- Headquarters
- Miami, Florida
- Founded
- 1972
- Fleet
- 29 ships (2026)
- Loyalty
- VIFP Club
Carnival Cruise Line is the largest contemporary cruise brand in the world and the entry point to the industry for millions of first-time cruisers. Twenty-nine ships sail short, keenly priced itineraries from more US homeports than any competitor, and the product is unapologetically informal.
About Carnival Cruise Line
Ted Arison founded Carnival in 1972 with a single second-hand liner and the then-radical idea that a cruise should be a party rather than a passage. The brand now anchors Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise group, and its economics fund much of the rest of the portfolio.
The proposition is drive-to convenience and price. Carnival sails from around 20 North American homeports, a majority of itineraries are three to seven nights, and the base fare is typically the lowest in the mainstream market. Revenue is recovered on board through Cheers!, speciality dining, casino and shore excursions.
The Excel class changed the ceiling. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee are LNG-powered, zoned into six themed districts, and carry BOLT — the first roller coaster at sea — alongside a genuinely good Emeril Lagasse and Rudi Sodamin dining line-up.
Fleet
9 published ship profiles — more coverage rolling out.
Launched 2021
Mardi Gras
The first LNG-powered cruise ship in North America — six themed zones, the BOLT roller coaster and Carnival's best dining line-up.
Launched 2022
Carnival Celebration
The second Excel-class ship and Carnival's 50th-anniversary flagship — BOLT, six zones and year-round Caribbean sailings from Miami.
Launched 2023
Carnival Jubilee
The third Excel-class ship and the largest ever based in Texas — Currents, a digital art zone, alongside BOLT and six themed districts.
Launched 2016
Carnival Vista
The class lead ship — SkyRide, an IMAX theatre, the Havana pool complex and the first brewery at sea on a North American ship.
Launched 2018
Carnival Horizon
The second Vista-class ship — Dr Seuss WaterWorks, Guy's Pig & Anchor smokehouse and year-round Caribbean sailings from Miami.
Launched 2019
Carnival Panorama
The West Coast Vista-class ship — SkyZone trampoline park, the Sky Zone sports court and year-round Mexican Riviera sailings.
Launched 2009
Carnival Dream
The class lead ship — a half-mile outdoor promenade with cantilevered whirlpools, WaterWorks slides and a Serenity adult deck.
Launched 2011
Carnival Magic
A Dream-class ship on East Coast deployment — SportSquare, the Twister waterslide and short Bahamas and Bermuda itineraries.
Launched 2012
Carnival Breeze
The last Dream-class ship — the largest WaterWorks in the class, Cucina del Capitano and year-round Galveston deployment.
Ship Classes
Compare the Carnival Cruise Line fleet at a glance — classes, ship highlights, and who each is best suited to.
Showing 3 of 3 classes
| Class | Introduced | Tonnage | Capacity | Ships | Highlight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Class | 2021 | 180,800 – 183,500 GT | 5,280 – 5,380 (double) | Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee | Carnival's LNG-powered flagship generation — six themed zones, the BOLT roller coaster, and the best dining line-up the brand has ever fielded. | — |
| Vista Class | 2016 | 133,500 GT | 3,930 – 4,010 (double) | Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama | Carnival's mid-2010s flagship trio — SkyRide, the IMAX theatre, and the Havana adults-only cabin and pool complex aft. | — |
| Dream Class | 2009 | 128,000 – 130,000 GT | 3,650 – 3,690 (double) | Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze | Carnival's late-2000s big-ship trio — wrap-around promenades, WaterWorks slides and the widest US homeport spread in the fleet. | — |
Ship class · 2021
Excel Class
Carnival's LNG-powered flagship generation — six themed zones, the BOLT roller coaster, and the best dining line-up the brand has ever fielded.
View classShip class · 2016
Vista Class
Carnival's mid-2010s flagship trio — SkyRide, the IMAX theatre, and the Havana adults-only cabin and pool complex aft.
View classShip class · 2009
Dream Class
Carnival's late-2000s big-ship trio — wrap-around promenades, WaterWorks slides and the widest US homeport spread in the fleet.
View classOnboard Experiences
Suite enclaves, fare tiers, and signature onboard products.
Loyalty Programme — VIFP Club
The VIFP Club (Very Important Fun Person) awards points per cruise night across Blue, Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond tiers. Platinum arrives at 75 nights and Diamond at 200.
Platinum brings priority embarkation and debarkation, complimentary laundry, and a free speciality dinner; Diamond adds a dedicated check-in area, a complimentary gift, and priority tender access. Status is credited automatically and never expires.
Destinations
The Caribbean and Bahamas account for the large majority of sailings, from Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, New Orleans, Tampa, Charleston, Baltimore and Long Beach — with Celebration Key on Grand Bahama joining the roster as the line's new private destination.
Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver runs May to September, Mexican Riviera sailings operate year-round from California, and a small European and transatlantic programme runs under the Carnival Journeys banner.
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