Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line is a great choice for families. Their diverse fleet of ships offers something for everyone, from short Bahamian getaways to nature-focused voyages through The Last Frontier. 

From pools to outdoor movie screens, mini-golf courses, waterslides, and youth clubs, there are tons of activities for children to enjoy. Still, not all ships were designed equally. Plus, new innovations have redefined the offerings on family-friendly cruises. 

Here are 6 of the best Carnival ships for kids, from brand-new mega-ships to affordable classics. 

Balconies are popular cabin options for cruisers because you have private, front-row access to the passing scenery and deep blue ocean hues. 

Not all balconies were designed equally, though. One unique option on Carnival ships is the cove balcony. This semi-enclosed stateroom has a balcony built into the ship's superstructure and is located on the lower decks, sometimes as low as Deck 2. 

While cruise lines have their policies, there are also unwritten "rules" that frequent cruisers swear by. 

These range from etiquette around hygiene practices to going with the flow when things don't work out as planned. 

A Michigan teenager was sentenced to eight months in prison for faking a bomb threat on a Carnival cruise. The 19-year-old was upset that his girlfriend and her family were sailing without him, while he was stuck at home pet-sitting. 

Joshua Darrell Lowe appeared in federal court in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Monday, April 14, 2025, and was sentenced to prison for calling in a bogus bomb threat in January 2024. The email, which read, "Hey, I think someone might have a bomb on your Sunrise cruise ship," resulted in a full-scale response from the crew and authorities. 

Sometimes, I envy first-time cruisers because they experience all the excitement of a cruise from a unique perspective, whereas veteran sailors get accustomed to the quirks of a cruise vacation. 

There are a lot of intricacies when planning a cruise compared to a land vacation. For instance, unlike traditional restaurants, dining on a ship usually means set times for meals. Without knowing the difference, you could select a time you're unhappy with. 

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most recognizable names in the cruise industry. Both mainstream cruise lines focus on offering affordable, family-friendly vacations across their expansive fleets. However, after sailing on the newest ships from both cruise lines, I’m convinced that one mega-ship stands out as the better choice.

Carnival’s CEO is optimistic about the cruise industry’s resilience, despite concerns over a recession.

Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation's President, CEO, and Chief Climate Officer, spoke during Seatrade Cruise Global 2025's State of the Global Cruise Industry Keynote about the company's Q1 financial results.  

He admitted they had a good quarter, but the bookings were more inconsistent than usual. "It was choppy...There were highs. There were lows as we went through the quarter," he said. 

As part of Carnival Cruise Line's "Innovation Itinerary," a five-year plan to sail the most "FUN" fleet at sea, create more compelling experiences and destinations, and build more loyalists, Carnival is set to unveil a revamped loyalty program that will enhance the experience for repeat cruisers.

I took my first Carnival cruise and not everything went to plan. Although some things went right during my trip, I definitely made a few mistakes along the way.

As a seasoned cruiser, I felt overconfident while boarding my first sailing with Carnival Cruise Line. I expected my 4-night cruise aboard Carnival Firenze to go off without a hitch, but that’s not exactly what happened.