Best & Worst Carnival Cruise Ships (Ranked By Reviews)

Carnival’s fleet boasts 25 ships, ranging from the oldest (Carnival Sunshine) to the newest (Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia). To determine the best and worst, reviews from Cruiseline.com, Cruise Critic, and TripAdvisor were averaged for each ship.

The Best Carnival Cruise Ships:

1. Carnival Panorama
   • Well-rounded appeal for all ages.
   • Interesting itineraries and good value.
2. Mardi Gras
   • Largest ship with a unique roller coaster.
   • Impressive entertainment venues.
3. Carnival Breeze
   • Highlights Carnival’s strengths and drawbacks.
   • Plenty of dining options and thrilling slides.
4. Carnival Dream
   • Relaxed vibe with a popular Lanai Promenade.
5. Carnival Pride
   • Well-maintained, smaller ship with unique charm.

Mid-Tier Carnival Cruise Ships:

6. Carnival Glory
   • Showing its age but still enjoyable.
   • WaterWorks water park is a highlight.
7. Carnival Valor
   • Focus on Caribbean itineraries with extra port time.
   • Quality service and upgraded features.
8. Carnival Miracle
   • Good passenger-to-space ratio for relaxation.
   • West Coast itineraries may be less exciting.
9. Carnival Horizon
   • Bold and modern but can feel crowded.
   • Some reviews note service standards.
10. Carnival Vista
    • Launched with exciting features but mixed reviews.
    • Technical excellence but concerns about food quality.

Lower-Ranked Carnival Cruise Ships:

11. Carnival Liberty
    • Good value cruising with classic activities.
    • Lacks the latest features but popular with families.
12. Carnival Freedom
    • Mix of pre and post-upgrade features.
    • Good for families but may have a strange vibe.
13. Carnival Conquest
    • Relaxed ship better suited for adults.
    • Less in-your-face experience.
14. Carnival Spirit
    • Excellent service with a range of destinations.
    • Dated decor but good for families.
15. Carnival Magic
    • Pioneered popular features but crowded.
    • Overwhelming for some due to initial popularity.
16. Carnival Legend
    • Similar experience to Carnival Spirit.
    • Fun upgrades, good for families.
17. Carnival Sunshine
    • Oldest ship with Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades.
    • Starting to show age, needs TLC.
18. Carnival Paradise
    • Ideal for those seeking simplicity.
    • Basic features but less crowded.
19. Carnival Elation
    • Dated decor but offers a different atmosphere.
    • Balanced Carnival fun without excessive noise.
20. Carnival Splendor
    • Bold decor, worn cabins, great activities.
    • Unique choice for South Pacific cruises.
21. Carnival Sunrise
    • Justifies the crowded and loud reputation.
    • Popular features with a lively atmosphere.
22. Carnival Radiance
    • Ambitious but small venues create large queues.
    • Mostly positive reviews but lacks relaxation.

Special Mention: Carnival Celebration

• Launched in November 2022, too new for extensive reviews.
• Packed with popular Carnival features.

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Choosing The Best Carnival Ship For You:

• Consider preferences for a busy or relaxed atmosphere.
• Tailor choices based on destinations or onboard experience.
• Factors like family-friendliness, party atmosphere, and specific features influence the best fit.

FAQs to help you choose a Carnival cruise ship included.

Certainly! Here are some FAQs to help potential Carnival cruise passengers choose the best ship for their preferences:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Choosing a Carnival Cruise Ship

1. What is the newest and biggest Carnival cruise ship?

• The newest ship is Carnival Celebration, launched in November 2022.
• In 2023, Carnival Venezia was also launched, though it had been sailing with Costa Cruises since 2019.

2. Which Carnival ship is the most luxurious?

• Carnival is not known for luxury, but Carnival Dream is considered the most luxurious, offering modern features and a relaxed atmosphere with the fantastic Cloud 9 Spa.

3. Which Carnival ship is the most fun?

• Carnival Panorama is often regarded as the most fun, offering a variety of activities for all ages. It can be lively and crowded at times but provides a super-modern experience.

4. Which Carnival ship is best for partying?

• Carnival Sunrise is known for its lively atmosphere and is considered one of the best for partying, particularly on Bahamas itineraries.

5. Which Carnival ship has a roller coaster?

• Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have a roller coaster, and Carnival Jubilee will also feature one upon its 2023 launch.

6. Which Carnival ship has the best casino?

• Vista Class ships, including Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Panorama, boast some of the best casinos with over 200 gaming machines and 22 gaming tables.

7. Which Carnival ship has the best water slides?

• Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras offer the best collection of water slides, including Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder, and Carnival Twister.

8. Which Carnival ship has the best pools?

• Mardi Gras is renowned for having the best pools, including Tides Pool, Summer Landing pool, Beach Pool, Havana Pool (exclusive for Havana Cabana staterooms), and Loft 19 Pool (exclusive for Mardi Gras suite guests).

9. What is the best Carnival ship for families?

• Carnival Panorama is often considered the best for families due to its variety of activities catering to different tastes. Carnival Glory is also popular for larger families seeking a bargain cruise.

10. What’s the best Carnival ship for couples?

- Carnival Conquest is often preferred by couples seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. Couples who enjoy a party vibe might find Carnival Sunrise or Carnival Radiance more suitable.

11. Which Carnival ship has the best food?

- Mardi Gras is known for having the best food, offering 22 different dining venues, including unique options like Emeril's Bistro.

12. How to choose the best Carnival ship for me?

- Consider preferences for atmosphere (busy or relaxed), destinations, onboard experience, and specific features.
- Tailor choices based on family-friendliness, party atmosphere, and individual preferences.

Note: The answers provided are based on reviews and general information as of June 25, 2023. Individual preferences may vary, and it’s recommended to consider personal preferences when choosing a Carnival cruise ship.