Friday, April 26, 2024

Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail

what is the best carnival cruise ship

Carnival has just begun operating its first truly giant ships in years, the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and the 183,521-ton, 5,374-passenger Carnival Celebration. However, the line's next-biggest vessel, the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia, measures just 135,225 tons. That's about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean. This is, after all, the brand that for many years held a Hairy Chest Contest around the pool deck on every voyage, to a standing-room-only, hooting and hollering crowd. Indeed, if you're going on a Carnival cruise, the odds are you're driving to the ship, not flying, and you're probably not paying much more than you would for a trip to a local beach town.

Carnival Radiance

what is the best carnival cruise ship

They typically have one or two big waterslides (sometimes three!), a play zone with interactive water features and a large, continuously filling dump bucket that periodically soaks everybody within range. In fact, when it comes to waterslides on ships, Carnival is the cruise world's king. There's now at least one waterslide on all but one ship in the Carnival fleet (Carnival Luminosa) — something no other line can say. Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, several have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing these ships out of its fleet in recent years.

Cobranded Cards

Back inside, Deck 6's Piano Bar is where passengers can order a tipple while an onboard pianist tickles the ivories. Make your way up a deck, and you'll find the Limelight Lounge, which serves as a secondary performance space and trivia outpost. Dinner reservations are recommended for many eateries, even the main dining rooms. You can make them by visiting your restaurant of choice or by using the HUB app. If you don't make one, you might find yourself waiting 20 minutes or more for a table at peak times.

Who sails Carnival Cruise Line

Completely reimagined spaces and noticeable modifications of Carnival Radiance's deck plans make it look and feel like a completely different ship. Carnival Freedom is ideal for first-time cruisers because of the lower guest capacity and the smaller ship size. But don’t let the numbers fool you; this ship is packed with high-energy activities for all ages; from the kid's clubs to the casino, there’s no lack of fun to be had. Sailings range from two to nine days out of Port Canaveral, so you can get a taste of what a cruise is like without committing to a more traditional weeklong sailing. Expect an onboard brewery, incredible restaurants, and family-friendly fun.

Mid-Tier Carnival Cruise Ships:

Some cruises are geared more toward entertainment for adults than families. Carnival's "Funship 2.0" refurbishment program was launched in 2011, but this ship only received a half-hearted makeover back then. However, the cruise line decided to make the most of its forced dry-dock period during the COVID-19 pandemic and completed the update of the ship. Carnival Miracle 2020 upgrades include new dining options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Cantina, as well as the addition of WaterWorks water slides.

If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine. The drinking age on sailings on Carnival ships in Australia is 18. Most Carnival ships have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. The launderettes also have vending machines that dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at $1.50 per box. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $19.55 per day when bought in advance, adds access to email and most websites. Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $16 to $18 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category (children under the age of 2 are exempt).

Both kids and adults can enjoy the WaterWorks water park and the unique SkyRide bikes. But, finding a poolside lounge chair might require some patience during peak times. Also, some guests have mentioned that the main theater shows can sometimes feel repetitive if you’re on a longer cruise. For the culinary enthusiasts, Mardi Gras presents a world of flavors. Whether it’s sushi that you’re craving or a classic burger, the ship has a dining venue to match.

Carnival Jubilee entertainment

what is the best carnival cruise ship

Carnival is known worldwide as having "fun ships," and the company's cruise ships are filled with non-stop, fun activities. Although many of the activities are geared to younger families and couples, the cruise line has many loyal passengers over 45. The ships are also well-suited for multi-generational family groups.

Who Does Free Cruise Dining Best: Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL? - Cruise Critic

Who Does Free Cruise Dining Best: Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL?.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Which Cruise Ship Best Fits Your Personality

For the most part, Carnival ships sail relatively short voyages of three to eight nights. Launched in 2012, Carnival Breeze stands out with its Caribbean-inspired design, reflecting a laid-back vacation vibe. We really liked the Breeze’s Thrill Theater, which will be right up your alley if you’re a movie buff. It is where short animated films come alive with seat movements, temperature changes, and even water sprays, making you feel part of the action. For those looking to indulge in some retail therapy, the Cherry on Top candy store and the expansive Fun Shops provide a delightful shopping spree.

Three- and four-night Carnival trips to the west coast of Mexico typically only feature a single Mexico call in Ensenada and, at times, a stop at Catalina Island off the coast of California. Carnival is one of the leaders in cruises to the Mexican Riviera — the string of resort towns running down the west coast of Mexico. Carnival is, quite simply, the king of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.

With Havana Cabana Suites, you get rainshowers and patios that come with hammock chairs. But if you’re more into beach vacations, the Spirit also travels to the Bahamas! With so many things to do in Freeport, Bahamas, you’ll feel like your cruise stop is just a quick taste of how amazing the Bahamas is. Like a Carnival ship, you have access to the WaterWorks area, where you can have an incredible time sliding around and splashing in the water. The Spirit is a stunning ship that offers you both fun activities and opportunities to relax.

The compact ship and small passenger numbers ensure its not only kids making new friends. The rooms and cabins to avoid on Carnival Luminosa are interior cabins with picture windows and a walkway view. So keep those curtains closed 24/7 if you don’t want other cruisers catching you in nothing more than a towel. In fall 2022, Carnival Luminosa became the latest ship to join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

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