Carnival Cruise

If Carnival’s newest ship could talk, she would likely say, “Welcome aboard!

Although part of the same cruise line, my experience on a Carnival ship launched in 1998 differed significantly from the week I spent onboard the almost brand-new Carnival Celebration, which debuted in 2022. 

After sailing on some of Carnival's oldest and newest vessels at sea, I've gained some unique insights into the varied experiences offered by the ships within their fleet. 

The last time I took a spring break cruise was nearly a decade ago. My family and I embarked on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas. It was a fun last-minute trip that we booked one week out, as we had originally planned to visit Nashville.

Last year, I sailed on a 7-night spring break cruise from Galveston, Texas onboard Carnival's newest and most innovative cruise ship, Carnival Jubilee.

Spring break is one of the most popular - and expensive - times of the year to take a cruise. With kids and college students off school, it’s the perfect opportunity to let loose and have some mid-semester fun on vacation.

Because of this, cruise ships are typically filled to capacity with spring breakers from March to April, cultivating a rowdier-than-normal crowd onboard. And, if there’s any cruise line that spring breakers gravitate towards, it’s Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Cruise Line announced today that the company has finalized an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build another giant cruise ship. The new ship is scheduled to debut in spring 2027, according to the cruise line. This fourth Excel-class cruise ship is the first new-build order placed by Carnival Corporation in five years.

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have their own private islands within The Bahamas — Perfect Day at CocoCay and Half Moon Cay — that can only be visited when sailing on one of their respective ships. 

You won't, for instance, find a cruise onboard the revolutionary Icon of the Seas to Half Moon Cay. Similarly, Carnival Conquest won't be visiting CocoCay. 

While spending four nights onboard Carnival Conquest, I noticed some common cruise mistakes that could have been easily avoided. 

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or about to board your first-ever ship, it is important to be aware of some do's and don'ts, so you can save yourself time, money, and sanity. 

When the majority of people think of taking a cruise, they usually envision sailing on the latest and greatest available. 

Today, there's no shortage of onboard activities on cruise ships that will have you wondering how in the world you can go ice skating, ride a roller coaster, or race around a go-kart track at sea!