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Carnival Cruises

27,610 Reviews
Carnival Breeze (Photo: Carnival Cruise Line)

Message from Carnival Cruise Line

About Carnival Cruises

Carnival specializes in fun, laid-back, family-friendly cruises. With few exceptions, Carnival sails exclusively from North American homeports and offers some of the lowest pricing in the industry, particularly on short three- and four-night Caribbean cruises.

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We found you 357 cruises

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Carnival Cruises

We found you 357 cruises

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Carnival Sunrise

4 Night
Bahamas Itinerary

165 Reviews
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Carnival Spirit

16 Night
Carnival Journeys - 16-day Panama Canal

1,065 Reviews
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Carnival Spirit

7 Night
Alaska Cruise

1,065 Reviews
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Carnival Spirit

6 Night
Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise

1,065 Reviews
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5 Night
Bahamas Cruise

1,469 Reviews
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8 Night
Bahamas Cruise

1,065 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

6 Night
Bermuda Cruise

1,469 Reviews
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7 Night
Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise

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4 Night
Bahamas Cruise

1,395 Reviews
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14 Night
Carnival Journeys - Alaska Cruise

1,345 Reviews
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7 Night
Mexican Riviera Cruise

140 Reviews
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7 Night
Western Caribbean Cruise

1,835 Reviews
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5 Night
Western Caribbean Cruise

1,501 Reviews
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6 Night
Bahamas Cruise

1,469 Reviews
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7 Night
Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise

29 Reviews
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Carnival Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview

Who goes on Carnival cruise ships?

Carnival Cruise Line sells itself as the "fun" cruise line, and it attracts cruisers who are looking to have a good time with little to no pretensions. Carnival cruisers, who range from young to old, tend to be quite friendly, looking to strike up conversations with other people in the buffet, by the pool and, really, anywhere.

Carnival is also one of the most family-oriented lines in the industry, and you're bound to see lots of kids onboard, even during the school year. When school is out, you can expect the number of kids to be well into the hundreds.

The line is also popular for family reunions, and bachelor and bachelorette parties.

People on Carnival cruise ships hail primarily from the United States, mainly the south and Midwest, but you'll also meet folks from Canada, England and usually a handful of other European countries.

Do I have to dress up on a Carnival cruise?

Carnival cruises are casual, with shorts, tee shirts, capris, swimsuits or swim cover-ups de rigueur during the day (no bathing suites in the dining venues, however). Most nights the dress code remains much the same, minus the swimwear, though technically the cruise line asks that people not wear shorts into the main dining room. The policy is inconsistently upheld.

On "elegant" nights, you'll see a range of clothing from ball gowns, dresses that leave little to the imagination, tuxes and suits to the same shorts and tees people sport all day long. Most men, however, opt for long pants and collared shirts, while women don sundresses, or a skirt or pants with a blouse. Men are not required to wear a suit jacket or tie in any venue.

Is everything free on Carnival cruises?

No. While Carnival is one of the more inclusive cruise lines when it comes to dining, you will still have to pay extra for some specialty dining, all drinks (alcoholic and non, except water, select juice at breakfast, and coffee and tea), shore excursions, visits to the spa and any retail purchases, including photos.

What are Carnival’s most popular activities?

Aside from the main pool, which is the hub of much of the line's fun activities, almost every Carnival cruise ship also has at least one waterslide, with several having multi-slide water parks. Additionally, several have a top-deck SportSquare that features a colorful collection of outdoor amusements, including Ping-Pong, billiards, foosball, mini-golf, Twister and a SkyCourse ropes course. On the line's newest ships (Vista and Horizon), there's also the SkyRide, a recumbent bike attraction suspended 150 feet up in the air, requiring riders to pedal their way around an 800-foot track that wraps around the outer decks.

Inside, you'll find activities that range from trivia and Bingo during the day to comedy shows and high-tech song-and-dance revues at night. Carnival ships also have lively bar nightlife, especially on ships with a RedFrog Pub; there's also an always-busy casino.

Why go with Carnival?

  • Cruises are for families and fun-lovers of all ages.
  • "Fun Ships" offer great value for money.
  • The world's largest cruise line -- big ships with panache.

Best for: Budget-conscious, gregarious families, couples and solos looking for an unpretentious vibe that's all about having fun

Not for: Anyone who doesn't appreciate off-color humor, lively hairy chest contests, burgers and BBQ, and thumping music

Carnival Cruise Line Cruiser Reviews

My very first Cruise

She asked me to go on a cruise with her.I had a GREAATTT Time I can not wait to go on another.Read More
casams08

First Time Cruiser

•

Age 40s

Terrible

There’s been soot on our patio in back ship.Curious where soot coming from.Read More
evtesseo

6-10 Cruises

•

Age 40s

Terrible teens

Fights drinking and No supervision.No one wants to deal with little jerks.Read More
becky13jay

6-10 Cruises

•

Age 50s

A one time deal

We won't do it again.I can list so many things wrong but won't.Read More
Kedi

6-10 Cruises

•

Age 60s

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