Carnival Cruise

After fourteen cruises onboard Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises, I decided it was finally time to try Carnival!

I recently sailed onboard Carnival Celebration, their newest ship at sea that launched in 2022, and had a wonderful vacation. I am already looking forward to my next cruise onboard Carnival Vista. 

As with any trip, though, there were things that I thoroughly enjoyed and a few things I wish I could have changed; no vacation can ever be perfect. 

Here are 15 things I loved and hated about my first Carnival cruise. 

If you want to sail on today's newest cruise ships, you will have to be willing to accept the larger price tag. That's because these ships are larger and more technologically advanced than ever, meaning that they cost the cruise line a lot more to build. They really are like floating cities at sea!

Modern cruise ships are built to be bigger and better than ever before. By today’s standards, cruise ships are essentially floating resorts, holding upwards of 10,000 people onboard, including crew.

In fact, the top decks of the newest cruise ships look like amusement parks with water slides, roller coasters, and go-karts! It’s easy to forget that you’re sailing on a cruise ship onboard these mega-ships because there are so many attractions and onboard thrills.

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the biggest cruise lines in the world by passenger capacity with its fleet of 27 ships. Although its ‘fun ships’ predominately attract Americans, the cruise line sails around the world in regions like Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico and Australia.

The cruise line is known for having some of the most casual, laid-back ships at sea and brings many families onboard thanks to its fantastic kids' programming and childcare options.

Is splurging on a Carnival suite worth the cost?

The answer varies. With Carnival's suites often costing over double the price of a standard inside cabin, it's not just about the extra space. You need to weigh whether the perks will add to your Carnival cruise experience. Otherwise, you might be better off booking a balcony cabin and spending money on other add-ons. 

A Carnival drink package allows you to indulge in a fixed number of alcoholic beverages per day of your cruise for a set price, so you do not have to worry about purchasing each drink á la carte. 

They are one of the most popular cruise add-ons for a reason! Of course, if you are not a big drinker, you may not get your money's worth. Maybe you would rather splurge on some once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions or a nicer stateroom. 

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are the two biggest mainstream cruise lines in the industry with millions of passengers setting sail onboard these competing lines each year.

Each cruise line adds their own special flair to the cruising experience. This is how they differentiate from one another in the competitive travel market. Royal Caribbean is known for building mega-ships with onboard thrills and dazzling entertainment, while Carnival places a heavy focus on fun, casual dining, and creating a lively atmosphere onboard.

Packing for a cruise can be stressful for some. Maybe you've combed through every packing list you can find but are still worried about packing the wrong attire of forgetting something important. This can be especially true for first-time cruisers, or even if you are trying a new-to-you cruise line.

To keep things simple, I almost exclusively travel with just a carry-on, even for 7-night cruises. I find that this simplifies my travel immensely.

Carnival Cruise Line is known for having some of the best food in the industry. While you might not enjoy gourmet meals during your Carnival sailing, you can find some incredibly delicious dining options from freshly-made pizza to juicy burgers, zesty tacos and crispy chicken sandwiches.