Carnival Cruise

Congratulations on deciding to cruise onboard the beautiful Carnival Valor! Sailing from New Orleans, a cruise on board Carnival Valor is unique compared to traditional Caribbean voyages from popular ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Tampa. 

While Carnival Valor offers a wide variety of staterooms, from tiny inside cabins to large suites, some rooms aren't the best fit for certain travelers. 

Carnival Cruise Line’s oldest ship, Carnival Sunshine, barely passed a recent health inspection by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The vessel received a barely passing score of 89/100 during a routine health check by the CDC, which is only a few points above the passing threshold.

Cruise ships need to receive a score of 86 or higher in order to pass routine health inspections. The CDC conducts these health inspections to ensure vessels are safely operating and following official guidance.

One of Carnival's cruise brands bid farewell to its last two ships before being shut down after over 90 years in service. 

Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure finished their last voyages under the P&O Cruises Australia brand in mid-March. After undergoing a short drydock, they entered service as Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure as part of Carnival's strategy to expand its operations in Australia and the South Pacific. 

Carnival, one of the most popular cruise lines in the world, teamed up with Wyndham Rewards to make earning points on fun-filled cruise vacations easier than before. 

Starting March 25, Wyndham Rewards members can book Carnival vacations through Wyndham Travel Bundles, making it easier to plan everything from flights to pre-cruise hotel stays and excursions while earning Wyndham Rewards points for future trips. 

One cruise passenger unknowingly started a huge debate over tipping cabin stewards in cash. 

John Heald, Carnival's Facebook-famous Brand Ambassador, took to the popular website to ask how other guests felt about giving crew members money as a tip. "Poll time. Things that I have been asked today," he begins, "Spelling thank you out in money."

After taking 29 cruises, I thought I had seen every rookie cruise mistake in the book. Yet while cruising on Carnival’s newest ship, I saw passengers making 6 mistakes they easily could have avoided.

Earlier this month, I took a 4-night cruise aboard Carnival Firenze, the latest vessel to join Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The ship, which originally launched in 2021 for Costa Cruises, was acquired by Carnival in April of 2024. She currently sails from Long Beach, California.

Cruise ships have to feed thousands of people on any given sailing. As such, it's not uncommon to hear concerns about food waste. 

From the Lido Marketplace buffet to the Main Dining Room and fast-casual spots like BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint, plenty of dining options on a Carnival cruise offer generous portions and variety to appease different taste buds. 

It's no surprise that cruise lines have been making cuts over the past few years. Royal Caribbean, for example, no longer offers twice-daily housekeeping in standard cabins. 

Sometimes, supply chain issues might also mean a beloved favorite is unavailable or replaced. For instance, last year, reports were circling that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity were replacing the popular triangle hash browns! However, they're still available on certain ships. 

As someone who's been on nearly 30 cruises, I've stayed in my fair share of inside cabins. 

The windowless rooms are small and lack a view of the ocean, but they're great for budget travelers who want to stretch their budget as far as possible. While they might feel a bit cramped, especially if sailing with two or three other guests, they offer everything you need: a bed, storage, and an ensuite bathroom.