Carnival Ships by Size and Age

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Carnival Mardi Gras Rendering sailing in open ocean ariel view

Carnival Cruise Line offers a diverse fleet of family-friendly cruise ships and is a favorite amongst cruisers because of its budget-friendly fares. Their ships are famous for their signature red, white, and blue whale tail funnel, symbolizing fun and excitement on the open sea.

Whether you’re seeking the latest innovations or a more intimate cruising experience, understanding the size, age, and class of each Carnival Cruise ship helps you choose the perfect ship for your next cruise vacation.

Carnival Ships by Size

A view of the port side of Carnival Spirit sailing through Juneau Alaska with trees and mountains in the backgroundPin

Carnival’s fleet offers a variety of sizes catering to different passenger preferences, from the expansive Excel-class vessels to the more modestly sized Fantasy-class ships.

Larger Carnival cruise ships have more things to do, while smaller vessels offer a more relaxed and laid-back experience.

Below is a comprehensive guide to Carnival Cruise Line’s ships by size:

ShipClassGross TonnageLength (Feet)Passenger DecksCapacity (Max Passengers)
Carnival CelebrationExcel1828001130176500
Carnival JubileeExcel1828001130176500
Mardi GrasExcel1808001130176465
Carnival VeneziaVenice1352251061145260
Carnival FirenzeVenice1351561061155078
Carnival PanoramaVista1335001055155146
Carnival HorizonVista1335001055154977
Carnival VistaVista1335001055154977
Carnival BreezeDream1300001004143690
Carnival MagicDream1300001004143690
Carnival DreamDream1300001004133646
Carnival SplendorSplendor113300952133734
Carnival ConquestConquest110000952133756
Carnival GloryConquest110000952133756
Carnival LibertyConquest110000952133756
Carnival ValorConquest110000952133756
Carnival FreedomConquest110000952133754
Carnival SunshineSunshine102853893133758
Carnival RadianceSunshine101509893133873
Carnival SunriseSunshine101509893133873
Carnival LuminosaSpirit92600963122826
Carnival MiracleSprit88500963122680
Carnival PrideSprit88500963122680
Carnival LegendSprit88500963122610
Carnival SpiritSprit88500963122610
Carnival ParadiseFantasy71925855102606
Carnival ElationFantasy71909855102606

List of Carnival Ships by Age

The Bolt Roller coaster and Carnival Cruise Line’s signature whale tale funnel visible on the Carnival Celebration cruise ship while docked at San Juan, Puerto RicoPin

The ship’s age tells you a lot about the vacation experience you’ll receieve. Newer cruise ships, like Carnival Jubilee, offer newer technology, better amenities, more activities, and a broader range of entertainment options. In contrast, older vessels, like Carnival Spirit, are quieter and focus more on traditional cruise activities.

The table below shows Carnival’s cruise ships from newest to oldest.

ShipClassYear
Carnival JubileeExcel2023
Carnival CelebrationExcel2022
Mardi GrasExcel2021
Carnival FirenzeVenice2020
Carnival PanoramaVista2019
Carnival VeneziaVenice2019
Carnival HorizonVista2018
Carnival VistaVista2016
Carnival BreezeDream2012
Carnival MagicDream2011
Carnival DreamDream2009
Carnival LuminosaSpirit2009
Carnival SplendorSplendor2008
Carnival FreedomConquest2007
Carnival LibertyConquest2005
Carnival MiracleSprit2004
Carnival ValorConquest2004
Carnival GloryConquest2003
Carnival ConquestConquest2002
Carnival LegendSprit2002
Carnival PrideSprit2002
Carnival SpiritSprit2001
Carnival RadianceSunshine2000
Carnival SunriseSunshine1999
Carnival ElationFantasy1998
Carnival ParadiseFantasy1998
Carnival SunshineSunshine1996

Although the cruise ships at the bottom of the list are very old, they receive regular refurbishments every three to five years. So, even if you aren’t sailing on the newest vessel, the ship won’t show its age.

Carnival Cruise Ship Classes

Carnival Liberty departing Port of Miami in FloridaPin
(Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Cruise Line has eight cruise ship classes.

ClassGross Tonnage (GT)
Excel Class180,000 GT
Vista Class133,500 GT
Dream Class130,000 GT
Splendor Class113,300 GT
Conquest Class110,000 GT
Sunshine Class102,000 GT
Sprit Class88,500 GT
Fantasy Class70,367 GT

Carnival Cruise Ships on Order

Carnival Cruise Line is continuing its fleet expansion with some exciting new additions on the horizon. As cruising evolves, so does Carnival, with bigger, more innovative ships designed to enhance the guest experience.

If you’re planning a cruise in the coming years, you’ll want to keep an eye on these upcoming vessels.

Two More Excel-Class Ships (2027 & 2028)

Carnival’s Excel-class ships have been a game-changer in the cruise industry. With the introduction of Mardi Gras in 2021, followed by Carnival Celebration in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee in 2023.

The Excel-class quickly became a fan favorite thanks to the cutting-edge features like the BOLT roller coaster, expanded dining options, and incredible entertainment venues. They’re also powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) which is cleaner than traditional fossil fuels.

Following this sucess, Carnival announced construction of two more Excel-class ships that will joing the fleet in 2027 and 2028. While details are still limited, I expect that the ships will be nearly identical to the Excel-class ships that are in operation, with some new advancements and dining concepts.

A Brand-New Class of Carnival Ships (2029, 2031 & 2033)

Beyond the Excel class, Carnival is taking a bold step forward with a completely new class of ships. The new class is set to debut with three ships launching in 2029, 2031, and 2033. We are expecting the new class to be the largest ships in Carnival’s history, accommodating up to 8,000 guests.

The new cruise ship class marks a significant leap in size, surpassing even the already impressive Excel-class ships, and may even surpass Royal Caribbean’s record breaking Icon-class.

Although Carnival has yet to release full details, these new ships will likely feature expanded entertainment options, cutting-edge technology, and new sustainability initiatives. With the cruise industry focusing on eco-friendly travel, I expect these ships to incorporate even more energy-efficient designs and alternative fuel options.

Article by

Marcello De Lio