Tuesday, April 23, 2024

9 Best Carnival Ships 2024 Guide to Cruising The Seas in Style

compare carnival cruise ships

The oldest Fantasy Class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites. You'll find at least one of its ships sailing out of pretty much every major port city around the country. Seven of the line's 25 vessels measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost midsize by today's cruise ship standards.

Carnival Panorama

My favorite bar on Carnival Jubilee is the Marina Bar in The Shores zone on Deck 8. It offers a menu of adult beverages, but it also serves the same specialty coffees you'll find at JavaBlue, which often has a long line. The space is simply packed with tables — so much so that there were only about two inches between my table and the one next to me, even though I was dining alone. It then took nearly 10 minutes for a waiter to bring me water and another 10 before someone came to take my order.

Venice Class – Ex-Costa Cruises Ships

There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points on dining. BlueIguana is a Chipotle-style restaurant, with yummy made-to-order burritos and tacos. Created in partnership with Food Network's Guy Fieri, Guy's Burger Joint offers burgers that beat anything you'll find around the pool on other mass-market ships and even most luxury vessels. The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration over the past two years has marked a major turning point for the line.

Carnival Horizon: Best ship for luxury lovers

On one occasion, the app said Seafood Shack opened half an hour earlier than it did, while the paper version of the daily schedule had the correct information. Another time, the printed daily had the wrong theater show listed for that night; the correct one was posted in the HUB. On another day, the printed schedule was missing part four of a four-part show, which did show up on the agenda in the app. Even on port days, when most passengers are ashore, the public areas are filled with loud music that makes it hard to find a quiet escape. After all, Carnival vessels are known as the Fun Ships, but some of it seems unnecessary.

I've sailed the most on Carnival Elation since the ship sails from my hometown of Jacksonville. And because the ship is so small, it's easy to navigate, and I always end up making friends with the delightful crew onboard. However, I often consider more than the total cost before booking a cruise.

While many of her features are the same as on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, she does have a Sky Zone trampoline park instead of the IMAX theatre. Carnival Venezia offers cruises to the Caribbean and Canada/New England from New York and Port Canaveral. The ship also features delectable dining at the Seafood Shack, Shaq’s Big Chicken and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse. This Excel-class vessel boasts a staggering gross tonnage of 183,521 GT and stretches an impressive 1,130 feet in length. With the capacity to host 6,630 passengers and a dedicated crew of 1,735, the ship has 2,641 staterooms spread. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises.

When I received it, the bun was soggy, and no garnishes or sauces were offered until I went back to the counter to ask for coleslaw and tartar sauce, neither of which helped the flavor. No Carnival sailing would be complete for a carnivore without a visit to Fahrenheit 555, the onboard steakhouse. On Carnival Jubilee, it's adorned in neutral tans, dark browns and red tones. I wasn't overly hungry when I sat down, but the $49 cover charge ($15 for kids) would also have included a soup or salad and a dessert if I had wanted them.

compare carnival cruise ships

Outside, the area continues with The Patio, which features a pool and hot tubs, and neighboring The Watering Hole, a bar that serves the space. On the wall above Dr. Inks, window-shaped screens provide a show for anyone passing through the length of the Currents promenade area. Programming rotates between underwater adventures, nature scenes and even artwork produced by passengers and kids from St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Surrounding the stage are tons of seating options, as well as JavaBlue Cafe, which serves coffee and snacks; Cherry on Top candy shop; the Center Stage and Grand View Bars; and Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. It also serves as an access point for the onboard shops, Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Jubilee Casino. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you.

Carnival Celebration vs. Mardi Gras: A complete guide - Cruise Blog

Carnival Celebration vs. Mardi Gras: A complete guide.

Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

How Size Influences the Onboard Experience

The new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each have 180 suites — more than twice the number of Carnival's other recent ships. Carnival draws a lively, outgoing crowd looking to be part of the action. Carnival trips are all about letting loose and having a good time. Maybe you'll drink a little too much, eat a little too much, play a little too much — but in the end, you'll say it was your best trip ever. Carnival vessels based on the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico mostly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

However, it was disappointing to see that many menus weren't marked with specific options for vegetarians, vegans and people who can't eat gluten. Dislikes for me include a shower door that opens toward you instead of into the shower, making the already tiny bathroom even tighter. I also didn't like the "SNOOZIN'" door hangers, which often got caught in my door when I closed it; I would've rathered a "do not disturb" button like many other new ships have. It was completely different — different color, different taste and different presentation — from what I received when I ordered the same drink on a sailing two months prior. However, the old ingredients were listed on the menu, meaning passengers weren't getting what they thought they ordered. In terms of food and drinks, I had a strange experience at Chibang!

In addition to a fun selection of cocktails — some of which involve candy — the bar's theme is tied to an animated octopus named Dr. Inks. She has a Ph.D., pet butterflies and extensive collections of both books and fashionable eyewear. Every so often, she'll appear on the screens above the area to chat. The first one opened late, and despite my order being the first one of the day, it still took more than 20 minutes to be served.

Designed to be quick and digestible, they typically last around 30 minutes and have relatively small casts (just eight on some ships). Still, it's just as much psychographics as demographics that define the typical Carnival customer. Carnival executives have often used the word "spirited" to describe the people who are drawn to the line, and that's as good a word as any. Carnival is the undisputed leader among North America-based cruise brands when it comes to affordability, which makes it popular with vacationers on a budget.

compare carnival cruise ships

Guests will love the wide range of Italian and global dining options, the lively bars, and the relaxing Serenity Retreat for grown-ups only. Kids will never get bored too, with the organised activities and hangout spaces of the three youth zones plus the ropes course, mini golf, water slides and more. 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. Carnival Mardi Gras is a recent Carnival ship launched in 2021, and it offers the best Carnival cruise experience.

Additionally, handmade classics will be found at Guy’s Burger Joint, while the BlueIguana Cantina is known for its taco-burritos. The Carnival Legend features classic favorites as well as legends throughout the decades. Passengers can swim in Avalon and Camelot pools, attend the Club Merlin Casino, or experience culinary delights at Truffles Restaurant.

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