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

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:
Ship | Class | Gross Tonnage | Length (Feet) | Passenger Decks | Capacity (Max Passengers) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival Celebration | Excel | 182800 | 1130 | 17 | 6500 |
Carnival Jubilee | Excel | 182800 | 1130 | 17 | 6500 |
Mardi Gras | Excel | 180800 | 1130 | 17 | 6465 |
Carnival Venezia | Venice | 135225 | 1061 | 14 | 5260 |
Carnival Firenze | Venice | 135156 | 1061 | 15 | 5078 |
Carnival Panorama | Vista | 133500 | 1055 | 15 | 5146 |
Carnival Horizon | Vista | 133500 | 1055 | 15 | 4977 |
Carnival Vista | Vista | 133500 | 1055 | 15 | 4977 |
Carnival Breeze | Dream | 130000 | 1004 | 14 | 3690 |
Carnival Magic | Dream | 130000 | 1004 | 14 | 3690 |
Carnival Dream | Dream | 130000 | 1004 | 13 | 3646 |
Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 113300 | 952 | 13 | 3734 |
Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 110000 | 952 | 13 | 3756 |
Carnival Glory | Conquest | 110000 | 952 | 13 | 3756 |
Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 110000 | 952 | 13 | 3756 |
Carnival Valor | Conquest | 110000 | 952 | 13 | 3756 |
Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 110000 | 952 | 13 | 3754 |
Carnival Sunshine | Sunshine | 102853 | 893 | 13 | 3758 |
Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 101509 | 893 | 13 | 3873 |
Carnival Sunrise | Sunshine | 101509 | 893 | 13 | 3873 |
Carnival Luminosa | Spirit | 92600 | 963 | 12 | 2826 |
Carnival Miracle | Sprit | 88500 | 963 | 12 | 2680 |
Carnival Pride | Sprit | 88500 | 963 | 12 | 2680 |
Carnival Legend | Sprit | 88500 | 963 | 12 | 2610 |
Carnival Spirit | Sprit | 88500 | 963 | 12 | 2610 |
Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 71925 | 855 | 10 | 2606 |
Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 71909 | 855 | 10 | 2606 |
List of Carnival Ships by Age

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.
Ship | Class | Year |
---|---|---|
Carnival Jubilee | Excel | 2023 |
Carnival Celebration | Excel | 2022 |
Mardi Gras | Excel | 2021 |
Carnival Firenze | Venice | 2020 |
Carnival Panorama | Vista | 2019 |
Carnival Venezia | Venice | 2019 |
Carnival Horizon | Vista | 2018 |
Carnival Vista | Vista | 2016 |
Carnival Breeze | Dream | 2012 |
Carnival Magic | Dream | 2011 |
Carnival Dream | Dream | 2009 |
Carnival Luminosa | Spirit | 2009 |
Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 2008 |
Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 2007 |
Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 2005 |
Carnival Miracle | Sprit | 2004 |
Carnival Valor | Conquest | 2004 |
Carnival Glory | Conquest | 2003 |
Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 2002 |
Carnival Legend | Sprit | 2002 |
Carnival Pride | Sprit | 2002 |
Carnival Spirit | Sprit | 2001 |
Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 2000 |
Carnival Sunrise | Sunshine | 1999 |
Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 1998 |
Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 1998 |
Carnival Sunshine | Sunshine | 1996 |
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 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 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.