+1-833-305-3447Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most popular providers of ships. They have ships for different types of travelers. Whether you need endless entertainment with great food or you want thrilling adventure with amazing ocean views, there are more than 27 ships to cater to the needs of keen cruise lovers. When options are plentiful, choosing the best Carnival cruise ship is quite hard. Therefore, you must consider the necessary aspects or simply go through the list given here to decide like a pro, even if you are going to experience a carnival cruise ship for the very first time.
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Overview of Carnival Cruise Ships
Carnival operates 27 ships as of mid-2025, with more joining in the coming years. The fleet is divided into classes, each with distinct features and sizes:
| Class | Representative Ships | Size Range (Gross Tons) | Passenger Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Class | Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee | 180,000+ GT | 5,200–5,400 |
| Vista Class | Vista, Horizon, Panorama | 133,500 GT | 4,000 |
| Dream Class | Dream, Magic, Breeze | 130,000 GT | 3,600 |
| Conquest Class | Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty, Freedom | 110,000 GT | 2,980 |
| Spirit Class | Spirit, Legend, Miracle, Pride | 88,500 GT | 2,100–2,600 |
| Sunshine Class | Sunshine, Sunrise, Radiance | 102,000 GT | 3,000 |
| Fantasy Class | Mostly retired or transferred | 70,000 GT | 2,000 |
| COSTA by Carnival | Venezia, Firenze | 135,000 GT | 5,000 |
| Adventure Class | Adventure, Encounter | 108,000 GT | 2,600 |
Best-Rated Carnival Cruise Ships
The selection of the best carnival cruise ships solely depends on what exactly you like. Keep in mind that some cruise ships offer thrilling experiences as they feature roller coasters and waterparks, while others are focused on offering fun shows and delicious food.
Depending on what you need, you can decide from the ones listed below.
Carnival Jubilee
This is the newest flagship of Carnival. Packed with food, fun, and endless entertainment, it can be your top pick, especially if you are traveling with your family and friends. Here are some notable points about this Carnival cruise ship:
Features
- Water slides
- BOLT rollercoaster
- Live shows
Dining options
- Emeril’s Bistro
- Big Chicken
- Guy’s Burger Joint
All these are available at no extra cost. This means you will have to get a package. However, keep in mind that it is one of the most prominent and top-rated cruise ships that offer an exceptional and memorable experience.
Carnival Panorama
If you are exploring the Carnival Cruise Line’s best ships, Carnival Panorama is undeniably the most solid choice. It is not only a fun ship, but an ideal pick for those who are budget-constrained. Here, you can have an exciting range of entertainment activities, food, and outdoor spaces. Below are the details of its features and top dining options:
Features
- A ropes course
- SkyRide
- Water slides
Dining
- Blue Iguana Cantina
- Vista Restaurant
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse
The outdoor space of this cruise ship is too wide to add a more positive experience. Besides, the crew is quite friendly and welcoming. Anyone who needs a budget-friendly carnival cruise option can choose Carnival Panorama without giving a second thought.
Carnival Breeze
When it comes to the best Carnival cruise ship for adults, you can go with Carnival Breeze. It offers good food, endless fun, and countless other things to do without burning a hole in your pocket. Here are some aspects that make Carnival Breeze a hit among couples and adults:
Features
- Comedy shows
- Live music
- “Adults-only” retreat
- Water Works water park
- Sky Course ropes course
Dining
- Blue Iguana Cantina
- Guy’s Burger Joint
The cruise ship is counted among the top-rated and highly preferred options for couples and adults. Lastly, it is an option that can offer endless joy and an unforgettable experience.
Carnival Mardi Gras
Talking about the best carnival cruise ship for families, you will find the Carnival Mardi Gras on the list. For larger groups and families, it is among the best-rated carnival ships. This is because it offers plenty of special features and tons of joyful and fun activities. Before you head to this cruise ship, know the following:
Features
- The BOLT roller coaster (first of its kind on any cruise ship)
- Fun-themed zones, such as the French Quarter
Dining
- Emeril Lagasse Bistro 1396
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse
Apart from these, you will also find plenty of options for entertainment and fun. Above all, the cruise ship offers numerous food choices to fulfill the diverse needs of visitors.
Carnival Celebration
This carnival cruise ship stands out for so many reasons. The credit for this goes to the incredible features on board and the fun activities offered. As a sister cruise ship of Carnival Mardi Gras, you will find multiple great features and facilities here to have the most wonderful on-cruise experience.
Features
- On-board rollercoaster BOLT
- Theme-based zones
- Family Feud Live
- Seuss at Sea
Dining
- Emeril’s Bistro 1397
- Latitudes
This carnival cruise ship is powered by clean and eco-friendly LNG fuels. Thus, it could be a top pick for you if you are someone who cares about Mother Nature.
Carnival Horizon
Launched on the 10th of March in 2017, Carnival Horizon is Carnival’s best cruise ship. It provides the right balance of good food, fun activities, and relaxation. This is why it is the best and top-rated option. It stands out for so many good reasons. Some of them have been outlined below:
Features
- IMAX theater
- Waterpark
- SkyRide
- Playlist Productions
- Punchliner Comedy Club
- Serenity “Adult-Only” retreat
Dining
- Seafood Shack
- Guy’s Burger Joint
These are just a few names mentioned; you will have tons of dining and entertainment options on this cruise ship to make your experience worth remembering.
Carnival Radiance
This carnival cruise ship is also called the Carnival Victory. It is considered a ‘destiny-class’ carnival cruise ship that is best known for its family-friendly surroundings, fun activities, and more. Therefore, knowing the following will help you decide better:
Features
- Sports facilities
- Water park
- Ropes course
Keep in mind that the cruise ship has around 15 options for dining. When you are here, you will have the best of everything. Lastly, this carnival cruise is ideal for an exciting yet short cruise ship experience.
Carnival Spirit
In case you are in search of a cruise ship that offers the right blend of relaxation and fun, you can explore this Spirit-class cruise, Carnival Spirit. Introduced in 2001, it has been among the best and top-rated Carnival cruise ships so far. The reason behind this is simple. It offers exciting features and multiple dining options. Here is the detailed breakdown:
Features
- Fitness center
- Mini golf club
- Water park
Dining
- Nouveau Steakhouse
- Guy’s Burger Joint
Besides these major highlights, this carnival cruise ship is capable of giving you the most memorable vacation and on-cruise experience.
Carnival Legend
It was launched in 2003. Currently, it is one of the most prominent cruise ships in the fleet of Carnival. Due to its exceptional services and world-class features, it is among the highly ranked Carnival ships. Speaking about the top features and other pluses of Carnival Legend, these include the following:
Features
- Mini golf club
- Fitness center
- Serenity Retreat for adults
- Casinos
- Bars
- Comedy shows
Dining
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- Nouveau Steakhouse
Whether you are a foodie or an entertainment lover, you will have so much to do on Carnival Legend. You will be amazed to know that this ship has won several awards in the last few years for offering exceptional guest satisfaction, world-class services, and more.
Carnival Glory
It was launched in 2003, and since then, it has been the best carnival cruise ship for teens as well as adults. The cruise ship has everything that a young guest needs to have the most thrilling cruise experience. Among all, the following makes it a preferred choice among enthusiastic cruise lovers:
Features
- Full-service spa
- Mini golf
- Casino
- Bars
- Comedy shows
- Adult-only serenity retreat
Dining
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- Nouveau Steakhouse
You must plan your visit to this carnival cruise ship at least once in your lifetime, as it offers something amazing that you will cherish forever.
Carnival Pride
When you need the best carnival cruise ship 2025, you can explore the cruise ship launched by Carnival in 2001 with the tag Carnival Pride. The elegance and fun that it offers make it one of the most notable ships in the fleet. Here, you will not only find top-tier options for dining, along with numerous features and entertainment. Some of these have been mentioned here:
Features
- Seaside Theater
- Water Works
- Serenity pool
- Beauties dance club
- Seuss at Sea for kids
Dining
- Bonsai Sushi
- Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
This carnival cruise is highly preferred by families because it offers kid-friendly areas so that they can safely enjoy themselves on the ship. Before you want to go on this cruise ship, you must check the features, services, charges, and other aspects.
Carnival Valor
This is yet another of the best Carnival cruise ship by Carnival. It was launched in 2004, but renovation work was completed in 2021. This has made the services better and added more features to improve the onboard experience of the passengers. Below, we have outlined some features of Carnival Valor:
Features
- Spacious ship and can take around 3000 passengers at once
- 1:3 staff and guest ratio
- Seuss to Sea for kids
- Waterslides
- Stylish and comfortable cabin
Dining
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Carnival Valor remains the most preferred and favorite ship among keen cruisers. Even if you are traveling for the first time, you can reserve a seat on this cruise ship to have the most unique experience.
Note: Carnival has many more options to explore. These include Carnival Vista, Carnival Dream, Carnival Miracle, and more.
Check Here: How to Get a Room Upgrade on a Carnival Cruise?
In a Nutshell,
So, these are the best Carnival cruise ship options. The choice will depend on what you are looking for. In case you are clueless about how to pick one, you can consider the ranking, fun activities and entertainment, dining, cost and packages, and other crucial aspects to decide better.
FAQs on Best Carnival Cruise Ships 2025
Which Carnival cruise ship is considered the best overall?
Carnival Breeze often tops the charts for its balance of fun, comfort, and affordability. It’s mid-sized, well-reviewed, and packed with entertainment.
What is the newest Carnival ship?
Carnival Jubilee is the latest addition (launched in 2023), part of the Excel Class, featuring a roller coaster, themed zones, and eco-friendly LNG propulsion.
Which Carnival ship is best for families?
Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon are family favorites thanks to attractions like SkyRide, WaterWorks, and Family Harbor staterooms.
Are bigger ships better on Carnival?
Not always! While Excel Class ships offer more amenities, smaller ships like Carnival Pride are praised for their cozy atmosphere and excellent service.
Which ship has the best food options?
Carnival Mardi Gras stands out with celebrity chef venues like Emeril’s Bistro and Shaq’s Big Chicken, plus themed dining zones.
What is the most affordable Carnival ship with great reviews?
Carnival Freedom and Carnival Liberty from the Conquest Class offer solid experiences at lower prices, especially for short getaways.
Which Carnival ship is best for adults or couples?
Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance feature Serenity adult-only retreats, spa services, and quieter lounges ideal for couples.
Do older Carnival ships still offer a good experience?
Yes! Ships like Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend are well-maintained and beloved for their classic charm and attentive staff.
How many ships does Carnival currently operate?
Carnival Cruise Line has 27 ships in its fleet as of 2025, making it one of the largest cruise lines in the world.
How do I choose the best Carnival ship for me?
Consider your priorities: families may prefer ships with waterparks and kids clubs, while foodies or thrill-seekers might opt for newer Excel Class ships.