Carnival Cruise Line is the ultimate mainstream line, with big, lively ships that cater to all age groups and impressively deep discounts. The sales are so good, those Caribbean beaches feel within reach as soon as you see the advertised fare. The vibe on board is casual and unpretentious — which means that if you would turn up your nose at a poolside hairy-chest competition or late-night R-rated comedy, this line probably isn’t right for you.
It's a Real Party: Go ahead, order another bucket of long-neck brewskies by the pool, get down with the DJ on deck all day long, catch the game at the sports bar after dinner, and then dance the night away in the ship's (actually hopping) nightclub.
Easy Access to the Caribbean: Carnival makes it easier than most other cruise lines to cruise to the Caribbean or the Bahamas from a port — more than 10, in fact — that may be within driving distance from your home. In addition to sailing from four ports in Florida (Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville), Carnival ships are also homeported in New York, Baltimore, Norfolk (Virginia), Charleston (North Carolina), Mobile (Alabama), New Orleans, and Galveston (Texas).
Serenity Lounge: These adults-only, 18-and-over escapes vary from ship to ship. Some have hot tubs and views of the wake, and others have salad bars, but they all have upgraded deck furniture, which makes this the perfect spot to stretch out in the sun on a sea day.
New Mega-Ships with Onboard Thrills: Over the past decade, Carnival has introduced some of the largest and most family-friendly cruise ships in the industry. Some, like Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Celebration, even feature BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, as well as favorite attractions from other ships such as the looping waterslide known as Twister, the WaterWorks aqua park, and a challenging Ropes Course. Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Vista feature SkyRide, which lets you pedal around a two-lane suspended course.
Awesome, Complimentary Poolside Food: All ships now have Guy’s Burger Joint by Food Network star Guy Fieri. The meat is ground on board, and the buns are freshly baked; even the French fries are hand-cut cut, and you can dress yours with toppings from the bar that include mushrooms and onions. Other poolside options include Big Chicken by Shaquille O’Neal for chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and delicious sides and BlueIguana Cantina for fresh tacos and burritos — and you won’t pay a penny extra to enjoy any of it.
Young Couples and Friends: This is not your grandparents’ cruise line, and groups of twentysomethings flock to the short sailings out of Florida for fun, boozy weekends away. That said, you will also see some fun-loving retirees kicking up their feet, especially on longer sailings and off-peak weeks.
Families with Children: Children's programs include a Dr. Seuss-themed Seuss at Sea reading room for the preschool set (and character parades for everyone), and scores of children line up for the waterslides and soft-serve-filled cones, especially during school breaks. Carnival also has a partnership with Build-a-Bear Workshop, and kids can create custom bears on all Carnival ships (for an added fee).
Dining Rooms Are Weak: Although the specialty restaurants have been upgraded — including the now-awesome Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and the family-friendly Cucina del Capitano — dishes in the main dining rooms remain hit or miss. That said, the staff is eager to please and happy to bring you something new if you're not happy with your first choice.
Not Every Older Ship Has All the Fun Amenities: We're crazy about the newest vessels in the fleet, including the flashy Mardi Gras-class ships with their lively Emeril’s Bistro at Sea, as well as Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, which are home to an onboard brewery, a Cuba-themed pool area with palapas and mojitos, a seafood shack with a mini fish market, and impressive waterslides. But, if you're planning on sailing on one of Carnival’s older, smaller, and more outdated vessels, you’ll be reminded of just how far the line has come.
Nickeling and Diming Abounds: While you don't expect low rates to include cocktails or gratuities, some additional fees — such as shuttles from the port into town in some ports — are surprising.