Carnival Cruise Line
America's mass-market party at sea — fun, casual, unapologetic.
Carnival is the loud, friendly cousin of the cruise world. Itineraries skew short and Caribbean-heavy, the food is generous if not refined, and the entertainment leans firmly into game shows, comedy clubs, and pop hits cover bands. Travelers who want crisp linens and hushed dining rooms should look elsewhere. Travelers who want a 4-day getaway from Galveston with a waterslide, a Guy Fieri burger, and karaoke that runs past midnight will find Carnival is engineered for exactly that. The newest Excel-class ships have meaningfully raised the bar without losing the line's casual identity.
Ideal for
First-time cruisers, families with teens, friend groups on a budget, short Caribbean breaks from US ports.
Dining
Casual main dining rooms, generous buffets, and reliable specialty steakhouses; food is hit-or-miss but the value is hard to argue.
Entertainment
Comedy clubs, deck parties, game shows, and waterslides — energy over polish.
Typical itineraries
3-7 night Bahamas, Western & Eastern Caribbean from Miami, Galveston, Port Canaveral, New Orleans, Long Beach.
Latest Carnival Cruise Line reviews
Carnival Celebration — An Honest Look at Excel-Class Value
Carnival's newest flagship delivers more than the brand's reputation suggests — but a few rough edges remain in the buffet and embarkation flow.
Carnival Mardi Gras — The Original Excel Still Holds Up
Five years after launch, the original Excel-class ship still feels like the most ambitious thing Carnival has ever built. A few of those ambitions paid off; one or two didn't.
Ships in the fleet — editorial reviews
Carnival Celebration
Carnival's second Excel-class ship, sailing year-round from Miami on Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Six themed zones, the BOLT roller coaster, and the strongest bar program in the fleet.
Carnival Mardi Gras
The original Excel-class ship, sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. Six themed neighborhoods, the BOLT roller coaster, and the line's most ambitious dining lineup.