A viral video of a cruise passenger sleeping on a rollaway bed on her private balcony is making waves on social media.
Most cruise lines do not allow guests to relocate their beds for safety reasons and to avoid damaging the bedding.
However, most cruise fans are more concerned that the person who filmed the video invaded the snoozing guest’s privacy on a viral scale.
Every now and then, cruisers get rather, umm, creative, when it comes to their cabin set ups.
In the past, we’ve seen Carnival cruisers go viral for dragging a lounge chair from the Lido deck to their interior cabin and another woman was scrutinized for moving her bed to her balcony on a chilly Antarctica cruise.
And once again, another cruise guest is going viral for moving what looks like a rollaway bed onto her cruise cabin’s private balcony.
A short clip was taken from another cruise ship that was docked next to the vessel as the passenger comfortably snoozed under a white comforter.
She even has a book on her lap and a make-shift nightstand set up on a chair, showing she made this decision for the long haul.
The ship she was onboard hasn’t been specified, but it was a Royal Caribbean ship that was docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
“Why do y’all do this,” the original TikTok asked in white text over the short video clip.
Some scrutiny is valid, as most cruise lines actually do not allow guests to relocate their beds to their balconies for safety reasons.
First, sleeping on the balcony increases the risk of a passenger falling or slipping, especially if the vessel encounters rough seas or there is an unexpected change in weather.
Passenger With Bed on Balcony (Credit: @cartelmarcel)
Next, all entrances and exits to the cruise cabin need to be kept clear in the unlikely event of an emergency.
If this guest and her companions had to evacuate their cabin by means of their balcony, the bed would create a dangerous obstruction.
And while safety is the key concern here, long-term exposure to the salty ocean air can damage bedding and mattresses, potentially even leading to mold.
An Invasion of Privacy
You would likely expect that safety would be the top concern among onlookers, but the bigger sticking point was actually that many felt the snoozing cruiser was the victim of an unforgivable invasion of privacy.
Other cruise fans didn’t like that she was filmed without consent and that she was being judged for moving her bed.
One TikToker, who goes by @cartelmarcel on the platform, reacted to the surprisingly controversial video. He captioned the clip with “let people love their life lol.”
The TikToker’s video received over 2,400 comments, with most judging the cameraperson and original poster of the video more than the snoozing passenger.
“They thought it was weird to roll a bed onto a balcony but not weird to record someone who is minding their own business!?”one person exclaimed.
“People that record others at resorts and cruises and post it on social media to make fun of them should be banned. Let people relax and mind your business,”another commented.
But while I would never personally record and post a stranger on a cruise ship (and don’t recommend doing so), I do wonder if passengers actually have a reasonable expectation of privacy while enjoying cruise ship balconies.
On most cruise ships, you can still see other passengers enjoying their balconies from your own cabin, which means they can see you as well.
Additionally, cruisers are aware of when port calls are scheduled, and should, in theory, have the sense to know that their balcony may be visible from the dock or a neighboring vessel.
When they woke up in the morning in port, they realized guests on a neighboring cruise ship were getting an unexpected show.
In the age of smartphones and cameras everywhere, my advice is to never do anything in public that would upset you if it made the rounds on social media.
Royal Caribbean is moving embarkation two hours earlier for Symphony of the Seas on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The expected nor’easter that will be impacting the northeastern US coast may bring winds of 30-40 miles per hour or greater to the region on Sunday.
There are no itinerary changes confirmed for the ship yet, but the situation is fluid and such changes may be necessary.
It isn’t just hurricanes that can disrupt cruise itineraries. Guests eager to set sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas are now learning that their embarkation has been moved up by two hours in anticipation of rough weather impacting the New Jersey homeport.
While the next cruise of the Oasis-class ship is not setting sail until Sunday, October 12, 2025, that is exactly when poor coastal weather may begin to have a significant impact on the northeastern Atlantic.
“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we have been closely monitoring a developing coastal low-pressure system forecast to impact the port of Cape Liberty beginning on Sunday,”an alert sent to guests read.“Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, we will continue to monitor the ocean storm system and only depart once we deem it is safe to do so.”
While this may seem that Symphony of the Seas could be departing later than planned, the cruise line is taking steps that might enable an early departure.
“To ensure a smooth boarding process, please arrive two (2) hours earlier than your pre-selected arrival window! If you do not have an arrival time selected, please complete your online check-in via the Royal Caribbean app and plan to arrive at 12:00 PM,”the notice urged.“All guests should be checked-in and onboard by 12:30 PM.”
Original arrival times for the 7-night Bahamas cruise begin at 10:30 a.m., but now guests may arrive as early as 8:30 a.m.
Symphony of the Seas typically departs Cape Liberty at 3 p.m. With the new cruise terminal arrival schedule, it is possible the ship may set sail as early as 1 or 1:30 p.m.
This would mean the current sailing, another 7-night Bahamas itinerary, would need to arrive earlier than expected for debarkation. At the moment, the ship is underway at near her top cruising speed as she heads back toward New Jersey, having finished her port visits.
While an early arrival and departure is a drastic action, this could ensure the ship is underway and well out of the area before the worst of the nor’easter weather arrives later in the day.
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas Docked at Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: Brian Logan Photography)
According to the Weather Channel, winds are predicted to be 20-30 miles per hour in Bayonne on Sunday, with gusts possibly reaching 45 miles per hour or greater. Some weather forecasts are even predicting isolated gusts that could reach 60+ miles per hour.
A coastal flood watch is already planned from 8 a.m. Sunday morning until 6 p.m. Monday evening. This could also potentially impact guests driving to the cruise terminal.
No Itinerary Changes Yet
Royal Caribbean does acknowledge that the “situation is still evolving” and there may yet be further changes to the ship’s schedule. At the moment, however, there are no itinerary changes for the weeklong cruise.
Symphony of the Seas is scheduled to visit Port Canaveral on Tuesday, October 14, followed by Nassau on Wednesday, October 15 and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday, October 16.
If the ship is significantly delayed leaving New Jersey, however, it may be necessary to adjust or even cancel one or more ports of call, depending on the length of the delay.
Royal Caribbean will keep guests updated as any changes are confirmed. The primary consideration will always be safety, and the cruise line will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the ship, guests, and crew members are safe and as comfortable as possible no matter how rough the seas may get.
The Port of Sydney, which is located in Nova Scotia, is clearing up confusion after Symphony of the Seas added and then quickly cancelled a port call.
The port clarified that their two piers are safe and able to accommodate Oasis-class vessels, and that the visit was not cancelled due to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Symphony of the Seas has no plans to attempt another visit at this time, but three other Royal Caribbean ships will be calling throughout the month of October.
As every seasoned cruiser knows, port cancellations are not unusual. But when Symphony of the Seas cancelled her last-minute call to Sydney, Nova Scotia, on September 30, 2025, the decision was met with more speculation than normal.
According to local reports, the cruise port was inundated with an unusually high number of questions, comments, and emails seeking clarity and expressing concerns about the last-minute visit and cancellation.
It’s worth acknowledging that Symphony of the Seas was never actually supposed to sail to Sydney in the first place.
The cruise port was added to the itinerary at the last minute after the Oasis-class vesselswitched from a 7-night Bahamas itinerary to a cruise to Canada in order to avoid Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda.
Once the plans were made, the city was full of excitement to welcome the Royal Caribbean ship for her inaugural call.
At 1,184 feet long and 228,081 gross tons, the 6,680-guest vessel would have been the largest cruise ship to ever dock in Sydney.
But almost as quickly as the call to Sydney was announced, Royal Caribbean cancelled what would have been an overnight visit.
This has led to rumors that the port might not be safe for larger vessels, and the cruise destination wants to make it clear that their two piers are capable of accommodating the world’s fifth largest cruise shipand her sister ships.
“The Port of Sydney received a request on Friday, September 26, from Royal Caribbean for a call by Symphony of the Seas, diverted due to a hurricane in the southern region,” The Port of Sydney said in a statement.
“The port’s infrastructure was purpose-built to accommodate vessels of this scale, with both Liberty Pier and the Main Dock expansion designed specifically for Oasis-class vessels,” the statement continued.
The cruise destination then went on to acknowledge that the final decision on whether a cruise ship will visit a port lies with the ship’s Captain, and that they respect Royal Caribbean’s decision.
Holiday Was Not a Factor in Port Cancellation
Not only would Symphony of the Seas’ inaugural visit be historic, but it would likely have been a great day for profits for the businesses located in the port’s downtown area.
Many of these businesses made special arrangements to be open on September 30, which is a holiday in Canada called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
When the day came, the cruise ship floated around 18 miles off shore, but the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion was closed and locked – which created confusion on if the ship was docking or not.
It also added to speculation that the port call was cancelled due to the holiday.
However, the port wants to make it very clear that it would have been up and running to welcome the cruise guests if the visit had gone ahead as planned.
“The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion was closed following the cancellation in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day,” the cruise port confirmed.
“The closure was not the cause of the cancellation, and had a ship been in port, the Pavilion would have been open.”
Plans were even in the works to include the passengers in recognizing the holiday, which honors the legacy of residential schools and the victims and survivors who went through them.
Although the 2018-launched vessel has no plans to attempt to return to Sydney at this time, the port will continue to work closely with Royal Caribbean.
Other Royal Caribbean ships like Vision of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas will visit multiple times before the end of October.
Carnival Cruise Line organizes its fleet into ten distinct classes, each with different cruise ship sizes, onboard amenities, and their own unique personality. From cozy and budget-friendly cruise ships to megaships that feature incredible attractions, the Carnival fleet is incredibly diverse.
Let’s dive in and learn more about the 29 ships that currently make up the Carnival fleet.
I like to think of Carnival’s Fantasy Class as approachable, wallet-friendly cruise ships. They first entered service in the 1990s, so they’re a bit dated by today’s standards, but they’re perfect for an affordable getaway.
Current Fantasy Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Elation
71,909
2,190
1998
Carnival Paradise
71,925
2,124
1998
Before the launch of Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, the Fantasy Class consisted of six other cruise ships. As of 2020, they are no longer in service, but Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, and Carnival Inspiration are all former Fantasy Class ships.
All of these former cruise ships had a gross tonnage of 70,367, and they were launched between 1990 and 1996. I never had the opportunity to sail on any of these retired cruise ships, but they mostly sailed to and from the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
What Are Fantasy Class Ships Known For?
Fantasy-class ships are considered to be classic Carnival small-to-mid-size ships. Although only two Fantasy Class ships remain in service, they introduced many people to the cruise line.
Carnival Paradise in Tampa
As relatively small cruise ships, they’re known for being affordable and fairly easy to navigate. They both homeport in Florida, and they usually offer shorter Caribbean itineraries, as well as direct travel to and from the Bahamas.
From the beginning, the Fantasy Class cruise ships were marketed towards budget-minded guests who wanted Carnival’s now well-known casual vibe.
Today, these ships are ideal for young families traveling with kids, as well as first-time cruisers looking for a simple cruise ship layout and a budget-friendly trip.
Top Features
When you think of traveling on a Fantasy Class ship, think of compact public spaces. Most of the top features on these ships are venues that will be familiar to frequent Carnival cruisers, like Guy’s Burger Joint and the Red Frog Rum Bar on Lido deck.
Both active ships were renovated in 2020, with a key component of the update being improving the pool facilities. The three pools and six hot tubs added to each of the two ships are their main attractions. You won’t find full-sized water parks, but the pools are still great for families.
Carnival Elation was also given an additional 30 balcony cabins, which replaced a dated lounge area at the back of the ship.
Spirit Class
Spirit Class ships sit right above Fantasy Class vessels in the Carnival fleet. They’re a bit bigger and were all launched in the early 2000s. Today, Carnival uses them for lengthier voyages than its two active Fantasy-class ships.
Current Spirit Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Spirit
88,500
2,134
2001
Carnival Pride
88,500
2,134
2002
Carnival Legend
88,500
2,134
2002
Carnival Miracle
88,500
2,134
2004
Two other Spirit-class ships were constructed, but have since been sold by Carnival Cruise Line.
What Are Spirit Class Ships Known For?
Spirit-class ships were all built to be Panamax-sized, which is just a fancy way of saying they’re slim enough to pass through the Panama Canal.
This gives them a slightly narrower profile than you’d expect for a ship with a capacity of over 2,000 guests. Their unique profile also means they offer a wider range of itineraries, which is why they have sailed throughout Alaska, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and more.
They feel a bit roomier than Fantasy-class ships, but you wouldn’t call them mega-ships. Another unique feature is their signature trio of smoke stacks, as well as a large skylight at the front of the ships.
Travelers seeking a mid-sized ship with unique itineraries will likely enjoy booking a voyage on a Spirit-class cruise ship. While the amenities are somewhat limited compared to the larger ships in the fleet, they’re still great ships for adults and young families alike.
Top Features
If you travel on a Spirit-class ship, expect mid-sized venues and comfortable lounges. Although they don’t have the latest Cloud 9 Spa facilities, they still offer pools, fitness centers, and a variety of entertainment options. The distinct glass atrium is the defining feature of these ships.
Upgraded Carnival Spirit Mini Golf (Credit: Carnival)
Carnival Miracle was the last Spirit-class built for Carnival. She has the same tonnage and capacity. Like Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend, one of Carnival Miracle’s defining features is an enormous atrium with a glass ceiling called the Colossus Atrium. While Carnival Spirit lacks the glass atrium, all four Spirit-class ships feature glass elevators.
Conquest Class
Conquest-class ships are another step up in terms of both passenger capacity and size. They’re built around an original Carnival Cruise Line design, so they differ from any other cruise ships out there. All five Conquest-class ships are still in service.
Current Conquest Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Conquest
110,000
2,980
2002
Carnival Glory
110,000
2,980
2003
Carnival Valor
110,000
2,980
2004
Carnival Liberty
110,000
2,974
2005
Carnival Freedom
110,000
2,980
2007
What Are Conquest Class Ships Known For?
Conquest-class vessels are noticeably bigger than Spirit-class ships. You get a greater number of entertainment venues, as well as adult-only areas and amenities.
In fact, Carnival Conquest was one of the first ships in the fleet to offer Carnival SEA Voyages, which are adult-only itineraries.
All five ships operate year-round, mostly offering voyages throughout the Caribbean. They are a great option for families and adult couples looking for a nice balance between value and onboard entertainment.
If you’re like me and enjoy lounging poolside, all five ships feature stadium-style pool decks, allowing you to choose between sitting beside the pool or looking down at it.
Top Features
Conquest ships offer a significantly larger variety of dining options compared to the smaller classes mentioned above. You also get those really big swimming pools and sun decks.
Speaking of which, they use those stadium-style pool decks to host outdoor Dive-In Movies, where guests can watch a movie on the big screen under the stars. Trust me, it’s a lot of fun!
Splendor Class
Carnival Splendor is the only ship in Carnival’s Splendor-class, but it still plays a vital role in the fleet.
Current Splendor Class Ship
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Splendor
113,300
3,012
2008
What Are Splendor Class Ships Known For?
Until Carnival debuted the Dream class, Carnival Splendor was the largest ship in the fleet. The original design aimed to offer an increased passenger capacity, along with larger public spaces and more modern décor and amenities.
Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
Carnival Splendor is known for being a lively ship. With plenty of live musical performances, the Royal Flush Casino, and an elegant dining venue called Fahrenheit 555, it is a slightly more adult-oriented ship than most of Carnival’s ships.
I’d say that Carnival Splendor has a slightly more “grown up” vibe. It’s also a really big cruise ship, so if you want a ship that you can really explore, it’s a good option.
Top Features
Carnival Splendor features water slides, two full-sized swimming pools, numerous hot tubs, and a massive live performance theater called the El Morocco Lounge.
Dream Class
Now we’re getting into some of Carnival’s bigger, resort-style cruise ships. Built between 2009 and 2012, they represented a significant advancement for the Carnival fleet.
Current Dream Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Dream
130,000
3,646
2009
Carnival Magic
130,000
3,690
2011
Carnival Breeze
130,000
3,690
2012
A fourth Dream-class ship belongs to Costa Cruises and sails under the name Costa Diadema.
What Are Dream Class Ships Known For?
Dream-class ships popularized Carnival’s popular family zones. Since they were the biggest ships in the fleet when they first launched, they also introduced guests to a more diverse range of restaurant options, including branded eateries.
With lots of family-friendly amenities, as well as plenty of specialty dining options, Dream-class ships are a good option for families with children. The family pools are great for the kids, while the high-production live shows and numerous late-night entertainment venues work well for adults.
Top Features
All Dream-class ships feature a Cloud 9 Spa, as well as a nice variety of specialty restaurants.
Carnival Dream also features an 18-hole mini golf course, as well as jacuzzi tubs that hang over the side of the ship. These are also the first ships to feature Carnival’s WaterWorks water parks and slides.
Sunshine Class
Carnival’s Sunshine class is actually a refitted Destiny-class ship. Three Destiny-class ships were refitted starting in the early 2010s, then relaunched as a new class between 2013 and 2021.
Current Sunshine Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Refit Launch Year
Carnival Sunshine
102,853
3,002
2013
Carnival Sunrise
101,509
2,984
2019
Carnival Radiance
101,509
2,984
2021
What Are Sunshine Class Ships Known For?
All three Sunshine class ships are retrofitted and remodeled ships. Because they are not a custom-built class, the Sunshine-class is slightly different from the other classes in the Carnival fleet.
A huge goal of the refit was to add additional balcony cabins and suites, so there is a real focus on passenger accommodations. The ships also have refreshed décor, upgraded dining venues, and large water parks.
All three ships in the class are themed to reflect the oceans and seas of the world, giving them a really pleasant aquatic theme. There was also a lot of effort put into creating huge lounge areas.
I never had the chance to sail on any of these ships before they were upgraded, but it’s clear that the roughly 200 million dollars Carnival put into refitting the ships included a big focus on onboard amenities.
As mid-sized ships, they offer a great introduction to cruising. Since they usually offer short itineraries, traveling on a Sunshine-class ship can also be a budget-friendly way to enjoy a cruise vacation.
Top Features
All three ships were given enormous water slides as part of the refitting process. You’ll also find outdoor movie screens, spas, casinos, nightclubs, specialty restaurants, and lots more. Some guests even claim there’s too much to do at nighton these ships!
Vista Class
Vista-class cruise ships are the third largest in the fleet. With a focus on top-deck attractions and an interior design that focuses on distinct zones, the three ships that the class consists of offer plenty of fun for passengers of all ages.
Current Vista Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Carnival Vista
133,500
3,934
2016
Carnival Horizon
133,500
3,960
2018
Carnival Panorama
133,500
4,008
2019
What Are Vista Class Ships Known For?
Carnival’s Vista-class ships were designed with adventure in mind. They have more public space than previously built ships, as well as eye-catching attractions.
They were also the first ships to feature SkyRide, a pedal-powered suspended bike track. Like the Dream-class ships, they also have mini-putt courses and a WaterWorks water park. Carnival Vista also has an IMAX theatre. Carnival Panorama is also home to an indoor trampoline park called Sky Zone.
Carnival Vista in Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Another thing all three Vista-class ships are known for is their diverse dining options, which include Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, Brewhouse and Seafood Shack, and Bonsai Teppanyaki.
Basically, these ships offer a wide range of dining experiences and amenities, including a variety of top deck activities for thrill seekers. They’re really fun for both first-time and seasoned cruisers.
Personally, I think they’re some of the most entertaining ships in the entire fleet!
With that said, it’s not all just about entertainment and diverse dining options when you travel on a Vista-class ship. These ships also introduced the Havana Staterooms, which give guests access to restricted cabin zones, including the Havana Cabanas by the main pools and the Family Harbor Entertainment area.
Excel Class
Sometimes listed as Excellence or XL class, Carnival’s Excel-class ships are amongst the fleet’s newest. These four enormous ships are also the biggest in the fleet, with passenger capacities of over 5,000 guests.
Current Excel Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Launch Year
Mardi Gras
180,800
5,270
2021
Carnival Celebration
183,521
5,362
2022
Carnival Jubilee
183,521
5,362
2023
There are also plans to add additional Excel-class ships to the fleet, with Carnival Festivale set to set sail in 2027, and Carnival Tropicale the following year.
What Are Excel Class Ships Known For?
Excel-class ships are known mostly for their enormous size. As the largest and second-newest class in the Carnival fleet, it’s no surprise that they’re outfitted with a vast variety of amenities. Mardi Gras was also the first Carnival vessel to be LNG powered.
Each of the three ships is also outfitted with 20+ dining options. The interior of each ship is also divided into distinct themed zones, which vary from adults-only to family-oriented spaces.
With a nice variety of headline-worthy attractions, they also tend to have a really lively atmosphere. Like most megaships, Excel-class ships are perfect for vacationers who are looking for a resort-style experience at sea.
They’re also a good option for any cruisers who enjoy a faster-paced environment and plenty of exciting nightlife.
Top Features
Aside from the sheer size of Excel-class ships, the top feature is BOLT. This full-sized roller coaster gives 360° ocean views and sits right on the top deck of Mardi Gras and her sister ships.
Carnival BOLT Roller Coaster (Photo Credit: Camera walk)
It was also the first roller coaster at sea, so it’s unsurprising that Carnival advertised it heavily when they first launched Mardi Gras.
The huge variety of restaurants is also really nice. With steakhouses, sushi restaurants, and everything in between, there’s almost too much to choose from. You can even read which foods and snacks the crew of the Carnival Mardi Gras enjoy the most.
Venice Class
With only two ships, Carnival’s Venice class is one of the newest in the fleet. Due to design similarities, Carnival’s Venice-class ships are sometimes lumped in with their Vista-class vessels.
Both ships were originally designed for Costa Cruises, but they were later transferred to Carnival Cruise Line. Even though they’re not part of the Carnival fleet, they still retain a unique Italian-inspired theme leftover from their association with Costa Cruises.
Current Venice Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Carnival Launch Year
Carnival Venezia
135,225
4,090
2023
Carnival Firenze
135,156
4,126
2024
What Are Venice Class Ships Known For?
You really notice the more boutique, Italian-inspired themes when you board either of Carnival’s Venice-class ships. There are plenty of Italian-style eateries and cafés, as well as Venetian atriums and Italian-looking décor.
Carnival Venezia Docked in Curacao (Photo Credit: Curaçao Ports Authority)
Personally, I feel that Carnival’s Venice-class ships have a more European atmosphere that goes beyond just decoration. There’s a more elegant feel to the ships that stands apart from the casual fun Carnival Cruise Line is famous for.
Passengers seeking the energy and budget-friendly nature of a Carnival cruise, but also wanting themed interiors and a more traditional cruising experience, will enjoy booking a trip on one of these two ships.
Top Features
The top features on these ships have to be their unique interior design. Carnival really leaned into the Italian theme, outfitting the ships with marble flooring, huge Italian-themed murals, and plenty of Italian-style dining options, like Pizzeria Del Capitano and the II Viaggio specialty restaurant.
Adventure Class
The two ships in Carnival’s Adventure class were designed to be smaller and nimbler than the other ships in the fleet. This explains the name Adventure class, which is meant to reflect the more remote and inaccessible locations the ships can visit due to their smaller size.
The two ships previously sailed under P&O Australia under the names Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter. In 2025, they were renamed and relaunched as Carnival cruise ships.
Current Adventure Class Ships
Ship Name
Gross Tonnage (GT)
Max Passenger Capacity
Carnival Launch Year
Carnival Adventure
108,865
2,636
2025
Carnival Encounter
198,865
2,600
2025
What Are Adventure Class Ships Known For?
As mid-sized cruise ships, Adventure-class ships are a bit smaller than a typical Carnival cruise ship, so the focus is more on high-quality dining experiences and modest amenities, like a small water park, pools, and live entertainment venues.
Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter sail side by side (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Since they’re relatively small, they can also visit some of the smaller ports in the Caribbean. Carnival Adventure also sails from Australia for part of the year, with itinerary stops at smaller ports in New Zealand.
These ships are perfect for any new cruiser who doesn’t want to feel overwhelmed by some of the mega-ships in the fleet.
Top Features
Despite the smaller size, both ships feature a version of Carnival’s EDGE Adventure Park, which is a zip line course unique to Carnival Cruise Line.
There are also plenty of dining options aboard either ship, as well as several live entertainment venues, like Punchliner Comedy Club.
Choosing the Right Carnival Ship Class
Carnival offers 10 distinct classes, each with unique features. From the smaller Fantasy-class and Adventure-class ships to the mega cruise ships in the Excel class, choosing the right trip for your vacation can be a bit confusing.
My main piece of advice would be to prioritize the type of itinerary you want to experience, as well as the amenities that catch your eye. While it’s always a decision that depends on personal preference, here’s my advice.
Budget travelers should enjoy Fantasy, Spirit, and Sunshine-class ships because they’re compact and affordable.
Young families and those with children would feel at home on Excel-class, Dream-class, and Vista-class ships, as they offer a vast variety of adult and child-friendly attractions. These would also appeal to those looking to enjoy a more resort-style vacation on a mega-ship.
For unique itineraries and adventure, the Adventure-class ships are usually the best bet. Venice-class ships also visit unique locations, like Panama, so they’d also work well.
If you’re on a tight budget, but still want a lot of the usual cruise ship amenities, you can’t go wrong with a Conquest-class ship. You can sometimes score a good deal on Carnival’s sole Splendor-class ship, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on prices if you’re on a budget.
Norwegian Cruise Line is now limiting how many items guests can order from room service at once to one hot item and one cold item per person.
The room service fees for breakfast and the all-day menu remain unchanged, despite order sizes now being restricted.
This change is the third the cruise line has implemented after adding fees to additional entrees in the Main Dining Room and removing drink packages from Great Stirrup Cay.
Just days after adding fees for a second entree in the Main Dining Room, Norwegian Cruise Line is now imposing fairly strict limits on room service orders.
The change is a recent one, but guests are quickly noticing the restriction, which didn’t exist in September but is now present for October sailings. Specifically, it has been noted aboard Norwegian Sun, which is currently sailing a 16-night sailing between Honolulu and Vancouver.
“Each stateroom occupant may order 1 hot item and 1 cold item (bento box) per delivery,”the room service restriction reads.
Because the policy is so new, it is yet unclear just what items are considered “hot” and “cold” per order, or what types of items are considered a single item or multiple items.
NCL Room Service Notice (Credit: Renee Braddock)
For example, would a pot of coffee that will serve multiple guests be considered one hot item, two items (one for each guest), or not an item at all if drinks are classified differently?
“I’m wondering if a pot of coffee, eggs, hashbrowns and toast would be considered 4 hot items?”one guest speculated.
At the moment, there is no confirmed answer to that type of order. It is also unknown whether this change is fleet-wide already, being beta tested aboard Norwegian Sun, or in the process of being rolled out across all 20 Norwegian ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s room service menu is an extensive one, with full-meal options and a-la-carte selections for breakfast as well as an all-day menu featuring chicken noodle soup, salads, chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, skirt steak, desserts, and more.
There is already a $4.95 delivery fee for breakfast orders and a $9.95 delivery fee for the all-day menu. Each order also has a 20% gratuity automatically added for any non-complimentary items, such as alcoholic drinks.
Guests seeing the new limitations are quick to note that those fees have not been reduced. Nor is there any option of a higher fee for a more extensive order.
Furthermore, the restriction is upsetting to guests who prefer to dine in their room on occasion, as it greatly limits any options for what could be considered a full meal.
“Now you cannot get a salad, an entree, and a dessert,”one guest noted.“You can only get two items.”
Norwegian Aqua Hallway (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
If guests dine in an onboard restaurant, the menu is three standard courses: appetizer, entree, and dessert. While Norwegian Cruise Line is now charging a $5 fee for every extra entree after the first, guests can still get unlimited appetizers, such as both a soup and a salad, as well as multiple desserts.
While it is possible this is yet another step attempting to limit food waste, it does feel like more nickel-and-dime tactics to cruisers who enjoy room service.
More Restrictions
In addition to the new dining room fee, Norwegian Cruise Line has also just announced a restriction to its “More at Sea” beverage package.
Starting March 1, 2026, the package will no longer be honored at Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas. Instead, guests will have the option to purchase an on-island drink package.
This operational change is not being well-received by guests and is seen as yet another example of nickel-and-diming choices by the cruise line.
Frustrated speculation is rampant about what charges may be next, such as fees to use poolside loungers, extra costs for clean towels, or charges for buffet visits – where you can get as many appetizers, entrees, and desserts as you wish.
How much time do you need on one of the world’s largest cruise ships? I had the opportunity to enjoy a last-minute sailing aboard Utopia of the Seas, but would three nights be enough time to explore everything the ship has to offer?
Why Such a Short Cruise?
Utopia of the Seas is the first of Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis-class ships to be specifically built and marketed to offer “the ultimate weekend” sailings with 3- and 4-night getaways.
Typically, you wouldn’t expect a ship this size to offer such short cruises. With a convenient weekend coming up, however, I found a sailing that featured a great price, and thought, why not?
I live close to Port Canaveral and so didn’t need to worry about flights or hotels, making it well worthwhile to see if a short cruise on a huge ship would be a worthwhile getaway. Or would it simply feel like too little time and too much to do?
Not My First Short Cruise
With more than 40 cruises in my sailing history, this getaway onboard Utopia of the Seas would not be my first short sailing. It wouldn’t even be my first with a Royal Caribbean ship, as I’ve sailed a weekend getaway on Enchantment of the Seas.
I did expect the experience to be significantly different, just considering the ages and sizes of the ships. Enchantment of the Seas is one of the oldest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, having debuted in 1997 (years before I even started cruising!), and is just 83,000 gross tons, with a capacity of roughly 2,700 guests.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Utopia of the Seas, in contrast, is one of the newest Royal Caribbean ships, having debuted in 2024. At 236,500 gross tons, Utopia is almost triple the size of Enchantment, and she can welcome almost 7,000 guests.
Outside of Royal Caribbean, I’ve also done 12 other 3-night sailings with Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line. So I know what to expect for a shorter cruise.
Sure, three nights is plenty of time to enjoy a smaller, older ship that doesn’t have as many bells and whistles. But would a weekend onboard Utopia of the Seas feel cramped and rushed?
Embarkation
With my passport and facial recognition at Port Canaveral, embarkation onto Utopia of the Seas was a literal breeze.
Entering the building for Terminal 1, where the ship was docked, I scanned my two bags through security (I self-assist my luggage and do not hand it over to porters).
Next, I checked in with staff for the health questionnaire, took the classic embarkation photo, walked up the lengthy gangway, and took that fun first step onto the ship.
Utopia of the Seas Docked in Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
The first stop onboard was my nearby muster station for the safety briefing check-in. Literally one minute later, I was walking up to the Windjammer for the buffet lunch. From entering the terminal to the washy washy station outside Windjammer – I timed all of this – took just 15 minutes!
This was with a relatively early boarding time, but the efficiency of the embarkation process ensured that everyone was able to walk onto the ship with ease.
As Utopia of the Seas can welcome nearly 7,000 guests at full capacity, this really helps ensure that you can make the most of every single minute even on a short cruise.
Dining
Dining is one of the things I enjoy most on every cruise vacation, with so many opportunities not only for favorite foods but also to stretch my taste buds with more unique options.
Aboard Utopia of the Seas, however, my main dining choice was the Windjammer – the casual buffet aft on Deck 15. In fact, the food there was so good, I only ate at a couple of the other free venues onboard, including Sorrento’s (can’t beat Royal Caribbean’s pizza!) and the Park Café (try the kummelweck!).
Sorrento’s on Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
The ship does have more than 20 dining options, including both complimentary and specialty venues. Because my time was limited, I preferred to enjoy the more casual vibe of the Windjammer, which let me set my dining time to my convenience.
And the food did not disappoint! From the lobster tails for the embarkation lunch to the carving stations, ethnic options, and decadent desserts, this one buffet certainly has something for everyone at every meal.
I even had a few fun bites from the kid-friendly line (great cookies!), and greatly enjoyed the maple-glazed donuts for breakfast (for no extra charge!).
Utopia of the Seas Windjammer Buffet (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
The cheese rolls are my go-to favorite every night. Of the daily themed dinner menus, Caribbean Night was outstanding with the head chef’s Jamaican heritage flavorfully represented in the perfect peas and rice, meat pies, and fried plantains.
A word of warning, however. Windjammer was certainly where the ship felt most “jammed” with seating sometimes very frustrating to find at peak dining times. Choosing less popular times to enjoy the buffet, however, completely eliminates that problem.
Entertainment
The shows are can’t-miss options for any Royal Caribbean ship, and Utopia of the Seas certainly has standout performances. In fact, for such short sailings, the ship offers more entertainment than any other vessel.
“[Utopia of the Seas] has more shows and events than any ship on 3/4 day [sailings] so the pace is fast and furious with many venues in full operation with quick turnarounds,”explained Marc Walker, the ship’s cruise director.
Sail Away Party on Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Reservations for each show are highly recommended but not required. If guests are willing to wait in standby lines or not have the very best seats, it is possible to see every show onboard even without reservations.
From the highly technical stunts of the ice skating show to the splashtastic energy of the Aqua80 Too aquatheater show to the mesmerizing drone appearances of the All In! production show, each one pushes the limits of peak performance.
Utopia of the Seas Aquatheater
Even on a fast 3-night cruise, these shows are not to be missed! I also attended the Crazy Quest – if you know, you know – and enjoyed other live music around the ship.
At no time, surprisingly, did I feel rushed or last-minute to be at the different performances, and I was able to walk up to see a couple of shows twice without trouble.
Onboard Fun
As one of the largest cruise ships in the world, there is plenty of room onboard Utopia of the Seas for activities, venues, and events. Every day, all day long, there was something to do!
For me, a must-do was the Ultimate Abyss, the 10-story dry slide that drops from Deck 16 down to the Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 6.
Full disclosure: I’ve been on the Ultimate Abyss on Wonder of the Seas, and was less than impressed. On that ship, the slide felt narrow and claustrophobic, and just didn’t deliver the sense of speed or thrills that I’d hoped for. I am a roller coaster fanatic, so mild rides don’t much impress me.
On Utopia of the Seas, however, the experience was just what I’d wanted. The redesigned slide includes a clear section for a surprising flash of great views, but the real game-changer is the “zoom booster rollers” that increase the speed and amp up the thrill factor. It’s outstanding!
If you’re interested in some slower thrills and nostalgic fun, the carousel in the Boardwalk is sweetly simple and fun for all ages. Does it feel a bit odd to be in your late-40s and riding a carousel in the middle of the ocean? Maybe, but I’ve always enjoyed odd.
View of the Boardwalk From Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
There is just so much more to do. The zipline, waterslides, pools, trivia at the Schooner Bar, relaxing to evening music with a stroll through Central Park, shopping in the retail spaces, and more.
Surprisingly, one of my favorite things to do onboard was to wander the ship enjoying the paper artwork. Similar to paper quilling, the colors and intricacy of the patterns was fun to explore. I would have enjoyed an artwork tour of the ship, but sadly, none was offered.
Ports of Call
Somewhere in the midst of so much to do onboard, Utopia of the Seas visited two ports of call. Nassau was first, but I didn’t do much in port other than get off the ship to stretch my land legs and try to get some ship photos.
Docked Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Justin Kozemchak)
As I’m fortunate to cruise often (two more already booked with more in the planning stages) and I’ve been to Nassau many times, so I wasn’t interested in tours or shopping at this port.
At Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is a port for most Royal Caribbean sailings from Florida homeports, I enjoyed a relaxed beach day. It really was perfect, with ideal weather, blue skies, a light breeze, and stunning water to enjoy. One can’t ask for better on such a short cruise!
What I Didn’t Do – And What I Learned
While everyone will have different preferences for what to do and what not to do on a cruise of any length on any ship, there were two things that stuck out that I just didn’t find time for onboard Utopia of the Seas.
I never got to the Aqua Dunes miniature golf course on Deck 16. This was much by choice, because I’ve played mini golf on most other cruises, so it wasn’t a new or exciting experience. On my next “ultimate weekend” cruise I’ll be sure to check it out.
Central Park on Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
I also didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy ice skating. I love to skate and wanted to do this, but discovered that reservations are required and it was only offered once during my sailing, right on the first day.
I made the unfortunate assumption that of course it would be offered again and I’d simply go skating later. As it never was, I missed out on that activity.
Take my mistake as a precaution for your own cruise: if you see something on the schedule you want to do, don’t put it off, because it might not be offered again!
Is Utopia’s Size a Problem?
When it was first announced that Utopia of the Seaswas to offer short sailings, there was a tremendous amount of pushback.
How would it be possible to enjoy everything onboard in such a short sailing? Isn’t the ship just too big for such short cruises? Wouldn’t it be too crowded as more than 5,600 guests scramble to do everything?
I’ll admit, I was one of those skeptics, but wow was I proven wrong.
Never once did Utopia of the Seas seem overcrowded (Windjammer dining notwithstanding), nor did I feel rushed to do anything. Instead, the schedule was pleasantly full with something always going on, rather than the occasional dull period. The ship and its schedule are well designed for what really was the “ultimate weekend.”
In fact, the most crowded time onboard the ship was actually leaving for debarkation. Like embarkation just three days before, however, it was smooth and efficient, and I was off the ship (self-assisting my luggage once again) and on my way well before 8 a.m.
Catalina Island’s City of Avalon has just approved a preferential berthing agreement with Disney Cruise Line.
For at least the next five years, Disney will get preferential scheduling when visiting the cruise port on Tuesdays all year and on Saturdays during select months.
Making this a mutually beneficial agreement, Disney will pay a per passenger fee to Catalina and will bring at least 120,000 cruisers to the island every year.
I speak from experience when I say the town of Avalon is absolutely charming, and there is no shortage of beaches or outdoor activities on the beautiful island.
In the past, Catalina has allowed the cruise lines to visit without firm anchorage agreements in place. However, that is now changing.
And as of October 7, 2025, the agreement was officially approved by the Avalon City Council. It will be in place until at least September 14, 2030, with two additional five-year renewal options available.
The terms of the deal are that Disney will get preferred anchorage space for Saturdays and Tuesdays during Catalina’s “peak season,” which runs from September 15 to May 15.
During the summer season, from May 16 to September 14, Disney will have preferential scheduling on Tuesdays.
In exchange, Disney will bring a minimum of 120,000 cruise passengers to the island every year. If the cruise line falls short of the annual minimum, they will be required to remit payment.
Additionally, Disney will pay the city a fee that is equal to the City Wharfage Rate plus an additional Passenger Service Charge that is equal to 20% of the Wharfage Rate for each passenger. The amount is subject to a 2.5% annual increase.
But while this sounds like a lot of money, the fee per passenger is starting out at $9 USD.
A Mutually Beneficial Agreement
In Catalina’s case, securing formal port agreementswith the major cruise lines is smart because it helps to provide financial stability for the island and to better manage the influx of cruise guests.
Tourism is really the backbone of Catalina’s economy, which makes this extra important.
A large percentage of the island’s approximate 4,000 residents are employed in food services, hospitality, and recreation that caters to visitors.
Additionally, trading preferential berthing for higher passenger fees will help to fund harbor maintenance and improvements to both city and cruising infrastructure.
Disney Wonder Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dan Komarcha)
In addition to Disney, Catalina has also been negotiating with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
In Disney’s case, having a preferential berthing agreement with Catalina guarantees their visits to the cruise port and prevents cancellations due to scheduling errors or port congestion.
As a small tender port, the number of cruise ships that is permitted to anchor in Avalon Bay in one day is carefully managed to avoid overcrowding – both in the harbor and in the small town.
Catalina is also likely a key part of Disney’s plan as it expands its presence on the West Coast.
Disney Wonder will homeport in San Diego for seven months straight beginning in October of 2026, while Disney Magic will homeport in San Diego in October and November of 2026 – and many of their itineraries include Catalina.
Neither of Disney’s first two ships are a stranger to island life though.
Disney Wonder made her maiden call to the island in 2022, and added Catalina to her 3 and 4-night Baja Cruises in 2024 and 2025. Disney Magic, meanwhile, first started sailing to Avalon in 2023.
And with a long-term agreement in place, many cruisers are hopeful that more of Disney’s magical fleet will be making their way to the West Coast in the future as well.
There will be a shortage of parking for two upcoming Carnival sailings at the Long Beach Cruise Port in California.
The first impacted cruise will set sail onboard Carnival Radiance on October 10, 2025, with the second impacting Carnival Firenze’s October 12, 2025, voyage.
Guests are encouraged to find other means of transportation besides driving to the cruise port, or are warned that they may be redirected to an offsite parking facility.
California’s Long Beach Cruise Terminal, which is owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Line, has been the company’s West Coast base for more than 20 years.
But while the cruise line has port operations down to a science, they sometimes hit a snafu with limited capacity in the on-site parking structure.
Occasionally, Carnival will notify guests when parking will be particularly limited on embarkation day for upcoming sailings, which is the case for two cruises that are just days away from setting sail.
The first impacted cruise will be operated by Carnival Radiance and is a 3-night getaway sailing to Ensenada, Mexico. It embarks on October 10, 2025.
Two days later on October 12, 2025, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to set sail on a 4-night sailing to Ensenada and Catalina Island.
“The parking facility at the cruise terminal has very limited capacity. Please make plans to use alternate transportation that does not require parking,” Carnival wrote to impacted guests.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has one main parking structure that is five stories tall and contains 1,450 parking spaces.
But when you consider the number of guests sailing on every Carnival cruise, especially if the cruises are sold out, it’s easy to see how the structure could run out of room.
As a Los Angeles native, I have personally always used rideshare apps or have secured rides from friends or family every time I’ve sailed out of Long Beach so I don’t have to worry about parking.
But if guests are driving themselves to the cruise port, they should be prepared to be redirected to overflow parking.
“If driving (and parking at the port) is your only option, please be prepared to be directed to park at an offsite location operated by the City of Long Beach (not the pier),”the notice continued.
“We have secured a few extra spaces at an offsite facility and full details will be communicated at the cruise terminal.”
Carnival Panorama is not impacted under the latest notice, but the Vista-class shipis also homeporting in Long Beach – which brings in plenty of guests and cars on its own.
How Will Overflow Parking Work?
Guests on these two upcoming sailings should be prepared to be sent to an overflow parking facility offsite.
If capacity has been reached, they will then receive written directions to the offsite parking facility and a card for entry to the other structure that identifies them as a Carnival guest.
Both the provided card and boarding passes will be checked at the alternate facility.
Cruise Parking Overview at Long Beach Port (Photo Credit: trekandshoot)
Offsite parking will cost $23 per day, which is the same price as parking at the cruise terminal, and must be paid upon entry.
Passengers who are directed offsite will be shuttled for free to and from to the cruise terminal, with the last shuttle leaving the parking facility 30 minutes prior to the final boarding call on embarkation day.
Even with this extra step, passengers are still encouraged to arrive at the port at their scheduled Terminal Arrival Appointment times, which are selected during the pre-check-in process.
It’s also important to note that oversized vehicles that take up more than one parking space or are higher than 6 feet and 6 inches tall cannot be accommodated at the backup facility Carnival has secured.
Additionally, back-to-back guestswho are booked on consecutive voyages are not permitted to park at the overflow site, as parking at this facility will only be available for the length of a single voyage.
Finally, if you are one of the redirected guests, remember to practice patience and kindness. Though the parking may be a bit inconvenient, everyone will still make it onboard the Fun Ships for a fantastic vacation at sea.
Starting on March 1, 2026, the “More at Sea” drink package will no longer be usable on Great Stirrup Cay, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.
A new drink package curated specifically for the private destination will be available for purchase starting in January 2026, with more details coming soon.
A drink package isn’t actually required to enjoy the port – as complimentary beverages like water, juices, and iced tea will still be available at no additional charge.
Norwegian Cruise Line has just made an operational change for Great Stirrup Cay – and not everyone will be happy about it.
Starting on March 1, 2026, the popular “More at Sea” drink package will no longer be usable at the cruise line’s private Bahamas destination.
The popular drink package includes an unlimited open bar for guests over the age of 21, and until now, has extended from the ship to the shore during visits to Great Stirrup Cay.
“As we look to transform the on-island experience, we have evaluated our policies and made the decision that shipboard beverage packages will no longer be applicable for drinks on Great Stirrup Cay beginning March 1, 2026,”Norwegian Cruise Line announced.
Complimentary beverages, including water, iced tea, and juices, will still be available free-of-charge on the island for guests who can show their key cards.
Additionally, a new drink package that is specific to Great Stirrup Cay will be introduced in the coming months.
“As an alternative and to provide our guests with the flexibility to curate how they experience “The Great Life,” we will offer our guests the ability to purchase a new beverage package crafted exclusively for Great Stirrup Cay,”the cruise line added.
Most details about the specially curated package have not yet been released, but it will come at an additional cost and will be available for purchase starting January 1, 2026.
Guests React to the Great Stirrup Cay Change
Unsurprisingly, the initial reaction from the cruise community has been one of frustration and outrage. Many have interpreted this operational change as greedy behavior.
“Screw you Norwegian. This is a really s— money grab. Your cruises are already ridiculously priced. Here we come Royal. Done with NCL,” another angry cruiser wrote.
Another posted: “Nickel and diming people to death. I’ll spend my money at an all inclusive . I don’t want ala carte cruise pricing for every little thing . Cruising used to include everything all dining… and obviously all inclusive alcohol was one fee but not buying an additional package at exclusive islands.“
But with big enhancements coming to the exclusive destination, which is located in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, it only makes sense that Norwegian Cruise Line would need to make some operational changes.
New Pier Redner at Great Stirrup Cay (Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
“Norwegian Cruise Line is committed to providing the best vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and at the destinations we visit. Beginning later this year, we will be rolling out significant enhancements to the guest amenities at Great Stirrup Cay,” NCL stated.
“These enhancements will include a new pier, an expansive pool area with complimentary loungers, a thrilling splash pad area for kids, and more.”
The pier is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, making the soon-to-be former tender port more accessible.
In the summer of 2026, not long after the new drink package policy takes effect, NCL’s highly anticipated Great Tides Waterpark will officially open on the island. The 6-acre waterpark will feature 19 slides, a lazy river, cliff jumps, play areas for children, and more.
