good but reviews rave about Panorama’s crew. The downside to the ship is that, with so much going on, it can be a little noisy at times on deck. This may be why the ship isn’t number one.

Carnival Pride is one of the older ships in the Carnival fleet now, but she has been well looked after. The age does show a little in the decor choice – bold Renaissance artworks give the ship a little more of an antiquated, dated vibe.

But because it’s a smaller ship, you get all of that Carnival fun experience without some of the busy crowds and noisy atmosphere of some of her contemporaries.

She has some design quirks, including some areas being a trek to get to, but she has a ton of unique charm.

Like her sister ships the Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit, Carnival Miracle has one of the best passenger-to-space ratios – despite having belatedly received her Fun Ship upgrades, Miracle never feels cramped or crowded. She’s one of the best Carnival ships if you want to relax on board.

This is good, because her downsides tend to be West Coast US itineraries that are a little less exciting than those in other destinations. Choose Carnival Miracle if you want a bit of fun, a bit of relaxation, and some decent food.

Carnival Glory is another ship that has been a stalwart for Carnival for a long time, and as a result, it’s showing its age – reviews do comment on some parts of the ship looking a little worn.

But it’s a testament to how good the experience is that it still ranks so highly despite the wear and tear. She’s a smaller ship again but she’s certainly not dull, with the WaterWorks water park a particular highlight.

Expect a lot of large groups and families on this ship, but you won’t feel crowded either.

Despite having a layout that’s similar to many other Carnival ships – and being packed with many of the same exciting features – Carnival Dream has always had a slightly more relaxed vibe. 

It’s helped by the popular Lanai Promenade that wraps around the ship on the lower deck, which offers a bit of respite from all the fun of the rest of the ship. It’s well maintained and offers a good mix of itineraries across the Caribbean and Central America from Texas.

Carnival Vista launched to great fanfare and introduced some really cool features on a Carnival ship for the first time, including the SkyRide and the IMAX cinema, as well as some fun Dr Seuss features for younger kids. And yet again, the reviews are mixed.

Clearly from a technical standard, the ship is outstanding, but complaints focus on some of the basics like quality and variety of food, and of service standards slipping a little. You couldn’t complain of boredom, though.

Carnival Celebration is one of the newer ships in the fleet, and she’s just made the top 10. Sister ship to Mardi Gras, she is one of the flagships of the fleet, and is absolutely packed with amazing features, which many guests love.

The negative reviews tend to focus on the service standards – she’s a huge ship after all, and so some loyal Carnival guests aren’t used to crowds or having to wait as long for dinner service, etc. She has still had a great debut year and has something onboard for everyone to enjoy.

I was a little surprised that Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista fell so low on the list, but I think it’s a sign that newer doesn’t always mean better.

Carnival Horizon should be praised for its onboard technologies and amazing features, but it is missing some of the really exciting features that would debut on the Excel Class not long after.

And because it’s another 4,000-passenger cruise ship, it can at times feel a little crowded, and some reviews have said that the service doesn’t quite reach the usual Carnival standards. It’s bold, colourful, modern – and maybe a little bit soulless?

Carnival Liberty offers good value cruising from Orlando and while she’s a little tired, and she doesn’t have all of the exciting features that more modern ships may have, she’s clearly extremely popular with American families who want a simple cruising experience.

There’s no roller coaster or fancy sky ride track, but instead the ‘classic’ cruise activities – poolside movies, karaoke nights, comedy clubs, nightclubs and so on – are packed every evening. Carnival Liberty isn’t quite ‘no-frills’ but she isn’t fancy and in-your-face either. This is like the quintessential value cruise ship.

The best things about Carnival Spirit are her excellent service and her range of destinations.

Some Carnival ships stick to the same Caribbean ports year-round, but Carnival Spirit lets you explore Australia, Alaska and Central America too, depending on when you cruise.

It’s got a laid-back vibe that fits with the Australian passenger demographic on board and if you don’t mind the parts of the ship that look dated – including some design choices that are definitely striking and not in a good way – then you’ll have a great time on-board.

Carnival Legend offers a very similar experience to sister ship Carnival Spirit – there are lots of fun things to do, the atmosphere is generally quite relaxed on-board, and some of the decor is now bordering on tacky – but that’s half the fun.

Queues and crowds aren’t too bad on this ship, and she has some of the better Fun Ship upgrades too, including Hasbro Game Show and Seuss at Sea, so she is a good choice for families who don’t want the very best features but want a few fun things to entertain them during their voyage.

Carnival Conquest is a good ship if you want to let your hair down and have fun. It’s still popular with families but there’s not a huge selection of features aimed at younger guests, and teens could get a little bored.

It’s definitely more of a relaxed ship that is better suited to adults who want a few drinks and a good, relatively wholesome time.

She isn’t too rowdy, although the theatre at night does get loud – but there are places you can take it easy. It’s less in-your-face than some other Carnival ships, so good if you just need to switch off for a few days.

Until Mardi Gras launched, the idea of a roller coaster on a ship felt like a running joke – as more and more features were added to modern ships, when would they just stick a roller coaster on one? Then, Carnival did it, and it’s great.

Mardi Gras isn’t just a roller coaster though. The ship is the biggest in the fleet, and has some incredible entertainment venues and performances.

But despite the size, the cabins seem a little cramped, and the speciality dining venues haven’t wowed guests as they have on other ships.

To be clear, Mardi Gras still averages a very respectable 3.78 out of 5, but for a flagship she is definitely lower on this list than Carnival would like.

Carnival Freedom was the last of the Conquest-Class ships to launch, and then one of the last to receive her Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades too. She received a much-revamped water park that kids love, and a few existing dining venues including the RedFrog pub and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.

But with Carnival Freedom, the ship feels like a bit of a mishmash, and so it can have a strange vibe. The newer parts are done well and make the ship a good choice for families. But other parts still look dated, and you can tell that there are pre-upgrade and post-upgrade features.

Carnival Magic suffers a little for being the ship that pioneered some of the most popular features on the fleet’s ships. Despite launching after her sister ship Carnival Dream, Magic was the ship that debuted features like the Hasbro Game Show, the RedFrog pub and the elevated ropes course.

And those features are still great, but the ship has been known to be popular, and therefore crowded, and sometimes it can just be a little overwhelming if you aren’t the kind of person who copes well in busy places. It suffers because of its original popularity, which is why it scored so low.

Carnival Sunshine is technically the oldest ship still sailing in the Carnival fleet, having first launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996. She did undergo a massive upgrade when she was renamed Carnival Sunshine, including receiving many of the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. She also has a more contemporary, understated look than some other ships in the fleet.

She’s good if you want a fun experience where crowds aren’t too bad, but she is starting to show her age again – a lot of reviews mention her needing a bit of TLC if she’s going to keep sailing for the fleet.

While Carnival Elation is not the elder statesman of the Carnival fleet, she feels like she is – she hasn’t had the same $150 million+ revamp that Carnival Sunshine received.

Let’s start with the negatives – decor is definitely dated, the entertainment is a little more limited and the ship just feels ‘small’.

But again, this makes for a very different atmosphere to the loud, crowded ships and for some people, Carnival Elation will provide the best balance of Carnival fun and service, without the noise. 

Carnival Splendor is a unique ship in the fleet – she was originally built for Costa but was transferred to Carnival while she was being built. The decor is ‘bold’, and you’ll either love the drama of it or you might find it all a bit too much, but it won’t detract from the quality of the cruise.

There’s a huge spa, and a load of great activities, especially for the kids, but the cabins are a little worn.

It’s a ship that you would choose for its destinations anyway – sailing the South Pacific from Australia – so if you live in the region or fancy exploring it by cruise, Carnival Splendor is a fun way to relax.

If you find some of the newer Carnival ships to be a little intimidating through the sheer choice of dining venues and attractions they offer, then Carnival Paradise could be ideal. She’s not a boring ship but she’s not packed with tons of innovative features either. And as such, she doesn’t tend to be anywhere near as crowded.

Choose Carnival Paradise if you want simple Carnival-style cruising with a bargain fare. Service is great, food is good, and while everything feels a little basic (and is maybe bordering on feeling old) there’s still enough to keep everyone in your family happy, including mini golf, a water park and kids clubs for the younger guests.

Carnival Radiance is an ambitious ship. It’s smaller than many other Carnival ships, and yet there’s so much crammed onto it. Unfortunately, this does mean some venues are small, and so queues are large. And others have unusual positions – including some spa rooms directly below the (noisy) kids’ club.

That’s probably why it’s one of the least popular ships, but it still gets mostly positive reviews. You could never say it was a dull ship, but it maybe has too many features in too small a space to ever be relaxing.

If you’re put off by the reputation that Carnival has for being crowded and loud, then I’d maybe avoid Carnival Sunrise, as of all the ships in the fleet this one definitely seems to justify that reputation the most. It’s certainly never boring, and if you don’t mind queues and volume then you’ll probably have a whale of a time.

It has some of Carnival’s most popular features, including an always-lively sports deck, a ropes course, thrilling slides and more, and there is the Serenity Deck if you want a moment’s peace, but even that will still echo the party atmosphere of the rest of the ship.

Carnival Luminosa is considered to be a hybrid of the Spirit Class and the Vista Class. Originally sailing for Costa Cruises since 2009, the ship was transferred to the main Carnival fleet in 2022 and given a refurbishment alongside her rechristening.

Yet it doesn’t quite work – the Carnival audience like some of the European-style features on the ship but there are a smattering of complaints about the food, the general service onboard and more. That’s why she’s ranked so low – just being propped up by a ship with similar problems.

Carnival Venezia is another ship that previously sailed for Carnival’s sister cruise line Costa Cruises, though she is more modern than Luminosa. She only debuted in 2020 and then moved to the Carnival fleet three years later, in 2023.

And while there are many positive reviews of the ship, some loyal Carnival fans just don’t feel like she’s a fit for the cruise line. The clash of styles between Carnival Fun and Italian-style cruising hasn’t quite worked as Carnival hoped it would – though there are still many years for guests to come around.

Special Mention – Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet, having only launched in 2024. As soon as she has enough reviews, I’ll make sure she’s added to this list.

Choosing the best Carnival ship for you

There isn’t really a ‘best’ Carnival ship for everybody, because they are all different. Some are busier, others are more relaxing. Some are great for destinations, others are more about the onboard experience. It depends on what you’re looking for as to which is the best one for you.

The most luxurious ship

Carnival is not a cruise line known for luxury, with ships more aimed at family fun and more of a party atmosphere. The most luxurious ship is therefore Carnival Dream – she has modern features, a more relaxed atmosphere and the fantastic Cloud 9 Spa.

The best Carnival class? There isn’t one

Based on these reviews, there isn’t a standout class of ship that people tend to prefer.

The oldest classes – the Fantasy Class and Sunshine Class – do appear towards the bottom of the rankings. But the rest are scattered throughout the list.

In fact, the top 5 in order represent the Excel, Dream, Conquest, Vista and Spirit classes – just to prove the point!

As long as you don’t choose the oldest ships, you’ll likely enjoy your Carnival cruise provided you’re a good fit for the cruise line in general.

Three ships have an actual roller coaster!

The Carnival cruise ships that have a roller coaster are Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. The feature debuted with the Excel Class ships.

If you want to gamble, the best casinos are on Vista Class

The Vista Class ships – Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama – have some of the best casinos in the Carnival fleet and of all cruise ships in the world. Play at over 200 different gaming machines or at one of 22 gaming tables, and take part in massive tournaments on board.

Choose bigger ships for better water slides

Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are the ships with the best collection of water slides, including Blue Lightning (312 feet), Orange Thunder (229 feet) and Carnival Twister (265 feet). The best individual waterslide is Kaleid-O-Slide (445 feet) on Carnival Panorama.

Mardi Gras has the best pools in the Carnival fleet. As well as the Waterworks Aqua Park, there’s also the Tides Pool with whirlpool, the relaxed Summer Landing pool, the Beach Pool with beach theming, and the exclusive Havana and Loft 19 pools.

The Havana pool is only for guests who have a Havana Cabana stateroom, while the Loft 19 pool is exclusive for Mardi Gras suite guests.

Most Carnival ships are aimed at family groups

Carnival Panorama is the best Carnival cruise ship for families who have different tastes and want a lot of variety from their ship. Carnival Glory tends to be a popular ship for larger families who want a bargain cruise with fun activities and lots of space for everyone. But overall, Carnival is a family-friendly line no matter which ship you choose.

Older ships tend to be quieter – Carnival Conquest is a popular ship for couples who want to relax. Couples who want to party will enjoy Carnival Sunrise or Carnival Radiance more.

If you’re interested in a wedding cruise, or a Carnival honeymoon cruise, consider going for older ships rather than those where there are busy crowds everywhere.

For foodies, you’re best choosing a ship with lots of choice

Mardi Gras has the best food out of all Carnival ships. She has 22 different dining venues to choose from, including more interesting options such as Emeril’s Bistro, a New-Orleans inspired venue. Food on board is varied, although reviews do criticize portion sizes across the whole Carnival fleet.

The bottom line

Carnival’s reputation for ships that have a fun party atmosphere is definitely well-earned. The slightly more negative reputation for ships being too crowded or too loud is maybe justified on some ships, but guests mostly have a really positive time during their cruise.

There are some Carnival guests that had REALLY bad experiences (you can read about those here), but on the whole, Carnival is a cruise line that people return to again and again.

But you need to plan carefully because the ships are quite different, and the best one for you might be different to the best one for a different group. You need to decide whether you want the very best and latest features, a ship where you can maybe relax, or just a bargain cruise experience.

And let me know what you think of the list. Like I said, it’s based on reviews, but if you disagree with the order, then feel free to add your own ranking below.

P.S. If you’re interested in other cruise lines too, then check out the guides that I also have for the Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Ships and also the Best and Worst NCL Ships.

Related Posts:

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

Read more about me

Carnival is one of the most popular cruise ships in the world, and with 27 ships across 9 different ship classes, it can get a little confusing when trying to work out which is the most modern, or which is the best.

That’s why I’ve written this guide to take you through each of the Carnival ship classes in turn so you can see which one is best for your next Carnival cruise.

The Carnival ship classes explained

Carnival has 9 classes of cruise ships:

1. Venice – The newest ex-Costa ships
2. Excel – Ships launched between 2021 and 2024
3. Vista – Ships launched between 2016 and 2019
4. Sunshine – Ships launched between 2013 and 2021
5. Dream – Ships launched between 2009 and 2012
6. Splendor – One ship launched in 2008
7. Conquest – Ships launched between 2002 and 2007
8. Spirit – Ships launched between 2001 and 2004
9. Fantasy – Ships launched between 1991 and 1998

The newest class of ship is the Venice Class. The first ship in this class is Carnival Venezia, which set sail for Carnival in 2023, after starting out as Costa Venezia in 2019. In 2024, it was joined by Carnival Firenze, which also launched in 2019 for Costa.

There are two more ships transferring to Carnival in 2025 from P&O Australia, a cruise line that will cease to exist. But it hasn’t yet been clarified which class Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter will fall under.

We also know that a new class of ship is coming – with three ships due to launch in 2029, 2031, and 2033. This will be Carnival’s biggest class, with ships estimated to have a gross tonnage around 230,000.

Carnival ships by class

Ships within a class are called ‘sister ships’ which means they’re built to a similar design and will have similar (but not always identical) features on board.

Generally, ships within a class will be able to carry around the same number of passengers and offer a similar experience. But every ship is unique in some way.

Carnival ship classes by size

Usually, ships within a class will be roughly the same size. It’s something to pay attention to, especially since the largest class (Excel) is around 2.5 times the size of the smallest class (Fantasy).

Remember that bigger doesn’t automatically mean better, although considering much of the appeal of Carnival is in the fun-packed activities onboard, you will enjoy more of those if you choose a bigger ship.

Different sizes work best for different sailings. The largest ships are amazing, since you get access to the most exciting things like aerial bikes, trampolines and even a rollercoaster! But smaller ships are sometimes a little quieter, and they can sail to some places that larger ones can’t.

So, there’s a balance to be struck, unless you love a party atmosphere and are dead-set on the biggest ship you can choose.

Suggested read: Carnival Cruise Ships by Size

More info on each ship class

Need a little more help? Here’s a quick overview of each class, and what to expect.

Venice Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Venezia (2023), Carnival Firenze (2024)

Carnival’s aptly-named Venice class ships are decked out with Italian flair. Which makes sense, since they both started life for the Italian cruise line, Costa Cruises in 2019.

As well as Italian styling, expect Italian-named areas like the Terrazza Carnevale and the Il Viaggio restaurant. There’s also the Pizzeria del Capitano where you can get a slice of Italian pizza at sea.

Excel Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023)

Carnival’s Excel class ships are their largest by far, and also the first to be powered by LNG, a more efficient and environmentally-friendly fuel than the traditional diesel used by cruise ships.

They’re also packed with some incredible features, including the world’s first roller coaster at sea – Bolt. There are a ton of other fun features too, including the live Family Feud game.

The ships are split into six distinctive zones, with a huge range of places to eat, relax and have fun in each. If you want to experience everything that Carnival has to offer and you don’t mind a busy ship, then sailing on an Excel-class ship is probably perfect.

Two more Excel-class ships are due for the cruise line, in 2027 and 2028.

Suggested read: The Newest Carnival Ships

Vista Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Vista (2016), Carnival Horizon (2018), Carnival Panorama (2019)

The Vista-class ships in the Carnival fleet are larger than many others in the fleet, without quite reaching that super-ship status. Instead, they’re just a great example of a ship that packs in some amazing features without being at all overwhelming.

It’s a Carnival ship, so it’s never likely to be ‘quiet’, but you will be able to easily explore and walk around the ship without getting tired. And they have some fantastic features exclusive to the class.

Chief among these is SkyRide, a really unique way to enjoy the view as you pedal around an elevated course at your own pace, overlooking the pools and the expansive ocean.

Sunshine Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Sunshine (2013), Carnival Sunrise (2019), Carnival Radiance (2021)

The Sunshine class of ships were formed when Carnival gave the Carnival Destiny a massive refurbishment, renaming her as Carnival Sunshine in the process. She was the flagship of the Fun Ship 2.0 programme, a $2 billion investment into the fleet to add a host of new features.

All three ships in the Sunshine class are actually revamps of older ones – Sunrise was built in 1999 as the Carnival Triumph, and Radiance was originally the Carnival Victory, built in 2000. Despite these ships all being older, since the Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishments, they are considered some of the best in the whole fleet.

Dream Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Dream (2009), Carnival Magic (2011), Carnival Breeze (2012)

When they were first introduced in 2009 with Carnival Dream, the Dream class ships were the largest Carnival had offered by some distance, able to carry around 700 more passengers than earlier ships.

While they’ve been surpassed now by the Vista and later the Excel class ships, they still have some really exciting features onboard, although not as many as the bigger ships.

You’ll still get to enjoy exciting things like the SkyCourse rope walking course above the sports deck, and the 4D Thrill Theatre, along with Carnival’s signature speciality dining venues like Guy’s Burger Shack.

Splendor Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Splendor (2008)

The reason that Carnival Splendor is in a class of her own is because she wasn’t originally intended for the Carnival fleet – instead, she was being built for Costa Cruises, but during construction she was transferred to Carnival instead.

She was one of the first wave of ships to be given the Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishments in 2016, so while she’s now a little older she does still have plenty of exciting things to see and do onboard.

She tends to offer more specialist itineraries too, sailing either to Alaska or around Australia and New Zealand.

Conquest Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Conquest (2002), Carnival Glory (2003), Carnival Valor (2004), Carnival Liberty (2005), Carnival Freedom (2007)

Some of the Conquest class ships have been through multiple refurbishments by this stage, so even though they are between 15 and 20 years old they aren’t showing their age.

As they aren’t the biggest ships in the fleet, they aren’t able to house all of the latest features or dining venues, but Carnival has carefully refitted each one to maximise the available space, combining the benefits of a smaller ship with the excitement and atmosphere that Carnival is known for.

Unsurprisingly, these patriotically-named ships tend to only sail from the US, usually to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Spirit Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Spirit (2001), Carnival Pride (2002), Carnival Legend (2002), Carnival Miracle (2004), Carnival Luminosa (2022)

These Carnival class ships are known for being fun and vibrant, but if you don’t want anything too rowdy then the older Spirit class of ships could be ideal. They can each carry a maximum of 2,124 passengers at double occupancy, which is less than half the biggest ships in the fleet.

They’ve all been refurbished as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 programme but they aren’t big enough to host all of the features, so don’t expect to see everything you would on the biggest ships.

One area where there is still plenty of variety is in the dining venues though – with the popular RedFrog pub, BlueIguana Cantina and Nouveau Steakhouse just some of the options available.

Fantasy Class Carnival Ships

Ships: Carnival Elation (1998), Carnival Paradise (1998)

The oldest ships in the Carnival fleet (and in the case of Carnival Ecstasy, by some distance), these ships pack in a surprising number of modern features thanks to their more recent refurbishments.

Elation and Paradise in particular are still quite modern and have a contemporary waterpark with multiple waterslides, and there are plenty of places you can choose from for relaxing and eating too.

One of the main things that you’ll notice about the older Carnival ships is that they have very few balcony rooms, so unless you have the budget for a suite, you may have to make do with an ocean view room with a window.

Features by ship

Cove Balcony Cabins

Cove balconies can be found on the Dream, Vista and Excel-class ships in the Carnival fleet. These balconies are more private and enclosed, and have more space than a regular balcony. The downside to a Cover balcony is that they are more shaded, and they may be closed off during bad weather.

Havana Cabana Cabins

Carnival’s Havana Cabanas are available on the Vista-class ships (Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama) and on the Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration). These stunning rooms have a private outdoor patio space, and guests enjoy exclusive use of the Havana pool and hot tubs.

Waterslides

Every single one of the Carnival cruise ships has at least one waterslide. Most have a full WaterWorks waterpark onboard too – the only exceptions are Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty (Conquest class) and Carnival Splendor (Splendor class)

Roller Coaster

The Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea, is available on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee – the three ships in the Excel Class.

Casino

Every ship in the Carnival fleet has a casino. Most also have a dedicated casino bar – the exceptions are Mardi Gras (Excel class) and the Vista-class ships (Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama).

Dive In Movies

Carnival offers Dive-in Movies on 18 of its ships, including those in the Excel, Vista, Sunshine, Dream, Splendor and Conquest classes, as well as Carnival Spirit and Carnival Pride from the Spirit class. Guests can enjoy movies and major sporting events poolside.

Cloud 9 Spa

The Cloud 9 Spa is Carnival’s luxurious onboard spa, and it is available on the Excel, Vista, Sunshine, Dream, and Splendor class ships. Of these, only Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic and Carnival Splendor have the Cloud 9 Spa Hydrotherapy Pool.

IMAX Cinema

Only two ships in the Carnival fleet have an IMAX movie theatre – the Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, both in the Vista class of ships. IMAX screens are larger and have improved sound, with guests able to enjoy some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters while at sea.

Related posts:

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

Read more about me

As we sail into 2025, Carnival Cruise Line is shaking things up in some pretty big ways!

From fleet expansions and exciting new destinations to farewells that might disappoint some loyal fans, there’s actually a fair amount of change on the horizon for the cruise line.

Not every update will have passengers cheering, but there’s plenty to get excited about – whether you’re a seasoned Carnival cruiser or planning your first Fun Ship adventure.

Let’s dive into the eight biggest changes coming to Carnival Cruise Line in 2025.

1. Integration of P&O Australia into the fleet

In a significant shakeup for Carnival Cruise Line, 2025 will see the end of the P&O Cruises Australia brand, with two of its ships being absorbed into Carnival’s fleet.

Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter will be rebranded as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, marking a major expansion of Carnival’s presence in the Australasian market.

The transition, set to begin in March 2025, will double Carnival’s year-round operations in the region.

Carnival Adventure will be based in Sydney, alongside Carnival Splendor, while Carnival Encounter will call Brisbane home, joining Carnival Luminosa during peak seasons. Together, these ships are expected to serve nearly 600,000 guests in 2025.

While both ships will undergo redesigns to align with Carnival’s “Fun Ship” vibe, including features like the Fun Squad, Build-a-Bear workshops, and the Carnival Hub app, they’ll retain popular P&O offerings.

Guests can still enjoy Luke’s Bar & Grill, The Edge Adventure Park, and exclusive suite access to the Byron Beach Club.

With itineraries covering destinations like Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, there’ll be so many options for Carnival fans in the region and it’s an exciting time for the fleet as a whole, growing to 29 ships.

2. Introduction of Celebration Key in the Bahamas

Carnival Cruise Line is set to make waves in 2025 with the opening of its newest private destination, Celebration Key, located on Grand Bahama Island.

Designed to immerse guests in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the Bahamas, the resort promises a blend of relaxation, fun, and local charm.

Celebration Key will feature five themed “portals,” each offering a unique experience:

• Welcome Portal: The starting point of the resort, complete with live music and a giant sandcastle centerpiece.
• Family-Friendly Portal: Perfect for families, this zone includes a freshwater lagoon, watersports, racing slides, sports courts, and private cabanas with waterslides.
• Adult-Friendly Portal: A lively beach and lagoon area with a swim-up bar, DJ, and an energetic party atmosphere.
• Private Club Portal: A tranquil adults-only retreat with an infinity pool and premium dining options for those seeking a quieter escape.
• Retail Portal: A shopping haven with duty-free stores, artisanal crafts, and local souvenirs.

The resort is built around a new pier that can accommodate two Excel-class ships, allowing guests to walk straight into the action.

It will debut in July 2025, with itineraries already on sale. Over 10 Carnival ships will visit Celebration Key on voyages ranging from 3 to 10 nights, and it’s expected to host up to 2 million guests annually by 2026.

It’s a great time to visit a brand-new destination and be one of the first guests to try everything out!

3. New European and Caribbean itineraries

One of the big highlights of 2025 for the cruise line will be a series of new itineraries, including an exciting return to Europe and an expanded presence in the Caribbean.

These fresh offerings include more than 100 sailings to Celebration Key, as well as a line-up of European cruises on the Carnival Miracle.

Carnival Miracle will spend the summer of 2025 in Europe, offering 16 cruises ranging from 9 to 15 nights.

Departing from Lisbon, Dover, and Civitavecchia, these voyages will visit iconic destinations such as Iceland, Copenhagen, Greece, Istanbul, and Amsterdam, providing a rare opportunity for Carnival guests to experience Europe.

After its European season, the ship will relocate to Tampa, sailing six to eight-night Caribbean itineraries.

And of the 100 sailings that will visit Celebration Key, there’ll be cruises departing from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and New Orleans on 18 different ships, including:

• Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Sunrise (Miami)
• Carnival Vista and Carnival Venezia (Port Canaveral)
• Carnival Paradise (Tampa)
• Carnival Valor (New Orleans)

Carnival Venezia will also offer three 14-night Carnival Journeys cruises, including two to the Caribbean and one to the Panama Canal.

4. New year-round cruises from Norfolk, Virginia

Starting in February 2025, Carnival Sunshine will make Norfolk, Virginia, its year-round homeport, offering a variety of itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, and Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key.

This deployment marks a significant boost to Norfolk’s cruise options and gives passengers more diverse choices without needing to travel to larger ports.

After undergoing a drydock in France, Carnival Sunshine will debut in Norfolk on February 11, 2025, with a five-night cruise to the Bahamas, featuring stops in Freeport and Bimini.

The Sunshine’s 2025 schedule includes:

• Eastern Caribbean: Six eight-night cruises between May and July to Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and San Juan.
• Bahamas: Nine six-night sailings from March to December, visiting Bimini, Nassau, and Freeport.
• Bermuda: Seven six-night summer cruises to King’s Wharf, with an overnight stay and three relaxing sea days, running from July through October.
• Celebration Key: From September, three six-night sailings will include Carnival’s new private port in the Bahamas, along with stops in Nassau and Bimini.

With such a wide variety of options, Carnival Sunshine offers something for everyone, from short getaways to longer escapes.

The addition of Norfolk as a year-round homeport is a significant milestone, making it easier for travellers along the East Coast to enjoy Carnival’s signature Fun Ship experience.

5. Expanded Alaska sailings

Carnival Cruise Line is taking its Alaska offerings to the next level in 2025 with an extensive lineup of cruises on Carnival Spirit and Carnival Luminosa, alongside unique long-haul Carnival Journeys itineraries.

Operating from Seattle, Carnival Luminosa will sail seven-night cruises to Alaska every Thursday from May 1 to September 11, 2025.

These itineraries include awe-inspiring destinations like Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and a stop in Victoria, British Columbia.

Beginning its Alaska season earlier, Carnival Spirit will operate 21 seven-night cruises departing Seattle between April 14 and September 9, 2025, covering similar scenic Alaskan ports.

Special Long-Haul Sailings

Before beginning her Alaskan season, Carnival Luminosa will embark on an extraordinary 29-day voyage from Brisbane, Australia, visiting Japan and Alaska en route to Seattle. Meanwhile, Carnival Spirit will offer unique post-Alaska cruises, including:

• A 15-day Hawaii roundtrip from Seattle, stopping in Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Hilo, and Victoria.
• Two exclusive Carnival Journeys:
  • A 14-night cruise from Barcelona to Miami, featuring stops in the Azores and Bermuda.
  • A 15-night Panama Canal journey, visiting Colombia, Costa Rica, and Cabo San Lucas.

6. Other itinerary changes for 2025

Carnival Cruise Line has announced several minor itinerary tweaks for early 2025 (and 2026), affecting a number of ships and voyages.

These changes include adjustments to port orders, modified visit times, and the replacement of some destinations.

Impacted ships include Carnival Freedom, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Firenze.

While most adjustments are relatively small – such as swapping port days or replacing one destination with another – some may inconvenience passengers.

For example, Carnival Firenze’s itinerary change has upset some sports fans, as its visit to Ensenada now falls on Super Bowl Sunday, which guests often prefer to fall on a sea day so they can fully enjoy the whole pre-game build up.

Despite the changes, Carnival has worked to notify guests well in advance where possible, allowing travellers to adjust their plans if necessary.

7. No more AARP gift cards

As of January 1, 2025, Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are no longer available through the AARP Rewards Program.

The program initially offered a 10% discount on Carnival gift cards, but this was reduced to 8% in November 2024, and then further slashed to 5% in December.

While some cruisers still found value in the reduced discount, the complete removal of the gift cards has left many loyal Carnival guests frustrated.

AARP attributed the decision to Carnival, though the cruise line has not provided a clear explanation.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald previously commented that AARP operated independently in managing the discounts, but the ultimate decision to discontinue the cards remains unclear.

If you’re not too familiar with the gift cards, it’s important to be clear that a huge number of Carnival cruise guests would use these schemes to get significant discounts.

So their removal is pretty big news – and one of the worse changes for Carnival fans in 2025 by some distance.

8. No more Sandra’s Tours

Sandra’s Cruise Tours, an independent operator that has long offered shore excursions to Carnival Cruise Line guests, has cancelled its entire 2025 season with the cruise line.

Known for offering refunds if a ship misses a port, the company’s practices have drawn scrutiny in the past, with many travellers reporting difficulties in receiving full reimbursements.

Sandra O’Leary, the company’s founder, announced the decision on her website, citing changes in Europe’s tour operator policies as the primary reason.

According to O’Leary, many operators now refuse to offer full refunds when ships miss ports, a risk she no longer wishes to take on.

Despite her claims, the cancellation only applies to Carnival Cruise Line, leaving travellers questioning whether tours will still be offered for passengers on other cruise lines. This selective approach has added to the scepticism surrounding her services, and many Carnival fans are unimpressed.

Carnival’s own shore excursions won’t be impacted but many people prefer to book independent excursions to save money, even with the increased risk of the ship leaving them behind if there are any delays in getting back to the port.

Things that may happen in 2025 (but there’s no guarantee)

1. More info on new ships

Carnival has announced five new ships coming to the fleet between 2027 and 2033, including two more Excel-class ships and then a brand-new class with three ships between 2029 and 2033.

So at some point in 2025, we can probably expect to learn more about some of these ships – especially the first new Excel-class ship since she launches in just two years.

It’s not uncommon for cruise lines to keep some details under wraps until closer to a ship’s launch but I’d be highly surprised if we didn’t at least know the name of the ship by the end of the year.

2. Revamp of the VIFP loyalty program

It’s long been rumoured that Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program could be undergoing a revamp, with potential new tiers as well as a change to the perks that loyal guests can enjoy.

Nothing’s been confirmed, but people have asked John Heald about it in the past and there are no definitive answers as to whether smaller changes are on the way or a complete overhaul of the program.

2025 could be the year for big changes – but we’ll have to wait and see.

3. Price increases

Unfortunately, price increases could be on the way during 2025 for certain features of Carnival cruises.

Firstly, there are plans in place for some cruise destinations, including Mexico and some ports in Europe, to begin levying extra taxes on cruise passengers.

This would likely be passed onto guests, and could see fares rise. It’s not exclusive to Carnival, but would impact any cruise passengers visiting these destinations.

And Carnival raised prices on its Drinks and WiFi packages in December 2024, so it wouldn’t be a shock if the prices then increased again towards the end of the year.

Suggested read: Carnival Cruise Drink Packages Guide

The cruise line took a bit of a battering on social media for making the changes without announcing them in advance this time, so perhaps they’ll revert back to their old methods and give guests a warning, so that they can book their packages early and secure the lower prices.

Something that definitely won’t happen in 2025

One of the most talked-about cruises coming in 2025 doesn’t involve Carnival at all – it’s the dog-friendly cruise Tails of the Seas being organised by Cruise Tails and sailing on Margaritaville at Sea.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has been asked about the potential of Carnival hosting their own dog-friendly cruises in future, and has closed the idea down pretty quickly.

So, don’t hold your breath over the idea of a canine-friendly Carnival cruise this year. Or anytime soon.

Final word

2025 is shaping up to be a year of big changes for Carnival Cruise Line. From exciting new ships and itineraries to the introduction of Celebration Key and expanded Alaska sailings, there’s plenty for cruisers to look forward to.

However, not all news will be welcome – farewells to popular perks like AARP gift cards and the cancellation of Sandra’s Tours will surely disappoint some loyal fans.

Whether you’re a seasoned Fun Ship fan or considering your first Carnival cruise, staying informed about these changes will help you make the most of what’s ahead and make the best of your 2025 Carnival cruise.

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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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If you’re able to book a suite on any cruise ship, then you’re bound to have an amazing time. Even more so when it’s a fantastic ship like Carnival Jubilee – the suites are absolutely stunning for a family ship.

But which one do you choose? It’s not like there are just one or two options – you’ve got nine different suites to select from. And when you’re paying suite prices, you need to get it right.

Whether you want the very best suite on the ship, or a balance between quality, space and affordability, I’ll explain all the options for you in this guide – and whether or not they are worth paying extra for.

The 9 different suites on Carnival Jubilee (best to worst)

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

1. Excel Presidential Suites

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 Jubilee’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 a Presidential Suite, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the Havana Pool and the Spa’s Thermal Suite.

Presidential Suite costs

A stay in the Presidential Suite on Carnival Jubilee 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.

If you want to stay in a Presidential Suite you’ll need to be quick. As there are only two of these on the ship, they usually sell out really fast.

2. Excel Aft Suites

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, 15503

Why choose: If you don’t manage to get a Presidential Suite on Carnival Jubilee, then the 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

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 Jubilee, 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

Sleeps: Two to five guests. There are various bed configurations with a combination of sofa beds and upper Pullman beds. The Suites on Deck 9 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, 11359, 11363, 12363, 12367

Why choose: Excel Suites on Carnival Jubilee 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 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

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

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

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 Jubilee, 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

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, 10363, 10367, 10421, 10420, 11282, 11283, 11308, 11309, 11429, 11432, 12278, 12291, 12304, 12315, 12428, 12433, 14277, 14280, 14303, 14306, 14428, 14427, 15266, 15279, 15292, 15301, 15408, 15427, 16250, 16253, 16276, 16279

Why choose: Ocean Suites are the most popular suite type on Carnival Jubilee and also the most affordable. Staying in an 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 Jubilee, 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

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 Jubilee 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 Jubilee.

How to book your Carnival cruise for less…

Whichever suite you choose, the price you pay will vary depending on which travel agent you book it with, even though what you get will be exactly the same!

Related posts:

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

Read more about me