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.
In this Article:
Fantasy Class
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.
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.
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.
The 214-foot-long slide on Carnival Conquest is also one of the biggest in the entire fleet.
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 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 night on 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.
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!
Top Features
The SkyRide and Sky Zone attractions are the real headline features.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read Also: Carnival Ships by Size – Ranked Largest to Smallest
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.
