Carnival Cruise

When you book your Carnival cruise, you will choose your dinner time. What happens if you decide to change it before your cruise, though? 

One of the best parts about a Carnival cruise is the unlimited food, from juicy burgers to fresh tacos and multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room. 

After previously cruising onboard Carnival Celebration and Carnival Vista, I was intrigued by a relatively cheap cruise onboard Carnival Conquest. 

Carnival's Conquest Class ships aren't the newest or the flashiest. However, with five ships in the class, they remain a fan-favorite for their modest size and simplistic offerings. 

It's hard to explain what makes a vacation on the ocean stand out, but it's been my preferred way to travel since I was five. 

There's something special about listening to the sound of the waves and looking at the infinite horizon. There's also something unique about sailing on a floating resort with activities and dining options under one roof. 

Today's newest cruise ships are all the rage with ice skating rinks, rollercoasters, go-kart tracks, waterparks, and more. However, newer isn't always better. Last year, I sailed on three old cruise ships built in the 1990s for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney, and my experiences couldn't have been more different. 

For example, my cabin aboard Vision of the Seas felt like it was stuck in the 90s with outdated decor and a noticeable lack of outlets. In comparison, my interior stateroom on Disney Magic also had a nostalgic charm but greater attention to detail. 

As someone who grew up sailing with Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, I was hesitant to book a cruise with Carnival Cruise Line. The party atmosphere of the cruise line never appealed to me, even throughout my early 20s. 

You won't go hungry on a Carnival cruise, from multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to hearty poolside burgers from Guy's Burger Joint. Though plenty of dining options are included, some cruisers may want to splurge on a meal in one of the ship's specialty restaurants. 

New fees will add to the cost of a Carnival cruise in 2025.

In addition to cruise fares, passengers are responsible for gratuities, port fees, and taxes. Combined, they can easily add another $170+ to your total cost. 

However, many ports are increasing their tourist tax to combat over-tourism and alleviate the environmental and social impacts. This is something that neither Carnival nor other cruise lines have any control over. 

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are two of the most popular cruise lines in operation with, collectively, over 50 ships at sea. Though I've been sailing with Royal Caribbean since I was 10, I recently began my journey with Carnival to explore why the "FUN" ship brand attracts millions of passengers annually.

Both lines offer unique experiences and cater to different styles of cruising. Royal Caribbean, for example, is known for its innovative and jam-packed ships. 

For years, I avoided Carnival Cruise Line like the plague. 

The popular cruise line has been subject to negative stereotypes, especially compared to competitors like Royal Caribbean. Some even refer to it as the "Walmart of the Seas." 

Carnival is often associated with lower-quality food, rowdier crowds, and dirty ships (remember the infamous "poop cruise" incident of 2012?).