Carnival Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

Carnival cruise line has been in service since 1972, with the first-ever cruise ship, “Mardi Gras,” sailing in March 1972. The cruise line has 27 cruises, along with the upcoming cruise “Carnival Firenze,” which will be launched in 2024. Carnival has the highest number of cruise ships after the Royal Caribbean cruise line.

The Carnival Cruises line is famous as an “America’s Cruise Line” due to most of the cruises sailing from ports of the United States. The Cruises sailed to Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Asia and the South Pacific. It’s hard to find where Carnival does not sail to.

The cruises come with tons of activities like trivia, bingo, dance parties, and night shows. Also, cruises have amenities like ropes courses, water parks, roller coasters, and various delicious food options.

The Complete List of All Carnival Cruise Ships

If you are planning to sail with Carnival Cruises, the first question that will arise in your head is: Which Carnival cruise is best for your next journey? For a better understanding of this, we cover all Carnival cruises with detailed information to make it easy to choose your upcoming cruise journey with the best Carnival luxury cruises.

Carnival cruise line is divided into nine different classes, including Venice, Vista, and Excel classes, which recently debuted. Some cruises are a bit classic (old), like sailing from the 90s, but the main point is every ship goes through service from time to time and is refurnished in at least five years. So, if you think of choosing old cruises, just go ahead without any second doubt. Of course, each cruise of the Carnival cruise line is much safer.

Now, move ahead to cover all the information you need to know about Carnival cruises in a row from newest to oldest.

1. Carnival Firenze

In spring 2024, Carnival will debut its upcoming cruise, Carnival Firenze, setting sail from Los Angeles’s Long Beach to Mexico’s Pacific coast. The cruise is named after the amazing city of Florence, Italy, and she can carry approx. 4126 guests. She will be the second cruise ship to showcase the new “Carnival Fun Italian Style” experience and will join Carnival Panorama and Radiance.

2. Carnival Jubilee

A Sister cruise ship of Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, Carnival Jubilee, has started sailing on 23 December 2023. The third Excel class cruise will begin sailing from Galveston, Texas, and explore Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras. She has a capacity of 5400 guests with 20 different cabin categories for special individual experiences for you people.

3. Carnival Venezia

The first Venice-class cruise ship, Carnival Venezia, was launched in mid-2023. She was a part of the Costa Cruise line, but after refurbishment, she transferred to the Carnival Cruise line and refurbished before making her debut. Actually, she made it for the Chinese market, but later Carnival changed the route. The cruise can carry 4090 passengers and is themed after the city of Venice.

4. Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration is the second Excel-class cruise ship and sister cruise to Mardi Gras, which debuted in 2022. She is like her sister's cruise ship in amenities and size. She can accommodate over 6500 passengers. She has multiple options in dining, cabins, and fun activities. She sails from Miami and sails to Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), St. Thomas, San Juan, St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Turk, Nassau and Freeport.

5. Carnival Luminosa

Previously famous as Costa Luminosa, Carnival Luminosa was part of the sister brand Costa Cruise line, and recently, she has been a part of a Spirit-class ship. She has a capacity of 2260 and allows guests to take high-energy routes, including destinations like Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Guests can chill and enjoy fun activities and entertainment with food options for all age groups.

Related: Top things to do onboard Carnival Luminosa

6. Carnival Mardi Gras

The Carnival Mardi Gras was launched in 2021 and took the Carnival Cruise line to a new era by joining Excel-class powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). She is the largest cruise ship with 180,000 gross tons and the world’s first ship with a roller coaster. Also, she was the first modern cruise ship in the line to drop the “Carnival” prefix. With a capacity of 6465 passengers, she sails around the Caribbean and Transatlantic.

Related: Top Things to Experience on the Carnival Mardi Gras Cruise

7. Carnival Panorama

In 2019, Carnival launched the third and final Vista-class cruise ship, “Carnival Panorama,” built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. She is the only cruise ship fleet with a Sky Zone, Trampoline Park. She can accommodate 4,008 guests and sail to some of the most thrilling cruise destinations in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

Related: Things to do on Carnival Panorama

8. Carnival Horizon

The second Vista-class cruise ship, Carnival Horizon, was the second ship of the Carnival line to restart services in 2021 following the market pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ship is the same as its sister cruise, Carnival Vista, but She has a Seuss at Sea Waterpark. She can carry 3960 passengers, a bit less than the sister-ship Carnival Panorama.

9. Carnival Vista

Carnival Vista was Carnival Cruises' first Vista-class cruise ship. It debuted in 2016 and was named by godmother Miss USA, Deshauna Barber. She was the first to feature SkyRide, a pedal-powered bike that is paused over the top deck of the ship, at that time. The ship was highly anticipated, marking the end of a four-year-long pause in shipbuilding for the cruise line. Carnival Vista has a capacity of 3934 guests.

Related: Top Things to Do on Carnival Vista

10. Carnival Breeze

Carnival Breeze - the third and final Dream class ship of Carnival Cruises, entered service in 2012. The cruise is three years younger than the sister-cruise Carnival Dream. She is 130,000 gross tons, which means slightly smaller than the newer Vista-class cruise ships. She can accommodate 3,690 passengers and 1,386 crew members and sails to Galveston, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso.

Related: The Ultimate Guide To Carnival Breeze

11. Carnival Magic

The second cruise ship in the Dream class, Carnival Magic, is the same as the sister cruise, Carnival Dream, and was last refurbished in 2021. She has the new white, blue, and red livery. She is the best Carnival cruise for luxury amenities, always served with a smile. She can carry 3690 passengers and cover the area of the ocean in the Caribbean. You will have a number of choices for dinner and food at Carnival Magic.

12. Carnival Dream

The first Dream-class cruise, Carnival Dream, debuted in 2009 and last refurbished in 2017. She can accommodate around 3,646 passengers at double occupancy. You can find fun onboard, including WaterWorks, RedFrog Rum Bar, Guy's Burger Joint, and more options in food and drink. She sails to the Panama Canal & Central America, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas.

Related: Things to Do onboard Carnival Dream

13. Carnival Splendor

The only cruise in Splendor-class, Carnival Splendor debuted in 2008 and was refurbished in 2019. The ship was originally a Concordia-class ordered by sister line Costa Cruises. The ship was moved to operate for Carnival during her building in 2008 in Genoa, Italy. She has a passenger capacity of 3,012 and 1,150 global crew members and sails globally to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Asia.

Related: Things to do on Carnival Splendor

14. Carnival Freedom

Carnival Freedom is the final cruise ship in the most famous Conquest class, ending an era of cruise ship class and design for the cruise line. She is the perfect cruise ship as a family-friendly, multigenerational cruise ship. The cruise ship's cost was $500, and entered into service in 2007. The ship carries 2980 passengers and travels to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The exciting thing is that the cruise has dining options and activities for all age groups.

Related: Things to Do on Carnival Freedom

15. Carnival Liberty

Another Conquest-class ship, Carnival Liberty, entered service in 2005. She has been refurbished many times. In 2011, she was the first cruise ship of Carnival Cruises to get FUN 2.0 magnification, and in 2021, she received the new white, blue, and red livery. A lot of activities and a carefree atmosphere make a valuable cruise ship. Destinations she covers include the Bahamas, Panama Canal, Central America, and the Caribbean, and she carries 2974 guests.

Related: Top Things to Do Onboard Carnival Liberty

16. Carnival Miracle

Carnival Miracle is one of the most comfortable, mid-sized cruise ships for all age groups that have upbeat activities and a cheerful environment. With a capacity of 2,124 guests at double occupancy, this Spirit-class cruise ship sails around the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Panama Canal, Central America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe. She is the most famous and best cruise ship in Alaska due to her design and looks.

Related: Top Things to Do on Carnival Miracle

17. Carnival Valor

One more Conquest-class cruise ship, Carnival Valor, debuted in December 2004. The cruise is always a good choice for cruise trips and vacations with family of this cruise line. She carries 2980 guests with 1180 crew members. She sails to global destinations, including the Caribbean and Europe. She has multiple pools with the mantra “no shoes, no shirt, no problems.”

Related: Top Things to Do on Carnival Valor

18. Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory debuted in 2003, the Conquest-class cruise ship. Services on this cruise ship are similarly friendly and excellent. She carries 2,980 guests and sails to destinations such as the Panama Canal, Central America, Bahamas, Europe, and the Caribbean. The last time she refurbished was in 2021, and she received more improvements, including an expanded casino, a Carnival Adventure Store, a revamped JavaBlue Café, and routine hotel maintenance.

Related: Best Things to Do on the Carnival Glory Cruise

19. Carnival Conquest

The first Carnival Conquest class cruise ship in the Carnival cruise line debuted in 2002, with a capacity of 2980 guests, and cost about $125 million more to build than Carnival Spirit. The cruise sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. She took the cruise line to the next level by design and activities. The cruise gives the feelings of the 19th-century era. The cruise is the best option for old-school-minded people.

Related: Top Things to Do on Carnival Conquest

20. Carnival Legend

The Carnival Legend was launched in 2002 and last refurbished in 2019. The Spirit-class cruise ship Carnival Legend has a capacity of 2,124 passengers, which is small in comparison to most modern cruise ships. A lot of fun activities, adventures, water slides, free food options, and an adults-only deck made this cruise more comfortable. Choose one. She sails to global destinations, including England, Spain, Rome, the US, the Caribbean, Europe, the Panama Canal, the Transatlantic, and many more to promote international tourism.

Related: Things to Do onboard Carnival Legend

21. Carnival Pride

One of four Spirit-class, Carnival Pride debuted in August 2002. The ship is old-generation but was last refurbished in 2019. It has more fun activities and a modern design look. She has a great entertainment option, a good variety of cuisine, and multiple pool options. Its capacity to carry passengers is 2134, and it sails to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Central America, and Bermuda.

Related: Favorite things to do on the Carnival Pride

22. Carnival Spirit

The very first Spirit-class cruise ship, Carnival Spirit, is one of the most popular cruise ships on the cruise line; it debuted in 2001 and was last refurbished in 2018. The cruise ship sails to other regions, such as Alaska, Panama, and even Northern Europe, along with sister cruise ships. After refurbishing, she received some major upgrades like Ol' Fashioned BBQ, the Warehouse video arcade, WaterWorks, Guy's Burger Joint, and Bonsai Sushi. She gives more space to passengers and carries 2124 guests.

Related: Best Activities on Carnival Spirit

23. Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance was launched in 2000 and is formally known as Carnival Victory. Still, after a major transformation in Spain in 2021, she became completely new and modern with a huge $200 million bow-to-stern makeover. The new-look cruise is now a part of Sunshine class and sailing from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California. She has a capacity for 2984 guests accommodated.

Related: Top Onboard Activities on the Carnival Radiance

24. Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Sunrise bustle day and light with constant fun and activities. The cruise originally debuted in 1999 and was the second Destiny-class ship. Later, the line gave a huge $200 million for renovation in 2019 and changed to the Sunshine class. The cruise is 101,509 gross tons with 2,984 guest capacity at double occupancy. She sails to the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Related: Best things to do onboard Carnival Sunrise

25. Carnival Elation

In 1998, Carnival launched Carnival Elation in April month. The ship has similar fun activities in comparison to other Carnival cruises. The Fantasy-class cruise has Fun Ship 2.0 features and other amenities, including RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Guy's Burger Joint, JavaBlue Cafe, WaterWorks, the Alchemy Bar, and Bonsai Sushi Express. She can accommodate 2,190 guests.

Related: Top Things to Do on the Carnival Elation

26. Carnival Paradise

Carnival Paradise is seven months older than the sister cruise ship Carnival Elation. She debuted in November 1998 and was last refurbished in 2018. The Fantasy-class cruise ship carries 2124 passengers and has many features similar to a sister cruise ship, including Fun Ship 2.0 amenities, BlueIguana Tequila Ba, WaterWorks, and Guy's Burger Joint.

Related: Amazing Things to Do in Carnival Paradise

27. Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine was known formally as Carnival Destiny and debuted in 1996. Carnival Sunshine was the first-ever cruise ship in the Carnival cruise. In 2013, the line decided to refurbish with $155 million and entered the Sunshine-class. She carries 3002 guests and sails to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Related: Fun Things to Do on Carnival Sunshine

Conclusion

We look forward to covering the future Carnival cruise ships powered by LNG. The new generation of Carnival cruises will be most awaited, and every cruise lover will be waiting to sail. Old-generation cruises also became modern and get more fun activities. So, what are you waiting for? Just book a cruise before it gets full.

FAQs about Carnival Cruise Ships