Carnival Cruise Line: Our Cruise Line Guide

The back story

Fleet: 29 ships sailing, plus Carnival Festivale (Port Canaveral, 2027) and Carnival Tropicale (Galveston, 2028) (carnival.com, Oct 2026) · Newest class: Excel class, powered by LNG: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee · Private destination: Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, opened 19 July 2025 (carnival-news.com) · Kids’ clubs: Camp Ocean: Penguins (2–5), Stingrays (6–8), Sharks (9–11); Club O2 for teens (carnival.com) · Drinks: CHEERS! package for guests 21+, bought for the whole cruise; dynamic pricing for drinks packages from 1 Dec 2026 (carnival.com) · Sails to: The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico from drive-to US ports, and further afield (carnival.com)

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   The back story

   Carnival Cruise Line: the back story

   Carnival Cruise Line·In depth

   The ‘Fun Ships’: how Carnival made cruising a weekend away for everybody, and how it built a destination of its own in the Bahamas.

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The fleet

Who it suits. On a budget: A three- to five-night Bahamas or Mexico cruise on an older ship from a drive-to port: Carnival has some of the lowest fares at sea, and the main dining room, Lido buffet and Guy’s Burger Joint are included. Mid-range: A week on an Excel-class ship from Port Canaveral, Miami or Galveston, with a balcony, a FunPack of extras and a day at Celebration Key. Luxury: A balcony or suite on an Excel-class ship and a day at Pearl Cove Beach Club, the adults-only club at Celebration Key with its 11,000 sq ft infinity pool.

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   LNG-powered · Port Canaveral

   Mardi Gras

   Carnival Cruise Line·Ocean ship · Excel class·€€

   The first Excel-class ship, with BOLT, the first rollercoaster at sea, six zones and her own terminal at Port Canaveral.

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   Excel class

   Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee

   Carnival Cruise Line·Ocean ships · Excel class·€€

   The second and third Excel-class ships, with BOLT, zones and the full Carnival line-up of restaurants.

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   2027 and 2028

   Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale

   Carnival Cruise Line·Ocean ships · Excel class·€€

   The next two Excel-class ships: Festivale from Port Canaveral in 2027, Tropicale from Galveston in 2028.

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4. T

   26 more ships

   The wider Carnival fleet

   Carnival Cruise Line·Ocean ships·€

   From Carnival Venezia, Firenze and Luminosa to Carnival Sunshine and Elation: the ships for short getaways and longer itineraries.

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Dining on board

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   Guy Fieri

   Guy’s Burger Joint

   Carnival Cruise Line·Burgers · included·€

   Guy Fieri’s burgers by the pool, included in the fare and the first stop for most Carnival families.

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   Guy Fieri

   Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse

   Carnival Cruise Line·Barbecue and brewery·€

   Freshly smoked barbecue designed by Guy Fieri, with beers brewed on board.

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   Emeril Lagasse

   Emeril’s Bistro 1396

   Carnival Cruise Line·Creole bistro · Mardi Gras·€€

   Emeril Lagasse’s bistro in the French Quarter zone of Mardi Gras.

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   Extra charge

   Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

   Carnival Cruise Line·Steakhouse · specialty·€€

   Carnival’s steakhouse, the line’s classic special-occasion dinner.

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   Sushi and teppanyaki

   Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki

   Carnival Cruise Line·Japanese·€€

   Sushi at Bonsai Sushi and the grill at Bonsai Teppanyaki, a show for children at the table.

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   Family-style

   Cucina del Capitano

   Carnival Cruise Line·Italian·€

   Carnival’s Italian restaurant, for pasta and family-style plates.

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Spa and wellness

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   Extra charge

   Cloud 9 Spa

   Carnival Cruise Line·Spa·€€

   Carnival’s spa for massages, facials and body wraps, with thermal suites on the bigger ships.

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Life on board

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   Ages 2–11, plus teens

   Camp Ocean and Club O2

   Carnival Cruise Line·Kids’ and teens’ clubs

   Camp Ocean for children aged 2–11 in three age groups, Club O2 for teens and Night Owls for late evenings.

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   First rollercoaster at sea

   BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster

   Carnival Cruise Line·Thrill ride · Excel class

   An all-electric, motorcycle-style rollercoaster on the top deck where you control the speed.

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Private islands and beach clubs

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   Open since 19 July 2025

   Celebration Key

   Carnival Cruise Line·Exclusive destination · Grand Bahama·€

   Carnival’s own destination on Grand Bahama: a mile-long beach, two freshwater lagoons, the Suncastle slides and the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club.

   Celebration Key, Grand Bahama, The BahamasExplore →View on map ↗

   

Where it sails

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   All year

   The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico with Carnival

   Carnival Cruise Line·Where it sails

   Short cruises from Florida and Texas to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico, many with a day at Celebration Key.

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   Since 1990

   Port Canaveral with Carnival

   Carnival Cruise Line·Home port

   Carnival’s busiest Florida base, with its own terminal for Mardi Gras and Carnival Festivale due in 2027.

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What’s included and how to book

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   21+ for alcohol

   Carnival drinks: CHEERS! and FunPacks

   Carnival Cruise Line·Packages

   CHEERS! covers drinks for the whole cruise for guests 21 and over; FunPacks bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and dining.

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   Daily, per guest

   Carnival gratuities and what you can bring

   Carnival Cruise Line·Service charges

   A daily gratuity per guest is added to your onboard account; one bottle of wine per adult and 12 sealed cans of soft drinks may be carried on.

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