Carnival Cruise Lines

About Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival has built a reputation for itself as a cruise line for friends, families, and fun-lovers looking to let their hair down and enjoy an action-packed, entertaining cruise vacation. Everything about Carnival is larger-than-life, from the ship sizes to the onboard thrills, to the oversized burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint, a favorite poolside palate-pleaser by Food Network star Guy Fieri. Carnival excels at offering unpretentious laughs, vivacious and unique decor, creature comforts from 24-hour buffets to shipside spa, and genuine good times to all on board. Its 28 ships sail to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, from Alaska to Australia, and promise nothing short of fantastic fun for the whole family.

Carnival Cruise Lines Philosophy

Carnival cruises offer affordable passage to families, couples, singles, and large groups, and are popular among the family reunion and bachelor/bachelorette party crowd. These boisterous and notoriously fun-loving ships predominantly ply the waters of the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, the Bahamas, with some sailings calling at the Panama Canal. Carnival’s Pacific sailings span from Alaska to Hawaii, and some Carnival cruise destinations even include more exotic locales like Australia and the Mediterranean. Carnival is a great budget-friendly cruise line for short cruises and longer cruises alike, particularly for extroverts and party animals looking to let loose, kick back, and have some fun on their cruise vacay.

How to Save More on Carnival Cruise Line

Save some cold hard cash on your Carnival cruise and you can splurge on onboard activities like the on-deck water park or spend some time relaxing in the spa. How can you be sure you’re getting the best deal on your cruise? The average breakdown of savings might surprise you…

How much does a typical Carnival cruise cost?

Let’s put these savings to work with the following example of a typical Carnival cruise.

You and your partner decide to take a 7 night Carnival cruise to the Caribbean and book an oceanview room, a drinks package, a couple of mid-level (but exciting) shore excursions, a couple meals at specialty restaurants, and a spa treatment each. Here’s what you could expect to pay:

Now, let’s rewind time and imagine that you set up a free price alert for the sailing with Cruisewatch and took advantage of our unparalleled price prediction to book at just the right time, saving you a whopping 70% off the price of your oceanview stateroom. Even if every other aspect of your cruise remained the same, you would end your vacation with an additional $936 in your pocket. That’s the power of Cruisewatch.

Carnival Cruise Line Prices, Quality, & Satisfaction

Carnival Cruise Lines at a glance

Carnival Cruise Lines Prices

Carnival Cruise Lines Quality & Satisfaction

What Makes Carnival Cruise Line Different?

Carnival makes cruising fun for everyone

Carnival Cruise Line has billed itself as a line of “fun ships” for decades, and they easily live up to that moniker. With activity programs for all ages packed to bursting with nonstop entertainment designed to pull passengers out of their shell and let loose, Carnival is perfect for people who like to party. All-hours entertainment, from Dr. Seuss-inspired Green Eggs & Ham Brunches to the adult-only Serenity deck to full theatrical productions and after-hours comedy, keeps the fun going for early birds and night owls alike.

Island vibes to match beachy itineraries

Carnival’s destination focus is undoubtedly the Caribbean, and it has made cruising these idyllic waters an experience in itself. Passengers never need to feel like they’ve left paradise when it’s time to re-board the ship, thanks to casual poolside pubs like the ubiquitous BlueIguana Cantina and RedFrog Rum Bar. Plus, Carnival’s main goal is ensuring people are having a good time, which means no stuffy dress codes anywhere on the ship. Carnival cruise ships are designed to be bright, inviting, and friendly, and it’s tough to hold back a grin while on these cruises.

Room to spread out in standard cabins

In many ways, Carnival is a budget cruise line, which is part of its unique charm. However, cabin sizes are surprisingly spacious for such affordable fares. Because Carnival caters primarily to families and groups, suites are abundant, but even interior and oceanview cabins offer room to spread out and get comfy - not that you’ll want to spend much time in your room with everything to do on these extra-large cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Line is Best For Families, Groups, & First Timers

The bright and boisterous decor, jam-packed entertainment dockets, and excellent kids and teen programming on Carnival ships make Carnival one of the most appealing cruise lines for families. Kids will love the abundance of onboard activities, from water slides to pools, as well as the soft serve ice cream and pizza available 24/7. Indoor activities are also designed to crank up the fun, with IMAX theaters, age-appropriate dance clubs and arcades, and costumed characters like Fun Ship Freddy (Carnival’s mascot) and Seussian favorites like the Cat in the Hat. If the breakneck pace of entertainment and activities becomes overwhelming for parents, they can always spend some time in the adult-only Serenity deck for some well-deserved R&R while the kids tire themselves out in the various onboard kids’ and teen clubs. 

Carnival also caters to groups of cruisers, from bachelor/bachelorette parties to family reunions, company retreats, and even chartered theme cruises. The relaxed party atmosphere and casual dress code make this cruise line perfect for larger groups looking to celebrate milestones, let loose on the lido deck, and make some lasting memories. Plus, Carnival’s consistently affordable fares and regularly offered discounts (like 2 for 1 deposits or free room upgrades) make it ideal for booking group cruises. 

In a similar vein, the fact that cheap Carnival cruises are easy to come by means that this cruise line is a great option for first time cruisers. If you’re just dipping your toe in the waters of cruise vacations, Carnival is a great option, as it ensures maximum entertainment and fun for a great value. Carnival has also developed itself into something of a yardstick in the cruising industry against which most other mainstream cruises measure their value, services, and experience. It is the self-proclaimed “most popular cruise line” for a reason!

Activities and Entertainment Onboard Carnival Cruise Lines

In keeping with their billing as a line of “fun ships,” Carnival ups the ante when it comes to both the quality and quantity of activities and entertainment offered onboard. Carnival Waterworks water parks give kids and the young at heart a chance to splash around, slide down thrilling water slides, and generally have a blast. 

Other unique attractions include the BOLT Sea Coaster, which will debut on Mardi Gras in 2020, the first roller coaster at sea. Carnival also offers adrenaline-pounding thrills like SkyRide, a pedal-powered birds-eye view of the ship, suspended above the deck. If that sounds a little too much, get your heart pumping at SkyZone Trampoline Park, grab some friends for a friendly game of volleyball, or simply lounge by the many pools.

Entertainment onboard Carnival cruises can range from spending a day in the sun to some friendly competition with the larger-than-life Hasbro: The Game Show, which brings classic games like Connect 4 and Sorry! to life. Playlist Productions is Carnival’s own version of Broadway, and the theatrical performances onboard will delight kids and adults alike. 

One of the best parts of a Carnival cruise is the way the staff and entertainers are happy to meet you where you are, and live music, karaoke competitions, pool parties, and comedy shows are easy to find. If you’re bored on a Carnival cruise, it’s your own fault.

Drinking and Dining on Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival ensures nobody will go hungry by keeping the drinks flowing and the dining options varied and numerous. From the best burger at sea (at a complimentary eatery no less!) to high-quality specialty and alternative restaurants, to bespoke brews and imaginative cocktails, Carnival really delivers on the drinks and dining.

Bars & Clubs on Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival lets the good times roll in the many bars and clubs onboard, from comedy clubs offering both family-friendly and R-rated sets to nightclubs, sports bars, and poolside pubs. The Alchemy Bar offers handcrafted cocktails and mocktails in an atmosphere designed to feel like an old-school apothecary. The BlueIguana Tequila Bar serves up icy tequila-based drinks and shots, while the RedFrog Rum Bar features rum (of course) and Carnival’s own beers, ParchedPig Toasted Amber, ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, and ParchedPig West Coast IPA. 

If you’re looking for more of a refined drinking experience, head to the ship’s library to curl up with a book and a coconut water, cocktail, or a glass of wine. In fact, Carnival will deliver your drinks to you anywhere on the ship, from the pool to the library to the deck to your cabin. If you’re looking forward to enjoying lots of drinks, be sure to book one of Carnival Cruise’s drink packages (below).

Restaurants & Dining on Carnival Cruise Line

The sheer variety of Carnival cruise food is enough to make any foodie drool. From the delectable burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint (included) to the for-fee specialty restaurants that include Italian, steakhouse, Seafood Shack, and Pan Asian cuisine, Carnival wows guests with a smorgasbord of restaurants. Cruisers with a penchant for porterhouse steak and prime rib should head to the Steakhouse for carnivorous creations. Looking for la dolce vita? Take in a meal at Cucina del Capitano, the onboard Italian trattoria. JiJi Asian Kitchen offers mouth-watering Pan Asian dishes and Mongolian decor - perfect for the adventurous palate. 

That’s not even counting the onboard buffet, main dining room options, or specialty brunches catered to families like the Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast. Fans of basketball and fried chicken should also sample Big Chicken, an included eatery by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neil, that offers homestyle comfort food.

Carnival Cruise Line Beverage Packages

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Carnival cruise, the closest you can come is purchasing an additional drinks package before you board (they’re also available onboard, but you’ll pay extra). Carnival offers two drinks packages:

• Cheers! Drink Package: Includes bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, milkshakes, smoothies & frozen drinks, cocktails, spirits, wine, champagne, and beer by the glass

  • Price: $51.95 per person per day in advance; $56.95 per person per day onboard

  • Excludes: Drinks ordered through room service, bottles of liquor, bottles of wine, bottles of champagne, off-ship beverages (including on the gangway), shareable beverages (e.g. buckets, pitchers, etc.)

• Bottomless Bubbles Package: Includes Coke products, tonic water, club soda, ginger ale, and juices

  • Price: Children 17 and younger: $5.95/day; Adults: $8.50/day

  • Excludes: Drinks ordered through room service, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water, all alcoholic beverages

Carnival Cruise Line Dining Packages

Carnival does not offer dining packages.

Family Cruising on Carnival Cruise Line

Families on Carnival cruises safely expect high-quality kids’ care and high-energy programming. In fact, Carnival is one of the best cruise lines for families. They offer dedicated spaces just for kids, including spacious playrooms and well-stocked arcades, mini-golf courses, and even kiddie pool areas for pint-size passengers. 

All Carnival ships offer three dedicated kids’ clubs onboard: Camp Carnival for the young set (2-5, 6-8, and 9-11), Circle C for preteens (12-14), and Club 02 for teens (15-17). Each age group is supervised and led by camp counselors, and activities include everything from laid-back chatting to video games to karaoke to pool parties. There are even some Carnival cruise excursions specifically for teens in Club 02 who would prefer to explore ports with new friends rather than parents. 

One of the best parts about Carnival’s family-focused fares is that these kids’ clubs are included. The only things that will cost extra are shore excursions and Camp Carnival Night Owls, where parents can pay extra for late-night babysitting and slumber party-style care while they enjoy a date night out.

What’s Included on Carnival Cruise Line?