Carnival Cruise

Cruise ships are regularly inspected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm they're maintaining a healthy and safe environment for passengers. In 2024, only two Carnival ships received a perfect score. 

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) randomly conducts inspections to ensure cruise lines meet their expected standards, giving each ship a rating of 0 to 100. Just like how restaurants and grocery stores are inspected, the CDC wants to reduce the chances of guests and crew falling ill on a ship. 

If you booked a Carnival cruise visiting Amber Cove but don't know anything about the port, consider this your helpful guide to help you plan the ultimate day ashore in the Dominican Republic.

Amber Cove is a small cruise port located on the northern coast of the DR that opened in 2015. It's primarily visited by Carnival ships; however, Princess, Costa, and Holland ships may also dock here. 

This past fall, I had the opportunity to sail on my first Carnival Cruise. After being a loyal Norwegian Cruise Line passenger with nine cruises under my belt, I was curious to see how the popular Carnival Cruise Line would compare to the Norwegian brand I know so well. 

Guy Fieri is best known for his hit Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, but the celebrity chef’s accomplishments extend well beyond the “Triple D” series. Ask any fan of Carnival Cruise Line, and you’re likely to hear high praises of Fieri’s iconic restaurants onboard nearly every ship in the cruise line’s fleet.

Three major have announced significant changes to their drink packages which will cost passengers more money. 

Though these adjustments aim to streamline the beverage experience, prioritize safety, and improve overall service, they reflect an industry-wide trend toward higher cruise costs. 

The changes affect passengers sailing with Norwegian, MSC, and Carnival, with some cruisers likely to pay an additional $80 or more for drink packages on a 7-night cruise in 2025.

If you're planning a Carnival cruise in 2025, you’ll want to become familiar with the upcoming changes and additions the cruise line is making. 

While they won’t welcome any brand-new ships to the fleet, Carnival is making several exciting updates to enhance the guest experience, as well as some that have outraged loyal customers. 

From increasing the cost of Carnival's drink and internet packages to restarting cruises from Norfolk, Virginia, here are 6 big changes you can expect to impact your cruising experience in 2025 and beyond.

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most well-known cruising brands in the industry. With a large fleet of vibrant cruise ships and an energetic clientele, there’s no shortage of fun or partying on a Carnival cruise.

I love cruising, whether a port-intensive sailing to Greece or a short getaway to the Bahamas, so within the past year, I sailed on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival ships to try and uncover the best cruise line for Bahamas cruises. 

Each line is known for something different. Carnival, for example, is known for its fun, lively atmosphere with plenty of activities geared toward partygoers and families. On the other hand, Celebrity provides a more refined and sophisticated experience, with an emphasis on fine dining and world-class service. 

After being asked whether they'd consider banning cell phones in the dining room, Carnival's Brand Ambassador responded that it isn't the cruise line's place to enforce a no-electronics rule. 

The anonymous passenger expressed their frustration to John Heald, saying they don't allow their three children—ages 7, 11, and 15—to use phones or tablets during dinner and felt that other families should adhere to similar standards.