What Carnival Cruise Ship is the best?

Question

I'm going to take a cruise in March and probably using Carnival Cruise Lines...which ship is the best? Are there any ships to avoid? Thanks.

Answer 1

Carnival usually builds a number of ships to the same plan. Five common classes are the Holiday class (oldest), Fantasy Class, Spirit Class, Destiny Class, and Conquest Class. For the most part, ships within a given class are more-or-less equivalent; however, this does not extend across lines. For example, Costa operates several ships on a similar deck plan as Carnival but they can be VERY different in the way they are operated.

Newer ships have more amenities but carry more pax. Often, the fares are higher. The tradeoffs are obvious. But, you can have a good trip on any of them.

Answer 2

royal caribbean is wayyyyy better. i have been on the serenade, that was fun. i am going on the adventure of the seas soon. i have heard the freedom of the seas is really nice too

Answer 3

My favorite is the Carnival Glory out of Port Canaveral.  It is a newer ship, with all the ammenities.  In addition, we somehow ended up on the Cruise Director's mailing list, and he still drops us a line every now and then, just to see how we are doing.

I would not go on the Holiday or the Celebration.  They are older and smaller.

If you want to go on a Fantasy class ship, I would choose the Inspiration or the Imagination.  They have just been completely refurbished.

Answer 4

The Carnival Ships can be divided into five classes:

Holiday class - Holiday & Celebration

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Fantasy class - Fantasy, Fascination, Sensation, Elation, Ecstasy, Paradise, Imagination & Inspiration

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Destiny class - Destiny, Triumph & Victory

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Spirit class - Spirit, Pride, Miracle & Legend

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Conquest class - Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty & Freedom

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The Holiday class ships are the smallest and oldest Carnival ships, and will be leaving the fleet soon.  

The Conquest class ships are the biggest and the newest Carnival ships.  Also, two of these ships, the Liberty & Freedom have a large outdoor TV screen for watching movies and sporting events ...

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The Carnival Splendor is currently under construction and should be taking passengers later this year.  The Splendor is I believe a Conquest class ship, though it will be a little bigger.

The Fantasy class ships are all having some major work done on them over the next two years.  Two of the ships have completed this make over - the Inspiration and the Imagination.  The work includes a miniature water park and new pool deck ...

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The Carnival Destiny was the first cruise ship to exceed 100,000 gross registered tons (a space rating - not a weight rating) and is too large to fit through the Panama Canal.

However, my favorite ships are the Spirit class (which are the largest Carnival ships that can fit through the Panama Canal and are also Carnival's fastest ships.  I like these ships because these ships are big enough to have most of today's activities, yet these ships are not too big.  Also, these ships are the easiest to get around in when you are on the ship.

Answer 5

Ok. I have been on 6, soon to be & cruises and all have been with Carnival , except the one RCL which is why I cruise on Carnival. I have been on the Fascination, Elation, Triumph and the Legend. I'll be on the Pride in 48 days. Triumph was my favorite shipbut it all depends on what itenery you are planning. Stay away from the Holiday ( I think I read that they will be taking that and the Celebration out of service soon). I have found all the ships clean and well taken care of. Yes they are a litlle "Vegas inspired" with the decoration but its part of the fun. Enjoy and I hope you love it as much as I do

Answer 6

Carnival cruise lines is the worst cruise line I have been on. I can't think of anything good to say about them.

Any other line I have been on is better.

Answer 7

Carnival ships are known for glitz and gaudiness - Las Vegas on the high seas.  If you like that, fine; if not, better look elsewhere.

I've been on three Carnival ships - Victory, Paradise and Miracle.  Miracle was way over the top - the dining room was almost intolerable.  

Go to Carnival's website for pictures, etc.

Also, check out CruiseCritic.com, "Boards" and/or "Reviews".  The latter has reviews from both pros and past guests, so you can get a really good idea of what the different ships are like.  But there's nothing subtle about any of them!