A top management change is on the horizon at Royal Caribbean Group, as longtime chairman of the board Richard Fain, considered a pioneering visionary across the cruise industry, is due to step down from the post in late 2025.
Fain has held the top executive position since 1988, overseeing the Royal Caribbean brand and paving the way for the group to acquire Celebrity Cruises in 1997 and Silversea Cruises in 2020.
The company also holds a 50% stake in a joint venture that owns TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. All together, the five brands operate 67 cruise ships across the globe.
Fain will remain a member of the board of directors. Replacing him as chairman will be Jason Liberty, who has served as Royal Caribbean Group’s president and CEO since January 3, 2022.
While Fain’s leadership greatly expanded Royal Caribbean Group’s brands and scope of operations during the past three-plus decades, perhaps his greatest achievements lie in the innovative vision he had for the cruise vacation product.
It was under Fain’s management, for instance, that the industry-defining Oasis and Icon classes of ships were envisioned, designed, and launched for the Royal Caribbean brand, as was the Edge class that has elevated the Celebrity Cruises’ product.
“It is time to hand the wheel to the next generation of exceptional talent at RCG, and I am very confident that under Jason’s strong leadership, the Royal Caribbean Group will accelerate to even greater heights in the years ahead,” said Richard Fain, longtime chairman of Royal Caribbean Group.
Liberty, who was named group president and CEO in 2022, will step into the chairman’s role sometime during the fourth quarter of 2025, the company’s June 6, 2025 announcement stated.
“Richard’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative. Under his leadership, the Royal Caribbean Group has become the leading vacation company – with industry leading brands, ships, destinations and people,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“I am honored and humbled to have been elected as Chairman and CEO and I look forward to continuing to create and deliver the ultimate vacation experience for our guests and delivering elevated long-term value for our shareholders,” Liberty added.
Liberty, who joined Royal Caribbean Group in 2005, previously worked in roles including executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Looking Back at Executive’s Major Accomplishments
By the time Richard Fain relinquishes his role as chairman of the board at Royal Caribbean Group in late 2025, he will have presided over the debut of Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas.
The 5,600-guest ship, sister to Icon of the Seas, which launched in 2024, is set to enter service in August 2025. It will be the last new-build introduction during Fain’s chairmanship. Star of the Seas is nearly completed and will be christened at Port Canaveral in a gala ceremony with music icon Diana Ross serving as godmother.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, a six-ship series that began with Oasis of the Seas in 2009 and continues to grow, is arguably the industry’s most innovative creation.
It introduced, for example, the notion of themed neighborhoods onboard cruise ships and represented the largest cruise ships ever built, at 226,838 gross tons.
The newest in the class is Utopia of the Seas, which entered service in 2024.
Today, the brand’s Icon class represents the industry’s largest ships, at 248,663 gross tons and able to accommodate 7,600 guests with all berths occupied.
Some of the themed neighborhoods from Oasis class are also featured on Icon class ships, such as Central Park and Royal Promenade, while new ones have been added.
Under Fain’s leadership, Celebrity Cruises launched the first of four Edge-class ships in 2018, and since the 2020 acquisition of luxury line Silversea Cruises, the parent group has facilitated four new ships for the fleet, including three new-builds and one purchase.
Cruisers asked, and Royal Caribbean answered. The cruising community is looking for more non-smoking casino access, and their wish is the cruise line’s command.
On Royal Caribbean’s more modern cruise ships, the smoking and non-smoking sections of the casino are separate venues entirely. For many, this is a welcomed change from simply splitting two sides of the main Casino Royale into smoking and non-smoking sections – as the smell can travel.
However, the non-smoking casino on vessels like the 6,988-guest Wonder of the Seas has proven to be a bit too small for the demand – which means it’s time for an expansion.
However, space on a cruise ship – even if it happens to beonthe third largest in the world– is still finite. This means that other venues have to close at least temporarily for the expansion to take place.
“As of June 1, 2025, the casino onboard Wonder of the Seas is being expanded into the existing Crown Lounge on Deck 4,” Royal Caribbean announced.
For context, the Crown Lounge is an exclusive haunt onboard for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members of the Crown and Anchor Society– which is Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program.
If you’ve never stepped inside the venue, it is known for offering light bites and drinks and is home to a private concierge for elite loyalty club members.
The Crown Lounge will be closed on June 22, 2025, before re-opening in a new location on Deck 16 on June 29, 2025.
“During the transition, the Crown Lounge will be closed June 22-28, then reopen on June 29 on Deck 16,” the cruise line confirmed.
The casino expansion for the 236,857-gross ton ship also follows a similar expansion that was undertaken onboard the2024-launched Utopia of the Seasearlier this year.
In this case, the Crown Lounge and the Attic Comedy Club were both transformed into additional non-smoking casino space. In turn, the comedy shows were then relocated to the main Royal Theater.
Additional Venues Close Temporarily
Unsurprisingly, the non-smoking casino onboard the Oasis-class ship – known as the Golden Room – will need to close for the duration of construction. After all, guests can’t safely play the slots with a construction crew working around them!
The conference rooms that are located on Deck 3 of the ship below the casino on Deck 4 will also be temporarily unavailable.
“The Golden Room non-smoking Casino will close June 22 and reopen on July 13 as part of the expanded non-smoking casino space on Deck 4. During the construction period the conference centers will be unavailable for guests,” the announcement continued.
Social100 on Wonder of the Seas
Additionally, the Social100 space that is located on Decks 16 and 17 will also be closed until June 29 – which is the same day the new Crown Lounge will re-open on Deck 16.
The plans for the re-located Crown Lounge have not yet been unveiled, but it’s possible that it will become part of Social100 in some capacity.
As the main Casino Royale will remain open throughout construction – where smoking is allowed – no significant compensation is being provided for guests sailing during the transition.
The only exception is that elite Diamond and Diamond Plus guests will automatically get extra cappuccino credits loaded on their Seapass cards, which can be used to purchase a variety of specialty coffee and espresso drinks at Cafe Promenade.
Additionally, cocktail hour drinks that would normally be redeemed in the casino can be redeemed at any bar or lounge onboard during the expansion process.
But know that while this change may cause some mild annoyance, the bigger and better non-smoking casino will likely make up for any inconvenience.
Many cruise travelers carefully select their cruise lines, individual ships, and departure dates for specific itineraries that best match their vacation dreams. It can be frustrating, then, to receive an email letting you know that your itinerary has been changed.
Guests aboard four Carnival cruise ships have received such notifications, but without any frustration at all – in fact, these are the best kind of itinerary changes, as their cruises will be starting earlier than planned!
Mardi Gras, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Sunshine are the latest ships in the Carnival fleet to be impacted by adjusted departure times as they set sail on select itineraries.
Each ship will have their homeport departure time moved up by 30 minutes on select sailing dates as early as September 2025 and as far in the future as January 2027.
Mardi Gras
Just one sailing is impacted for Mardi Gras – her September 13, 2025 departure – will now set sail from Port Canaveral at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. This 14-night sailing is a one-way transatlantic cruise to Barcelona ahead of a planned dry dock refreshment for the cruise line’s oldest Excel class vessel.
Carnival Luminosa
For Carnival Luminosa, another epic repositioning cruise is impacted, as the ship’s September 18, 2025 departure from Seattle will leave at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.
This 23-night transpacific cruise will move the ship from her Alaska season back to Sydney, Australia to rejoin her fleet mates Down Under.
Carnival Spirit
Five sailings from two homeports are impacted for Carnival Spirit. From Seattle, the ship’s October 11, 2025 and October 8, 2026 departures will leave at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. Both of those sailings are at the end of Carnival Spirit‘s Alaska seasons as she returns to the Caribbean.
Three more cruises for Carnival Spirit have the same departure time change, but from Mobile, Alabama. These are the ship’s January 17, 2026; April 12, 2026; and January 17, 2027 sailings.
The two January cruises are 14-night Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys cruises, while the April departure is the ship’s repositioning voyage from Mobile to Seattle ahead of her 2026 Alaska season.
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk (Photo Credit: Carnival)
Finally, just one cruise is setting sail earlier for Carnival Sunshine. The ship will now set sail at 4:30 p.m. on June 14, 2026 instead of the originally scheduled 5 p.m.
The June 14 departure is a 9-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Norfolk with plans to visit Amber Cove, San Juan, and St. Thomas.
For all four ships and eight adjusted itineraries, no other port or time changes have been noted at this time. With several months to go before the first impacted departure, however, it is possible further changes may be made.
Carnival Conquest, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Dream, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Freedom have all had similar changes.
In some cases, select departures have also had other itinerary adjustments, including port swaps or visit date changes. Guests booked on any of these sailings should carefully check for the details of their specific cruise vacation.
Carnival Cruise Line has not given any specific reason for such changes. Part of the reason these ships can now set sail earlier is undoubtedly due to the implementation of facial recognition technology at different homeports, which allows embarking guests to be processed far more quickly than in the past.
On a recent cruise from Port Canaveral, for example, I was able to enter the cruise terminal, check in for my sailing, move through security screening, walk up the gangway and onto the ship in just 10 minutes – I timed it!
With that type of efficiency, it’s no surprise that cruises can set sail earlier, and every guest aboard can begin their vacation that much sooner.
You can sleep with the balcony door open. Just be considerate about it.
That’s the latest clarification from Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald, who recently addressed a frequent point of confusion among cruise passengers.
Some guests have written to Heald in complaint, saying that passengers sleeping with their balcony doors open are inconsiderate because it allegedly shuts off air conditioning for neighboring cabins.
According to Heald, that’s simply not true.
“Some people have said that passengers who leave the balcony door of their cabin open that it is selfish because it turns the air conditioning off for other cabins in that area,” Heald said in a social media post.
“That is not true. Regardless of those who say it is, I have confirmed with the highest level, the chief engineers on the ships, and they confirm it only turns off the air conditioning in your cabin and does not affect those around you.”
Heald acknowledged that many guests enjoy the sound of the ocean and choose to sleep with their balcony door open and says it’s “lovely.”
However, he also reminded guests who want to take in the salt air as they sleep to use caution.
Remember two things, he pleaded. Open balcony doors may slam shut due to wind and swells.
“Watch your hands and be careful,” is his first rule of thumb while the second is a reminder that the slamming door creates a noise that carries and actually is inconsiderate to nearby passengers.
He recommended placing an object in the opening to prevent the door from slamming and reminded guests that opening both the cabin and balcony doors can create a wind tunnel that could cause a disturbance.
“Please be gracious and think of others,” Heald added.
Balcony Behavior Has Limits
The open-door air conditioning debate isn’t the only balcony topic that draws strong opinions from cruise passengers. Heald also referred to a recent passenger who brought his mattress and bedding onto the balcony to sleep on it.
“That is not allowed for safety reasons, cleanliness reasons, for all sorts of reasons,” said Heald. “You cannot take your mattress and put it on your balcony. Don’t do it. Just don’t.”
Heald has fielded hundreds of questions over the years about what’s allowed, what’s frowned upon, and what could get passengers into trouble when it comes to balcony behavior.
Smoking remains one of the biggest points of contention.
While some guests assume it’s acceptable to smoke on their balcony, Heald has repeatedly clarified that Carnival’s smoking policy prohibits it outside of designated areas.
Carnival Cruise Line Balconies With Hanging Clothes
Violating that policy can result in a $500 cleaning fee or even disembarkation. Heald has emphasized that smoke can easily drift into neighboring cabins, posing both a comfort and fire safety concern.
Another common issue? Noise.
Not only do open balcony doors bang in the wind, especially at night, but many passengers have complained about neighboring guests listening to music or talking on their phones loudly on balconies.
Carnival Cruise Line has addressed this issue by implementing a ban on Bluetooth speakers, with Heald confirming this policy multiple times on his platform.
Initially banned from public areas and balconies, the cruise line did a fleet-wide ban in November 2024.
The company also reminds guests that they must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows, movies, and reels on their phones in an effort to preserve peace and ensure any public safety announcements can be heard.
Another no-no is hanging laundry or other items on balcony railings. Not only is it unsightly, it can pose fire hazards and can affect the environment if things get blown overboard.
Balconies may be a favorite cruise feature, but they come with boundaries for safety and common courtesy.
Two Mexico destinations are getting a big boost in cruise arrivals thanks to Royal Caribbean’s first-time deployment of Ovation of the Seas to the Port of Los Angeles.
The Quantum-class ship is the first in that class to seasonally homeport in the City of Angels. With capacity for 4,100 guests, Ovation of the Seas joins Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager-class vessel that accommodates 3,400 guests.
Ovation of the Seas received a warm welcome during her first port call to Ensenada on June 4, 2025, as the largest cruise ship ever to dock in Baja California.
One local media report called the deployment a milestone for the destination, reflecting “the confidence of cruise lines in the region’s port infrastructure and tourism potential.” Calls by Ovation of the Seas will likely prove an economic boon to Ensenada, as several visits to the destination are planned through late September 2025.
Also on Ovation of the Seas’ itineraries is Cabo San Lucas. The ship is sailing 3-night getaways with one port call to Ensenada, 4-night cruises with one call to Cabo San Lucas, and 5-night voyages that call at both destinations.
The deployment wraps up with a 15-night repositioning cruise on September 23, 2025 from Los Angeles to Tokyo. From there the ship continues to Singapore and will be based in that city for a series of 3- and 4-night Asia cruises.
In May 2026, Ovation of the Seas deploys to Alaska, offering voyages between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska.
Navigator of the Seas is slated to operate year-round from Los Angeles until October 2026. With the seasonal addition of Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean more than doubles its capacity in the region.
It also is the first of two planned deployments of Ovation of the Seas to Los Angeles. The ship, which entered service in 2016, will return to Los Angeles for a series of winter season voyages from September 2026 to April 2027.
Seasonal Homeporting Will Be a Boon to Los Angeles
Ovation of the Seas is one of five Quantum-class ships. The others in the class are Quantum of the Seas, launched in 2014; Anthem of the Seas (2015); Spectrum of the Seas (2017); and Odyssey of the Seas (2020).
The innovative Quantum class offers plenty of thrills for cruisers, including the free-fall ride called RipCord by iFLY. The Quantum ships are also known for introducing the Bionic Bar, where robots create cocktails, and offering family fun in the form of roller skating rinks and bumper car tracks.
Ovation of the Seas in Ensenada (Photo Credit: Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez)
Ovation of the Seas has four main dining rooms and several specialty venues, including Chops Grille, a steakhouse; Jamie’s Italian; English Pub; La Patisserie; Wonderland; Izumi; Fish & Ships; and Chef’s Table.
The ship’s seasonal homeporting at the Port of Los Angeles will translate to a substantial cruise arrivals gain for the facility. It currently is the eighth-busiest cruise port in North America, with 1.1 million cruise guests per year transiting its two cruise terminals.
Los Angeles is primarily known for hosting ships that sail Mexican Riviera voyages and California coastal cruises.
Royal Caribbean has competition at the port: Carnival Cruise Line currently has three ships deployed there, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Panorama.
Diana Ross, the “queen of Motown Records” whose talent as lead vocalist for The Supremes catapulted her to stardom in the 1960s, will serve as godmother to Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the second ship in the line’s pioneering Icon class.
Royal Caribbean announced the selection of Ross to the honorary post on June 5, 2025, but still has not revealed the exact date of Star of the Seas’ christening, confirming only that it will be held in August 2025.
The 5,600-guest Star of the Seas will be named at Port Canaveral, her scheduled homeport until at least spring of 2027. The ship will host four preview cruises starting on August 16, 2025 — one 3-night and three 4-night sailings, followed by her official inaugural voyage, a 7-night cruise departing on August 31, 2025.
Typically, naming ceremonies are held immediately before a ship’s inaugural cruise or on departure day of that cruise, but Royal Caribbean has not confirmed the date.
Ross, who will preside over a traditional naming ceremony to be held in the ship’s AquaTheater, the centerpiece of the ship’s AquaDome neighborhood, said she was honored to join the Royal Caribbean family.
“Having spent years of creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas,” said Diana Ross.
Royal Caribbean’s announcement noted that Ross, as a global musical icon, is a perfect fit for the second Icon-class ship. Star of the Seas is a sister ship to Icon of the Seas, the first in the class that debuted in January 2024.
Diana Ross
“We are thrilled to have Diana Ross join us for the debut of Star of the Seas, the next bold vacation in our revolutionary Icon Class designed to encompass the best a vacation experience can offer,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean.
“We can’t wait to welcome Ms. Ross, our guests and crew to celebrate the arrival of Star this August.”
Star of the Seas recently completed her sea trials and is now in the final stages of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Sea trials, which test key onboard systems such as navigation, propulsion, and safety, are the last major step in the building process before a ship is delivered to the cruise line.
New-Build’s 8 Neighborhoods Offer Thrills and Chills
From Port Canaveral, the ship will sail Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, all of which will feature a port call to Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Star of the Seas’ 7-night inaugural voyage is a Western Caribbean itinerary with port calls at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
Star of the Seas Departing Shipyard (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
Like Icon of the Seas, the new-build was designed with eight themed neighborhoods. Among them are Royal Promenade, which offers a wide variety of eateries and bars, and Central Park, a leafy, open-air oasis modeled after New York’s Central Park and featuring 33,000-plus trees and plants.
The AquaDome neighborhood houses the AquaTheater, where Star of the Seas’ naming ceremony will be held, and is an open-air entertainment space.
A massive waterpark, called Category 6, will be the largest offered at sea, with six water slides, two raft slides, and other activities. Chill Island will feature several pools and an adults-only retreat area.
Other themed neighborhoods include Surfside, a water-focused area for families with young children; the Hideaway, inspired by a landslide beach resort and featuring an infinity pool; and Thrill Island, a theme park area designed to look like a shipwrecked island.
An Alaskan cruise can be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for travelers and is certainly a bucket-list sailing even for experienced guests.
Thousands of guests booked to visit the Last Frontier in 2026, however, are now learning that they won’t be going to one of the state’s most important and historically significant cities.
Royal Caribbean guests booked on different Alaska cruise dates aboard Ovation of the Seas have been informed that Juneau is being removed from their itineraries.
One such impacted sailing is the ship’s May 15, 2026 departure, a one-way voyage between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska.
“Due to port availability changes in Juneau, Alaska, we’ll now enjoy a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, instead and then travel onto Sitka, Alaska, the next day,”the email notification explained.
The 7-night sailing was to have visited Sitka following two days at sea, with port stops in Juneau and Skagway on the next two days before scenic cruising near the iconic Hubbard Glacier.
The visits to Skagway and Hubbard Glacier have not been impacted, nor is the ship’s May 22 arrival in Seward adjusted in any way.
In addition to the May 15 departure, guests booked on other 2026 sailings of Ovation of the Seas have reported similar changes and Royal Caribbean is removing Juneau from various itineraries.
Among the impacted cruises are the ship’s June 26 and July 24 sailings, though other notifications may yet be in process.
Not all sailings are being adjusted the same way, as some travelers report that Icy Strait Point is being added to their itinerary as Juneau is removed.
Royal Caribbean will undoubtedly need to confirm docking arrangements and availability for each cruise date as necessary before informing guests.
Reactions are mixed for the changes, depending on what individual guests’ shore excursion plans may have been.
Juneau does offer excellent whale watching options and sled dog experiences, but the frontier lifestyle in Ketchikan, especially the famous lumberjack show, is popular with visitors. Be sure to try the hot chocolate!
At this time, only Ovation of the Seas has confirmed changes related to Juneau, but it is possible that other Royal Caribbean ships may have similar adjustments and port substitutions coming.
In 2026, Voyager of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Anthem of the Seas also have multiple visits to Juneau scheduled, along with ships from Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Cunard Line, and more.
Why Remove Juneau from Multiple Sailings?
Royal Caribbean has not provided any further details other than “port availability changes” as to why Juneau has now been dropped from the various itineraries.
That said, just days ago, officials in Juneau unanimously approved increasing dockage fees on cruise lines, changing the fee structure from a vessel’s gross tonnage to its passenger capacity.
Aerial View of Juneau Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Kenneth Sponsler)
While no cruise line objects to fees overall – many times the revenue is used to improve port facilities, improve harbor access, promote local conservation, etc. – rapid or extreme increases do give cruise lines pause about their operational plans.
This private port would not be subject to the increased fees, yet is conveniently located to permit visitors to enjoy many of the same shore tour opportunities and local attractions.
The new port, however, is not scheduled for completion until the 2027 Alaska season, meaning guests in 2026 will simply be bypassing the capital of Alaska entirely.
The very first Carnival cruise ship was the Mardi Gras. The ship started sailing for Carnival in 1972, and the “Fun Ships” have kept coming ever since! Mardi Gras was 27,200 gross tons, a huge difference from the new 183,521 gross ton Excel-class vessels we see today.
As of December 4, 2023, the newest new-build ship in the fleet is the Carnival Jubilee, the third Excel-class vessel in the fleet. The vessel took over from sister ship Carnival Celebration, which joined the fleet at the end of 2022. The oldest is Carnival Sunshine, which originally entered service in 1996 as Carnival Destiny.
Let’s take a look at the list of Carnival ships, starting from the newest to the oldest:
The fifth Excel-class vessel will be Carnival Tropicale and will arrive in the spring of 2088, just a year after sister ship Carnival Festivale. This vessel will also have the new Sunsation Piiont that will replace the BOLT roller coaster seen on earlier ships in the same class.
To Enter Service: Spring 2028
Gross Tonnage: Over 180,000
Passenger Capacity: TBD
Crew Capacity: TBD
Carnival Festivale – Coming 2027
Carnival Festivale
Carnival made a huge announcement in April 2025 that Carnival Tropicale would be the fourth Excel-class vessel, and it would enter service in the Spring of 2027.
The ship will not feature the BOLT roller coaster and instead will have Sunsation Point, a family-filled zone with slides and more on deck 18. Carnival Tropicale will sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
To Enter Service: Spring 2027
Gross Tonnage: Over 180,000
Passenger Capacity: TBD
Crew Capacity: TBD
Carnival Jubilee – 2023
Carnival Jubilee Conveyance on the Ems (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Carnival Jubilee is the third Excel-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line and will be fully powered by liquid natural gas (LNG). The ship is 183,521 gross tons with a guest capacity of over 5,374, along with 1,735 crew members.
The ship that takes its name from the original Holiday-class Jubileewill homeport from Galveston, Texas, and sail seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries. Carnival Jubilee was delivered to the cruise line on December 4 during an event in Bremerhaven, Germany. The vessel was constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Carnival Celebration – 2022
Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski / Shutterstock
Carnival Celebration is the second Excel-class vessel and sister ship to Mardi Gras. The ship is also LNG-powered and entered service in November 2022. The Carnival Celebration arrived during a year of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday festivities and was christened in Miami, Florida.
The vessel has 183,521 gross tons and a guest capacity of 5,372 at double occupancy, along with 1,735 crew members. Carnival Celebration is based in Miami, Florida, and also takes the name of a previous Carnival cruise ship, Celebration, that was part of the holiday class.
Mardi Gras – 2021
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras has taken Carnival Cruise Line into a new era of cruising as a new Excel-class cruise ship and fully powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Following the global pandemic and multiple delays, Mardi Gras finally began sailing on July 31, 2021, from Port Canaveral in Florida.
The Carnival cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 180,800 and a guest capacity of 5,282 at double occupancy. She features the first roller coaster at sea named BOLT and features new venues not seen on other older vessels. Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez is the ship’s godmother.
Carnival Firenze – 2020
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Handover
Even though the Carnival Firenze originally entered service for sister line Costa Cruises in 2021, she has been completely transformed into the new Carnival Firenze for Carnival Cruise Line, with new added features and even a new naming ceremony. She’s the newest addition to the Carnival fleet and becomes the 27th ship.
Carnival Cruise Line officially took control of the ship from Costa at the shipyard in Cadiz, Spain in February 2024. She’s the second “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ship, following in the footsteps of sister Carnival Venezia.
Carnival Firenze has 135,156 gross tons and a passenger capacity of 4,126 at double occupancy, along with 1,424 crew members. The inaugural sailing was on April 24, 2024. However, the ship originally entered service for Costa Cruises in 2020.
Carnival Panorama is the final Vista-class class cruise ship and was built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. She entered service in 2019 with her inaugural voyage in December of that year. Carnival Panorama is currently the fleet’s only ship with a Sky Zone, Trampoline Park.
The Carnival cruise ship has 133,500 gross tons and a guest capacity of 4,008 at double occupancy, slightly more than her sister ships, Carnival Vista and Horizon. The vessel also has a crew capacity of 1,450.
Carnival Venezia – 2019
Carnival Venezia Sailing (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz)
You could call the Carnival Venezia half new, as she was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises in 2023 and sailed her inaugural voyage as part of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet on May 29, 2023. The ship underwent a huge multi-million-dollar transformation in Cadiz, Spain, but still kept with her Italian traditional decor.
Carnival Venezia is 135,225 gross tons and has a guest capacity of 4,090 at double occupancy and across 2,045 staterooms. There are 15 passenger decks and a capacity of 1,424 crew members. The ship originally entered service for Costa Cruises in 2019.
Carnival Horizon – 2018
Carnival Horizon (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Carnival Horizon is the second Vista-class ship in the fleet and became the second Carnival ship to restart operations in 2021 following the industry-wide pause due to the pandemic. The ship follows in the footsteps of sister ship Carnival Vista but with the addition of a Seuss at Sea waterpark.
The vessel is 133,500 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 3,960 at double occupancy, slightly less than the sister ship Carnival Panorama. There are also 1,450 international crew members.
Carnival Vista – 2016
Carnival Vista Docked in Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
She is the first Vista-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line and was the first new-class vessel since Carnival Dream in 2009. There was huge anticipation for the Carnival Vista because of its features and design. She entered service in 2016 and was named by her godmother, Miss USA, Deshauna Barber.
The ship, which was constructed by Fincantieri is 133,500 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 3,934 at double occupancy and 1,450 international crew members.
Carnival Breeze – 2012
The vessel is the third Dream-class cruise ship that entered service in 2012. Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program became the ship’s godmother after construction was completed by Fincantieri in Italy.
Carnival Breeze is 130,000 gross tons, which is just slightly smaller than the newer Vista-class vessels. The ship also has a guest capacity of 3,690 at double occupancy, along with 1,386 crew members.
Carnival Magic – 2011
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Magic is the second ship in the Dream-class and is identical to her sister ships in the same class. The ship was the first in the fleet to receive the cruise line’s new red, white, and blue livery during a dry dock that took place in May 2021.
The Carnival cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 130,000, a guest capacity of 3,690 at double occupancy, and a crew capacity of 1,367. There are also 14 passenger decks.
Carnival Dream – 2009
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock
She is the first in the Dream class for Carnival Cruise Line and is known for having a very red interior in some public spaces. Marcia Gay Harden, Tony Award and Academy Award-winning actress, was the lucky godmother to the cruise line’s most advanced cruise ship at the time.
Carnival Dream has a gross tonnage of 130,000 and a guest capacity of 3,646 at double occupancy, slightly less than her sister ships. There is also a capacity of 1,367 international crew members. The ship was also the second in the fleet to receive the new Carnival-colored inspired livery during a dry dock in 2021.
Carnival Luminosa – 2009
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The Carnival Luminosa was formerly known as Costa Luminosa before she transferred from the sister brand Costa Cruises in 2022. The Spirit-class vessel began sailing following a dry dock to receive her new Carnival colors in September 2022. The new addition to the fleet departed on her first guest sailing in November 2022 from Brisbane in, Australia.
Following her inaugural season out of Brisbane (the first under Carnival Cruise Line), the ship is operating Itineraries out of Seattle to Alaska. The vessel is 92,720 gross tons, has a passenger capacity of 2,826, and a crew capacity of 926.
Carnival Splendor – 2008
Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
You might be wondering why Carnival Splendor is the only ship of its class in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. The ship was originally ordered by sister line Costa Cruises as a Concordia-class vessel. The ship was transferred to operate for Carnival during her construction in 2008 in Genoa, Italy.
Carnival Splendor is 113,300, just slightly larger than the Conquest-class vessels. She has a guest capacity of 3,012 and 1,150 international crew members.
Carnival Freedom – 2007
Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin / Shutterstock.com
Carnival Freedom is the final ship in the popular Conquest-class, ending an era of ship class and design for the cruise line. The ship entered service in 2007 and cost $500 million to construct.
The Carnival cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 110,000, a passenger capacity of 2,980 at double occupancy, and 1,150 international crew members.
Carnival Liberty is another Conquest-class vessel that entered service in 2005. She was the first ship in the fleet to receive all the FUN 2.0 enhancements in 2011, including popular venues Guy’s Burger Joint and the Alchemy Bar.
The cruise ship continues with the same stats as her sister ships at 110,000 gross tons, a guest capacity of 2,974, and 1,160 international crew members. Mira Sorvino, an Oscar-winning Italian-American Actress, is the godmother to Carnival Liberty.
Carnival Valor has always remained a good choice for a cruise vacation ever since her inaugural cruise in December 2004 as the fourth Conquest-class cruise ship. The ship’s godmother is Katie Couric, Co-host of NBC News’ “Today.”
The ship is 110,000 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 2,980, along with 1,180 international crew members. There are 13 passenger decks at a length of 952 feet.
Carnival Miracle – 2004
Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin / Shutterstock.com
Carnival Miracle is the latest ship in the Spirit class from Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel was constructed in Helsinki, Finland and was completed in 2004.
The Carnival vessel is 88,500 gross tons and has a guest capacity of 2,124 at double occuapncy. The ship has 930 international crew members. Due to the design of this class ship, she is popular on cruises in Alaska and can transit the Panama Canal.
Carnival Glory – 2003
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The Carnival Glory is the second ship built in the hugely popular Conquest-class. She was constructed by Fincantieri in Italy and cost $500 million.
The ship is 110,000 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 2,980 at double occupancy. Carnival Glory can also carry 1,150 crew members. The vessel’s inaugoral voyage was on July 14, 2003.
Carnival Conquest – 2002
Photo Credit: SeregaSibTravel / Shutterstock.com
The Carnival Conquest was a huge milestone for Carnival Cruise Line as she was the first in the popular Conquest-class, which consists of five vessels. She took the cruise line into a new era of ship design and passenger capacity.
Carnival Conquest is the first 110,000 gross tons cruise ship in the fleet, with a guest capacity of 2,980 at double occupancy and 1,150 crew members. There are 13 passenger decks and the vessel debuted in November 2002.
Carnival Legend – 2002
Photo Credit: SeregaSibTravel / Shutterstock.com
Carnival Legend is the third Spirit-class ship for the cruise line and was constructed at the then-named Kvaerner-Masa yards in Helsinki, Finland. The ship’s inaugural voyage departed on April 29, 2001.
Carnival Legend is 88,500 gross tons and has a guest capacity of 2,124, along with 930 crew members. There are 12 passenger decks and she cost the cruise line $375 million.
Carnival Pride – 2002
Photo Credit: Anya Douglas / Shutterstock.com
Carnival Pride is the second ship in the Spirit-class and was once the Carnival flagship when she made her debut in January 2002. The ship is 88,500 gross tons, the perfect size and design to transit the Panama Canal and sail in harsher climates.
The vessel has a guest capacity of 2,124 at double occupancy, along with 930 international crew members. She cost $375 million and was built in Helsinki, Finland.
Carnival Encounter – 2002
Carnival Encounter
Even though Carnival Encounter is not a new cruise ship, it only joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet after a brief upgrade in March 2025. The ship originally entered service for Princess Cruises in 2002 and was transferred to sister line P&O Australia in 2021. The ship was constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
Just like Carnival Encounter, Carnival Adventure was also transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in March 2025, following the closure of the P&O Australia brand. The vessel also first entered service for Princess Cruises in 2001 after being constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone.
Entered Service: 2001
Gross Tonnage: 108,856
Passenger Capacity: 2,636
Crew Capacity: 1,100
Carnival Spirit – 2001
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Spirit was the very first ship built in the popular Spirit-class and was a totally new design for the cruise line. This class allows guest sailings in other regions such as Panama, Alaska and even Northern Europe. The Carnival Spirit has also been mainly based in Australia in recent years.
The Carnival cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 88,500 and a guest capacity of 2,124 at double occupancy, along with 930 crew members. She cost $375 million to construct at the then-named Kvaerner-Masa yards in Helsinki, Finland.
Carnival Radiance – 2000
Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Radiance was previously named Carnival Victory, but during a major transformation in Cadiz, Spain in 2021, the ship became completely new. The new-look vessel is part of the Sunshine class and from December 13, 2021, is sailing from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California.
The ship’s godmother is Dr. Lucille O’Neal, mother of Carnival Cruise Line’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal. The huge transformation cost Carnival $200 million and the ship is now 101,509 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,984 at double occupancy and 1,108 crew members.
Carnival Sunrise – 1999
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The Carnival cruise ship underwent a huge $200 million transformation and is now part of the Sunshine class, which also includes Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunshine. The vessel was previously known as Carnival Triumph, which originally entered service in 1999.
Carnival Sunrise is a completely new cruise ship that departed on its inaugural voyage in April 2019. The vessel is 101,509 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,984 at double occupancy and 1,108 crew members.
Carnival Paradise – 1998
Photo Credit: @makemesmiletwice (Instagram)
The Carnival Paradise became just one of the two last Fantasy-class ships after Carnival Ecstasy left the fleet in the fall of 2022. Carnival Paradise will keep offering fun-filled cruise vacations at 71,925 gross tons and a guest capacity of 2,124.
The Fantasy-class cruise ship cost $300 million to construct in Helsinki, Finland and began guest operations in December 1998. There are 11 passenger decks and a crew capacity of 920.
Carnival Elation – 1998
Photo Credit: SeregaSibTravel / Shutterstock
When Carnival Ecstasy departed the fleet in October 2022, Carnival Elation became the oldest ship in the fleet. She is 71,909 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 2,190 at double occupancy.
The ship was also constructed in Finland at a cost of 315 million. She departed on her inaugural voyage in March 1998 and has undergone 10 dry docks, with the latest adding the ship’s new red, white, and blue livery.
The Carnival ship became the first in the new Sunshine class after completing a major bow-to-stern transformation in November 2013. The vessel has become completely new after previously being named Carnival Destiny, which originally entered service in 1996.
Carnival Sunshine, which also dons the red, white, and blue livery, is 102,853 gross tons, slightly larger than her sister ships Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunrise. The ship also has a guest capacity of 3,002 and 1,040 crew members.
Former Carnival Cruise Ships
Original Mardi Gras Ship (Credit: Carnival)
Carnival Cruise Line goes beyond the older Fantasy-class vessels, such as the Holiday-class. The very first was Mardi Gra,s which we already mentioned further up, and began sailing for the cruise line in 1972. Then came Carnivale, which is, in fact, the oldest built ship. She didn’t start sailing for Carnival Cruise Line until 1975.
Festivale was built in 1962 but joined the fleet in 1977. Tropical was the first new cruise ship built for Carnival Cruise Line in 1982. The new Holiday-class vessel, also built for the cruise line, helped grow the Fun Ship fleet with Holiday arriving in 1985, Jubilee in 1986, and Celebration in 1987.
Here’s the list of the former ships that have either been sold to other operators or scrapped:
1996 – Carnival Inspiration (Fantasy-class)
1994 – Carnival Imagination (Fantasy-class)
1994 – Carnival Fascination (Fantasy-class)
1993 – Carnival Sensation (Fantasy-class)
1991 – Carnival Ecstasy (Fantasy-class)
1990 – Carnival Fantasy (Fantasy-class)
1987 – Celebration (Holiday-class)
1986 – Jubilee (Holiday-class)
1985 – Holiday (Holiday-class)
1982 – Tropicale
1977 – Festivale
1975 – Carnivale
1972 – Mardi Gras
We look forward to the future Carnival cruise ships with the new era of LNG-powered ships entering service. These new generation ships will grow Carnival even further, bringing new features and innovation to the cruise vacation experience.
From embarkation check-in at the terminal to lunchtime at the buffet to waiting to enter a show before the evening’s entertainment, there are a lot of lines on any cruise vacation. But who wants to waste precious hours of a getaway standing in lines?
Savvy cruisers have plenty of tricks to shorten those waits without missing anything. With careful planning, you can even avoid most cruise ship lines altogether.
I’ve spent far too many hours waiting in lines in cruise terminals, on gangways, and onboard ships of all sizes from many different cruise lines.
The tricks to minimize wait times and shorten lines can be used on everything from 3-night weekend getaways to 7-night vacations to even longer amazing journeys, giving you even more time to relax and enjoy yourself.
Embarkation Lines
Embarking on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Years ago, the check-in and security lines at cruise terminals could stretch for hours. My longest wait was for one of the smallest ships I’ve sailed, Carnival Fascination for our very first cruise in 2003.
This was before facial recognition and tablets at the terminal, before we had passports, and before we understood just how to make every wait less. Just to check in for that cruise, we waited more than an hour in the terminal.
Today, cruise lines have implemented terminal arrival appointment windows to help control crowds. Sticking to your pre-selected arrival time is the easiest way to shorten wait times, because you won’t be turned away simply for getting there too early.
If you deliberately choose an arrival time later in the afternoon (but not TOO close to the all aboard time, in case of delays!), you can avoid the bulk of the embarkation crowds altogether.
Having a passport can also help you speed through the cruise terminal. While the passport still needs to be checked, it is much faster to check a passport than to correlate a birth certificate and a photo ID.
Of course, you want to be sure your documents – passport or ID and cruise ship boarding pass – are easily accessible at the terminal, preferably right in your hand. Nothing can be more frustrating than scrabbling through bags trying to remember which pocket you put the correct documents in.
That is one tip I wish I’d known before our first cruise, when I accidentally left my documents on the front seat of the car. To backtrack through the parking lot at PortMiami to retrieve them wasted another 15 minutes of our vacation before it had even begun!
Dining Lines
Cruise Passengers Lining Up for Buffet (Photo Credit: Melissa Herzog)
If you’re hangry, long lines can seem even longer and more frustrating. I’ve waited 30 minutes in line for a Guy’s Burger, and while those juicy smashburgers are worth a bit of time, there are ways to shorten even the hungriest wait.
For main dining room meals, consider choosing flexible dining times – My Time Dining or Your Time Dining. This will let you choose mealtimes that work best for you, including when lines are shortest.
Similarly, opting for reservations at specialty dining restaurants can ensure the briefest waits because your table will be set aside for you at the time you select.
If you have an assigned dining time, there is no need to line up outside the dining room 15-20 minutes before the doors open – a mistake I made on my earliest cruises. A lot of passengers do this, and you’ll just be waiting around until the crowd can be seated.
Instead, if your assigned dining time is 6:30 p.m., show up at 6:35 p.m. The doors will already be open and most of the crowd will have moved into the dining room.
Just don’t delay too long, however, as cruise lines may close the dining room doors after 15-20 minutes to deter tardy guests, and then you’d have to head for a casual option instead.
If you prefer meals at the buffet – I spent a week aboard Wonder of the Seas and ate every meal at the delicious Windjammer Marketplace – learn when the venue opens and arrive in the early part of the dining window for the shortest lines. Similarly, lines will also be shorter later in the evening after the peak dining time has passed.
Entertainment Lines
Dirty Dancing Show on MSC World America (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
Waiting to get into a show can be especially frustrating if you have special considerations for certain seats. I’m on the shorter side and need a seat where a taller guest won’t obstruct my view or I won’t be able to enjoy the show as much.
Other guests might have similar concerns due to poor eyesight, hearing difficulties, or the need to access a seating area that can accommodate a mobility scooter or wheelchair.
Some cruise lines offer reservations for the major production shows, such as Royal Caribbean’s iconic ice shows and aqua shows. If reservations are available, they are a great option to avoid waiting in lengthy (and uncertain) standby lines.
If reservations aren’t offered – Carnival Cruise Line, for example, does not offer reservations for its Playlist Production shows – it may be necessary to wait after all. In this case, bring along a deck of cards, a fun game on your phone (in airplane mode!), or some other way to pass the time if needed.
Because most shows are offered several times on the same evening or even throughout a longer cruise, avoiding the first showtime will also help you avoid the worst lines. Instead, opt for a later show that will naturally have a smaller crowd and therefore shorter lines.
Elevator Lines
Elevators on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Whether it’s after dinner, after a show, or just about any time, lines for the elevators can be frustratingly long. On just about every cruise, I’ve spent 10-15 minutes or longer waiting for an elevator to arrive at least once.
Avoiding elevators altogether will completely skip these lines. If I’m heading down from an upper deck to a lower one, no problem. Going up multiple decks at once, however, isn’t always as fun.
One way to shorten the elevator wait is to move away from the most popular elevator banks right when the crowds are heaviest, such as the elevators closest to the main show lounge just as a show ends.
This can be a great opportunity to explore more parts of the ship and find a new path back to your stateroom or to another venue, or just to stretch your legs instead of standing around for an elevator.
Some newer ships, such as Utopia of the Seas, do have smart elevators that require guests to select their deck before boarding an elevator car. They are then told which car will be going their way, which helps control crowds and more efficiently move people from floor to floor.
If your cruise ship has smart elevators, be sure you are using them correctly or else you might find yourself waiting even longer if you miss your assigned car!
Port Visit Lines
Long Lines in Ketchikan, Alaska (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography)
There’s nothing quite like feeling a cruise ship shudder and turn as it pulls into port, lines up to the pier, and fully docks. But the lines to get off the ship and start exploring ashore can be lengthy – even more so if it is a tender port that requires guests to board smaller boats to be ferried ashore.
Take a shore tour booked through the cruise line is a great way to ensure shorter lines and a faster way off the ship, as you’ll be among the earliest groups to debark to get to your tour. This does not apply, however, if you book an independent tour, so be aware of possible delays if you do have a different tour with an early start time.
If you are going ashore on your own, know where the gangway is located and have your ship card in your hand to scan as you leave. I’ve been stuck behind guests on nearly every cruise line I’ve sailed with as they scramble through pockets looking for their cards.
Waiting until slightly later in the day to leave and explore the ship is a great option to avoiding lines altogether – even on a ship with more than 6,000 guests, I was able to walk right off at a private island, no lines or delays necessary.
Guest Services Lines
Cruise Ship’s Guest Services Desk (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
No cruise guest wants to spend time waiting to speak to a guest services representative. Usually the need to do so indicates a problem that needs to be resolved, which already isn’t a pleasant situation. A long line can make it even more frustrating!
First, do you need to go to the guest services desk at all? Many times, a quick phone call can resolve simple situations or answer questions, no lines necessary.
If the concern is with a charge on your account, you may be able to check totals and transactions on your stateroom television or through the cruise line’s app rather than with a visit to guest services.
Setting up your onboard account with a credit or debit card can also minimize the need for visiting guest services for financial matters such as a low balance or running out of cash. If you do need to add cash to your account, many cruise lines have kiosks set up in public areas where you can do so quickly and easily.
If a visit to the desk is necessary, try not to wait until the last day when lines will naturally be longer. If you are a high-level loyalty member for a cruise line, you might have a separate desk or a shorter line you can take advantage of for faster service.
When your cruise is over, the lines for debarkation are the worst. Who wants to wait just to leave?
But, every cruise must end (even a nine-month-long world cruise!). To make debarkation easier and lessen the wait, consider self-assisting with your own luggage if possible – though this does mean you need to carry off all bags yourself. Still, doing so will let you be one of the first guests off the ship and you’ll head straight through customs and out of the cruise terminal.
You should have your ship card in hand as you leave the vessel, because security will need to scan it one more time to verify that you have debarked. It’s a great souvenir, but don’t pack it away.
To make customs faster, a passport comes in just as handy as it did during embarkation. When debarking Utopia of the Seas in May 2025, we self-assisted with all our luggage, entered the passport lanes, paused for a few seconds at the facial recognition, and were out of the cruise terminal in record time.
Literally – from the time we left our stateroom to we walked back into the Florida sunshine was less than 15 minutes. And the gangway and ramp at Port Canaveral is not a short hike!
More Ways to Shorten Lines Onboard
Cruise Ship Tender Line in Papua New Guinea (Photo Credit: Annalucia)
Regardless of where you may be waiting in line, there are a few extra tips that can help shorten lines on a cruise.
Learn your way around the ship and look for shortcuts. You might even find some hidden niches and unique spaces to enjoy.
Consider paying for shorter line privileges with programs like Carnival’s Faster to the Fun or Royal Caribbean’s The Key.
Book vacations on smaller ships with fewer guests so lines will naturally be smaller and less frustrating.
Above all, always be patient! Even with the best planning there will still be lines, but you can take many steps to make them shorter and more manageable.
With the biggest cruise ships in the world offering vacations to thousands of guests with every departure, it’s no surprise that lines have gotten longer aboard cruise ships over the years.
With the trend toward even larger ships in the coming years, guests who best know how to deal with long lines will be able to enjoy smoother, less stressful cruise vacations with more time doing what they love and making memories rather than waiting in line
