Best Carnival cruise ship: This is the ship you should take

Choosing a Carnival cruise ship is no simple task, especially if you’re new to cruising.

As one of the largest yacht brands in the world, Festival cruise line has more than two dozen ships in its fleet, offering everything from big ship adventures to experiences on smaller ships. Many variables – price, departure date, travel companions, ship size and amenities, and destination – can shape your choice.

So what is the best Carnival cruise ship? Below are my picks of the top options in several categories.

Mardi Gras: The best carnival cruise ships for families

Definitely the best Carnival cruise ship for kids Mardi Gras festival. Not only is it one of Carnival’s newest ships, it’s also one of its largest and has plenty of activities to keep families with kids busy.

At the expanded kids’ club, daily programming includes scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and video games. The club attracts young students and gives them space to make friends and play with their peers.

In addition to amenities specifically for children, the ship also has a huge arcade and many entertaining games on deck. One of them is the Ultimate Playground – a space that includes a ropes course, waterslide, and Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea. (Note that arcade games and Bolt cost more.)

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families

Mardi Gras is full of great family-friendly treats, including Dr. Seuss-themed Green Eggs and Ham Breakfasts (for a small fee). This ship also includes pizza, whipped cream, Shaq’s fried chicken and Guy Fieri burgers in the ticket price. Even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. Children can order special menus in the main dining rooms for free and join in fun dance performances by servers as soon as they start to feel uncomfortable sitting still.

The ship also does a great job of providing accommodations for families of all sizes and budgets. Many standard Mardi Gras cabins accommodate at least four people, and the ship offers connecting cabins.

Its Family Harbor cabins offer access to a special family lounge area with a TV, lounge area and Internet access station. Breakfast is served there every morning, and snacks and drinks – including free sodas – are provided throughout the day, so you never have to go far when the kids need a snack. Cabins in the Family Harbor category have a nautical theme, plenty of storage and space to sleep at least four people.

Mardi Gras’s sister ships, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, are also great choices in this category. Both offer nearly identical experiences (with just some changes in the names and themes of specific locations), and all three offer week-long Caribbean cruises out of homeports Florida and Texas.

Carnival Horizon: The best ship for luxury lovers

Let’s be clear: Carnival is not a luxury cruise line nor does it offer large suites on most ships. The suites here are smaller than most other brands’ upscale accommodations and don’t include amenities like butler service.

With that in mind, one ship that offers slightly more exclusive options is the Carnival Horizon – the second ship in Carnival’s three-ship Vista class. It has an adults-only Serenity sunbathing area on the top floor; an extensive menu of spa treatments, salon services and fitness classes at the onboard Cloud 9 Spa; and some luxury cabin services.

If you want to pamper your health, relax and take care of yourself, check out our manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, teeth whitening treatments, acupuncture, anti-wrinkle treatments, and more. State-of-the-art cycling classes at the fitness center and spa. suite, hot tub, sauna and steam room are available at an additional charge. For activities that include relaxation, try the Cloud 9 Spa cabin for extras like free thermal bath access and two free yoga or Pilates classes.

Related: The 9 best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

If exclusive cabin areas are what you’re looking for, you’ll want to book one of the ship’s Havana Cabana cabins. They come in a variety of flavors, from 185 square meter interiors to Havana Suites, which offer 260 square meters of interior space (with walls separating living and sleeping areas), along with a 100 square meter terrace area with benches and a hammock. All Havana Cabana cruisers have access to exclusive patios and pool decks. By booking a suite, you’ll also get priority boarding and disembarking.

If a traditional suite is more your style, consider a Grand Suite, which includes priority boarding, disembarkation and dining times as well as access to the Havana pool area. Note, however, that Grand Suites are only 345 square feet with an 85-square-foot balcony — disappointing when you consider that some of Royal Caribbean’s largest rooms are nearly five times that size.

The only ships where you can find larger accommodations are the line’s newest ships: Mardi Gras, Masquerade festival And carnival festivalall have President Suites. These properties have 1,120 square meters of space with 600 square meters of 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 left them off my list of the most luxurious.

Festival conquest: The best ship for budget travelers

If you’re on a budget and simply looking for one of the cheapest Carnival cruise ships, a solid choice is the Carnival Conquest. It offers three- to five-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises. Think of it this way: The shorter the journeyit will be even cheaper.

Plus, it departs from Miami, one of the world’s largest travel hubs. More ships leaving a particular port means more competition, which can lead to lower prices.

Related: Explaining the 8 Carnival ship classes

Carnival Conquest is one of the line’s oldest ships, but it’s also a lot of fun. Because short trips tend to attract livelier crowds, passengers can expect plenty of dancing, socializing, and late nights at Henri’s Dance Club. During the day, passengers enjoy spending time around the pool and enjoying free burgers from Guy’s Burger Shop.

It’s also one of the few ships left in the fleet that still has an impressive interior designed by renowned architect Joe Farcus, who made the Carnival synonymous with quirky, colorful patterns. bright and neon lights.

At the time of publication, prices for a three-night cruise in the Bahamas start at approximately $147 per person per night for an inside cabin (including taxes and fees).

Carnival Sunrise: Best Carnival cruise ships for singles

Unfortunately, Carnival has been slow to adopt solo cabins, meaning no ships in their fleet offer single-cabin accommodations.

Because all cabins are designed for two people, it is customary for a person traveling alone to pay both fares. This means they will pay twice as much per person as compared to two people sharing a room.

Related: The best cruise ships for solo travelers

To make the single addition as affordable as possible, solo Carnival cruisers will want to balance finding an inexpensive ship with choosing one with short cruises. They might also want one that’s a bit livelier (read: not the oldest one in the fleet).

A strong contender for the title of best Carnival ship for singles is the Carnival Sunrise. Formerly the Carnival Triumph, the ship was completely gutted, overhauled and renamed in 2019. Although it first debuted in 1999, it feels fresh and almost new. It features the line’s signature Serenity adults-only sundeck, the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and a variety of lounges, nightclubs and daily activities.

Combine that with short, reasonably priced trips from Miamiand singles can find fun and affordable getaways on this ship. I found four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas or the Caribbean starting at $160/night if you’re traveling alone. Short trips also tend to attract a happier, more sociable crowd. So if your goal is to mingle and potentially meet other solo cruisers, you have a good chance on the Carnival Sunrise.

Carnival Pride: The best ship for retirees

Retired travelers have all the time in the world to go on longer cruises, which often allow them to visit more remote locations. Those trips can come with a significant price tag, which is why, as a budget option, Carnival is a great choice.

Notably, Carnival Pride itineraries include a 14-night cruise to Greenland. Longer trips mean more time to explore but also fewer kids and less of a party feel. (Take note if you’re thinking of bringing your grandchildren.)

Related: 7 best beach trips for seniors who love to travel

Carnival Pride is one of the oldest ships that sails to Carnival. That’s actually a boon if you’re a retiree who enjoys smaller ships and classic design—in this case, more art and decor from Farcus.

In addition to the onboard comedy club and 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 during the day. longer trips.

Bottom line

Which Carnival cruise ship is the best? It all depends on your specific preferences. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive vacation, a family-friendly cruise ship, or one that will take you on a longer trip to Europe, there’s a Carnival cruise to suit your taste. your preferences and budget.

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