Carnival Cruise Line currently has 26 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 its fifty-one years by making cruise travel fun for families and those new to cruising. This is why they also carry more children and families than any other cruise line. We hope you enjoy our comprehensive list of Carnival cruise ships.
Carnival Jubilee – 2023
Carnival Jubilee is the third ship in the Excel Class and 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 be based in the Port of Galveston.
Carnival Venezia – 2023
Carnival Venezia was initially launched in 2019 for the Costa Cruises brand, is 133,500 GRTs, and carries 4,977 passengers. She is the first ship in the brand new Venice Class and was the former Costa Venezia.
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 ship’s godmother 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 company’s 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 they brew 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 the 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 brand’s 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). Godmother Vanna White christened her. 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 several new innovations at the time, including Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse and 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). Godmother Traci Mourning christened her.
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 her 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). Godmother actress Marcia Gay Harden christened her. 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 initially 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 called 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 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 an 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 the fourth ship in the popular Spirit Class of ships. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guests the highest percentage of space compared to other ships in the fleet.
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 the 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 the 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 initially homeported in New Orleans, LA, and made news due to the power lines as the largest ship to ever sail from New Orleans at the time. The ship features many nods to its original homeport. The ship’s godmother is Corrine Lindy Claiborne Boggs.
Carnival Legend – 2002
Carnival Legend is the third ship of the Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, and Carnival Miracle. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s godmother is Dame Judi Dench. This “all-weather” Spirit Class ship features a retractable roof in case 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 the second ship of the famous Spirit Class and sister to Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Miracle. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s godmother is Dr. Tamara Jernigan. This Spirit Class ship offers guests the highest percentage of space in the Carnival fleet based on passenger capacity and ship volume. 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 bridges limit taller/bigger ships.
Carnival Spirit – 2001
Carnival Spirit is the first ship of the popular Spirit Class of ships. She carries 2,124 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Spirit Class ships offer guests the highest percentage of space in the Carnival fleet based on passenger capacity and ship volume. It also has unique features like an all-weather retractable roof pool in case of cold or stormy weather. It has a glass-roofed supper club for romantic dinners under the ship’s funnel. 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 smaller ships.
Carnival Radiance – 2000
Carnival Radiance is the third ship of 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 its being renamed and also reclassified as a Sunshine Class ship. The ship’s godmother is Dr. Lucille O’Neal.
Carnival Sunrise – 1999
Carnival Sunrise is the second ship to 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 complement 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 the second ship of the Fantasy Class and sister to Carnival Elation. Carnival once had a full complement 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 the first ship of the Sunshine Class and sister to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance. She carries 2,984 passengers (based on two per cabin). This ship initially 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 its being renamed and reclassified as the first Sunshine Class ship. The ship’s godmother is Lin Arison.
List of Carnival Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest
| Ship | Class | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Jubilee | Excel | 2023 |
| Carnival Venezia | Venice | 2023 |
| 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 |
Plan Your Trip?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three newest Carnival ships?
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 was a converted ocean liner that 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 newest and largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, weighing 183,521 gross registered tons with a maximum passenger capacity of 6,631 in 2,687 staterooms.
