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Family Vacation

A Carnival Cruise is unforgettable But you'll have incredible family photos just in case

An amazing getaway packed absolutely full of incredible family moments… with plenty of do-your-own-thing options for the whole crew. That's your family's Carnival cruise.

Cruise Activities - Carnival Breeze WaterWorks

Carnival Breeze

Cruise Food - Guy's Burger Joint

Guy's Burger Joint

Cruise Activities for Kids

Shaynah Dodge

Fun for your whole crew vacation looks great on you"">on your whole cruise.

A "one size" vacation doesn’t fit your family. Everyone discovers new favorites as they taste their way through dining options, experience activities at their own pace, and sample entertainment like a true connoisseur… before resting up in their stretch-out spacious stateroom to get back at it tomorrow.

WE SAIL ALL OVER THE PLACE. miney... Go!">MAKE OUR DESTINATIONS YOUR DESTINATIONS.

'Where to' is up to you. Carnival sails to hundreds of destinations — and most cruises visit at least a few — for maximum new experiences, with minimal packing and unpacking. Choose a Carnival cruise and steer the family toward fun hotspots, intriguing history and stunning displays of natural beauty.

Popular Cruise Destinations

Cozumel, Mexico

Best Cruise Destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico

Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico

Carnival Cruises Best Destinations

Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan

Carnival Breeze

Carnival WaterWorks

Family budgeters beware: you'd expect">you won't believe your calculator.

Bringing the whole crew along on your cruise costs less than you think, and includes way more stuff, like dining, entertainment, kids' activities and more. Try having that much fun for this little on land.

3 Day Cruises

As little as $40 per night, 7 day cruises, as little as $95 per night.

* Cruise rate based on four guests per stateroom. Taxes, fees, and port expenses additional.

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival Cruise Line ship

Gene Sloan

Some cruise lines offer voyages to every corner of the world. Others are more focused on where they operate.

Carnival Cruise Line , one of the world's largest cruise brands, is firmly in the second category.

Carnival is all about relatively short, affordable cruises from U.S. ports. You'll find at least one of its ships sailing out of pretty much every major port city around the country, but it's rare to find them based anywhere else.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

Catering heavily to budget travelers who reach its ships by car, Carnival only rarely offers voyages in Europe, Asia and South America — destinations that are much more integral to the schedules of such rival lines as Royal Caribbean , Princess Cruises and Holland America .

However, Carnival is the undisputed leader in cruises out of U.S. ports to the Caribbean and Bahamas, with a wide range of sailings to the regions from ports on the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico.

Some of Carnival's East Coast-based ships also sail to Bermuda, New England and Canada. For Carnival ships based on the West Coast, sailings to Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska are the norm.

Carnival also offers some Panama Canal voyages.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

The overarching idea for Carnival's ship deployments is that a large percentage of the U.S. population can reach one of the line's ships by car, saving the cost of flights. For that reason, it takes a much broader approach to ship deployments around the U.S. than other lines.

Carnival's biggest operations are out of PortMiami and Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; Long Beach, California; and New Orleans — all major cruise hubs. You'll also find Carnival ships in secondary cruise ship ports such as Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida.

For the most part, Carnival ships sail relatively short voyages of three to eight nights.

Here's our take on the five best places Carnival sails.

The Caribbean and Bahamas

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Carnival is, quite simply, the king of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. If you're looking for a quick, easy and — perhaps most importantly — very affordable cruise getaway to the region, Carnival is your line.

Carnival currently has 19 of its 25 ships scheduled to sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas for at least part of the coming year, including its newest and biggest ships, the 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and sister vessel Carnival Celebration .

To put that in perspective, that's more ships than exist in the entire fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line , which itself is a major player in Caribbean cruises.

Carnival offers a broad range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from no fewer than 11 U.S. ports.

If you're looking for something short, the line has you covered in the form of quick three- to five-night trips to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Florida ports such as Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville and Port Canaveral, as well as from Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; and Galveston, Texas.

Related: The 8 types of Carnival ships, explained

From the Eastern ports, these itineraries often focus on stops in the Bahamas and Grand Turk Island. From the Gulf ports, they often focus heavily on the ports of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival is also big in the market for six- to eight-night sailings to Caribbean and Bahamas ports, which break down into three broad categories:

  • Eastern Caribbean voyages
  • Western Caribbean voyages
  • Southern Caribbean voyages

A typical seven-night Carnival sailing to the Eastern Caribbean includes stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos.

However, each of Carnival's six- to eight-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries is a little different. There are typically three and sometimes four calls on these Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Carnival's six- to eight-night Western Caribbean voyages will typically include three or four stops in some mix of the following destinations: Mexico (Cozumel and Costa Maya), Honduras, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Belize.

The line's Southern Caribbean itineraries — typically eight nights in length — will often bring visits to Aruba and Curaçao, as well as one or more northerly Caribbean ports such as Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.

Carnival also offers a handful of longer, 10- to 14-night sailings in the Caribbean, but not many.

Related: The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler

The Mexican Riviera

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Carnival is one of the leaders in cruises to the Mexican Riviera — the string of resort towns running down the west coast of Mexico.

Carnival operates cruises to the west coast of Mexico out of the California ports of Long Beach and San Francisco, with Long Beach being its main West Coast hub.

Notably, Carnival is the only cruise line to base ships in Long Beach year-round for voyages to Mexico. One of the line's newest vessels, the 4,008-passenger Carnival Panorama , is based year-round in Long Beach for seven-night Mexican Riviera voyages. The smaller, 2,764-passenger Carnival Radiance operates three- and four-night trips out of Long Beach year-round to Mexico.

A third Carnival ship, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, operates four- and five-night sailings to Mexico out of Long Beach on a seasonal basis during the winter and also offers some Mexican Riviera cruises out of San Francisco.

In addition, a fourth Carnival ship — the not-yet-in-the-fleet Carnival Firenze — will begin sailing four- and five-night cruises to Mexico out of Los Angeles in May 2024.

The typical seven-night Carnival voyage to the Mexican Riviera brings stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.

Three- and four-night Carnival trips to the west coast of Mexico typically only feature a single Mexico call in Ensenada and, at times, a stop at Catalina Island off the coast of California.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival ships

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Carnival isn't the biggest player in Alaska cruises. The giants of cruising to Alaska are Princess Cruises and Holland America , which are sister lines to Carnival that control a large percentage of the market. Still, Carnival has sent more vessels to Alaska in recent years than in the past, and for 2023, it has three ships sailing to the destination.

Carnival's fun-focused, affordable ships are a popular pick with families looking to visit Alaska during the short Alaska cruise season, which lasts roughly from May to September.

For 2023, Carnival has deployed the following ships to the Alaska market:

  • Carnival Luminosa: The 14-year-old vessel is mostly operating seven-night voyages to Alaska round-trip out of Seattle. Most departures feature calls at Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. It also visits the Tracy Arm fjord in Alaska for glacier viewing. A few sailings have a slightly different line-up of ports.
  • Carnival Miracle: The 19-year-old vessel mostly operates 10-night voyages to Alaska round-trip out of San Francisco. It calls at Skagway, Juneau, Icy Strait Point in Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. It also visits Tracy Arm for glacier viewing.
  • Carnival Spirit: The 22-year-old vessel operates seven-night voyages to Alaska round-trip from Seattle. It calls at Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. It also visits Tracy Arm for glacier viewing.

Unlike some lines such as Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean, Carnival does not offer Alaska "cruise tours" that combine an Alaska cruise with multiple days of overland touring.

Related: How to find the right Alaska cruise for you

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At least a couple of Carnival ships typically sail to Bermuda every year between May and October.

While the line doesn't offer a huge number of Bermuda departures, it usually operates Bermuda trips out of at least three ports every year: New York, Baltimore and Norfolk, Virginia.

Most of the sailings are six nights in length and include two days in Bermuda. The line also typically offers a few shorter four- and five-night Bermuda sailings and, occasionally, a longer seven-night Bermuda sailing.

Note that the shorter Bermuda sailings can offer very little time in the country, sometimes as little as eight hours.

For 2023, Carnival is offering sailings to Bermuda on three ships: the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend and the 4,208-passenger Carnival Venezia . The latter ship is a Costa Cruises vessel that Carnival began operating in May 2023 . Costa is a sister line to Carnival with similarly designed ships.

Related: Does a short cruise to Bermuda make sense?

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Carnival may be all about cruises from U.S. ports. However, not all its vessels always are based in North America.

In what might seem an unusual diversion for a line known for short, easy-to-reach, affordable voyages for Americans, Carnival, in recent years, has deployed two of its vessels to Australia to operate trips from Sydney and Brisbane.

The two ships — most recently the 2,260-passenger Carnival Luminosa and 3,012-passenger Carnival Splendor — typically operate a mix of three- to 10-night sailings along the Australian coast and to New Zealand.

Carnival's Australia trips, notably, aren't really aimed at Americans. They're aimed at Australians. A few years ago, Carnival discovered that Australians love the sort of fun-focused, affordable cruises it offers just as much as Americans, and it set out to build a business in Australia catering to them.

That doesn't mean an American can't book one of the trips.

The typical Carnival cruise along the coast of Australia includes stops at Airlie Beach, Cairns and Willis Island. Some longer Australia voyages add in stops at Port Douglas or Moreton Island.

Shorter Australia voyages might include a stop at just one of the above destinations or even no stops at all — a so-called "cruise to nowhere."

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival's VIFP loyalty program

Bottom line

Carnival focuses heavily on cruises in North America.

If you're looking for a voyage to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda or the west coast of Mexico, you'll find an unparalleled array of choices from Carnival.

If a cruise vacation in Europe, Asia or South America is what you're after, you probably should focus on another line.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • 15 ways cruisers waste money
  • 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
  • What to pack for your first cruise

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Find the best Carnival cruise

Why should i book a carnival cruise.

If you're looking for an unforgettable vacation, Carnival cruises are a perfect choice. Carnival is one of the best cruise lines in the industry, with a successful history of providing excellent service and luxurious experiences. The Carnival cruise vacations take you to some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating destinations. They’re sure to have features to please everyone in your group.

How to find the best Carnival cruise deals?

There are many different Carnival cruise deals to choose from depending on your destination and the experiences you would most like to enjoy. These deals let you include additional features for a lower price to make your vacation even more comfortable. You can find the best deals by searching for your destinations, and filtering by your desired cruise lines. This way only the companies you wish to travel with will appear. You can also sort your results by price and length of time.

How to choose your cruise with Carnival?

If you want to book aCarnival cruise there are plenty of amazing Carnival cruise deals available. Add your destination, cruise vacation, and number of travelers. Then you can sort your results by price, duration, and departure date. You can also filter by cruise line, cruise ship and cabin type. You’ll find different amenities to suit your vacation needs on each Carnival cruise. For example, youth programs, fitness facilities, and spa facilities.

What do I need to look out for when booking a Carnival cruise?

When booking your 2025 Carnival cruise it’s important to consider a few practical tips. Check what the cost covers, and what you may need to budget for or need insurance for. Think about any amenities or onboard service you’ll require, depending on the length of the Carnival cruise. For example, youth programs, entertainment, fitness facilities, spa facilities, and room service. Secondly, research the weather conditions for your journey and destination. In some locations, summer and winter weather can vary a lot. Another tip is to go over the ship layout to see where you’d like to pick a cabin. Don’t forget to check visa requirements and any flight logistics.

When is the best time to book a Carnival cruise?

You can book a Carnival cruise as early as you like depending on availability. There’s a higher chance of finding cheaper Carnival cruise prices by booking between 6 months to 12 months in advance. But there are also lots of last-minute cruise deals closer to your preferred departure date, but this will depend on your flexibility.

Are last minute deals available with Carnival?

Yes, you can find last-minute Carnival cruises on Expedia. Add your travel dates to the cruise finder and sort your results to find the best price available. Cruise deal discounts are indicated by a green box above the Carnival cruise price.

How do I book a cruise with Carnival?

To book a Carnival cruise on Expedia select your Carnival destination and filter by cruise line. You can also browse our extensive selection of pre-selected cruise deals and find the perfect cruise for you. Once you have found the one you want, choose your dates and the port of departure. You can also refine your search by cabin experiences, or cruise ship. Each ship will have amenities to suit your needs including room service, spa facilities, and fitness facilities.

Is Carnival great value for money?

Carnival cruises are excellent value for money if you're looking for an enjoyable and relaxing cruise vacations. A Carnival cruise offers a high standard of service, a great selection of dining, modern amenities, friendly staff, and exciting activities. The exceptional quality of the experience is worth the price.

Can I cancel a Carnival cruise booking?

Yes, you can cancel your Carnival cruise. We all have unfortunate circumstances where we need to cancel a booking, so Expedia makes it easy to do so. All you have to do is head to your My Trips page on Expedia and click on the cancellation button. Another option is to contact customer service, where you’ll receive help with cancelling. Do make sure that you’re aware of the refund policy that applied to your booking, to see if you’re entitled to a full refund.

Carnival Cruise Guide

Since Carnival entered the cruise scene in 1972, they have founded dozens of new ships dedicated to providing millions of passengers with memorable vacations ashore! Prepare to have the time of your life on Carnival’s innovative cruise ships equipped with high tech entertainment facilities and features, like live stage shows, casinos, spas, waterslides, deck parties and more! Carnival’s "Fun Ships" are floating playgrounds for those looking for an adventurous escape. Allow yourself to relax and experience the sheer bliss of traveling with Carnival. With great onboard amenities, and an extensive choice of activities and dining options you're sure to meet new friends, create lasting memories, and have more fun than you ever thought possible. With sailings to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, Europe and more, Carnival will make sure you have an enjoyable time every step of the way.

Carnival Promotions

Looking to save big and get the best deal on your next cruise? Check out Carnival's latest promotion.

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5 REASONS CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU

Heather McManus - Oct 21, 2019

Discover what makes Carnival Cruise Line unique and determine if it’s the right fit for your travel style!

View Article

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CRUISING 101: BEST CRUISE LINES FOR FIRST TIME CRUISERS

Heather Mcmanus - Sept 13, 2019

Cruise line branding will give you a lot of clues about what kind of travelers they’re targeting, but if I had to completely stereotype some of the major cruise lines and their typical guests, here’s how I’d do it. Consider this your cheat sheet on the best cruise lines for first time cruisers.

Carnival Ships

  • Carnival Horizon
  • Carnival Panorama
  • Carnival Sunrise
  • Carnival Spirit
  • Carnival Vista
  • Carnival Radiance
  • Carnival Mardi Gras
  • Carnival Freedom
  • Carnival Liberty
  • Carnival Dream
  • Carnival Breeze
  • Carnival Magic
  • Carnival Sunshine
  • Carnival Imagination
  • Carnival Ecstasy
  • Carnival Victory
  • Carnival Elation
  • Carnival Inspiration
  • Carnival Sensation
  • Carnival Fascination
  • Carnival Fantasy
  • Carnival Paradise
  • Carnival Pride
  • Carnival Conquest
  • Carnival Legend
  • Carnival Glory
  • Carnival Miracle
  • Carnival Valor

More Cruise Lines to Explore

  • AmaWaterways
  • Avalon Waterways
  • Azamara Club Cruises
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Costa Cruise Lines
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Cunard Cruises
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Holland America Line
  • MSC Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Princess Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Seabourn Cruise Line
  • Uniworld River Cruises
  • Viking Ocean Cruises
  • Viking River Cruises

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Terms & Conditions

Fuel supplement may apply. Savings advertised are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings.

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Cruising with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line stays true to its lively reputation with its festive atmosphere and versatile entertainment options. Carnival's 26 ships depart from many cities in the U.S., including  Miami ,  Los Angeles ,  Baltimore ,  Seattle  and  New York City . With such a large fleet, Carnival offers cruisers their pick of destinations across  Mexico ,  Alaska ,  Hawaii , Europe ,  Australia  and the  Caribbean , among other locations. Voyages range from two to 16 days, with occasional transpacific cruises of up to 22 days. Each ship carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Just as Carnival's cruise lengths and itineraries vary by ship, so do its available shore excursions. You could learn how cacao is processed into chocolate in Costa Rica , explore Dubrovnik, Croatia , by tuk-tuk, , go whale watching in Juneau, Alaska , or swim with sharks in Belize .

Back on board Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships," you'll find plenty of activities to keep you busy. With waterslides, sports courts, casinos, piano bars, comedy acts and nightclubs, Carnival's fleet offers guests of all ages something to enjoy. The cruise line's knack for variety carries over to onboard cuisine, which includes three-course meals served in the main dining room, a Lido Marketplace deck buffet and specialty restaurants dishing out everything from Italian fare to sake and sushi.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Download the Hub App to access activity and show schedules, see restaurant menus, make dining reservations and chat with family members age 13 and older ($5 per person). – Karon Warren, Contributor

Book a Carnival cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Numerous ships and itineraries to pick from

Extensive selection of onboard amenities and activities

Variety of included dining options

Additional fees apply for shore excursions

High capacity ships can feel crowded

Wi-Fi access costs extra

  • Expert Rating » 3.4
  • Traveler Rating » 4.0
  • Health Rating » 4.3

Carnival Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

  • # 3 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
  • # 6 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
  • # 7 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money

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Carnival Panorama

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Carnival Panorama

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Carnival Radiance

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Carnival Celebration

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Carnival Horizon

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Carnival Miracle

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Carnival Luminosa

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Carnival Breeze

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Carnival Sunrise

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Carnival Venezia

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Carnival Legend

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Carnival Freedom

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Carnival Magic

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Carnival Valor

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Carnival Dream

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Before You Book

  • Deposits are required for all cruises; deposit and payment due dates depend on cruise length. Typically, final payment is due 76 days before two- to five-day sailings and 91 days in advance of cruises that sail for six or more days, though this varies by destination.
  • Early Saver, Super Saver and Pack & Go rates are cheaper than regular cruise rates. However, cancellation policies are stricter for these fares, so be sure to read the fine print . In addition, when booking at a Super Saver or Pack & Go rate, your fare is set and Carnival will choose your cabin location and deck.
  • Cancellations for a full refund must be made up to 76 days before your sailing (for trips five days or less) or 91 days prior to sailing (for trips six days or more). If you miss these deadlines, you will forfeit your deposit and/or a percentage of the total fare paid, depending on the cancellation timeframe. If you cancel 14 days prior to sailing, you will receive no refund.
  • For most sailings, Carnival Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 6 months old, though some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will reach 24 weeks before or during the cruise may not take the voyage due to safety concerns.
  • Accessible staterooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests who are hearing impaired and need an interpreter are encouraged to give the cruise line a 60-day notice. Guests with special needs requests can contact Carnival's Guest Access team at 1-800-438-6744, ext. 70025 or email  [email protected]  before their cruise departure date.

Before You Board

  • Certain ports of call require a passport that's valid for six months after your trip and a visa from the country to which you are traveling, which must be obtained before your cruise. For American citizens ages 16 and older departing from and returning to the same U.S. port (excluding those traveling to Cuba), a government-issued photo ID will suffice. Visit the  U.S. State Department website  for more information on visa requirements.
  • Check the  Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  and  World Health Organization (WHO)  websites for the latest vaccination information for countries on your itinerary.
  • Carnival passengers can check in online up to 14 days prior to their cruise departure and must do so before midnight EST on the morning of departure. All guests are required to board the ship by the Final Boarding time printed on the boarding pass or they will not be allowed to cruise.
  • Up to two pieces of luggage weighing no more than 50 pounds each are permitted per person, though Carnival suggests bringing only one bag per person for cruises that last fewer than five days. Size restrictions apply for both checked bags and bags carried onto the ship by guests, so consult Carnival's  website  before your departure date.
  • You can book both shore excursions and reservations at specialty restaurants prior to boarding the ship. Shore excursions can be reserved up to 11:59 p.m. EST two days before cruise departure, while specialty dining reservations can be made up to 48 hours prior to departure. Though you can book both shore excursions and dining reservations on board, Carnival recommends booking in advance for the best options.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Cheap U.S. Virgin Islands Carnival Cruises

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10 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

  • You want a bright, bold, big ship that's packed with fun
  • You like vibrant nightlife and nonstop entertainment options
  • You are traveling as a family and need a ship for everyone
  • You don't like being one of a crowd; this is a small city at sea
  • You want a more inclusive cruise; extra-cost items abound

7 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

  • You are looking for a "Fun Ship" with homages to Carnival's history and lots to do at a great value
  • You want the greatest selection of dining and entertainment options
  • You like a social and party atmosphere with some quieter places to escape to
  • You prefer a smaller ship with fewer fellow passengers and more space per guest
  • You appreciate a greater destination focus with an observation lounge
  • You want even more included without the need to pay for extras

9 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

8 night cruise to the caribbean.

  • You like your ship big with plenty of wall-to-wall fun
  • You need a cruise that's suitable for the whole family
  • You appreciate casual informality over rigid dress codes
  • You dislike dark, garish and busy interior decor schemes
  • You prize moments of quiet solitude over organized activities
  • You are looking for a next-gen "Fun Ship" experience with lots to do at a great value

11 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

  • You like splashy, newly refitted ships with plenty of amenities
  • You want excellent activities and facilities designed for kids
  • You enjoy plenty of jam-packed activities and vibrant nightlife
  • You prefer a quiet cruise with few lines and no waiting
  • You want thrill-seeking activities like surfing and ziplines
  • You value quiet, understated decor and low-key activities
  • You want a megaship offering all the latest bells and whistles
  • You need a big, modern ship that appeals to people of all ages
  • You are put off by the wacky decor on Carnival’s past ships
  • You're looking for a quiet, adult-oriented cruise vacation
  • You want a budget-minded cruise lasting less than one week
  • You have mobility issues and find it hard to walk long distances

14 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

  • You enjoy plenty of diverse restaurant and cuisine options
  • You value wide-open deck spaces and hidden nooks and crannies
  • You want a big, modern ship with as many amenities as possible
  • You dislike big ships where lines and crowds are the norm
  • You want adventurous thrills like ziplines and bumper cars
  • You prefer subtle evening entertainment to in-your-face fun

12 Night Cruise to the Caribbean

  • You want a wide selection of staterooms with private balconies
  • You want to take a cruise that's at least a week in duration
  • You like to keep busy on vacation and enjoy plenty of activities
  • You're put off by crowds, noise, children and long lines
  • You value quiet solitude over boisterous socialization
  • You are looking for economic cruises lasting less than one week

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Travel Documentation: Non-U.S. Citizens

Carnival requires guests to provide proper travel documentation in order to travel. The documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding the ship and will be under full penalty, and therefore, will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise. Guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

On occasion, Non-U.S. Citizens may be asked to surrender their passport at time of check-in. It will be returned upon completion of the immigration inspection at the time of debarkation.

Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel unless otherwise noted differently.

Domestic Cruises

  • Non-U.S. Citizens are required to carry a valid, unexpired passport and a Multiple Entry Visa, if applicable. In addition , guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.
  • Visa Waiver Program (VWP) : Non-U.S. citizens that are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program must have a valid, unexpired machine readable passport that includes specified security features (biometric identifiers). In addition , travelers are required to have an electronic travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Details on this program as well as the participating VWP countries can be found below. 
  • Mexican citizens who are traveling with a Border Crossing Card must also present a valid, unexpired Mexican passport.  Please click  here for more details.

Cruises that Visit Canada or Transit in Canada 

  • Non-U.S. Citizens must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to Canada, from their country of citizenship.
  • Non-U.S. Citizens may require a Canadian Visa depending on their nationality.
  • Guests who are not citizens of the United States, Canada, U.K., Australia or New Zealand, may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit or transit Canada.
  • As of March 16, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include travelers with a valid Canadian visa.
  • If guests are required to have a visa, it must be obtained in advance regardless of whether they choose to remain onboard or go ashore. Processing times vary by citizenship and may take up to 45 days. For more information, regarding travel documentation requirements, please contact your local Canadian consulate or visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp .
  • Entry into Canada: Guests who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada - for more information, click here .

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

All Visa Waiver Program countries are required to issue passports that include specified security features (biometric identifiers) in order to enter the United States. A biometric identifier is an electronic scan of a physical feature, such as an eye, hand, fingerprint, or face. It allows an immigration inspector to know for certain that the person appearing before them is the same person to whom a passport or visa was issued.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted any time prior to travel. However, it is recommended that guests apply when they begin preparing their travel plans. We suggest that guests visit  www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta for additional information regarding ESTA. 

Guests will need to print and carry their Electronic System for Travel Authorization as it will need to be presented at cruise check-in along with their passport. An ESTA needs to be completed for each family member traveling on the cruise.

Citizens of the following countries (excluding U.S. Permanent Residents) that participate in the Visa Waiver Program must possess an ESTA for entry into the United States:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom *

* United Kingdom - only British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent residence in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are eligible to enter the United States with ESTA.

Note: Citizens of Curacao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten (from the former Netherland Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visas Waiver Program, if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises Non-U.S. Citizens must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

  • Non-U.S. Citizens must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to a Schengen country (see list of countries below).
  • Non-U.S. Citizens may require a Schengen Visa.
  • For itineraries that include countries (such as Turkey and Croatia) which are not part of the Schengen agreement, additional visas may be required for citizens of certain countries.

Schengen Visa Requirements Under the Schengen regulations, citizens of certain countries will need a valid visa to visit or transit through any country in the Schengen area. There are currently 26 European countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. The agreement eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries. Once you enter a Schengen country, you may travel continuously for up to 90 days within the member countries.

The following countries are party to the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling and the countries being visited.  Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. We strongly suggest that guests visit  www.schengenvisa.cc for additional Schengen Visa information and check with the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the embassy or consulate can provide the correct information. Guests may also contact a visa service agency for assistance. Names on Travel Documentation It is important that the guest’s full name (first name and last name) on the cruise and airline tickets be the same as the guest’s non-expired government-issued photo I.D. they plan to use for travel identification. In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest’s photo I.D. as a result of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate, marriage license or legal name change court document. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

Please Note: For those about to or recently have been married, we strongly recommend that if the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name); If the reservation was made in the married name, but the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

Traveling with Minors When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

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Video shows Carnival cruise ship rescuing migrants at sea near Cuba

New video captured the moment a Carnival cruise ship came to the aid of a group of migrants aboard a rustic vessel out at sea.

A passenger on the Carnival Celebration told NBC South Florida the rafters were spotted Saturday afternoon.

The passenger said officials made an announcement to alert guests and then stopped to help until the Coast Guard arrived.

A Carnival cruise ship came to the aid of a group of migrants aboard a rustic vessel out at sea.

The Coast Guard said Monday that the rescue happened about 20 miles north of Cuba. It said that no injuries were reported and that the migrants will be repatriated back to Cuba.

The staff of NBC South Florida.

The Motley Fool

Carnival Cruise Line Has 1 Key Focus in 2024. Is It Time to Buy the Stock?

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) , parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, is one of the world's largest cruise ship operators. After seeing its business screech to a standstill amidst the pandemic, Carnival has been on the rise again -- in fact, reaching record revenue in fiscal 2023. But there's one lingering problem that has investors worried about the company. Here's what you need to know and what Carnival is planning to do about it.

Carnival is lagging behind

Carnival stock has only risen half as much as peer Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) over the past year as the cruise industry rebounds from effectively being shut down during the pandemic. But the problem here is worse than it seems because Carnival shares are down 70% over the past five years even as Royal Caribbean is up 10%. Effectively, Royal Caribbean has recovered all of the ground lost during the pandemic, but Carnival stock is still in purgatory.

What's going on? The first part of the story is the pandemic. Cruise lines weren't allowed to operate, which was bad for business. That's an obvious statement. But running a cruise line, even if there are no passengers, is a costly affair. In order to get through that difficult stretch, Carnival took on debt, as did Royal Caribbean. The debt-to-equity chart below highlights what happened on the balance sheets of these two competitors.

The big takeaway here, however, shows up at the end of the chart. Notice that Royal Caribbean has more aggressively reduced its leverage. That means that Carnival is lagging behind in the effort to get its financial house back in order. This is a key issue for investors to monitor.

Carnival knows it has a problem

The current state of the balance sheet is the bad news. The good news is that Carnival knows it has a problem and is planning to do something about it. Notably, in the company's fiscal 2023 earnings presentation, it stated: "Substantial increases in Free Cash Flow [are] expected in 2024 and beyond to drive down our debt balances."

That was on a slide dedicated to Carnival's balance sheet improvement efforts. It was the culminating bullet point, with the other items highlighting the progress the cruise line has made so far in strengthening its debt profile. There's still a lot of work to be done. Just knowing there's a problem and making some initial headway isn't enough to change investors' minds about the debt situation.

That said, the company's efforts to reduce debt have been accelerating. So this is a problem Carnival knows it needs to solve more quickly.

Given Carnival's laggard stock performance, contrarian investors might be attracted to the recovery potential that still seems to exist here. That's not a bad thought process, per se, but caution is in order. Carnival's business is doing well today, but a recession could quickly lead to a pullback in cruise spending. That would make it much harder for Carnival to reduce debt the way it hopes it can.

In other words, for more aggressive investors, there's a reason to be interested in the stock, but financial performance and balance sheet progress need to be closely monitored.

Carnival is still a work in progress

At the end of the day, Carnival probably isn't the best option for risk-averse investors. Yes, the business is rebounding strongly from the pandemic period, but the stock is still floundering relative to peers, and that's at least partly because of the company's still-troubled balance sheet. Fixing that problem won't be quick and it requires ongoing business strength, which there is no way of guaranteeing at a highly economically sensitive company.

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Carnival Cruise Line Has 1 Key Focus in 2024. Is It Time to Buy the Stock?

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