Best Carnival Cruises

Carnival Horizon – which set sail in April 2018 –  is one of the fleet's newer ships. It accommodates 1,450 crew members and a maximum of 5,101 passengers, and it offers a plethora of amenities for travelers of all ages. Children can ride the SkyRide suspended bike, play at the Dr. Seuss-themed water park and climb the ropes course, while parents can lounge on an adults-only deck and pamper themselves at the Cloud 9 Spa. At night, the whole family can enjoy live performances and lip-syncing competitions.

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

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

In 2019-20, Carnival Horizon departs from Miami for voyages throughout the Caribbean.

First introduced in 2002, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend was last updated in May 2018 to include cosmetic updates and traveler favorites like the Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar, Guy's Burger Joint and the RedFrog Rum Bar. The ship provides a wide array of entertainment and activities to satisfy multigenerational crowds.

Young ones (ages 2 to 17) can play at organized, age-appropriate clubs while adults attend a show at the comedy club or hit the casino. The ship is also one of the first to include the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea.

When it comes to lodging, about 80 percent of the ship’s staterooms offer ocean views, and 80 percent of those cabins feature balconies. While Interior staterooms are more budget-friendly, Balcony and Suite category rooms are worth the splurge, according to recent passengers. All staterooms include flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

The ship's food options include two main dining rooms, a steakhouse, a sushi restaurant, a buffet with everything from pizza to Chinese fare and more. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Legend departs from Barcelona, London, New York, Vancouver, Tampa, Los Angeles and Venice for sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. It also completes some transatlantic sailings. 

The 2,054-passenger Carnival Inspiration was last refurbished in November 2018 (it originally launched in 1996) and includes several "Fun Ship 2.0" features, such as the BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Guy's Burger Joint.

The ship appeals to multiple traveler types, with a variety of activities and amenities ranging from the Punchliner Comedy Club and six bars and lounges to a mini-golf course, video game arcade and WaterWorks water park. During the day, younger guests can participate in age-appropriate kids clubs while parents relax and sip cocktails at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

When it’s time to dine, guests can choose between two main dining rooms, a coffee bar and the Lido buffet, which offers everything from pizza to salad. However, passengers won’t find any specialty dining venues. Past cruisers gave mixed reviews of the food quality.

Carnival Inspiration offers fewer cabin categories than newer Carnival ships, but cruisers can still choose from Interior, Ocean View and Suite category accommodations. All cabins come appointed with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

In 2019-20, Carnival Inspiration departs from Los Angeles for sailings in Mexico. 

Eighty percent of the staterooms aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride provide ocean views, which is more than what the majority of the fleet's other ships offer. While those on a budget can opt for Interior staterooms, Balcony, Ocean View and Suite category cabins offer more space and scenery.

Either way, much of your time will likely be spent outside of your cabin, thanks to Carnival Pride's myriad of onboard activities. Cool off in one of the pools, splash around in the water park or tackle the 214-foot-long Twister waterslide. Kids can head to age-appropriate youth clubs while adults grab a cocktail at one of multiple bars. At night, passengers can attend comedy shows and musicals or enjoy the nightclub and piano bar.

What's more, a renovation in 2014 equipped Pride with "Fun Ship 2.0" dining, including the popular Guy's Burger Joint and the specialty Bonsai Sushi eatery. The ship's dry dock also introduced new features, such as the Seaside Theater and the Alchemy Bar. An even more recent refurbishment in February 2019 freshened the ship's public areas, renovated the arcade and more. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Pride departs from Baltimore for sailings in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Panama Canal. 

Thanks to a major refurbishment in March 2019, Carnival Freedom features a Bonsai Sushi Express, a rebranded deli, a new WaterWorks waterpark (with a 203-foot-long slide), an aerobics room within the gym and a new mini-golf course. The 2,980-passenger vessel also features all of the “Fun Ship 2.0” amenities, including Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, thanks to an earlier revamp. 

While parents relax at the Serenity adults-only retreat, children ages 2 to 17 can enjoy age-appropriate youth clubs. Other family-friendly activities include the interactive Hasbro, The Game Show and the Seuss at Sea program. Recent guests note that shows at the Punchliner Comedy Club can be a bit raunchy, so they may not be appropriate for children.  

Food options are also versatile, including two main dining rooms, a steakhouse, and the Lido Deck which offers everything from pizza to the popular Mongolian Wok.

As far as cabins go, cruisers can choose from Interior, Ocean View, Balcony or Suite category rooms, all of which offer flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service. Recent passengers note that thanks to the 3-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio, service is above par. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Freedom sails from Galveston to destinations in the Caribbean and along the Panama Canal. 

Last revamped in 2017, Carnival Conquest features cosmetic enhancements in its public areas, like new carpeting, tile work, lighting and more. With Seuss at Sea, Comfort Kitchen, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Alchemy Bar, Conquest offers dining and entertainment options that appeal to a wide range of traveler types and budgets. It also includes "Fun Ship 2.0" features like Guy's Burger Joint and an outdoor movie theater, as well as signature bars BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar.

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

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

In 2019-20, Conquest departs from Miami for sailings in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. 

After 19 years of cruising, the Carnival Triumph has undergone major renovations to become the Carnival Sunrise. Carnival Sunrise set sail in April 2019 and is part of the line's Sunshine class. It can accommodate 2,984 guests and 1,108 crew members.

As a result of the renovation, the ship boasts 115 new staterooms and suites, a bevy of new dining venues, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, a deck-top ropes course and a revamped water park, among other standout amenities. Most recent cruisers applauded the refurbishments, though others were less impressed and complained of overcrowded spaces.

Among the ship's new dining venues are the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, the Italian Cucina del Capitano and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse – a Guy Fieri eatery. In total, the ship boasts more than a dozen dining options.

The cruise line's standard range of accommodation classes are also represented on Carnival Sunrise, with Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite cabins all available to passengers. Thanks to the refurbishment, the ship also boasts Cloud 9 Spa staterooms, which offer perks like priority spa reservations, free fitness classes and unlimited access to the thermal suites.

In 2019-20, Sunrise departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Norfolk, Virginia, and New York City for sailings in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

Carnival Glory first set sail in 2003 and was outfitted with “Fun Ship 2.0” amenities, including new dining venues and bars, in 2012. In 2017, it received routine cosmetic enhancements like new carpeting and tile, as well as the Carnival WaterWorks water park. 

Those seeking entertainment will find Playlist Production musicals (though recent cruisers lament the lack of a live band), as well as family-friendly Hasbro, The Game Show and comedy acts at the Punchliner Comedy Club.

When it comes to food, the ship is equipped with two main dining rooms, a specialty steakhouse (for an extra fee) and the Lido Deck, which features an extensive buffet, Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Apart from versatile dining venues, Carnival Glory also offers activities like mini-golf, waterslides and video arcades. Parents can sip cocktails at eight bars, while kids ages 2 to 17 play in age-appropriate youth clubs.

In terms of lodging, the ship offers a variety of options that range from smaller Interior and Ocean View cabins to Balcony and Suite category rooms – all of which include flat-screen TVs, terry cloth robes and 24-hour room service. Plus, the ship maintains a crew of 1,150 to serve the nearly 3,000 passengers, offering a higher level of personalization than larger ships within the fleet.

In 2019-20, Carnival Glory sails from New Orleans to destinations across the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. 

Launched in 2000 and most recently refurbished in January 2018, Carnival Victory carries up to 2,764 passengers and 1,100 crew members. Recent upgrades include the addition of the RedFrog Rum Bar, the BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Cantina, Guy's Burger Joint and a Bonsai Sushi Express cart. The ship also received new carpeting and tile in its common areas and a few new suites and staterooms. Recent cruisers said the crew members were pleasant and attentive.

Staterooms are similar to other ships in the fleet, and all categories – Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite – offer 24-hour room service and flat-screen TVs. In terms of dining, passengers have a number of options, including the main dining room, the expansive Lido Restaurant, the Seafood Shack, a deli and more.

Those seeking relaxation can visit the 15,000-square-foot spa and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. Meanwhile, kids and teens can enjoy a round of mini-golf or head to clubs designed for passengers ages 2 to 17. At night, the whole family can partake in poolside movies or a variety of stage shows.

In 2019-20, Carnival Victory departs from Miami for itineraries in the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.

Carnival Dream features the Punchliner Comedy Club, nightly stage shows, age-appropriate kids clubs (for ages 2 to 17) and an onboard water park – all hallmarks of the line's "Fun Ships." Other family-friendly entertainment includes movies at the Seaside Theatre and the Seuss at Sea program. 

Those more interested in relaxing can enjoy the Cloud 9 Spa and the adults-only Serenity Retreat. In terms of lodging, cruisers can stay in budget-friendly Interior staterooms (185 square feet) or splurge for more room (up to an extra 245 square feet) with an Ocean View or Balcony stateroom or Suite. All cabins are appointed with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

The ship added quite a few dining options in its most recent revamp in 2017, including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and Bonsai Sushi. Overall, the food quality on the ship gets mixed reviews. Carnival Dream carries 3,646 passengers and offers a nearly 4-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio, so public areas may be crowded and service can slow at peak times. Recent travelers also warned against choosing a room directly above any of the restaurants or bars, as noise travels easily through the walls. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Dream sails from Galveston to destinations throughout the Caribbean.