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Carnival Cruise Line Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

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Table of Contents

Basic information, departure ports, private ports/islands, onboard activities, dining and beverages, accommodations, carnival australia, final thoughts.

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Carnival Cruise Line has been around since 1972. While it is mostly known for Caribbean cruises, it actually offers cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe, as well. Carnival Cruise Line Australia covers destinations like Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Carnival ships, also known as “Fun Ships,” have a reputation for lively atmospheres and numerous onboard activities. With 26 ships sailing across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe, there’s something for everyone on a Carnival cruise.

Name: Carnival Cruise Line

Parent Company: Carnival Corporation (which also owns Carnival Australia, Princess Cruises , Holland America Line , Cunard Line, AIDA Cruises, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises)

Number of Ships : 23 (3 more debuting in 2022-2023)

Loyalty Program: VIPF Club

Credit Card : Carnival ® World Mastercard ®

Carnival Cruise Line currently operates 23 ships, with 3 more coming by the end of 2023.

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Ecstasy
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Celebration will debut in November 2022. Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Luminosa will debut in 2023. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination were put into long-term storage in 2020 with no timeline for return.

Carnival Cruises sails to lots of destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe from 26 departure ports.

Cruises to Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Islands can be found on Carnival Australia.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific, check out Carnival Australia. This is Carnival’s sister company that offers different itineraries and ships.

While Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t own any private ports, it does make use of 2 of the ports owned by other cruise lines.

• Princess Cays is a private resort on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas that’s owned by Princess Cruise Line. This destination offers everything you would expect — beaches, kayaking, sailing, a kid’s area, an adults-only area, and more.
• Half Moon Cay is another private destination located in the Bahamas. This island, also known as San Salvador Island, is owned by Holland America Cruise Line. You’ll find everything you need for a relaxing day on the beach — swimming, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, a water park, and more!

Hot Tip: Be sure to get the most bang for your buck! Check out our guide to the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices.

These days cruise ships are full of things to do, and Carnival Cruises are no exception.

Carnival offers much of what you would expect to find on a cruise ship these days including pools, a casino, themed parties, Broadway-style shows, youth programs, and art auctions.

Lots of additional activities are offered to ensure you won’t be bored at sea. Not all activities are available on every ship and activities marked with $ come with additional fees.

• Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster ($)
• Cherry on Top candy stores ($)
• Cooking classes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Build-A-Bear Workshop ($)
• Family Feud Live
• IMAX Theater
• Lip Sync Battle
• Make It With Michaels arts and crafts ($)
• Martini tasting ($)
• Mixology competitions
• Outdoor movies
• Punchliner Comedy Club
• Sky Zone trampoline park and challenge zone ($)
• SportSquare
• Video arcade ($)
• Waterslides: WaterWorks and Twister

Formal Nights

Formal nights (or Elegant nights) are those in which formal dress is encouraged. That means dress pants with a dress shirt and sport coat for men, and for women, this means cocktail dresses, a pantsuit, or a skirt. If you want to go all out with a tuxedo or evening gown, that’s acceptable, too!

While formal dress is encouraged, it’s not required throughout the ship. However, the main dining room will require formal attire on Elegant nights. On those nights, shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suits, jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats are not permitted in the dining rooms.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our ultimate guide to using miles and points to book a cruise.

You don’t have to worry about going hungry on a Carnival cruise. You’ll find lots of complimentary choices as well as specialty restaurants that come with additional charges.

Complimentary Dining

You don’t have to pay an extra dime to eat on your Carnival cruise if you don’t want to. All of these options are included in the price of your cruise (however not all locations are offered on every ship).

• Big Chicken
• BlueIguana Cantina
• Guy’s Burger Joint
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que
• Lido Marketplace
• Main dining room
• Mongolian Wok
• Pizza Pirate
• Pizzaria del Capitano
• RedFrog Pub & Brewery
• Seaday Brunch
• Street Eats
• The Captain’s Pasta Bar
• The Carnival Deli

Specialty Dining

Carnival also features many specialty dining options that aren’t included in the price of your cruise.

• Bonsai Sushi
• Bonsai Sushi Express
• Bonsai Teppanyaki
• Cucina del Capitano
• Emeril’s Bistro 1396
• Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse
• JavaBlue Cafe
• JiJi Asian Kitchen
• Rudi’s Seagrill
• Seafood Shack
• The Chef’s Table

Bars and Beverages

There is no shortage of bars available onboard a Carnival cruise ship. Most beverages including soda come with an extra charge, however, Carnival offers drink packages if you would prefer to pay for all of your drinks ahead of time.

Bottomless Bubbles is a drink package that included unlimited soda and juice and can be purchased on your ship. It must be purchased for the entire length of your cruise (meaning you can’t just buy the drink package for a day or 2). The cost is $8.50 per day for adults and $5.95 per day for kids.

Cheers! is Carnival’s prepaid bar package. With this package, you’ll enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks (with a few exceptions) for the entire length of your cruise. This package can be purchased ahead of time for $51.95 per person per day or, once you are aboard, for $56.95 per person per day.

Hot Tip: Cheers! and Bottomless Bubbles packages aren’t available on European itineraries.

Here are some of the bars you might find on your Carnival Cruise:

• Alchemy Bar
• Beer Station
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar
• RedFrog Pub
• RedFrog Rum Bar
• SkyBox Sports Bar

Hot Tip: The drinking age on all Carnival ships is 21+, regardless of the drinking age at any port.

There are different levels of staterooms you can choose on Carnival Cruise Line — interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite.

Regardless of what type of room you have, you’ll enjoy the following amenities:

• Dedicated room steward
• Carnival Comfort Collection linens
• Stateroom climate control
• In-room safe

Carnival also offers 4 unique room types to accommodate families or anyone looking for something a little special.

Family-Friendly Staterooms: These rooms will accommodate up to 5 people, and some even come with a second bathroom. Adjoining rooms are available if you need even more space.

Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms: This type of room is available for those looking for a little more relaxation. These rooms come with Elemis toiletries, plus bathrobes and slippers. You’ll also get priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, access to thermal suites, and spa discounts on port days.

Havana Staterooms: These unique rooms are for guests 12 and older. They have an island vibe and come with unlimited access to the Havana Bar & Pool. If you upgrade to a Havana Cabana room, you’ll get a larger balcony with a hammock chair. Upgrade to a Havana Cabana suite to indulge in a luxurious rain shower.

Family Harbor Staterooms: These family-friendly rooms are decked out in nautical decor and are located close to the Family Harbor Lounge which features food, games, and movies. Plus, when you’re staying in a Family Harbor Stateroom, your kids will eat free in most of the specialty restaurants, and you’ll enjoy 1 free night of Night Owls babysitting service.

Hot Tip: Make sure you don’t forget anything — check out our printable cruise vacation packing list!

The VIPF Club is Carnival’s loyalty club. You can join at any time, even if you’ve never been on a Carnival cruise. You’ll earn 1 point for each night you spend at sea.

There are 5 levels of membership in the VIPF Club:

• Blue: first sailing
• Red: second sailing — 24 points
• Gold : 25-74 points
• Platinum: 75-199 points
• Diamond: 200+ points

The benefits you’ll receive vary depending on your membership level. Every member will receive members-only offers and an e-newsletter. Other benefits you can earn include complimentary bottled water, priority check-in and boarding, free drinks, VIPF parties, collectible pins, complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant, and more.

Hot Tip: Don’t miss out on valuable points — check out our guide to the best credit cards to use to book your cruise.

Carnival Australia has an entirely different website and offers cruises to different destinations than Carnival, however, it’s not really a different company.

Carnival Australia Ships : Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor

Carnival Australia Departure Ports :

• Brisbane, Australia (beginning in 2020)
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Melbourne, Australia
• Sydney, Australia

Carnival Australia Destinations:

• Australia (including Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, Adelaide, and Moreton Island)
• New Zealand
• Pacific Islands (including Noumea, Mare, Lifou Isle, and more)
• Papua New Guinea

Carnival Cruise Line offers cruises to the U.S., Caribbean, and Europe on 26 different ships! Onboard, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you busy including waterslides, games, movies, shows, and even Build-A-Bear Workshops!

When it comes to dining, you won’t go hungry. You’ll have plenty of complimentary options to choose from or you can check out one of Carnival’s specialty restaurants like Emeril’s Bistro 1396 or Bonsai Sushi.

When it’s time to settle in for the night, you’ll be able to choose from lots of different types of staterooms including spa-themed rooms or family rooms with a second bathroom that accommodates up to 5 people.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed vacation or just want to relax on the sea, Carnival Cruise Line has something to offer.

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I have cruised over 26 times with…

I have cruised over 26 times with Carnival and have had the best time with family and friends ! No wonder its called " The Fun Ship " I love the Spa and I always have a relaxing spa treatment planned on every sailing .

Date of experience : August 31, 2024

P&O Cruises Australia - a floating disaster

We have cancelled our intended P&O cruise out of Brisbane due to their total lack of client support (a misnomer if there ever was one) Our sad saga is too long to detail here; suffice to say that we have spent the past three months trying to effect a very simple change in cabin configuration (we had booked two adjoining penthouse suites). Our efforts have involved two direct phone calls (each taking more than one hour), three emails, and multiple complaints forwarded via the commendable Ajust.com.au website. Nevertheless...we received not one response from this company. Not a single one! Therefore we have decided on principle to take our business elsewhere, and perhaps if enough others do likewise, this company will be forced to change its ways if it wishes to stay afloat.

Date of experience : August 10, 2024

Fraudulent financial deception.

My name is Tonin Gjekmarkaj. I booked 7 tickets from August 15 - August 22. One of us was of Albanian citizenship, but had a USA tourist visa. Before booking the tickets I asked two-three times Anna(Annahle)Carlos in charge of Personal Vacation Consultant, if the Albanian guy could travel to Alaska. Her answer was “yes, of course, cause you’re traveling within 50 states of USA”. I asked her again: Does the cruise navigates through the territorial waters of Canada?” Her answer:” Yes, he can stay on board the cruise, but not descend on Canadian land”. The check-in security didn’t allow the Albanian tourist to embark on Carnival Cruise. My wife and my two sisters with their husbands embarked, but I had to cancel even my trip just not to leave alone my Albanian tourist cousin. What a stress! Carnival Cruise owes me $4200 for two booked tickets because Anna deceived us.

Date of experience : September 15, 2023

This company lie and mislead you about…

This company lie and mislead you about their cruise packages ! P&O Cruises are the worst part of the group ! I can only compare them to a floating Butlins but worse ! They added drinks to our bill, put us up in a flea infested room with a broken bed, no working TV, leaking shower and no working air con ! We saw cockroaches in the kitchen area and to top it all found out that our boat had been in a crash says before and shouldn't have sailed ! Put in a complaint and just got lied to, misled and they tried to fob us off. This is now with ABTA ! WITHOUT ANY DOUBT the worst holiday ever experienced ! AVOID AVOID AVOID ! The bottom of the cruise barrell !!!

Date of experience : December 07, 2023

Discriminated against and not even able to complain

Had a really bad time with the customer service over the phone, felt like they were discriminating against me. Got so fed up, I decided to cancel my cruise. They told me to do that at the place I bought the ticket, which was okay. But when I asked how I could leave feedback or make a complaint about their service, they told me they didn't have a way to do that, no email, no online form, nothing. Instead, they told me to contact the Port Authorities?! I told them my complaint had nothing to do with the Port Authorities, and they agreed but didn't offer any other solution. Seriously not cool how they treated me and then tried to pass the buck to someone else! No wonder they don't have a way to complain—if no one can say anything, they never have to deal with the mess they create. So, a heads up to everyone: Don't book with this cruise line!

Date of experience : May 12, 2023

Probably the worst customer service of any company

They have got the complaints procedure nailed. They just ignore them. Sent many emails to P&O that were just ignored. Wrote letter to CEO of Carnival in Uk, they eventually half responded to my complaint concerning the worst cruise we had ever been on, aboard Arcadia in December last. They did not fully answer my complaint. Have emailed ‘executive office support’ who have just totally ignored the emails. Emailed Josh Weinstein, CEO Carnival Corporation, other than the automated reply, nothing. They have dispensed with so many things to cut costs, one being the nightly turn down meaning you do not get towels unless you ask for them. They used to have a ‘why book P&O’ and gave a long list of reasons, one of which was the daily steward service and nightly turndown. That’s seems to have disappeared from their sales splurge. As I said, it was the worst cruise we have ever been on, and we have done well over 20, a lot of them with P&O, they used to be brilliant, now not so. Some staff extremely rude, buckets outside our cabin door for the whole of our 10 day cruise catching the drips from just one of the many on board. Booked ‘fine dining restaurant’ for our 50th wedding anniversary, served by waiters in ‘deck jackets’. For most of the cruise the dining room was freezing cold. Nora virus onboard, no health checks, questionnaire or proof of Covid vaccine asked for when we boarded, Covid case on board, people filling water drinks bottles from dispenser while crew watched. I could go on forever.

Date of experience : December 19, 2022

Disgusting Lack of Service from Carnival Cruises

Dear Millie Spicer Carnival Cruises I do not appeciate your ignoring my email as previous I now Notice every time I send a email reply comes back out of office and will return in 3 to 5 days no wonder there are so many cruisers not receiving their refunds I requested a refund for our future cruise deposit which when I gave it was guaranteed it would be refunded when requested it is now 3 months since requested and still not received after chasing on telephone and my complete waste of my time at my expence and promises was told a cheque was posted on the 1st June why not return to my credit card which was charged originaly still not received up to the 17th July cannot get any sattisfaction I NOW HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO REPORT THIS TO ABTA AND USE ALL THE SITES LIKE TRUST PILOT FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TO EXPOSE HOW PRINCESS AND CARNIVAL ARE TREATING THEIR CLIENTS WILL NEVER BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE WITH CARNIVAL IF THIS THE THE SERVICE YOU OFFER -----Original Message----- Sent: Sat, 11 Jul 2020 10:37 Subject: Re: Ref: HX2JWN Dear Millie Spicer Despite my many Telephone calls at my expense to your Customer Services and email that was Requested in May for a Refund of the Future Cruise Deposit which I was told was sent out on the 1st June as of today's date 11 July nothing has been received all I get is request from your advisers to be patient it will arrive by cheque shortly this is not acceptable as when I gave the future cruise deposit I was guaranteed it would be refunded immediately if requested I am now very concerned regarding the integrity of Carnival Cruises and Princesss as I have no alternative but report this to ABTA as it is a fragrant delay action it does not take 3 months to get a refund which I am entitled to is this the way you give confidence to a future regular cruiser who has sailed so many times on your fleet of ships Await your Very Urgent Reply -----Original Message----- Subject: Ref: HX2JWN Thank you for contacting Princess Cruises. I just wanted to contact you to let you know, we know you’re waiting for your refund for your Future Cruise Deposit and may be frustrated by how long it’s taking. We hear you and are doing everything in our power to get it to you as soon as possible. Rest assured we’ve received your request, and it’s in our queue. We ask for your continued patience in affording us the time to work through the refunds properly. Because we are not able to use our usual automated process, our team is manually handling a large volume of requests while working from home. We want to try to make sure each and every guest's booking is handled accurately, and as efficiently as possible and this is taking more time. As always, we thank you for your understanding and hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe during this difficult time. Assuring you of our best intentions at all times. Millie Spicer Millie Spicer Guest Relations Representative & Family Assistance Princess Cruise

Date of experience : July 17, 2020

Terrible money grabbing

Date of experience : October 04, 2020

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Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Carnival Cruise Line

with a cruise advisor

Cruising with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line stays true to its lively reputation with its festive atmosphere and versatile entertainment options. Carnival's 26 ships depart from many cities in the U.S., including  Miami ,  Los Angeles ,  Baltimore ,  Seattle  and  New York City . With such a large fleet, Carnival offers cruisers their pick of destinations across  Mexico ,  Alaska ,  Hawaii , Europe ,  Australia  and the  Caribbean , among other locations. Voyages range from two to 16 days, with occasional transpacific cruises of up to 22 days. Each ship carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Just as Carnival's cruise lengths and itineraries vary by ship, so do its available shore excursions. You could learn how cacao is processed into chocolate in Costa Rica , explore Dubrovnik, Croatia , by tuk-tuk, , go whale watching in Juneau, Alaska , or swim with sharks in Belize .

Back on board Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships," you'll find plenty of activities to keep you busy. With waterslides, sports courts, casinos, piano bars, comedy acts and nightclubs, Carnival's fleet offers guests of all ages something to enjoy. The cruise line's knack for variety carries over to onboard cuisine, which includes three-course meals served in the main dining room, a Lido Marketplace deck buffet and specialty restaurants dishing out everything from Italian fare to sake and sushi.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Download the Hub App to access activity and show schedules, see restaurant menus, make dining reservations and chat with family members age 13 and older ($5 per person). – Karon Warren, Contributor

Book a Carnival cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Numerous ships and itineraries to pick from

Extensive selection of onboard amenities and activities

Variety of included dining options

Additional fees apply for shore excursions

High capacity ships can feel crowded

Wi-Fi access costs extra

• Expert Rating » 3.4
• Traveler Rating » 4.0
• Health Rating » 4.3

Carnival Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 3 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 6 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• # 7 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money

Explore Photos

Carnival Cruise Line Ships

Carnival Panorama

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Horizon

Carnival Miracle

Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Breeze

Carnival Conquest

Carnival Vista

Carnival Glory

Carnival Spirit

Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Legend

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Magic

Carnival Valor

Carnival Dream

Carnival Paradise

Carnival Elation

Carnival Pride

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Jubilee

Before You Book

• Deposits are required for all cruises; deposit and payment due dates depend on cruise length. Typically, final payment is due 76 days before two- to five-day sailings and 91 days in advance of cruises that sail for six or more days, though this varies by destination.
• Early Saver, Super Saver and Pack & Go rates are cheaper than regular cruise rates. However, cancellation policies are stricter for these fares, so be sure to read the fine print . In addition, when booking at a Super Saver or Pack & Go rate, your fare is set and Carnival will choose your cabin location and deck.
• Cancellations for a full refund must be made up to 76 days before your sailing (for trips five days or less) or 91 days prior to sailing (for trips six days or more). If you miss these deadlines, you will forfeit your deposit and/or a percentage of the total fare paid, depending on the cancellation timeframe. If you cancel 14 days prior to sailing, you will receive no refund.
• For most sailings, Carnival Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 6 months old, though some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will reach 24 weeks before or during the cruise may not take the voyage due to safety concerns.
• Accessible staterooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests who are hearing impaired and need an interpreter are encouraged to give the cruise line a 60-day notice. Guests with special needs requests can contact Carnival's Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025 or email  [email protected]  before their cruise departure date.

Before You Board

• Certain ports of call require a passport that's valid for six months after your trip and a visa from the country to which you are traveling, which must be obtained before your cruise. For American citizens ages 16 and older departing from and returning to the same U.S. port (excluding those traveling to Cuba), a government-issued photo ID will suffice. Visit the  U.S. State Department website  for more information on visa requirements.
• Check the  Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  and  World Health Organization (WHO)  websites for the latest vaccination information for countries on your itinerary.
• Carnival passengers can check in online up to 14 days prior to their cruise departure and must do so before midnight EST on the morning of departure. All guests are required to board the ship by the Final Boarding time printed on the boarding pass or they will not be allowed to cruise.
• Up to two pieces of luggage weighing no more than 50 pounds each are permitted per person, though Carnival suggests bringing only one bag per person for cruises that last fewer than five days. Size restrictions apply for both checked bags and bags carried onto the ship by guests, so consult Carnival's  website  before your departure date.
• You can book both shore excursions and reservations at specialty restaurants prior to boarding the ship. Shore excursions can be reserved up to 11:59 p.m. EST two days before cruise departure, while specialty dining reservations can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure. Though you can book both shore excursions and dining reservations on board, Carnival recommends booking in advance for the best options.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Carnival Cruises Review

Saturday, September 28th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Carnival Cruises
• Best for a party atmosphere and cruising on a budget
• Good for US port departures, with additional destinations in Europe

Carnival Cruise Line is a popular American cruise line that is part of the Carnival Corporation, the world's largest leisure travel company. The company was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and has since grown to become one of the most recognized names in the cruise industry, offering affordable and fun-filled vacations to travelers of all ages.

Lots of ships and itineraries to consider

Carnival has a fleet of 24 ships that sail to destinations all over the world, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and Asia. The cruise line offers a range of itineraries, from short weekend getaways to extended voyages, and caters to a variety of travelers, including families, couples, and groups of friends.

Fun fun fun

One of the defining characteristics of Carnival is its focus on fun and entertainment. The cruise line offers a wide range of onboard activities and amenities, including water parks, sports facilities, casinos, live entertainment, and comedy shows. Carnival's ships are known for their vibrant and colorful designs, which feature themes such as "Fun Ships" and "Carnivalization". The interiors of the ships are filled with bright colors, playful designs, and eye-catching art pieces, giving the vessels a lively and energetic atmosphere. But, depending on the Carnival ship you sail on, you might find that it has a somewhat outdated vibe - especially if you're been on other cruise lines that have been refreshed more recently.

Food is surprisingly good

Carnival features a variety of dining options, including casual eateries, upscale restaurants, and specialty dining venues that showcase global cuisine. Despite being a "bargain” cruise line, we were surprised to find that the food quality on our Carnival sailing rivaled other large cruise lines in the same class (not luxury or all-inclusive).

Over 50 options to spend spring break in the Caribbean

One of the reasons why Carnival is so popular is its commitment to providing an affordable vacation experience. The cruise line offers a variety of deals and discounts, making it possible for travelers to enjoy a cruise vacation without breaking the bank. Looking at our comparison sailing, a Caribbean cruise in March about a year in advance, Carnival was indeed one of the lowest-priced options out there - and with a whopping 53 results (where some rival cruise lines only had a handful or none at all during that time of year). There were several 4- and 5-day sailings from New Orleans, Tampa, Miami and Galveston, with starting prices under $400 per person (not including taxes, fees, and port expenses). Even on the high end, you'd still be paying under $1,000 per person, even on a 12-day Southern Caribbean sailing out of New York with stops in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten.

Higher-than-average gratuities

But, in some ways, Carnival makes up for its lower cruise fares with its extras. For example, you'll pay more in gratuities here than in some places: Carnival's recommended service charges are $16 per person per day in standard staterooms and $18 pp per day in suites Fortunately, you can ask that those be modified once your onboard, but that should only be done if you've received poor service and Carnival can't make it right.

Kids' clubs don't compete with other cruise lines

And, even though Carnival cruises are advertised as being fun for the whole family, that wasn't exactly our experience. First, at least on an Alaskan cruise we experienced, the kids' clubs were only open periodically and rarely followed the posted schedule. Even when the kids were in the club, the counselors seemed to phone it in most of the time and often didn't do the activities that had been planned - instead leaving the kids to play video games or have open time in the club. There weren't as many all-ages entertainment options either, so the kids in our travel party wound up in the stateroom watching TV because "there wasn't anything else to do”.

Not exactly PG-rated sometimes

Beyond that, Carnival cruises almost always have a party atmosphere. That's totally okay if you're sailing to celebrate a bachelorette party or trying to have a wild spring break in the Bahamas! But, for those traveling with children, it isn't the most wholesome environment. ( Let's just say that while one of our staffers went to look at the northern lights on that Alaska sailing, their kids had to avert their eyes from some... adult activities happening on the loungers ). You might want to look at other cruise lines if you wouldn't enjoy that kind of experience.

Underperforms with respect to safety

The last factor in Carnival's lower-than-them-all ranking here is safety. While most cruise lines experience issues from time to time, Carnival typically ranks as one of the lowest-performing. There have been several incidents involving Carnival ships, including fires, power outages, and mechanical failures. The highest-profile issue was back in 2013, when the Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea for several days. People even referred to it as the "poop cruise” because of how a fire aboard knocked out the power and left cruisers without AC, lights, water, food, and working toilets.

You won't choose Carnival again once you've tried another cruise line

Now, we'll probably incur the wrath of devoted Carnival VIFP Club members, who wouldn't dream of sailing on any other cruise line. That's fine, but most people we found who've cruised with one of our higher-ranked options ( which is ALL of them, by the way ), have a hard time seeing Carnival in a very positive light once they've tried a rival's ship, service, and itinerary. Even if a super-big bargain is your deciding factor, with the right promotions you can probably get a great deal with a higher-performing cruise line. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or you've sailed with Carnival before, we really encourage you to see if you can make the numbers work with a different company before settling for Carnival.

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The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard” and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

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Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Carnival Cruise Lines has a rating of 1.7 stars from 224 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Carnival Cruise Lines most frequently mention customer service, cruise line, and guest services problems. Carnival Cruise Lines ranks 71st among Cruises sites.

• Service 117
• Shipping 53

“Get a refund”

The only think I'm unhappy it was the parking lot at new Orleans. We paid $ 150.00 to park it in a yard the 7 days, then we have to walk with the luggage to the entry. Like 6 blocks we walk plus the change the place we suppose to go cause the hurricane. We understand that but we have some tickets excursion to did on bahamas so I hope they give us a good credit for the next year trip and some discount

“Stay away from them!”

Same food every night which tasted terrible. We had a storm and they never warned us. Deck flooded people were in pool and ship tilted and all water came out. My mother almost got hit by rolling table and they didn't care. Water park was slippery kids sliding all over my daughter fell and hurt herself, They had the guts to charge her for medical for $325. They over priced, credit cards frauds. My advise go somewhere else!

Reviews (224)

Reviews that mention popular keywords

• Follow Keshia G.

We went a whole week without our luggage. It was left at Carnival's terminal in new orleans we left on january 8-13! We received our luggage 7 days after we came home. I have not received a phone call or anything from carnival cruise. I have sent several emails this last email I sent today. I told them I was irate! All I get in return is carnival cruz received your email! Can you imagine being on a cruise for a week with nothing! All they gave me was 50 bucks a day to buy stuff in the gift store to wear. They don't sell under clothes, They don't sell shoes to do Excursions, They don't sell all this stuff I needed to do off the boat it was $65 alone For toiletries! Post in a picture of my luggage. That came back a week after we were back from our cruise. It is soaked and wet everything was frozen on the inside due to the weather!

• Follow Danielle K.

Currently struggling with carnival and will never book with them again. They lost our payment, after 5 phone calls we have to cancel the payment with our bank and resubmit a payment. It was their issue yet I'm the one doing the work on getting it sorted out. Beyond ridiculous that they offer no compensation for me having to spend hours on the phone dealing with their problems. DO NOT BOOK with them. Lots of other options out there.

• Follow Calvin C.

The ship very nice and clean, the food is ok, I love BBQ, Guy burger, Big Chicken. The staffs are unfriendly, special the lady who at Cloud Spa 9 at deck #6 her name is Anita, she so rude and so mean.

• Comments (1)

• Follow Henry L.

Amazing except that the comedians with 30 yrs experience happen to repeat their jokes half of the time. How boring. Ship ran out of fun stuff to do at night that force ppl to go to the casinos that destroy people with their machines. I lost a lot of money to their dishonest machine dealing. Very unhappy! Never come back! James Love the director to blame for this!

• Follow Donald S.

I just called carnival cruise to inform them that I had gotten hurt at work as lost my income, and I can not take the cruise we had so hoped for to go on. To make it even worse, carnival charged me An additional 250.00 to cancel our sailing. I explained to the young lady that I'm not working and that extra 250.00 fee would even hurt us more, she suggested I write a review, this just is NOT FAIR.

Products used: Cruise ship

• Follow Jennifer M.

This was my first cruise. The cruise overall was fun and people were nice. I am, however, very disappointed in customer service and guest relations not assisting me in a matter I felt could've been resolved quickly. Do not buy drink packages online because upgrading and issues are difficult to handle once onboard. After 4 visits to customer service on Day 1, my friend not being able to get her drink package, and being told 3 different things, we didn't get the drink package until Day 2. After they charged my card twice and I requested a refund because of the headache, they were not willing to refund me or give me on board credit. Even thought I agreed to purchasing a package because my cabin mate did, I also don't understand why I have to when I don't drink much. It's not fair. I will not be sailing Sunshine again. Your customer should come first.

Tip for consumers: This was my first cruise. The cruise overall was fun and people were nice. I am, however, very disappointed in customer service and guest relations not assisting me in a matter I felt could’ve been resolved quickly. Do not buy drink packages online because upgrading and issues are difficult to handle once onboard. After 4 visits to customer service on Day 1, my friend not being able to get her drink package, and being told 3 different things, we didn’t get the drink package until Day 2. After th

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