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Carnival Cruise Lines

America's favourite mainstream cruise line

The world's most popular cruise brand by passenger volume. Big "Fun Ships", waterslides and mini-golf decks for families, Caribbean and Bahamas-strong with mainstream pricing that punches above its weight. The line built on the idea that cruising should be fun first.

29
Fun Ships
85+
Destinations
2-14
Night voyages
1972
Founded
£
Mainstream pricing
5,000
Max sailors / ship
Itineraries

Find a Carnival Cruise Lines voyage

Real itineraries, real prices — sourced live. Use the filter inside the widget for dates and length.

Why book Carnival Cruise Lines

Why a Carnival Cruise Lines voyage?

Six reasons we recommend this line to the right kind of traveller.

Mainstream-friendly pricing

Carnival deliberately keeps a low entry price across short Bahamas runs and the Caribbean. Brilliant for first-time cruisers, families and groups testing the waters before committing to a longer voyage.

Built for families

Camp Ocean for ages 2-11, Circle "C" for tweens, Club O2 for teens — all included. Water parks with WaterWorks slides on most ships, mini-golf, sports decks, family-friendly comedy and shows.

Excel-class is the new flagship trio

Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. BOLT roller coaster at sea, Family Harbour for younger kids, Loft 19 adults-only retreat, RedFrog Pub and Guy's Burger Joint. Two more on the way for 2027 and 2028.

Caribbean every week, year-round

Roughly a third of Carnival sailings are Caribbean — Eastern, Western, Southern, Bahamas and short 3-5 night samplers from Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, New Orleans, Tampa and Jacksonville. Easy logistics, warm water all winter.

The honest version

Might not be for you if…

No cruise line is for everyone. Here's where Carnival Cruise Lines might not fit. We'll point you elsewhere if so.

You want quiet, adults-only

Carnival ships are loud, busy and family-first. For adult-quiet sailings, look at Virgin Voyages, Saga Cruises or Viking Ocean.

You expect luxury inclusions

Carnival is mainstream — drinks, gratuities, WiFi and most extras are paid separately. For all-inclusive, look at Regent Seven Seas, Explora Journeys or Silversea.

You want destination-intensive itineraries

Carnival lean short and Caribbean-centric. For overnight ports and country-deep sailings, Azamara, Oceania or Viking Ocean fit better.

The fleet

Meet the Carnival Cruise Lines ships

Showing by default — use the search inside the panel to switch to other ships in the fleet.

Dining

On board

What you actually do all day

No surprises

What's included in your fare

Every Carnival Cruise Lines fare bakes these in.

Main dining

Multi-course dining-room dinners + casual breakfast and lunch options

Lido buffet

All-day buffet with ethnic-cuisine stations

Kids' clubs

Camp Ocean (2-11), Circle "C" (12-14), Club O2 (15-17)

Pools and waterslides

WaterWorks slides, lazy rivers, mini-golf, sports decks

Entertainment

Punchliner Comedy Club, Playlist Productions shows, live music

Practical

Good to know

FAQ

Quick answers about Carnival Cruise Lines

Does Carnival sail from the UK?
Carnival is largely US-based and doesn't run regular UK-departing sailings. Most Carnival holidays start with a flight to Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston or New Orleans, plus a hotel stay either side — we book the whole package.
What's included in the headline price?
Main dining, the Lido buffet, kids' clubs, pools and entertainment. Drinks (including soda), gratuities, WiFi, specialty dining and excursions are paid separately. Carnival offers package deals on drinks and WiFi if you want them bundled.
Is Carnival genuinely family-friendly?
Yes — one of the most family-oriented mainstream lines. Three age-banded kids' clubs operate all day at sea (small fees at night), and most ships have water parks, mini-golf and family-tilted entertainment.
What's a Fun Ship?
Carnival's marketing name for its entire fleet. Every ship is positioned as a "fun-first" experience — bright décor, casual vibe, lots of activity options, mainstream pricing. Excel-class (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee) is the newest generation.
Loyalty

Ready to sail with Carnival Cruise Lines?

A Travel Designer who knows Carnival Cruise Lines will pick the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin tier for you. No call centres.