Carnival cruise ships by size: Here are the largest Carnival cruise ships, biggest to smallest, by tonnage
What is the biggest Carnival cruise ship? Currently, the largest Carnival ship is Carnival Jubilee, in terms of both tonnage and passenger capacity. It debuted in late 2023 and is tied for size with sister ship Carnival Celebration, which first set sail in 2022, at 183,521 gross tons and 5,374 passengers at double occupancy.
It’s easy to remember that, generally, the newest ships are the largest Carnival ships. However, because Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, it can be difficult to keep track of the ships that fall in between the newest and oldest.
So, to help you out, here is a list of Carnival ships, biggest to smallest, based on tonnage — a ship’s internal capacity, as measured by volume.
Carnival cruise ships by size
1. Carnival Jubilee
Size: 183,521 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,374
Maiden voyage: 2023
2. Carnival Celebration
Size: 183,521 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,374
Maiden voyage: 2022
3. Mardi Gras
Size: 180,800 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,282
Maiden voyage: 2021
4. Carnival Venezia (formerly Costa Venezia)
Size: 135,225 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,072
Maiden voyage: 2019 (renamed in 2023)
5. Carnival Firenze (formerly Costa Firenze)
Size: 135,156 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,126
Maiden voyage: 2021 (renamed in 2024)
6. Carnival Panorama
Size: 133,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,008
Maiden voyage: 2019
7. Carnival Horizon
Size: 133,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,960
Maiden voyage: 2018
8. Carnival Vista
Size: 133,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,934
Maiden voyage: 2016
9. Carnival Breeze
Size: 130,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,690
Maiden voyage: 2012
10. Carnival Magic
Size: 130,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,690
Maiden voyage: 2011
11. Carnival Dream
Size: 130,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,646
Maiden voyage: 2009
12. Carnival Splendor
Size: 113,300 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,012
Maiden voyage: 2008
13. Carnival Freedom
Size: 110,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,980
Maiden voyage: 2007
14. Carnival Valor
Size: 110,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,980
Maiden voyage: 2004
15. Carnival Glory
Size: 110,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,980
Maiden voyage: 2003
16. Carnival Conquest
Size: 110,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,980
Maiden voyage: 2002
17. Carnival Liberty
Size: 110,000 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,974
Maiden voyage: 2005
18. Carnival Sunshine (formerly Carnival Destiny)
Size: 102,853 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,002
Maiden voyage: 1996 (overhauled and renamed in 2013)
19. Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory)
Size: 101,509 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,984
Maiden voyage: 2000 (overhauled and renamed in 2021)
20. Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Triumph)
Size: 101,509 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,984
Maiden voyage: 1999 (overhauled and renamed in 2019)
21. Carnival Luminosa (formerly Costa Luminosa)
Size: 92,720 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,260
Maiden voyage: 2009 (overhauled and renamed in 2022)
22. Carnival Miracle
Size: 88,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,124
Maiden voyage: 2004
23. Carnival Legend
Size: 88,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,124
Maiden voyage: 2002
24. Carnival Pride
Size: 88,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,124
Maiden voyage: 2002
25. Carnival Spirit
Size: 88,500 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,124
Maiden voyage: 2001
26. Carnival Paradise
Size: 71,925 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,124
Maiden voyage: 1998
27. Carnival Elation
Size: 71,909 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,190
Maiden voyage: 1998
What is the biggest Carnival ship?
The biggest Carnival ships are Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Celebration. They’re tied in terms of size, each coming in at 183,521 gross tons and carrying 5,374 passengers at capacity.
Both vessels are throwback ships, along with fellow Excel Class vessel Mardi Gras. All three are named after members of Carnival’s original fleet. They feature cutting-edge entertainment, luxury cabin options, a slew of cuisine choices, onboard breweries, tons of lounge areas and top-deck amusements — ropes courses, waterslides and even roller coasters — that rival what you might find at an amusement park.
What is the smallest Carnival ship?
The smallest Carnival cruise ship is Carnival Elation, the line’s second-oldest vessel. At 71,909 gross tons, it carries just 2,190 passengers — less than half the amount accommodated on ships in Carnival’s Excel class.
Are bigger Carnival ships coming?
At the time of publication, Carnival Cruise Line had ordered a fourth ship for its Excel Class, which also includes Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. The fourth vessel is currently unnamed, but it's set to be delivered in 2027.
What is the Carnival Jubilee tonnage?
Carnival Jubilee is 183,521 gross tons. Not to be confused with weight, gross registered tonnage measures a ship’s size in terms of internal volume and what a vessel can hold or contain. Each gross registered ton is equal to 100 cubic feet of space.
What’s the difference between big and small Carnival ships?
One of the biggest differences is that Carnival’s tiniest ships carry between 2,100 and 3,000 passengers, while its biggest can accommodate more than 5,000 people. In addition, the largest vessels measure more than 180,000 gross tons, while the smallest measure less than 90,000 gross registered tons.
Smaller ships don’t have space to offer as many attractions as huge vessels, but Carnival invested $500 million over five years to make its fleet more uniform, regardless of ship size.
Thanks to this initiative, all ships now feature venues including Alchemy Bar, Guy’s Burger Joint by Guy Fieri — now a staple, along with barbecue and microbrewed beer on some ships — and the Punchliner Comedy Club, among other popular amenities that are now Carnival hallmarks.
Besides the obvious size differences between big and small cruise ships, smaller ships also tend to be older than their larger counterparts.
Decor is a dead giveaway to the age of a Carnival ship. Older hardware boasts interiors designed by Joe Farcus, a renowned architect known for his kitschy, fun style that employs bright colors, whimsical art installations and neon lights. (He’s also responsible for the line’s iconic “whale tail” funnels.) Newer vessels tend to have a more toned-down look.
Finally, fares are a factor. The smaller the ship, the more likely it is to sail short, affordable itineraries. Major exceptions to this rule are Carnival Journeys voyages, which are offered a few times each year and feature extended itineraries of two weeks or longer.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.