Carnival Cruise Line currently has 24 cruise ships in service. Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise company in the world, based on passengers carried, and the flagship brand of Carnival Corporation & plc. Known as “America’s Cruise Line” for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other cruise line.
List of Carnival Cruise Ships By Age
Carnival Cruise Line has revolutionized cruising during it’s fifty year history by making cruise travel fun and enjoyable for both families and those new to cruising. Which is why they also carry more children and and families than any other cruise line. We hope you enjoy our comprehensive list of Carnival cruise ships.
Carnival Celebration – 2022
Carnival Celebration is the second ship in the popular Excel Class and sister to Mardi Gras. She carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Cassidy Gifford. The ship takes her name from a former Carnival cruise ship, Celebration, that was part of the Holiday class. The name also pays homage to the companies long history as the ship was delivered during Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday year.
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 where we brew our own beer onboard), Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s Bistro 1397), Rudi Sodamin (Rudi’s Seagrill) and Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal (Big Chicken)
Carnival Luminosa – 2022
Carnival Luminosa is considered part of the Spirit Class and was the former Costa Luminosa. She was renamed and refurbished for service in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet starting in 2022. She was originally launched in 2008 for Costa Cruises and carries 2,826 passengers.
Mardi Gras – 2021
Mardi Gras is the first ship in the Carnival’s Excellence Class or Excel Class and sister to Carnival Celebration. She carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jiménez. The ship takes her name from a former Carnival cruise ship, Mardi Gras that sailed for twenty years in the brands early days. The new Mardi Gras was the first ship in North America to be powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). It also made history as the first ship to feature BOLT the Ultimate Speed Coaster, the first-ever roller coaster at sea.
Carnival Panorama – 2019
Carnival Panorama is the third ship in the Vista Class. She carries 4,008 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was christened by Godmother Vanna White. The ship debuted Carnival Kitchen, a first-in-fleet culinary center that offers more than 15 different interactive cooking, baking and decorating demonstrations.
Carnival Horizon – 2018
Carnival Horizon is the second ship in the Vista Class. She carries 3,960 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is rapper, actress, and singer Queen Latifah.
Carnival Horizon introduced a number of new innovations at the time, including Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse in addition to the first Dr. Seuss-themed water park.
Carnival Vista – 2016
Carnival Vista is the first ship in the Vista Class. She 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 And Brewery, a larger Carnival Waterworks, SportSquare including the SkyRide and the Havana Bar & Pool and much more.
Carnival Breeze – 2012
Carnival Breeze is the third ship in the Dream Class. She carries 4,724 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was christened by Godmother Traci Mourning.
Carnival Magic – 2011
Carnival Magic is the second ship in the Dream Class. She carries 4,724 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was christened by Godmother Lindsey Wilkerson.
Carnival Dream – 2009
Carnival Dream is the first ship in the Carnival Cruise Line’s Dream Class. She carries 4,631 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was christened by Godmother actress Marcia Gay Harden. Carnival Dream was the first in the Carnival fleet to include a water park with multiple slides. She also features an 18-hole miniature golf course and ‘The Lanai’ which is a wide outdoor promenade deck that includes an outdoor café and a whirlpool Jacuzzi’s in four places along the edge.
Carnival Splendor – 2008
Carnival Splendor is the only ship in the Splendor Class. She carries 3,012 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship was originally designed and ordered for Costa Cruises but she was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line during construction. Being the only Concordia-class (Costa Cruises) ship in the Carnival fleet, she is referred to as a Splendor-class ship. The Godmother of the ship is a British musician, singer, presenter, model and businesswoman Myleene Klass.
Carnival Freedom – 2007
Carnival Freedom was the fifth ship to be built in the Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Glory. She carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is American author, entrepreneur, fashion designer, philanthropist, and fashion model Kathy Ireland.
Carnival Liberty – 2005
Carnival Liberty was the fourth ship to be built in the popular Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Glory. She carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Academy Award-winning actress, documentary filmmaker, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and lifelong champion of victims of social injustice Mira Sorvino.
Carnival Miracle – 2004
Carnival Miracle is fourth ship the popular Spirit Class of ships. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guest the highest percentage of space compared to other ships in the fleet. The Godmother of the ship is Academy Award-winning actress, documentary filmmaker, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and lifelong champion of victims of social injustice Mira Sorvino.
Carnival Valor – 2004
Carnival Valor was the third ship to be built in the popular Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Glory. She carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is the American journalist and presenter Katie Couric.
Carnival Glory – 2003
Carnival Glory is second ship in the Conquest Class and sister to Carnival Conquest, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Valor. She carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is American astronaut and physicist Dr. Sally Ride. On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly in space. She was an astronaut on a space shuttle mission.
Carnival Conquest – 2002
Carnival Conquest is first ship built in the Conquest Class and was launched on Dec. 1, 2002. She carries 2,980 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was originally homeported in New Orleans, LA and made news due to the power lines as the largest ship and to ever sail from New Orleans at the time. The ship features many nods to it’s original homeport. The Godmother of the ship is Corrine Lindy Clairborne Boggs.
Carnival Legend – 2002
Carnival Legend is third ship the popular Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride and Carnival Miracle. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Dame Judi Dench. This “all-weather” Spirit Class ship features a retractable roof incase of cold or stormy weather. The Spirit Class ships also offer guests the highest percentage of space based on passenger capacity and ship volume. This is a measurement of how spacious a ship may feel once onboard. This is one of our overall favorite ship classes in the Carnival Fleet for an overall great cruise experience.
Carnival Pride – 2002
Carnival Pride is second ship the popular Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Dr. Tamara Jernigan. This Spirit Class ship offers guest the highest percentage of space based on passenger capacity and ship volume in the entire Carnival fleet. This is a measurement of how spacious a ship may feel once onboard. This class of ship often sails from Tampa and other ports where taller/bigger ships are limited by bridges.
Carnival Spirit – 2001
Carnival Spirit is first ship the popular Spirit Class of ships. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guest the highest percentage of space based on passenger capacity and ship volume in the entire Carnival fleet. It also has unique features like an all-weather retractable roof pool incase of cold or stormy weather. It even has a glass-roofed supper club under the ship’s funnel for romantic dinners. The ship’s Godmother is Dr. Tamara Jernigan. This ship and her sisters have become a favorite of seasoned Carnival cruisers due to their extra space, beautiful amenities and the more intimate cruise experience often felt on a smaller ship.
Carnival Radiance – 2000
Carnival Radiance is the third ship the Sunshine Class and sister to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Sunrise. She carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin) This ship originally entered service in 2000 as the former Destiny Class ship named the Carnival Victory. In 2021 the Carnival Victory received a massive transformation that resulted in it being renamed and also reclassified as a Sunshine Class ship. The Godmother of the ship is Dr. Lucille O’Neal.
Carnival Sunrise – 1999
Carnival Sunrise is second ship the Sunshine Class and sister to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance. She carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Kelly Arison. This ship originally entered service in 1999 as the former Destiny Class ship named the Carnival Triumph. In 2019 the Carnival Triumph received an incredible $200 million transformation that resulted in it being renamed and also reclassified as a Sunshine Class ship.
Carnival Elation – 1998
Carnival Elation is a Fantasy Class ship and sister to Carnival Paradise. Carnival Cruise Line previously had a full compliment of eight Fantasy Class ships before cost-saving measures resulted in scrapping many of them. She carries 2,052 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s Godmother is Shari Arison.
Carnival Paradise – 1998
Carnival Paradise is second ship the Fantasy Class and sister to Carnival Elation. Carnival once had a full compliment of eight Fantasy Class ships before scrapping many due to cost-saving measures. She carries 2,052 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s Godmother is Paula Zahn.
Carnival Sunshine – 1996
Carnival Sunshine is first ship the Sunshine Class and sister to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance. She carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). This ship originally entered service in 1996 as the former Carnival Destiny and also the first in the Destiny Class of the ships. In 2013 the Carnival Destiny received an amazing 49-day $155-million dollar transformation that resulted in it being renamed and also reclassified as the first Sunshine Class ship. The Godmother of the ship is Lin Arison.
List of Carnival Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest
| Ship | Class | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Celebration | Excel | 2022 |
| Carnival Luminosa | Spirit | 2022 |
| Mardi Gras | Excel | 2021 |
| Carnival Panorama | Vista | 2019 |
| Carnival Horizon | Vista | 2018 |
| Carnival Vista | Vista | 2016 |
| 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 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three newest Carnival ships?
Currently Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ships are the Carnival Celebration, Carnival Luminosa and Mardi Gras.
When was Carnival’s first cruise?
The original Mardi Gras which was a converted ocean liner and sailed from Port Miami. She left for her first Caribbean cruise on March 11, 1972 with 530 passengers and 200 crew on board. Unfortunately, the loaded ship ran around while exiting Port Miami’s shipping channel. This caused competitors calling 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 9 different brands.
Has a Carnival cruise ship ever sunk?
No, Fortunately none of the Carnival Cruise Line brand ship’s 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 March 2023 is the Carnival Celebration. 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 Carnival cruise ships are on order?
Carnival Jubilee is under construction at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Her delivery date is expected to be in early December 2023.
She will be the newest ship in the Excel class, Carnival Jubilee will share many of the same features guests love on Mardi Gras – including the award-winning BOLT, The Ultimate Sea Coaster. She will also feature unique experiences and signature venues of her own.
Carnival Jubilee will begin sailing from Galveston in December of 2023 and will offer seven-day Western Caribbean cruise vacations with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Honduras.
