Complete Carnival Cruise Ships Guide 2025: All 29 Ships Ranked & Reviewed
Expert rankings, reviews, amenities & which ship is best for families, couples & first-timers
Quick Answer: Best Carnival Cruise Ships 2025
#1 Carnival Celebration (2022) - Newest ship with BOLT rollercoaster, 5,374 passengers, Miami-based
#2 Carnival Jubilee (2023) - Sister ship to Celebration, Galveston-based
#3 Carnival Mardi Gras (2021) - First LNG-powered, 6 themed zones, Port Canaveral
Carnival Fleet Overview
As of 2025, Carnival operates 29 ships across 7 ship classes carrying approximately 6 million passengers annually.
Fleet Statistics
- Total Ships: 29 (+ 5 new ships on order through 2033)
- Total Capacity: ~95,000 passengers across all ships
- Newest Ship: Carnival Jubilee (2023)
- Oldest Ship: Carnival Ecstasy (1991)
- Largest Ships: Excel class (183K GT, 5,374 passengers)
- Average Ship Age: 14 years
Top 10 Carnival Ships Ranked (2025)
1. Carnival Celebration (2022) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Signature Features:
- BOLT: First rollercoaster at sea (45 mph, 800 feet of track)
- 6 themed zones including Ultimate Playground
- 20+ dining venues
- Cloud 9 Spa with thalassotherapy pool
- Family Harbor with exclusive lounge
Best For: First-timers, families with teens, thrill-seekers
Typical Itineraries: 6-8 day Eastern/Western Caribbean
Starting Price: $899/person (7-day Caribbean)
Why We Rank #1: Most innovative ship in the fleet with groundbreaking features. The BOLT rollercoaster alone is worth the cruise.
2. Carnival Jubilee (2023) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.7/5 (1,201 reviews) | Capacity: 5,374 passengers
Sister Ship to: Celebration | Home Port: Galveston, TX
Best For: Texas/Southwest travelers, families
Starting Price: $849/person
3. Carnival Mardi Gras (2021) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.7/5 (4,112 reviews) | Capacity: 5,282 passengers
Home Port: Port Canaveral | Year Built: 2021
Signature Features:
- First LNG-powered cruise ship (eco-friendly)
- 6 themed zones: French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing
- BOLT rollercoaster (original)
- Emeril's Bistro (celebrity chef restaurant)
- Big Chicken by Shaquille O'Neal
Why We Love It: Revolutionary design with distinct zones feels like multiple ships in one
10. Carnival Liberty (2005) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.2/5 | Capacity: 2,974 passengers
Home Port: Cape Liberty, NJ (seasonal)
Refurbished: 2016, 2021
Best For: Newark/NJ travelers (no flight required!) - Convenient Bayonne departures, Bermuda itineraries
All 29 Carnival Ships: Quick Reference Table
| Ship Name | Year | Class | Capacity | Home Port | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Celebration | 2022 | Excel | 5,374 | Miami | 4.8 |
| Carnival Jubilee | 2023 | Excel | 5,374 | Galveston | 4.7 |
| Carnival Mardi Gras | 2021 | Excellence | 5,282 | Port Canaveral | 4.7 |
| Carnival Liberty | 2005 | Conquest | 2,974 | Cape Liberty, NJ | 4.2 |
Best Ships by Category
Best for Families
Carnival Mardi Gras - 6 themed zones keep all ages entertained, excellent kids' programs, massive variety
Best for Couples
Carnival Vista - Havana section (adults-only), SkyRide at sunset, more intimate than Excel class
Best for First-Timers
Carnival Celebration - Newest ship shows what cruising can be, manageable size, incredible features
Most Convenient for NJ
Carnival Liberty - Sails from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), no flight required
How to Choose Your Carnival Ship
Step 1: Determine Your Home Port
Where are you sailing from? (Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Long Beach, Bayonne) - Fly or drive?
Step 2: Choose Your Itinerary
Caribbean? Bermuda from NJ? West Coast? Alaska?
Step 3: Consider Ship Size
- Mega ships (5,000+): More activities, more crowds → Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras
- Mid-size (3,000-4,000): Balanced → Dream/Vista class
- Smaller (2,000-2,500): More intimate → Spirit/Fantasy class
Step 4: Match to Your Priorities
- Newest features? → Excel class (Celebration, Jubilee)
- Best value? → Dream/Conquest class
- Eco-friendly? → Mardi Gras (LNG-powered)
- No flight? → Liberty (sails from NJ)
Ready to Choose Your Carnival Ship?
Call 833-874-1019 to speak with our ship selection experts
We'll help you choose the perfect Carnival ship based on your:
- Travel dates & departure port
- Family composition (kids, adults, mix)
- Budget & priorities
- Activity preferences