For years, I avoided Carnival Cruise Line like the plague.
The popular cruise line has been subject to negative stereotypes, especially compared to competitors like Royal Caribbean. Some even refer to it as the "Walmart of the Seas."
Carnival is often associated with lower-quality food, rowdier crowds, and dirty ships (remember the infamous "poop cruise" incident of 2012?).
However, having heard glowing reviews about their new Excel Class ships, I decided to give Carnival Cruise Line a try.
So, last October, I embarked on Carnival Celebration for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten.
At the time, Celebration was the line's newest ship. Now, that title is held by Carnival Jubilee, which sails exclusively out of Texas to the Western Caribbean.
To my surprise, my experience aboard Carnival was better than I expected. I loved the laid-back atmosphere, variety of onboard entertainment, sleek cabins, and fast-casual dining options.
In fact, I sailed on Carnival Vista less than one month after returning from Celebration. Since then, I've also sailed on Carnival Conquest and Elation, and I have an upcoming cruise to Alaska booked on Carnival Luminosa.
Suffice it to say, I've come to appreciate the Carnival brand far more than when I was growing up. What I had written off as a party-focused, budget-friendly line offered more than expected.
Read more: 15 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Carnival ship
Boarding Carnival Celebration in Miami was a breeze
I was initially taken aback by Carnival's archaic boarding pass requirement. Unlike Royal Caribbean or Disney, you must print your pass before heading to the terminal. Arriving at the terminal without it will delay your boarding process.
The pass is stamped by a port agent after your travel documents are verified, with a specific number written inside the stamp to let other port employees know who checked your documentation.
I printed my boarding pass in black and white, but you can also print it in color—the information can be clearly read either way.
Though my scheduled arrival time was between 1:00pm and 1:30pm, I arrived around 12:30pm after checking out of my pre-cruise hotel. Initially, I was told I'd have to wait until my designed time; however, another agent told me to proceed inside.
Once in the terminal, I found the boarding process easy. I had my documents checked, went through security, and bypassed the cheesy pre-cruise photo-op. However, I was surprised by the K9 narcotics dog sniffing everyone's carry-on bags.
Despite the initial confusion, I was on the ship by 1:00pm and eager to try the well-known Guy's Burger Joint.
Overall, the dining on Carnival Celebration exceeded my expectations
Most fast-casual venues were truly worth writing home about. However, while sailing on Carnival Celebration, I learned that embarkation day isn't the best time to get a Guy's burger. However, after waiting in line, I felt determined to not let that time feel wasted.
That said, I can confirm that Guy's is worth the hype. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and paired well with the seasoned fries. I also appreciated how fresh it was compared to the food in the buffet that sits under heat lamps.
A few sailings later, I discovered that Guy's does have veggie burgers, so even if you don't eat red meat, you can load up your patty with toppings like lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, and more.
Carnival Celebration is jam-packed with other included dining options, making it a great ship for those who prioritize variety but don't want to spend extra money on specialty restaurants.
For example, Big Chicken had seasoned crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders complemented by Shaq Sauce. They were open for breakfast, too!
I also loved BlueIguana Cantina for its fresh tacos and burritos. The complimentary joint easily puts Royal Caribbean's El Loco Fresh to shame, with the latter tasting more processed and far less fresh than the food quality at BlueIguana.
However, the one thing that would make BlueIguana a home run for me would be if it offered chips. They have a variety of fresh salsas and hot sauces that I would love to snack on while sitting poolside.
The included food in the Festivale Dining Room, Cucina del Capitano, Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse, and ChiBang was also delicious.
In fact, some meals were better than recent meals on Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. One of my favorite meals was the Kung Pao Chicken at ChiBang. If you like a little heat, this is a must-try while on an Excel Class ship.
It was also nice to mix up my nightly dining routine, rather than returning to the Main Dining Room. With three separate—but included—restaurants, the dining experience felt more like going to land-based restaurants versus eating in a mass-produced cruise ship dining room.
Plus, I discovered Carnival had a midnight buffet, which differed from other cruise lines only offering pizza and light sandwiches in the late evening hours.
They had options like chips and salsa, French fries, buffalo cauliflower, potato salad, hot dogs, cookies, and Chicago-style pizza. The midnight buffet's quality definitely wasn't up to par with Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana, or Big Chicken, but the variety was nice for those craving a snack before bed or continuing to the casino.
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
Carnival Celebration has sleek and modern staterooms
Before my cruise on Carnival Celebration, I had sailed on five other ships in inside cabins, so I was prepared to spend the week in a tiny, windowless stateroom.
Measuring just 158 square feet, my cabin wasn't as spacious as other interior staterooms I've recently stayed in. However, I appreciated how nicely appointed it was.
The lighter color palette also made the room feel larger than it was, and the bathroom was one of the most updated I've seen on a cruise ship—it was about time Carnival said goodbye to nasty, clingy shower curtains and added proper shower doors!
Instead of being crammed into the bathroom's corner, the shower took up the entire wall across from the toilet. Because of its width, I didn't hit my elbows once!
Like other cruise lines, Carnival does provide complimentary shampoo and shower gel; however, I prefer to bring my own.
The only time I've been truly impressed with the free toiletries on a cruise ship was on Sun Princess. I never thought I'd seek Beekman 1802 products on a mainstream line!
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line cabin guide: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suites
The best comedy shows at sea
As someone with a huge appreciation for Broadway musicals, I typically find cruise ship entertainment mediocre. However, I thought Carnival's comedy shows were easily the best I'd ever seen at sea.
With dedicated adult-only shows, the comedians made sharp, relevant, and slightly offensive jokes. But what's the point of adult comedy if you don't push boundaries a little bit? That said, there were hilarious PG shows for families onboard.
Aside from the comedy shows, there were activities like Deal or No Deal and the popular "The Most Magnificent Circus" show at Center Stage.
Playing Deal or No Deal on the ship was fun, and I even won a free Bingo card. For just $25, I attended two fun events packed with excitement and the hope of winning big. You don't have to buy a card to watch, though.
Personally, I thought "The Most Magnificent Circus" was more akin to what I'd expected for cruise ship entertainment. The beginning of the show started off slow, and there wasn't really anything super special about the acrobatic tricks.
Still, the performers were exceptionally talented, and I loved the elaborate costumes.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
Non-stop action
From the countless trivia sessions to one of the only roller coasters at sea, Carnival's Waterworks, and lido deck competitions, there was never a shortage of activities aboard Carnival's "FUN" ships.
Though not included in the cruise fare, BOLT was worth the extra $15. Who wouldn't want to ride a roller coaster in the middle of the ocean?
My only regret is waiting until the last day. Because of strong winds, the coaster didn't open until about 2:00pm. Had conditions not changed, I would have missed the opportunity to soar around the lido deck.
Carnival's Excel Class ships are the only cruise ships in the world to feature this unique attraction, similar to how Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships are the only vessels with a skydiving simulator and North Star observation capsule.
Is Carnival the "Walmart of the Seas?"
I don't think so. Sure, the crowds might be livelier than other cruise lines, but that's what makes Carnival's brand unique.
The energy, variety of activities, and laid-back atmosphere create a welcoming environment for those looking to kick back and let loose on vacation.
Carnival doesn't always align with my vacation preferences, but I have come to appreciate the fast-casual dining, top-tier comedians, and overall hospitality—and it all started with my cruise on Carnival Celebration.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
