Carnival Cruise Line is best known for its family-friendly cruises. The cruise line excels with traditional entertainment for guests of all ages.
Carnival’s fleet contains delivers fun, laid-back vacations that keep passengers returning year after year. And,
With few exceptions, the cruise line sails exclusively from North American homeports and offers some of the lowest fares in the industry.
Table of Contents
Carnival Ships by Size
Below is a list of all the Carnival ships by size.
We’ve arranged the list according to size measured in gross tonnage (the internal volume of a ship) and length measured in feet.
| Ship Name | Class | Gross Tonnage | Length | Passengers (Max Occupancy) | Crew Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mardi Gras | Excel | 180,000 GT | 1,130 ft | 6,500 | 1745 |
| Carnival Celebration | Excel | 180,000 GT | 1,130 ft | 6,500 | 1745 |
| Carnival Panorama | Vista | 133,500 GT | 1,055 ft | 5,146 | 1450 |
| Carnival Horizon | Vista | 133,500 GT | 15 ft | 4,977 | 1450 |
| Carnival Vista | Vista | 133,500 GT | 1,055 ft | 4,977 | 1450 |
| Carnival Breeze | Dream | 130,000 GT | 1,004 ft | 4,690 | 1386 |
| Carnival Magic | Dream | 130,000 GT | 1,004 ft | 4,724 | 1386 |
| Carnival Dream | Dream | 130,000 GT | 1,004 ft | 4,631 | 1367 |
| Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 113,300 GT | 952 ft | 3,734 | 1150 |
| Carnival Valor | Conquest | 110,000 GT | 952 ft | 3,756 | 1180 |
| Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 110,000 GT | 952 ft | 3,754 | 1150 |
| Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 110,000 GT | 952 ft | 3,756 | 1160 |
| Carnival Glory | Conquest | 110,000 GT | 952 ft | 3,756 | 1150 |
| Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 110,000 GT | 953 ft | 3,756 | 1150 |
| Carnival Sunshine | Destiny | 102,853 GT | 893 ft | 3,758 | 920 |
| Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 101,509 GT | 893 ft | 3,873 | 1108 |
| Carnival Sunrise | Destiny | 101,509 GT | 893 ft | 3,873 | 1108 |
| Carnival Miracle | Spirit | 88,500 GT | 963 ft | 2,680 | 910 |
| Carnival Pride | Spirit | 88,500 GT | 963 ft | 2,680 | 910 |
| Carnival Legend | Spirit | 88,500 GT | 963 ft | 2,610 | 930 |
| Carnival Spirit | Spirit | 88,500 GT | 963 ft | 2,610 | 930 |
| Carnival Ecstasy | Fantasy | 70,367 GT | 855 ft | 2,606 | 920 |
| Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 70,367 GT | 855 ft | 2,606 | 920 |
| Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 70,367 GT | 855 ft | 2,606 | 920 |
List of Carnival Ships by Age
Knowing the age of a cruise ship is essential.
While newer vessels aren’t necessarily better, if you’re looking for the latest thrills, you might want to look at booking a voyage on a newer ship.
The differences are easy to see when comparing the oldest and newest vessels.
New cruise ships have newer technology, better amenities, more activities, and a broader range of entertainment options.
The table below shows Carnival’s cruise ships from, newest to oldest.
| Ship Name | Class | Year Built |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Celebration | Excel | 2022 |
| Mardi Gras | Excel | 2021 |
| Carnival Panorama | Vista | 2019 |
| Carnival Sunrise | Destiny | 2019 |
| Carnival Horizon | Vista | 2016 |
| Carnival Vista | Vista | 2016 |
| Carnival Sunshine | Destiny | 2013 |
| Carnival Breeze | Dream | 2012 |
| Carnival Magic | Dream | 2011 |
| Carnival Dream | Dream | 2009 |
| Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 2008 |
| Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 2007 |
| Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 2005 |
| Carnival Valor | Conquest | 2004 |
| Carnival Miracle | Spirit | 2004 |
| Carnival Glory | Conquest | 2003 |
| Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 2002 |
| Carnival Pride | Spirit | 2002 |
| Carnival Legend | Spirit | 2002 |
| Carnival Spirit | Spirit | 2001 |
| Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 2000 |
| Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 1998 |
| Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 1998 |
| Carnival Ecstasy | Fantasy | 1991 |
Although the cruise ships on 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.
List of Carnival Ships by Age
Knowing the age of a cruise ship is essential.
While newer vessels aren’t necessarily better, if you’re looking for the latest thrills, you might want to look at booking a voyage on a newer ship.
The differences are easy to see when comparing the oldest and newest vessels.
New cruise ships have newer technology, better amenities, more activities, and a broader range of entertainment options.
The table below shows Carnival’s cruise ships from, newest to oldest.
| Ship Name | Class | Year Built |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Celebration | Excel | 2022 |
| Mardi Gras | Excel | 2021 |
| Carnival Panorama | Vista | 2019 |
| Carnival Sunrise | Destiny | 2019 |
| Carnival Horizon | Vista | 2016 |
| Carnival Vista | Vista | 2016 |
| Carnival Sunshine | Destiny | 2013 |
| Carnival Breeze | Dream | 2012 |
| Carnival Magic | Dream | 2011 |
| Carnival Dream | Dream | 2009 |
| Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 2008 |
| Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 2007 |
| Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 2005 |
| Carnival Valor | Conquest | 2004 |
| Carnival Miracle | Spirit | 2004 |
| Carnival Glory | Conquest | 2003 |
| Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 2002 |
| Carnival Pride | Spirit | 2002 |
| Carnival Legend | Spirit | 2002 |
| Carnival Spirit | Spirit | 2001 |
| Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 2000 |
| Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 1998 |
| Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 1998 |
| Carnival Ecstasy | Fantasy | 1991 |
Although the cruise ships on 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 Cruise Line has eight cruise ship classes.
| Class | Gross Tonnage (GT) |
|---|---|
| Excel Class | 180,000 GT |
| Vista Class | 133,500 GT |
| Dream Class | 130,000 GT |
| Splendor Class | 113,300 GT |
| Conquest Class | 110,000 GT |
| Sunshine Class | 102,000 GT |
| Sprit Class | 88,500 GT |
| Fantasy Class | 70,367 GT |
Carnival Cruise Ships on Order
Carnival Cruise Line currently has one cruise ship on order, Carnival Jubilee.
Jubilee is the third Excel-class cruise ship with an identical design to her sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration
Carnival will also be accepting delivery of three cruise ships that formerly sailed under Costa Cruises. The three vessels will undergo extensive renovations before the cruise line takes ownership.
FAQs
Which Carnival Cruise Ship is the Biggest?
Carnival Celebration is the biggest cruise ship in Carnival’s fleet. Carnival Celebration boasts an internal volume of 180,000 GT and a length of 1,130 ft. The ship has a maximum capacity of 6,500 with an international crew of 1745.
Which Carnival Cruise Ship is the Smallest?
Carnival’s smallest ship is the Carnival Paradise measuring 70,367 gross tons. The 855-foot-long vessel can hold up to 2,606
Are Bigger Carnival Ships Better?
Newer ships tend to have more activities, better amenities, and modern decor. But, the best cruise ship depends on what you are looking to get out of a cruise. Bigger Carnival ships are usually better for most people. But they also have higher prices.
What is the Newest Carnival Ship?
The newest Carnival ship is Carnival Celebration. The second of Carnival’s Excel-class of cruise ships, Celebration sailed on her maiden voyage on November 21, 2022.
The 180,000 gross ton vessel is fully powered by liquified natural gas with a capacity for 6,500 passengers and 1745 crew members.
How Many Cruise Ships Does Carnival Have?
Carnival currently has 24 ships in its fleet.
What is the Oldest Carnival Ship?
The oldest Carnival ship is the Carnival Ecstasy, which launched in 1991. In February 2022, the cruise line announced that the vessel would be retired from the fleet in October 2022.
Carnival Ecstasy is also the smallest Carnival cruise ship at 70,367 gross tons and a length of 855 ft.
Are Newer Carnival Cruise Ships Better?
Newer Carnival ships feature better technology, more activities, modern facilities, and updated decor. While old vessels are refreshed every three to five years, they simply don’t compare to the range of amenities and features offered by newer cruise ships.
However, the great part about cruising is that there’s no single best cruise ship for everyone. While new cruise ships tend to have more thrills and activities, many passengers prefer the slower pace that older vessels provide.
What’s most important is finding the best cruise ship for you and your travel party.
What Was the First Carnival Cruise Ship?
The first Carnival Cruise ship was the TSS Mardi Gras.
The vessel (named RMS Empress of Canada at the time) was built for Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd. in 1960 before being bought by the newly formed Ted Arison Carnival Cruise Line.
Empress of Canada was a little over 27,000 gross tons, a considerable difference compared to the 180,000 Excel-class ships.
