The Best Carnival Cruise Ships Of 2022

Some cruise lines have an air of stuffiness about them, which can cause passengers to question their choice of attire and cause confusion over which cutlery to employ in the dining room. On the other hand, this is not the case with the approachable, wallet-friendly, child-friendly, and low-key Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival, which presently operates 23 ships, will spend the year 2022 commemorating the 50th anniversary of its first trip as it sails across the Caribbean.

Due to the fact that its Camp Ocean kids program and Club 02 teen program are both complimentary, this cruise line is an excellent option for vacationing with multiple generations at the same time. There are plenty of activities available throughout the day for people of all ages, in addition to evening entertainment for adults. These are the Carnival cruise ships that have been rated the highest time and time again by our guests.

The 7 Best Cruise Ships Operating for Carnival in 2022

•        Best Overall Cruise: Carnival Horizon

•        Best for Families: Carnival Vista

•        Best New Ship: Mardi Gras

•        Best Ship Renovation: Carnival Sunrise

•        Best Large Ship: Carnival Dream

•        Best Budget: Carnival Conquest

•        Best Amenities: Carnival Miracle

THE VERY BEST CRUISE IN EVERY WAY

Carnival Horizon

Why Did We Go With It?

The Caribbean-focused Carnival Horizon, which first set sail in 2018, has all of the amenities necessary for a holiday that is both exciting and restful.

Notable Features and Amenities

Family Harbor and Cloud 9 staterooms are designed with families in mind; the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat offers unique cocktails and hot tubs; the Dr. Seuss Bookville library contains quirky furnishings and books; and Family Harbor and Cloud 9 staterooms are family-friendly.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Brewhouse and Guy’s Burger Joint, both of which are owned and operated by the celebrity chef Guy Fieri

• An plenty of fun things to do on board

• Massage, facials, body wraps, and other services are available at the Cloud 9 Spa.

Cons

• Ship may give the impression of being bustling and hectic

• When the ship is at full capacity, it may be difficult to find available pool lounge chairs.

Hotel Overview

One of Carnival’s newest ships departs from Miami with a wide variety of stateroom options. These include the Family Harbor, which features staterooms specifically designed for families and equipped with their own lounge and concierge, as well as the Cloud 9 Spa staterooms, which provide guests with unrestricted access to the spa’s thermal suites.

The chic Havana Bar and Lounge is only accessible to guests staying in the opulent Havana suites during the daylight hours of their stay. The suites also include swinging hammock seats on the balcony. On the exterior, the atmosphere of the lounge is reminiscent of South Beach, replete with chaise loungers, a pool, and a cocktail bar that morphs into a nightclub in the evening. On the other hand, the atmosphere on the interior is reminiscent of an old Cuban cigar bar. In addition, Horizon features a live Lip Sync Battle, which is an adaptation of the popular television show that airs on Spike, as well as spectacular playlist productions. In addition, the ship features an outside water park called WaterWorks as well as bicycles hung from the ceiling called SkyRide.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Carnival Vista

Why Did We Go With It?

Children of all ages will be kept pleasantly engaged by the uninterrupted action that takes place onboard the Carnival Vista, which attracts a huge number of repeat cruise passengers.

Notable Features and Amenities

Outdoor activities such as a ropes course, suspended bike course, and mini golf; cabins that are designed specifically for families and include complimentary babysitting services.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

The Ship made its maiden voyage in 2018, making it a relatively recent vessel.

• The duration of cruises ranges from 2 to 5 days and 6 to 9 days.

• Guests have the option to schedule a VIP meal with many courses at the Chef’s Table (for an extra fee)

Cons

• Because the majority of decks feature a combination of public areas and cabins, those who have trouble sleeping may find this configuration to be too noisy.

• Considering how enormous the ship is, the ship only has two pools, and both of them can easily become crowded.

Hotel Overview

Due to the fact that it provides nonstop entertainment onboard, the Carnival Vista, which departs from both Galveston and Port Canaveral, typically has a big number of returning passengers. The 3,934-passenger Vista, which was the first and largest ship in the Vista class, established a high standard for its sister ships, Horizon (which will debut in 2018) and Panorama (late 2019).

There are many one-of-a-kind “at sea” experiences available on the Vista, such as the 4D Thrill Theater, which comes equipped with 3D glasses in addition to additional effects such as air blowing, mist, and other sensory adventures. In addition to this, there is an IMAX cinema, the SkyRide (bikes that are suspended in the air), the Kaleid-o-Slide (a waterslide with a light show), and more.

BEST NEW SHIP

Mardi Gras

Why Did We Go With It?

Have you ever gone on a roller coaster that was on the water? Nobody has ever done it before—that is, nobody has done it before the exciting Mardi Gras cruise ship.

Notable Features and Amenities

Onboard roller coaster that travels at speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour and 187 feet above sea level; Family Feud Live, hosted by the cruise director and replete with a face-off podium and fast money round

The Good and the Bad

Pros

• Eating establishments helmed by celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, and Rudi Sodamin as partners

• This will be the first Carnival ship to have different “zones” for different types of dining, drinking, and activities.

• The Adults-Only Serenity Retreat offers unique beverages and hot tubs for guests.

• Shaquille O’Neal is the Chief Fun Officer of the company.

Cons

• The majority of the establishments, such as restaurants, the theatre, and the piano bar, are not large enough to accommodate a large number of customers at once.

• Both the cabins and the restrooms are far smaller than one might anticipate.

Hotel Overview

Are you a fan of travelling on really large ships? Then you are going to like the massive Carnival Mardi Gras, which has a total capacity of 6,465 passengers and is one of the largest cruise ships currently in operation across all lines. It is also the first ship in North America to be fueled by liquified natural gas, which, in comparison to marine diesel, results in up to a 20% reduction in carbon emissions.

Due to the sheer size of this vessel, it has been subdivided into six distinct areas, ensuring that you are never more than a short distance away from either entertainment or refreshments. In the Grand Central Zone, for example, there is a restaurant that serves sushi and teppanyaki, as well as a piano bar and a comedy club. The French Quarter is home to a variety of shops and restaurants, including Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and The Brass Magnolia, both of which feature jazz music. And Lido provides you with a rum bar right by the pool, a restaurant called Shaq’s Big Chicken, another restaurant called Guy’s Burger Joint, and access to soft-serve ice cream around the clock. The Mardi Gras departs from Port Canaveral and offers cruises that range in length from six to nine days.

BEST SHIP RENOVATION

Carnival Sunrise

Why Did We Go With It?

Every cabin aboard the Carnival Sunrise, which was formerly known as the Carnival Triumph, has been updated with all new furnishings, as well as dining and beverage enhancements.

Notable Features and Amenities

WaterWorks splash zone, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat with unique cocktails and hot tubs, Punchliner Comedy Club, Piano Bar 88, and Cloud 9 Spa are some of the amenities that are available.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

This ship, which was built in 1999, underwent a comprehensive renovation that brought it up to date.

• A ship of moderate capacity, carrying 2,984 passengers

• Departs from Miami on itineraries that are only two to five days long.

Cons

• It is difficult to find a moment of calm and solitude onboard this crowded ship.

The wait in line for the buffet is unreasonable.

Hotel Overview

The Carnival Triumph was recently given a makeover that cost 200 million dollars, and the results were so significant that the ship required a new name to reflect its transformation. As of the year 2019, the ship formerly known as Triumph is now known as Sunrise, and it is a member of the Sunshine class of ships.

Every cabin on Sunrise has been updated with brand new, modern furniture, and there have been numerous new dining and drinking establishments added, such as Cucina del Capitano, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Express, and Red Frog Pub. A brand new Sports Court that features a mini golf course, a ropes course, and a WaterWorks water park was just put in place.

Visit the Liquid Lounge in the evenings to see dancers, musicians, and other forms of entertainment such as game shows. You may also make your way over to the Punchliner Comedy Club, which is located in the Limelight Lounge. The Bahamas and both the Eastern and Western Caribbean can be reached aboard the Sunrise when it departs from Miami.

BEST LARGE SHIP

Fantasy of a Carnival

Why Did We Go With It?

The Carnival Dream provides its guests with the best of both worlds by providing a wide array of entertaining activities on board in addition to several options for unwinding and relaxing.

Notable Features and Amenities

A gourmet steakhouse, sushi, and a tequila bar are just some of the dining options, and the hotel also features the Cloud9 Spa and Hydrotherapy Pool.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

• Departs from Galveston, Texas, and sails to the Eastern Caribbean as well as the Panama Canal.

• Trips often last one or two weeks depending on the itinerary.

• An abundance of activities, ranging from bingo and karaoke to costume parties and miniature golf

Cons

• It seems like there are too many people on the ship everywhere, but especially on the Lido deck and at the buffets.

• The casino permits patrons to smoke

Hotel Overview

Even though it has capacity for 3,646 passengers, one of the largest ships in the fleet of Carnival Cruise Line, the Carnival Dream is cleverly designed so that there are many areas where passengers can find peace and quiet. Because of this, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds while staying in this location, as there will be a large number of enjoyable activities as well as many different methods to unwind. In addition to a lounge reserved for adults and plenty of seating areas, the encircling promenade features whirlpools that protrude off the edges of the structure.

The children’s centre is enormous, and it features both specialised clubs for preteens and teenagers, as well as an expansive waterpark that features a twisting slide that is 300 feet long. In addition to the Pizzeria del Capitano and the Blue Iguana Cantina, passengers have their choice of dining at either of two restaurants owned by Guy Fieri, which are both included in the price of the ticket.

BEST BUDGET

Carnival Conquest

Why Did We Go With It?

The Carnival Conquest is well-known for offering cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas at rates that are exceptionally fair to one’s wallet.

Notable Features and Amenities

In addition to the Lip Sync Battle and Punchliner Comedy Club, there is a Serenity Adult-Only Retreat featuring unique cocktails and hot tubs.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

• Some 3-day trips start at as $129 per person

• Cruises to the Bahamas lasting between 2 and 4 days, as well as Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages lasting between 9 and 14 days, all departing from Miami

• Seuss-a-Palooza Parade

Cons

• Although it had a makeover in 2017, this vessel was built in 2002, and it has a rather antique vibe.

• Has a propensity to draw in a more rowdy crowd

Hotel Overview

The 2,980-passenger Carnival Conquest is well-known for its wallet-friendly pricing as well as its short trips to the Bahamas and Caribbean destinations. This ship is ideal for individuals who are interested in sailing for the first time. While the Carnival Conquest does include some of the Fun Ship 2.0 attractions, such as the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (and Cantina), Guy’s Burger Joint, Red Frog Rum Bar, and the Alchemy Bar, it does not have the buzzworthy facilities that are found on the newer ships, such as Sky Bikes or 4D theatres.

Because the majority of the onboard entertainment is centred on getting passengers out of their deck chairs and actively involved, it is important for guests to pay close attention to the daily activities programme.

BEST AMENITIES

Carnival Miracle

Why Did We Go With It?

The Carnival Miracle is distinguished from other cruise ships due to the fact that it features not one but two distinct promenade areas.

Notable Features and Amenities

There are three swimming pools, a waterslide called the Twister, a dance club called Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab, an adult-only retreat called Serenity that serves specialty cocktails and has hot tubs.

The Good and the Bad

Pros

• Will undergo refurbishment and dry docking in the year 2020

• Itineraries range anywhere from two to ten days and include stops in Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii

• Smaller vessel, at 2,124 maximum guest capacity

Cons

• Does not offer any of the cutting-edge entertainment options that can be found on more recent ships

• A number of comments posted on various websites allude to the low quality of the cuisine.

Hotel Overview

Even though it was constructed in 2003 and does not have as many of the 2.0 features as the other ships in the fleet, the Carnival Miracle nevertheless provides passengers with an enjoyable vacation experience. The indoor promenade of Miracle features window-lined sitting and a charming garden concept, while the outer open-air promenade is great for joggers. Miracle’s double Promenade is a feature that is unique in the industry. In addition, there is the elegant Alchemy Bar for artisan cocktails and the well-known SkyBox Sports Bar, which is perfect for watching the big game.

Final Verdict

The Mardi Gras is calling your name if you’re interested in sailing aboard the newest and most dazzling ship currently plying the seas. You can eat well and have a good time thanks to the accessibility of the world’s first roller coaster that is located at sea, as well as the restaurants that are backed by renowned chefs. Check out the itineraries onboard the Carnival Conquest, but if money is your primary issue, look into other options. There, you will find options with prices starting as little as $129 per person, and this amount will cover all of your meals. Last but not least, the Carnival Horizon is the ship that we believe offers the best overall experience. This is due to the ship’s extensive array of activities as well as its specialised room accommodations for passengers who are concerned with their health.