Carnival Cruise Line doesn't have the largest cruise ships in the world, but it has built a reputation for offering a wide variety of activities and entertainment for guests of all ages.
The cruise line's fleet of 29 vessels varies in size, with the largest ships being in the Excel and Venice Classes. Although all of Carnival's ships feature signature experiences, such as activities hosted by the FUN Squad and original production shows starring the Playlist Live cast, the newer, larger vessels stand out — and in a bold way.
For a long time, all of Carnival's ships were built upon the same foundation. When Carnival launched Mardi Gras in 2021, she marked a new chapter in the cruise line's evolution.
Mardi Gras featured innovative features and a sleek design that set it apart from older vessels in the fleet. She was followed by Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Despite the Excel Class's success, Carnival is working on building its largest ships ever, set to launch in 2029. "Project Ace" ships will surpass Carnival's biggest ships in size and capacity. Plus, they'll have new dining venues, entertainment options, and re-imagined outdoor decks.
For now, however, Carnival's Excel Class ships are the largest in Carnival's fleet. In this article, we'll explore the five biggest Carnival ships, from Carnival Firenze to Carnival Jubilee.
Read more: Top 25 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World
#5: Carnival Firenze
Gross registered tonnage: 135,156
Length: 1,061 feet
Passengers (double occupancy): 4,126
Carnival Firenze is a relatively new addition to Carnival's fleet, though she isn't the newest build. The ship originally launched as Costa Firenze in 2020 and was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line in 2024 as a result of corporate fleet reshuffling following the pandemic.
She's part of Carnival's "Costa by Carnival" initiative, meaning that the ship blends the signature European elements of Costa Cruises with Carnival's family-friendly atmosphere.
Carnival Firenze currently sails from Long Beach, California. However, she will move to Miami, Florida, in 2027.
#4: Carnival Venezia
Gross registered tonnage: 135,225
Length: 1,061 feet
Passengers (double occupancy): 4,090
Like Carnival Firenze, Carnival Venezia didn't start out operating for Carnival Cruise Line. Instead, she began her cruising career as Costa Venezia in 2019 before being transferred to Carnival in 2023.
The "Costa by Carnival" initiative was announced in 2022 and aimed to boost Carnival Cruise Line's North American capacity post-COVID while dealing with Costa Cruises' operational challenges in Europe and China.
Today, Carnival Venezia splits her time between Port Canaveral, Florida, and New York, New York.
#3: Mardi Gras
Gross registered tonnage: 180,800
Length: 1,130 feet
Passengers (double occupancy): 5,270
Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line's first Excel Class ship, entered service in July 2021 and marked a significant milestone in Carnival's history.
Not only was Mardi Gras the largest ship ever built for Carnival, but she also introduced several groundbreaking features, such as the first-ever roller coaster at sea, new Center Stage production shows, improved dining options, and the largest suites in the fleet.
Mardi Gras sails year-round out of Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In May 2027, Mardi Gras will shift to operating short 4 and 5-night sailings to The Bahamas, including Carnival's new private destination, Celebration Key.
Read more: What is the largest Carnival cruise ship?
#2: Carnival Celebration
Gross registered tonnage: 183,521
Length: 1,130 feet
Passengers (double occupancy): 5,362
Carnival Celebration followed Mardi Gras in 2022 as the second ship in Carnival's Excel Class. She features many of the same innovative features as Mardi Gras, but with several enhancements that set her apart.
For example, Carnival Celebration leans heavily into a Miami-inspired theme, with distinct zones that showcase the vibrant style and culture of the South Florida city — think colorful Art Deco and tropical references.
As such, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Carnival Celebration offers 7 and 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida.
#1: Carnival Jubilee
Gross registered tonnage: 183,521
Length: 1,130 feet
Passengers (double occupancy): 5,362
Technically, Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Celebration are the same size, measuring 183,521 gross registered tons and 1,130 feet long.
Although the two ships share the same size and similar features, Carnival Jubilee takes the experience to the next level, going big like everything else in the Lone Star State.
That's right — Carnival Jubilee is the only Excel Class ship to sail outside of Florida, calling Galveston, Texas, her home. Onboard, you'll find plenty of Texas references, from the unique merchandise to special tailgate parties.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Ships by Size: Biggest to Smallest
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
