Carnival Cruise Line currently has 27 cruise ships in service. Based on passengers carried, Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise company in the world. The flagship brand of Carnival Corporation & plc is known as “America’s Cruise Line” for taking more Americans on cruise vacations and serving more U.S. homeports than any other cruise line.
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Carnival Ships: Biggest to Smallest
Below is a list of all carnival ships by size, ordered from largest to smallest.
List of Carnival Cruise Ships By Size
Our list of carnival cruise ships by size shows gross tonnage (which is a measure of internal volume, not weight), the total guest capacity of each vessel and Length in Feet, and these other carnival cruise ship dimensions:
| Ship Name | Gross Tonnage | Total Guest Capacity | Length (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Jubilee | 183,521 | 6,500 | 1,130 |
| Carnival Celebration | 183,521 | 6,500 | 1,130 |
| Mardi Gras | 180,800 | 6,465 | 1,188 |
| Carnival Firenze | 133,500 | 4,977 | 1,055 |
| Carnival Venezia | 135,225 | 5,260 | 1,061 |
| Carnival Panorama | 133,500 | 5,146 | 1,055 |
| Carnival Horizon | 133,500 | 4,977 | 1,055 |
| Carnival Vista | 133,500 | 4,977 | 1,055 |
| Carnival Breeze | 130,000 | 3,690 | 1,004 |
| Carnival Magic | 130,000 | 3,690 | 1,004 |
| Carnival Dream | 130,000 | 3,646 | 1,004 |
| Carnival Splendor | 113,300 | 3,734 | 952 |
| Carnival Conquest | 110,000 | 3,756 | 952 |
| Carnival Glory | 110,000 | 3,756 | 952 |
| Carnival Liberty | 110,000 | 3,756 | 952 |
| Carnival Valor | 110,000 | 3,756 | 952 |
| Carnival Freedom | 110,000 | 3,754 | 952 |
| Carnival Sunshine | 102,853 | 3,758 | 893 |
| Carnival Radiance | 101,509 | 3,873 | 893 |
| Carnival Sunrise | 101,509 | 3,873 | 893 |
| Carnival Luminosa | 92,600 | 2,826 | 963 |
| Carnival Miracle | 88,500 | 2,680 | 963 |
| Carnival Pride | 88,500 | 2,680 | 963 |
| Carnival Legend | 88,500 | 2,610 | 963 |
| Carnival Spirit | 88,500 | 2,610 | 963 |
| Carnival Elation | 70,367 | 2,606 | 855 |
| Carnival Paradise | 70,367 | 2,606 | 855 |
List of Carnival Cruise Ships By Age With Photos
Carnival Cruise Line has revolutionized cruising during its over fifty-year history by making cruise travel fun and enjoyable for families and those new to cruising. They also carry more children and families than any other cruise line. We hope you enjoy our comprehensive list of Carnival cruise ships. Here is a list of Carnival cruise ships by size listed with photos and details from largest to smallest:
1. Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Jubilee is the third ship in the Excel Class and is the sister to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. She is 182,800 GRTs and carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the first ship to feature a Texas Star on her bow. She is the first brand new Carnival Cruise Line ship to sail year-round from the Port of Galveston.
2. Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration is the second ship in the popular Excel Class and sister to Mardi Gras. She is 182,800 GRTs and carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin).
3. Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is the first ship in the Carnival’s Excellence Class or Excel Class and is the sister to the Carnival Celebration. She is 180,800 GRTs and carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). Note, The Mardi Gras is the only ship name in the current Carnival Cruise Line fleet without including the word Carnival. This honors Carnival’s original Mardi Gras that first sailed for the brands on March 11, 1972.
4. Carnival Firenze
Carnival Firenze is the second ship in the Venice Class and sister to Carnival Venezia. She is 133,500 GRTs and carries 4,090 passengers (based on two per cabin). She features Carnival Fun Italian Style with new entertainment, dining, and beverage experiences unique to this new class of ship.Originally the Costa Firenze, she entered service in 2020 and was transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line brand in 2024 and renamed.
5. Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia was initially launched in 2019 for Costa Cruises. It is 133,500 GRTs and carries 4,977 passengers. She is considered part of the Venice Class and was the former Costa Venezia.
6. Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama is 133,500 GRTs and carries 4,008 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the third ship in the Vista Class. The ship debuted Carnival Kitchen, a first-in-fleet culinary center that offers more than 15 different interactive cooking, baking, and decorating demonstrations.
7. Carnival Horizon
Carnival Horizon is 133,500 GRTs and carries 3,960 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the second ship in the Vista Class.
8. Carnival Vista
Carnival Vista is 133,500 GRTs and carries 3,934 passengers (based on two per cabin). This new class of ship came packed with more ways to have fun, such as a Multiplex featuring two theatres including a full-sized IMAX movie theatre, the Red Frog Pub & Brewery, a larger Carnival Waterworks, SportSquare including the SkyRide and the Havana Bar & Pool and much more.
9. Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze is 130,000 GRTs and carries 4,724 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the third ship in the Dream Class.
10. Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic is 130,000 GRTs and carries 4,724 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the second ship in the Dream Class.
11. Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream is 130,000 GRTs and carries 4,631 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the first ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s popular Dream Class.
12. Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor is 113,300 GRTs and holds 3,012 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship was initially designed and ordered for Costa Cruises but was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line during construction. Being the only Concordia-class (Costa Cruises) ship in the Carnival fleet, she is called a Splendor class ship.
13. Carnival Conquest
Carnival Conquest is 110,000 GRTs and holds 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was homeported initially in New Orleans, LA when launched in 2002. She made news at the time due to the power lines as the largest ship to ever sail from New Orleans.
14. Carnival Glory
Carnival Glory is 110,000 GRTs and carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the second ship in the Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Valor.
15. Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty is 110,000 GRTs and carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the fourth ship to be built in the popular Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory.
16. Carnival Valor
Carnival Valor is 110,000 GRTs and carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). Carnival Valor was the third ship built in the popular Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory.
17. Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom is 110,000 GRTs and carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship is the fifth ship to be built in the Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Glory.
18. Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine is 102,853 GRTs and carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). This ship entered service in 1996 as the former Carnival Destiny and the first in the Destiny Class of the vessel. Carnival Sunshine is the first ship of the Sunshine Class and is the sister to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance.
In 2013, the Carnival Destiny underwent an amazing 49-day, 155-million-dollar transformation, which resulted in its renaming and reclassification as the first Sunshine Class ship.
19. Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance is 101,509 GRTs and carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). It entered service in 2000 as the former Destiny Class ship Carnival Victory.
20. Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Sunrise is 101,509 GRTs and carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). She is the second ship in the Sunshine Class and is the sister to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance.
21. Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa was initially launched in 2008 for Costa Cruises. It is 92,600 GRTs and carries 2,826 passengers. She is considered part of the Spirit Class and was the former Costa Luminosa.
22. Carnival Miracle
Carnival Miracle is the fourth ship in the popular Spirit Class of ships. She has a passenger capacity of 2,124 (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guests the highest percentage of space compared to other vessels in the fleet.
23. Carnival Pride
Carnival Pride is the second ship of the popular Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Miracle. She has a passenger capacity of 2,124 (based on two per cabin).
24. Carnival Legend
Carnival Legend is the third ship of the popular Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, and Carnival Miracle. She is 88,500 GRTs and carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin).
25. Carnival Spirit
Carnival Spirit is the first ship of the popular Spirit Class of ships. She is 88,500 GRTs and carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guests the highest percentage of space based on passenger capacity and ship volume in the Carnival fleet.
26. Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation is a Fantasy Class ship and sister to Carnival Paradise. She is 70,367 GRTs and carries 2,052 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s Godmother is Shari Arison.
27. Carnival Paradise
Carnival Paradise is the second ship of the Fantasy Class and sister to Carnival Elation. She is 70,367 GRTs and carries 2,052 passengers (based on two per cabin). Carnival once had a full complement of eight Fantasy Class ships before scrapping many due to cost-saving measures. The ship’s Godmother is Paula Zahn.
The Biggest Carnival Ships
Currently, the largest Carnival cruise ship is Carnival Jubilee. She is the third ship in the popular Excel Class and sister to the Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. The ship carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). It takes its name from a former Carnival cruise ship, MS Jubilee, that was part of the Holiday class.
Ship Highlights:
- Features on-board roller coaster (BOLT)
- Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
- Restaurants from partners Guy Fieri (Guy’s Burger Joint and Guy’s Smokehouse Brewhouse), Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s Bistro 717™), Rudi Sodamin (Rudi’s Seagrill) and Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal (Big Chicken)
The Many Different Classes Of Carnival Ships (Biggest To Smallest)
Carnival Cruise Line currently has nine different classes of cruise ships. Each class of ship is a unique architectural design with its own unique layout and features. Most ships in a particular class have an almost identical layout with minor changes.
The table below shows the Carnival ship classes from largest to smallest, based on ship volume.
| Class | Ships | Average Gross Tonnage |
|---|---|---|
| Excel Class | Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee | 181,000 |
| Venice Class | Firenze, Venezia | 135,225 |
| Vista Class | Horizon, Panorama, Vista | 133,500 |
| Dream Class | Breeze, Dream, Magic | 130,000 |
| Splendor Class | Splendor | 113,300 |
| Conquest Class | Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Valor | 110,000 |
| Sunshine Class | Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine | 102,000 |
| Spirit Class | Legend, Miracle, Pride, Spirit | 88,500 |
| Fantasy Class | Elation, Paradise | 70,367 |
You view a list of all the current Carnival Cruise Line ships by age: Carnival Cruise Line Ships Listed By Age.
Plan Your Trip?
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Carnival Ship Size FAQ
What are the three newest Carnival Cruise Line ships?
Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ships are the Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Luminosa.
When was Carnival’s first cruise?
The original Mardi Gras, a converted ocean liner, sailed from Port Miami. She left for her first Caribbean cruise on March 11, 1972, with 530 passengers and 200 crew members on board. Unfortunately, the loaded ship ran around while exiting Port Miami’s shipping channel. This caused competitors to call the vessel “Mardi Gras On The Rocks”. However, Founder Ted Arison and the Carnival Cruise Line brand he created has had the last laugh. The Carnival Cruise Line brand continued to grow and become what it is part of today in Carnival Corporation & plc. Carnival Corporation & plc is currently the largest cruise vacation company and operates over 87 cruise ships sailing under nine different brands.
Has a Carnival cruise ship ever sunk?
No, Fortunately, none of the Carnival Cruise Line brand ships have ever sunk.
What’s the oldest Carnival cruise ship?
Technically, the oldest cruise ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet is the Carnival Sunshine. However, Back in 2013, the ship was previously named Carnival Destiny. She was given a 49-day 155-million dollar transformation that resulted in her being renamed and almost like new.
What is Carnival’s biggest ship?
Carnival Cruise Line’s largest ship as of December 2023 is the Carnival Jubilee. She is the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, weighing 183,521 gross registered tons with a maximum passenger capacity of 6,631 in 2,687 staterooms.
What are the sizes of the Carnival Cruise Ships in 2024?
The Carnival Cruise Ships range from the smallest to the largest, providing different experiences for passengers. For example, the smallest is currently the Carnival Paradise at 70,367 gross registered tons, and the largest is Carnival Jubilee at 183,521 gross registered tons.
What are the biggest Carnival ships in the fleet?
The largest Carnival ships include the Carnival Celebration, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Sunshine, offering a wide range of amenities and experiences.
Can you provide a list of the biggest and smallest Carnival ships?
The list of Carnival ships by size, from largest to smallest, includes the Carnival Celebration, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Sunshine, among others. You can find a full list at the top of this page.
What is Carnival Firenze, and where does it fit in terms of size?
Carnival Firenze is one of the newer ships coming to the fleet, and though it’s not the largest, it provides exceptional amenities and experiences for passengers.
What are the sister ships of Carnival Cruise Ships?
Carnival Cruise Ships have sister ships such as the Carnival Triumph, Carnival Mardi Gras, and Carnival Firenze, each offering unique experiences for passengers.
How does the smallest Carnival cruise ship compare to other ships in the fleet?
The smallest Carnival cruise ship still delivers an excellent experience despite being half the size of some larger ships.
What are the classes of Carnival cruise ships?
Carnival cruise ships are classified into different classes, such as the Conquest class ships and the Vista-class ships, each with its distinct features and experiences.
Which ship became the Carnival Sunshine, and how does it compare in size?
The Carnival Sunshine was previously the Carnival Triumph and underwent significant enhancements, making it one of the most sought-after ships in the fleet.
What are the newer ships in the Carnival fleet?
The newer ships in the Carnival fleet include the upcoming Carnival Firenze and other ships offering state-of-the-art amenities and experiences for passengers.
What is the significance of the first-ever Carnival cruise ship to exceed a size limit?
The first-ever Carnival cruise ship to exceed size limits marked a significant milestone in the company’s history, allowing for larger and more innovative ship designs.
