A celebratory steel-cutting ceremony on June 4, 2025 marked the start of construction of Oceania Sonata, Oceania Cruises’ ninth ship and the first in a new class of vessel for the upmarket line.
The event, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, coincided with other big reveals by the cruise line — the names of its new ship class, Sonata, and the names of the two ships in that class, Oceania Sonata and Oceania Arietta.
The planned addition of the two new-builds was announced in early 2024, but neither the class name nor the ship names were released.
The 86,000-gross ton ships will be the largest in the Oceania Cruises’ fleet, with a capacity for 1,450 guests. The line’s largest existing ships accommodate 1,200.
Oceania Sonata is scheduled to enter service in 2027, followed by Oceania Arietta in 2029.
“Oceania Sonata heralds the dawn of a new era in luxury cruising,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises.
“We are proud to continue our legacy of innovation alongside Fincantieri, our shipbuilding partner for close to 20 years. Together, we have crafted ships that stand as some of the most acclaimed examples of luxury, elegance, comfort, and Italian craftsmanship at sea,” Montague added.
No details about the ship’s design or onboard features were offered by Oceania Cruises, besides a promise from the line that the Sonata-class ships would be the most spacious in the fleet and feature the most guest amenities.
Fincantieri has long been the line’s construction partner. Three existing Oceania Cruises’ ships were built by the Italian yard — Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, and Oceania Vista, and a fourth, Oceania Allura, is in the final stages of construction and due to enter service in July 2025.
The newest ship sailing today, Oceania Vista, which debuted in 2023, and Oceania Allura comprise the two ships in the line’s Allura class. Oceania Allura’s inaugural 6-night sailing is set for July 18, 2025 from Trieste, Italy, to Athens.
Oceania Sonata Render
The two ships slated to herald the line’s new Sonata class were announced by Oceania Cruises’ parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), in April 2024.
Other ships in the fleet include four vessels in the Regatta class: Oceania Regatta, Oceania Nautica, Oceania Insignia, and Oceania Sirena.
Sonata Class Vessels Were Part of a Massive Ship Order
The order for the two Oceania vessels was part of a much broader agreement with Fincantieri that will ultimately bring eight new ships to the NCLH brands, which, in addition to Oceania, include Norwegian Cruise Line and ultra-luxe line Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The massive ship order included four mega-ships for Norwegian Cruise Line, each roughly 200,000-gross tons and with a capacity for 5,000 guests. The ships are slated to debut in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036. No names have been divulged yet.
Two ships for the all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas Cruises were included in the order and will represent the new Prestige class. The first to debut, in 2026, will be Seven Seas Prestige. The second is due to launch in 2029 but its name has not yet been revealed.
The luxury ships are slated to weigh in at 77,000-gross tons and accommodate 850 guests.
NCLH’s announcement of its multiple ship orders included plans to renovate and upgrade its private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay.
No traveler wants an emergency to interrupt their cruise vacation, and in fact, escaping from the realities of life on land can be a tremendous advantage to a cruise.
Unfortunately, emergencies do sometimes happen, but how would someone at home reach out to a guest onboard a cruise ship to alert them to such a situation?
Not all guests purchase internet plans, and in fact, many guests enjoy some degree of unplugging while on a cruise and may not have reliable connectivity. That doesn’t mean, however, that they are completely out of touch if an emergency arises.
Carnival Cruise Line does have an established procedure for how guests can be reached on any ship in the fleet, even if the guest does not have internet access or another means for direct contact.
The cruise line’s official brand ambassador, John Heald, shared the emergency contact information after being messaged about a distressing family situation one guest encountered.
“My best friend is on a cruise right now, they will be back in three days. She is with her mom and they found out her grandmother is now placed on hospice and in palliative care,”the commenter explained.“[My friend] didn’t purchase the WiFi package. Why doesn’t Carnival comp them a day of WiFi? This is not good customer service.”
The commenter doesn’t explain how their friend found out about the grandmother’s situation without internet or phone access, but Heald does note what Carnival Cruise Line can and will do for such instances.
“If you ever have a family concern onboard, there is a telephone number you can call,”he explains.
The number is 1-800-227-6482 – this is manned seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
The number is also listed on Carnival’s website, noting that “In the event of a true emergency, family may contact our call center. … Our team will take down the caller’s name and contact information and pass it on to our Guest Services team onboard.”
There are no direct dial numbers for non-guests to reach out to an individual Carnival ship themselves.
Heald goes on to explain that callers should tell the call center the nature of the problem, the name of the guest, and the ship they are sailing on.
“My colleague at the mother ship in Miami will then send the message immediately to the ship, and they will contact the person involved,”he confirmed.
If the guest does not have an internet package, the cruise line will offer complimentary phone calls or internet access as needed to help the guest stay in touch with loved ones back home.
“We look after people in those situations where somebody at home needs to get an emergency message [to a guest],”Heald said.
Guests Share Compassionate Responses From Carnival Cruise Line
A vacation should be a happy and enjoyable time, not one filled with tension and worry. Many guests responded to Heald’s explanation with stories of their own experiences when unexpected situations happened at home during their Carnival cruises.
Guest Services crew members were noted as always being understanding and kind, offering compassionate service above and beyond what might be expected.
This includes ensuring phones are dialed correctly to reach family members back home, providing privacy for such calls, assisting with customs paperwork for debarking the ship at a port of call, and reaching out to guests onboard later in the cruise to check in with them.
Some guests have also noted that such emergency situations aren’t always family related. In some cases, guests have needed to reach out to their bank immediately to handle fraud charges, or there may have been a fire or other natural disaster at home while they were sailing.
Savvy travelers should always leave the cruise line’s emergency number – 1-800-227-6482 – with non-cruising relatives, pet or house sitters, or neighbors just in case of unexpected situations.
Cruisers Down Under planning to sail aboard Carnival Adventure in mid-2027 will need to make new plans.
Carnival Cruise Line announced it is cancelling all voyages on the 108,865-gross-ton ship between May 17 and June 14, 2027.
The cancellations affect six different itineraries from Sydney, including popular routes to the Great Barrier Reef, Vanuatu, and Moreton Island.
Carnival cited a “short-term change in itinerary plans for Carnival Adventure” as the reason for the cancellations.
Guests booked on the affected cruises – who have two years notice and ample time to find alternatives – are being offered full refunds or the option to rebook another Carnival Cruise Line sailing.
According to the cruise line, “Those who do rebook will receive a nominal onboard spending credit as compensation for the change.”
The cancelled sailings range in length from 3 to 9 nights and were set to visit multiple sought-after ports in Australia, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.
For passengers booked on the shorter June 3 and June 11, 2027, voyages, an onboard credit of AU$25.00 (approximately $16 US) per person is being offered. There will be a maximum of AU$50.00 per stateroom.
Those on the longer May 17 and 25 or June 14, 2027, itineraries will receive AU$50.00 (approximately $32 US) onboard credit per person and only a maximum of AU$100.00 per stateroom.
Carnival Cruise Line has not yet detailed what prompted the schedule change, nor whether the ship will undergo maintenance or be repositioned during its month-long break.
This means the 2,636-passenger ship’s last scheduled voyage is a 3-night roundtrip cruise to nowhere on May 14, 2027.
Adventure from P&O to Carnival
The ship now known as Carnival Adventure previously sailed as Pacific Adventure under the P&O Australia flag. It underwent two-week rebranding and minor refurbishments before entering service as Carnival Adventure in March 2025.
Passengers took to social media to speculate about the reason Carnival Adventure has cancelled voyages, including wondering if the ship needs some major renovations.
“Is that one of the old P&O ships that they recently rebranded down here in Melbourne?” asked one guest. “Maybe they found a few jobs, renovations, etc. not urgent but needs sorting in 2 years time.”
However, the vessel is already rumored to be scheduled to enter dry dock in Singapore in early 2027, a year after Carnival Encounter, another ship received by the cruise line from P&O Australia.
Carnival Splendor Docked in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
Said one guest, “And it begins… the closure of Carnival Cruise Lines in Australia. They were quicker than I thought they would.”
With a dry dock schedule ahead of the cancellation, it is likely it’s as simple as Carnival said: “a short-term itinerary change.” This could mean moving the vessel to another port or perhaps a month-long charter.
Carnival Cruise Line doesn’t show any signs of departing Australia with President Christine Duffy sharing in March 2025 that the cruise line is “proud to strengthen its commitment to the millions of Australians who love to cruise.”
As part of a broader fleet consolidation, the P&O Australia brand was phased out, with its ships either reassigned within Carnival Corporation or sold.
During the nation’s winter months, the 3,012-guest Carnival Splendor, 2,600-passenger Carnival Encounter, and Carnival Adventure are each operating 3- and 4-night cruises, as well as 7- and 10-night Great Barrier Reef options.
All three ships are currently scheduled to operate in Australia into 2027, with Carnival Luminosa carrying up to 2,260 passengers during the summer season.
Carnival Adventure recently joined Carnival Cruise Line’s Australia lineup in March 2025, after the former P&O Australia cruise line was officially retired by parent company Carnival Corporation.
Virgin Voyages has just notified guests three days ahead of their upcoming cruise on Valiant Lady of some important itinerary changes that are taking place as a result of engine maintenance.
“We have made an itinerary update to your Dominican Daze voyage, sailing on June 6, 2025,”the email notification read.
This letter was sent to booked guests on June 3, 2025, leaving many with mixed feelings about the sudden change.
“Due to engine maintenance, you will now visit Grand Turk, instead of Puerto Plata on Day 3,”the email continues, adding,“Your visit to The Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, will also now arrive at 8 AM (instead of 9 AM).”
Guests who booked this 5-night round-trip cruise out of Miami on Valiant Lady have mostly been understanding about the reasoning for the change. However, the voyage is quite literally called Dominican Daze, and now will no longer be visiting the Dominican Republic.
“3 DAYS PRIOR TO SAILING, the port changed to Grand Turk, which is not the Dominican/no longer a Dominican cruise at all,”saidan upset passenger. This guest also shared that Virgin Voyages has made it clear that there are no plans to provide any compensation as a result of the change.
Other cruisers also commented that anyone who booked third-party excursions for the now-cancelled stop in the Dominican Republic should seek to cancel them immediately.
Unfortunately, booking outside of the cruise lines is always a risk when it comes to excursions, as itineraries can change at any moment — so always double-check refund and cancellation policies!
Originally, the 2,770-passenger Valiant Lady was supposed to call on Puerto Plata on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but now that stop will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Grand Turk.
While the arrival time in Bimini was moved up an hour on June 10, the departure time is 7 p.m., which was not changed. The good news is, this means passengers have more time to enjoy the island!
Those guests who booked excursions through the cruise line for the stop in Puerto Plata should expect new ones for Grand Turk to become available for booking on June 4, 2025.
As of now, the current voyage Valiant Lady is on remains unaffected by the need for engine maintenance, as the vessel will arrive in Miami on June 6, 2025, as scheduled.
Could a Recent Power Outage be the Cause of the Sudden Engine Maintenance?
The 110,000 gross-ton Valiant Lady may only be a three-year-old ship, but it is experiencing its fair share of issues in 2025.
Shortly after departing from Bimini on May 30, 2025, the vessel experienced a brief shipwide power outage. According to multiple passengers on that cruise, despite backup power being on, things like elevators were not working as they normally do.
“The power outage was maybe 15-20 minutes, we were given no reason, emergency power kept all services intact. We had no other issues on the sailing – everything worked just fine,”shared Cruise Hive’s own Melissa Mayntz,who was on the ship at the time.
Valiant Lady Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
While Virgin Voyages has not confirmed the power outage as the reason for the sudden need for maintenance, given the timeline, it is not unlikely.
That being said, it could also be as a result of an ongoing issue, as the Valiant Lady voyage that departed on January 31, 2025, also had to adjust its itinerary. This cruise, like the upcoming June 6 one, also had to swap the visit from Puerto Plata to Grand Turk due to extra maintenance.
Before that, the January 17 sailing also had the same itinerary change, and while Virgin Voyages has not confirmed the reason, many passengers speculated it was also due to engine maintenance.
While the last-minute change to the June 6 sailing might be disappointing for some, Grand Turk is filled with scenic beaches, has great spots for diving and snorkeling, and even has its own historic lighthouse! Plus, the weather tends to be more reliable than in Puerto Plata.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
