Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style
Choosing a Carnival cruise ship is no simple task, especially if you're new to cruising.
As one of the world's largest cruise brands, Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, offering everything from megaship adventures to smaller-ship experiences. Many variables — price, embarkation dates, travel companions, ship size and amenities, and destination — can shape the way you make your choice.
So, what is the best Carnival cruise ship? Here are my picks for the top options in several categories.
Mardi Gras: Best Carnival cruise ship for families
The best Carnival cruise ship for kids is undoubtedly Mardi Gras. Not only is it one of Carnival's newest vessels, but it's also one of the largest, and it has tons of activities to keep families with children busy.
At the expansive kids club, daily programming includes scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and video games. The club draws in young cruisers and gives them space to make friends and play with peers.
Beyond the dedicated kids facilities, the ship has a massive arcade and many top-deck diversions. One of these is the Ultimate Playground — a space encompassing a ropes course, waterslides and Bolt, the first-ever roller coaster at sea. (Note that the arcade and Bolt cost extra.)
Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families
Mardi Gras is full of fantastic family-friendly dining, including the line's Dr. Seuss-themed Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (for a small fee). The ship also includes pizza, soft-serve ice cream, Shaq's fried chicken and Guy Fieri burgers in its fares. Even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. Kids can order off special menus in the complimentary main dining rooms and join in their waiters' rollicking dance performances just when they start to get antsy sitting still.
The ship also does a nice job of accommodating families of all sizes and budgets. Many of Mardi Gras' standard cabins sleep at least four people, and the ship offers connecting cabins.
Its Family Harbor cabins provide access to a special family lounge area with TVs, sitting areas and internet stations. Breakfast is offered there each morning, and snacks and drinks — including free soda — are provided throughout the day, so you never have to go far when the kids need a snack. Cabins in the Family Harbor category feature a nautical theme, plenty of storage and space to sleep at least four people.
Mardi Gras' sister ships, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, are also fantastic options in this category. The two offer a nearly identical experience (with just a few changes in the names and themes of specific venues), and all three sail weeklong Caribbean cruises out of Florida and Texas home ports.
Carnival Horizon: Best ship for luxury lovers
Let's be clear: Carnival is not a luxury cruise line, nor does it offer huge suites on most ships. The suites it has are smaller than most other brands' high-end accommodations, and they do not include amenities like butler service.
With that in mind, one ship that offers slightly more exclusive options is Carnival Horizon — the second vessel in Carnival's three-ship Vista Class. It offers a top-deck, adults-only Serenity sundeck area; an extensive menu of spa treatments, salon services and fitness classes at the onboard Cloud 9 Spa; and a handful of upmarket cabin offerings.
If you're into wellness, relaxation and self-care, check out the spa and fitness center's manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, teeth whitening treatments, acupuncture, anti-wrinkle procedures, state-of-the-art cycling classes, thermal suite, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms for a fee. For digs that include pampering, try a Cloud 9 Spa cabin to receive extras like complimentary thermal suite access and two free yoga or Pilates classes.
Related: The 9 best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity
If exclusive cabin enclaves are what you seek, you'll want to book one of the ship's Havana Cabana cabins. They come in several varieties, from 185-square-foot insides to Havana Suites, which offer 260 square feet of interior space (with a dividing wall to separate sleeping and living areas), plus a 100-square-foot patio area with loungers and a hammock. All Havana Cabana cruisers get access to an exclusive lanai and pool deck. With a suite booking, you'll also receive priority embarkation and disembarkation.
If a traditional suite is more your style, consider a Grand Suite, which includes priority embarkation, disembarkation and dining times, as well as access to the Havana pool area. Note, however, that Grand Suites run only 345 square feet with 85-square-foot balconies — disappointing when you consider some of Royal Caribbean's largest rooms are nearly five times that size.
The only ships on which you'll find larger accommodations are the line's newest: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, all of which house Presidential Suites. Those accommodations offer 1,120 square feet of space with 600-square-foot balconies and separate living and sleeping areas. However, the ships — part of the line's Excel Class — are so large and attract so many families that I've ruled them out as the most luxurious.
Carnival Conquest: Best ship for budget travelers
If you're on a budget and simply looking for one of the cheapest Carnival cruise ships, a solid bet is Carnival Conquest. It offers Bahamas and Caribbean voyages of three to five nights. Think of it this way: The shorter the cruise, the less expensive it will be.
Plus, it sails from Miami, one of the world's largest cruise hubs. More ships leaving from a specific port means more competition, which can drive prices lower.
Related: The 8 classes of Carnival ships, explained
Carnival Conquest is one of the line's oldest ships, but it's also a ton of fun. Because short sailings tend to attract a more lively crowd, passengers can expect lots of dancing, socializing and late nights at Henri's Dance Club. During the day, passengers enjoy spending time around the pool and grabbing free burgers from Guy's Burger Joint.
It's also one of the few vessels left in the fleet that still features jaw-dropping interiors designed by renowned architect Joe Farcus, who made Carnival synonymous with quirky patterns, bright colors and neon lights.
At the time of publication, prices for a three-night Bahamas cruise started from around $147 per person, per night for an inside cabin (including taxes and fees).
Carnival Sunrise: Best Carnival cruise ship for singles
Unfortunately, Carnival has been slow to adopt solo cabins, meaning that no ships in its fleet offer accommodations for one.
Because all cabins are designed for double occupancy, it's generally a rule that a person traveling alone must pay both fares. This means they would pay twice as much per person as two people sharing a room.
Related: The best cruise ships for solo travelers
In order to make the single supplement as affordable as possible, solo Carnival cruisers will want to balance finding an inexpensive vessel with choosing one that sails short itineraries. They'll also probably want one that's a bit livelier (read: not the oldest in the fleet).
A great contender for the title of best Carnival ship for singles is Carnival Sunrise. Formerly Carnival Triumph, the ship was completely gutted, overhauled and renamed in 2019. Although it originally debuted in 1999, it feels fresh and nearly new. It offers the line's signature Serenity adults-only sundeck, RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and a slew of lounges, nightclubs and daily activities.
Combine that with short, reasonably-priced voyages from Miami, and solos can find fun and affordable getaways on this ship. I found four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas or Caribbean with prices starting from $160 per night if you're solo. Short sailings also tend to draw a more fun-loving, social crowd. So, if your goal is to mingle and potentially meet other solo cruisers, you stand a good chance on Carnival Sunrise.
Carnival Pride: Best ship for retirees
Retired travelers have all the time in the world to take longer cruises, which generally allow them to visit more far-flung locales. Those trips can come with a substantial price tag, which is why, as a budget option, Carnival is such a great choice.
In particular, Carnival Pride's voyages include 14-night itineraries to Greenland. Longer voyages mean more time to explore but also fewer children and less of a frat party vibe. (Take note if you're thinking of bringing your grandkids.)
Related: The 7 best cruises for seniors who love to travel
Carnival Pride is one of the oldest ships sailing for Carnival. That actually works in its favor if you're a retiree who enjoys smaller ships and vintage design — in this case, more artwork and decor by Farcus.
In addition to a comedy club and an onboard spa, the ship also offers an adults-only sundeck, several bars and lounges, and plenty of dining options and daily activities to stave off boredom on longer voyages.
Bottom line
Which Carnival cruise ship is the best? It all depends on your specific preferences. Whether you're searching for an inexpensive vacation, a family-friendly vessel or a ship that will take you on a longer voyage to Europe, there's a Carnival cruise to fit your taste and budget.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees