If you want a big-ship cruise that offers plenty of fun, there are few ships more appealing than those operated by Carnival. With millions of passengers cruising annually, these vessels have something to offer people of all ages and interests.
Many of the ships in Carnival’s fleet feature a large WaterWorks area with multiple waterslides and other attractions. Other highlights include SkyRide, Playlist Productions and the Punchliner Comedy Club.
Interior Cabins
Carnival cruise ships offer a variety of cabins. Most of them fall into one of four categories: windowless “inside” cabins, oceanview rooms, balcony cabins and suites.
Inside cabins are the most common type of stateroom and come equipped with two twin beds that convert to a king, a bathroom, three closets, a vanity desk and a mini fridge. They range in size from 185 square feet to 230 sq. ft.
Interior cabins also come with a number of options that aren’t available in some rival cruise lines. Some have “upper pullmans” — bunk beds that pull down from the ceiling, making them triple or quadruple occupancy rooms.
Other types of cabins that don’t appear on every cruise ship are “porthole” or “obstructed view” rooms. These are typically small round windows that allow some natural light into the room. These rooms are still classified as interior cabins and are a great option for those who don’t want to pay extra for an ocean view room.
Oceanview Rooms
Ocean view rooms are a popular choice for passengers who want a spacious room with plenty of natural light. They’re also less expensive than balcony cabins and a good option for people on a budget.
On Carnival ships, most ocean view staterooms are 220 square feet in size and come with a large rectangular picture window. These windows provide a great view of the sea and ports of call.
If you prefer a balcony, you can find these on many of the cruise lines’ newer ships. However, they’re not as common on these ships as they are on older ones.
Outside rooms provide an ocean view through rectangular picture windows or round portholes that can’t be opened. These rooms are similar in size to inside cabins and are a good choice for families who don’t need the extra space of a balcony.
Fantasy-Class Ships
The Fantasy class is Carnival’s oldest and largest cruise ship class. It includes Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, and Carnival Elation.
The ships in this class are generally sized around 70,367 gross tons. They can fit in a lot of ports and are considered to be the most versatile ships in the Carnival fleet.
Currently, the only two Fantasy-class ships still in service with Carnival are Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation. These ships operate 4-5 night itineraries from Tampa and Jacksonville, respectively, sailing to popular destinations such as The Bahamas and Princess Cays.
These ships are a great choice for guests who prefer to enjoy their cruises without the crowds that can come with Vista-class and Excel-class ships. They also have some fantastic features, including SkyRide, a fun way to explore the ship from atop a pedal car.
Newer Ships
Carnival has 24 ships in service with an additional two set to join the fleet in 2023 and another in 2024. This is more than any other cruise line in the world!
The newer ships are much bigger and more amenity-packed than their older counterparts. These mega-ships feature all sorts of fun things like water parks, deck-top attractions and plenty of dining options for the whole family.
However, if you prefer cruising in a more intimate environment, there are still some older ships in the Carnival fleet to consider. These include the Conquest-class vessels and the popular Splendor class ship.