Carnival Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst (2026)

Not all Carnival cruise ships are equal. Some are loved by guests. Others… not so much.

With 29 ships currently sailing, Carnival has one of the biggest fleets at sea. From the long-serving Carnival Sunshine right up to Carnival Jubilee (the newest ship), plus Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter (not new, but the most recent additions to the fleet).

But here’s the interesting part.

The newest ships don’t always rank the highest. And when you see where some of them land in the reviews, it might surprise you.

So I’ve taken the latest passenger ratings and ranked every Carnival ship from best to worst, using the most recent review data for 2026. Quite a few ships have moved significantly since the last time this was updated in 2025, with some big climbs and some surprising drops in the rankings.

Some ships consistently delight cruisers. Others divide opinion. A couple may shock you.

So… which Carnival ships come out on top, and which ones fall to the bottom of the list? Let’s find out.

And one last thing before we get into the list – remember that this is from “best” to “worst”. Not “good” to “bad”.

In fact on average scores, the worst ship on the list scored a 3.20 out of 5 – that’s still pretty good.

But, which is best?

Now, let’s have a look at what people love about the Carnival Pride, and which other ships get high praise (or not)…

The Best Carnival Ships, Ranked by Reviews

Taking the top spot this year, Carnival Pride proves that newer doesn’t always mean better.

She’s one of the older ships in the Carnival fleet now, and her age does show a little in places. The bold Renaissance-style artwork gives the décor a slightly dated feel that isn’t to everyone’s taste.

But what she may lack in modern styling, she more than makes up for in atmosphere.

Because she’s a smaller ship, you still get all the fun Carnival energy without quite the same crowds or constant noise of some of the bigger ships.

There are a few design quirks too, with certain areas feeling a bit of a trek to reach. But those little oddities are part of her charm, and clearly guests agree.

Like her sister ships the Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit, Carnival Miracle has one of the best passenger-to-space ratios – despite having belatedly received her Fun Ship upgrades, Miracle never feels cramped or crowded. She’s one of the best Carnival ships if you want to relax on board.

Some of the older reviews mention the uninspiring West Coast US itineraries, but the ship now spends much of its time sailing Alaska or Caribbean routes from ports like Seattle, Tampa and Galveston, so that’s less of an issue today.

Choose Carnival Miracle if you want a bit of fun, a bit of relaxation, and some decent food.

Carnival Panorama is a ship for ‘everyone’. The reason she’s scored so well on reviews is that she does a great job of pleasing cruisers of all ages.

Whether that’s in the things you can do on-board, the variety of food options, the live performances and the interesting itineraries around the Mexican Riviera, Carnival Panorama is loved by many.

People love the service too – Carnival’s service is generally good but reviews rave about Panorama’s crew. The downside to the ship is that, with so much going on, it can be a little noisy at times on deck.

4. Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream makes one of the biggest moves in this year’s rankings, climbing from 11th place to 4th.

Reviews often praise the friendly crew and lively atmosphere, with many guests saying the staff help create that classic Carnival fun vibe.

There’s plenty to do onboard too, with lots of entertainment and dining options that keep the ship buzzing throughout the day and into the evening.

One feature that guests really love is the Lanai Promenade. This wraparound walkway on Deck 5 offers seating, hot tubs and sea views, and it’s a great place to escape the busier parts of the ship for a while.

Not every review is perfect. Some guests mention that parts of the ship could do with a refresh, and a few say certain areas can feel busy during peak times.

Even so, the overall experience clearly works. With a fun atmosphere and a crew that guests consistently praise, it’s easy to see why Carnival Dream has climbed so high in the rankings this year.

5. Carnival Liberty

Carnival Liberty climbs from 12th place last year to 5th this year, making one of the biggest jumps in the rankings.

Reviews often praise the friendly crew and fun atmosphere, with many guests saying the staff help make the cruise feel welcoming and relaxed.

The ship may be older, and some guests mention that parts of it look a little dated, but that doesn’t seem to bother most people. Instead, the focus is on the experience.

You won’t find roller coasters or a SkyRide here. Instead, it’s all about the classic cruise activities. Poolside movies, comedy shows, karaoke and lively evening entertainment keep the ship buzzing.

Carnival Liberty isn’t flashy, but it offers a simple, good-value cruise with plenty of fun. And judging by the reviews, that’s exactly what many Carnival fans are looking for.

6. Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor sails Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans and remains a popular choice for cruisers looking for a fun, classic Carnival experience.

Reviews often praise the friendly crew and lively atmosphere, with many guests saying there’s always something going on onboard.

The ship is older now, and some guests mention that parts of it feel a little dated or that the layout can be tricky to navigate at first. But overall the experience still wins people over.

With plenty of entertainment, a relaxed vibe and a crew that guests consistently rate highly, it’s easy to see why Carnival Valor continues to rank so well in the fleet.

7. Carnival Conquest

Carnival Conquest climbs from 14th place last year to 7th this year, showing that plenty of guests still enjoy what this ship offers.

Reviews often highlight the fun atmosphere and friendly crew, with many guests saying the staff help create the lively, upbeat vibe Carnival is known for. There’s plenty going on throughout the day and evening too, with lots of bars, lounges and entertainment options.

The ship is starting to show its age in places. Some guests mention dated décor and say the layout can feel a little confusing at first.

Even so, the overall experience still wins people over. Carnival Conquest delivers the classic Carnival formula: a sociable atmosphere, lots of entertainment and good-value Caribbean cruises. And that’s clearly enough to push the ship much higher up the rankings this year.

8. Carnival Breeze

Ranked 8th this year, Carnival Breeze actually held the top spot in the 2025 rankings, which shows just how close the competition is between Carnival’s ships.

It perfectly sums up what Carnival does well… and what it doesn’t.

There’s loads to enjoy. Plenty of places to eat and drink, thrilling water slides, and a friendly crew who’ll go out of their way to make your cruise feel special.

But the flip side is hard to ignore. Expect crowds. Expect noise. And expect plenty of guests making the most of Carnival’s drink package.

Relaxing? Sometimes. Fun? Definitely. For everyone? Probably not.

Even so, Carnival Breeze remains hugely popular with Carnival fans, which explains how it managed to take first place last year.

9. Carnival Legend

Carnival Legend offers a very similar experience to sister ship Carnival Spirit – there are lots of fun things to do, the atmosphere is generally quite relaxed on-board, and some of the decor is now bordering on tacky – but that’s half the fun.

Queues and crowds aren’t too bad on this ship, and she has some of the better Fun Ship upgrades too, including Hasbro Game Show and Seuss at Sea, so she is a good choice for families who don’t want the very best features but want a few fun things to entertain them during their voyage.

I was a little surprised that Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista fell so low on the list, but I think it’s a sign that newer doesn’t always mean better.

Carnival Horizon should be praised for its onboard technologies and amazing features, but it is missing some of the really exciting features that would debut on the Excel Class not long after.

And because it’s another 4,000-passenger cruise ship, it can at times feel a little crowded, and some reviews have said that the service doesn’t quite reach the usual Carnival standards. It’s bold, colourful, modern – and maybe a little bit soulless.

The best things about Carnival Spirit are the friendly crew and the relaxed atmosphere onboard.

Reviews often praise the staff, with many guests saying the crew go out of their way to make the cruise enjoyable. The ship also has a layout that’s easy to navigate, which helps give it a calmer feel than some of Carnival’s bigger vessels.

That said, she’s definitely starting to show her age. Some guests mention dated décor and say the entertainment and food can be a little hit and miss.

But if you’re happy to trade flashy features for a smaller, more easygoing cruise experience, Carnival Spirit still has plenty of fans.

12. Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory falls from 4th place last year to 12th this year, and the recent reviews help explain why.

She’s been part of the fleet for more than two decades now, and many guests say the ship is starting to feel its age. Dated décor and areas that look a little worn come up fairly often in the comments.

There’s still plenty to enjoy. Guests continue to praise the lively atmosphere, the comedy club and the WaterWorks slides, and many say they still had a fun cruise overall.

But compared with last year, more reviews mention inconsistent service, average food and busy public areas. None of those issues are deal-breakers on their own, but together they seem to have nudged Carnival Glory down the rankings this year.

Carnival Magic suffers a little for being the ship that pioneered some of the most popular features on the fleet’s ships. Despite launching after her sister ship Carnival Dream, Magic was the ship that debuted features like the Hasbro Game Show, the RedFrog pub and the elevated ropes course.

And those features are still great, but the ship has been known to be popular, and therefore crowded, and sometimes it can just be a little overwhelming if you aren’t the kind of person who copes well in busy places. It suffers because of its original popularity, which is why it scored so low.

Carnival Vista drops from 8th place last year to 14th this year, as reviews continue to be a little mixed.

When she first launched, the ship made a big splash for Carnival. She introduced several standout features, including the SkyRide, an IMAX cinema, and plenty of Dr. Seuss-themed activities for younger kids.

From a technical point of view, the ship still impresses. There’s a huge amount to see and do, so boredom certainly isn’t an issue.

But some reviews suggest that the basics could be better. Complaints tend to focus on the quality and variety of the food, along with service standards that some guests feel have slipped a little.

Carnival Elation climbs from 20th place last year to 15th this year, showing that smaller, older ships still have plenty of fans.

While she isn’t actually the oldest ship in the Carnival fleet, she certainly feels like one at times, despite receiving a significant renovation in 2017.

There are some clear downsides. The décor is definitely dated, the entertainment options are more limited, and the ship simply feels smaller than many of Carnival’s newer vessels.

But that smaller size also creates a different atmosphere. Compared with the louder, busier ships, Carnival Elation can feel much calmer, which is exactly what some guests are looking for.

Carnival Sunshine is technically the oldest ship still sailing in the Carnival fleet, having first launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996. She did undergo a massive upgrade when she was renamed Carnival Sunshine, including receiving many of the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. She also has a more contemporary, understated look than some other ships in the fleet.

She’s good if you want a fun experience where crowds aren’t too bad, but she is starting to show her age again – a lot of reviews mention her needing a bit of TLC if she’s going to keep sailing for the fleet.

Carnival Freedom was the last of the Conquest-Class ships to launch, and then one of the last to receive her Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades too. She received a much-revamped water park that kids love, and a few existing dining venues including the RedFrog pub and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.

But with Carnival Freedom, the ship feels like a bit of a mishmash, and so it can have a strange vibe. The newer parts are done well and make the ship a good choice for families. But other parts still look dated, and you can tell that there are pre-upgrade and post-upgrade features.

Until Mardi Gras launched, the idea of a roller coaster on a ship felt like a running joke – as more and more features were added to modern ships, when would they just stick a roller coaster on one? Then, Carnival did it, and it’s great.

Mardi Gras isn’t just a roller coaster though. The ship is the biggest in the fleet, and has some incredible entertainment venues and performances.

But despite the size, the cabins seem a little cramped, and the speciality dining venues haven’t wowed guests as they have on other ships.

To be clear, Mardi Gras still averages a very respectable 3.68 out of 5, but for one of the flagships, she is definitely lower on this list than Carnival would like.

19. Carnival Jubilee

The newest ship in the fleet in terms of build date, Carnival Jubilee has seen one of the biggest drops in the rankings, falling from 7th place last year to 19th this year.

Along with her Excel Class sisters, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Jubilee is one of the largest ships Carnival has ever built.

There’s no shortage of things to do onboard. Guests love the huge variety of experiences, the wide range of food options, and the generally high standard of service.

But the size of the ship is also starting to bring some downsides. Reviews increasingly mention crowds, along with broader complaints about the Carnival experience, such as fewer late-night dining options and the behaviour of some fellow passengers.

Those issues aren’t really Jubilee’s fault. But as more people try Carnival’s biggest ships, she’s naturally picking up more of the criticism too.

If you find some of the newer Carnival ships to be a little intimidating through the sheer choice of dining venues and attractions they offer, then Carnival Paradise could be ideal. She’s not a boring ship but she’s not packed with tons of innovative features either. And as such, she doesn’t tend to be anywhere near as crowded.

Choose Carnival Paradise if you want simple Carnival-style cruising with a bargain fare. Service is great, food is good, and while everything feels a little basic (and is maybe bordering on feeling old) there’s still enough to keep everyone in your family happy, including mini golf, a water park and kids clubs for the younger guests.

Carnival Celebration slips from 16th place last year to 21st this year, showing that the newest ships don’t always top the rankings.

As a sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee, she’s one of the Excel Class flagships and is absolutely packed with features. There’s a huge range of dining, entertainment and activities, and many guests love just how much there is to do.

But the size of the ship does bring some challenges. Negative reviews often mention service standards, with some guests feeling that the crowds mean longer waits for things like dinner or drinks.

Even so, with so many venues and attractions onboard, there’s still something for everyone to enjoy.

Carnival Splendor is a unique ship in the fleet – she was originally built for Costa but was transferred to Carnival while she was being built. The decor is ‘bold’, and you’ll either love the drama of it or you might find it all a bit too much, but it won’t detract from the quality of the cruise.

There’s a huge spa, and a load of great activities, especially for the kids, but the cabins are a little worn.

It’s a ship that you would choose for its destinations anyway – sailing the South Pacific from Australia – so if you live in the region or fancy exploring it by cruise, Carnival Splendor is a fun way to relax.

If you’re put off by the reputation that Carnival has for being crowded and loud, then I’d maybe avoid Carnival Sunrise, as of all the ships in the fleet this one definitely seems to justify that reputation the most. It’s certainly never boring, and if you don’t mind queues and volume then you’ll probably have a whale of a time.

It has some of Carnival’s most popular features, including an always-lively sports deck, a ropes course, thrilling slides and more, and there is the Serenity Deck if you want a moment’s peace, but even that will still echo the party atmosphere of the rest of the ship.

Carnival Radiance is an ambitious ship. It’s smaller than many other Carnival ships, and yet there’s so much crammed onto it. Unfortunately, this does mean some venues are small, and so queues are large. And others have unusual positions – including some spa rooms directly below the (noisy) kids’ club.

That’s probably why it’s one of the least popular ships, but it still gets mostly positive reviews. You could never say it was a dull ship, but it maybe has too many features in too small a space to ever be relaxing.

Carnival Venezia is another ship that previously sailed for Carnival’s sister cruise line Costa Cruises. Like sister ship Carnival Firenze, she only debuted in 2020 and then moved to the Carnival fleet three years later, in 2023.

Again, it’s primarily the clash of styles that seems to upset guests who seem to want a more typical Carnival experience.

The ship looks lovely – everyone can agree on that – but the blend of Italian- and American-style cruising just hasn’t quite clicked as Carnival would’ve hoped, it seems.

Carnival Firenze joined the Carnival fleet in April 2024, although she wasn’t originally built for the cruise line. The ship sailed for Costa Cruises for several years before being refurbished and transferred to Carnival.

And she sits surprisingly low in the rankings.

Reviews are quite mixed. Some guests love the elegant Italian-inspired décor and say the ship feels a little more stylish than typical Carnival vessels.

But others feel the experience doesn’t quite match the usual Carnival vibe. The layout can feel confusing, and some guests mention that the food and service can be inconsistent.

It’s still a ship with plenty to enjoy, but for now at least, the reviews suggest that not everyone has fully warmed to Carnival’s Italian-style ship.

Carnival Luminosa is considered to be a hybrid of the Spirit Class and the Vista Class. Originally sailing for Costa Cruises since 2009, the ship was transferred to the main Carnival fleet in 2022 and given a refurbishment alongside her rechristening.

Yet, as with the other ships that sailed for Costa first, it doesn’t seem to quite work – the Carnival audience like some of the European-style features on the ship but there are a smattering of complaints about the food, the general service onboard and more.

That’s why she’s ranked so low, towards the very bottom of the list.

28. Carnival Encounter

In early 2025, the P&O Australia brand was disbanded and two of the ships in the fleet were transferred to Carnival.

Of those two, Carnival Encounter is the slightly newer ship and also the one that’s reviewed slightly better, but still with a worse average than the rest of the Carnival fleet.

It is early days, so there’s a caveat here that this isn’t based on a huge number of reviews. Still, opinion is definitely mixed.

One reviewer who’d sailed on the ship pre- and post-Carnival branding said that there was a notable drop in food and drink quality and in value for money.

That value issue cropped up in a few other reviews too. It seems like the experience has dipped since Carnival took over.

29. Carnival Adventure

One of the ships added to the fleet following the closure of P&O Australia, Carnival Adventure currently ranks at the bottom of the list, with an average review score of 3.20 out of 5.

That’s not a terrible score, but it does place her behind the rest of the fleet for now. It’s also worth noting that the ranking is based on a fairly limited number of reviews so far.

Some early feedback has been quite critical. When one review is titled “It should have been sunk, not sold,” you know the guest wasn’t impressed. Maintenance issues in particular seem to come up fairly often in the comments.

That said, the ship has only recently joined the Carnival fleet, so there’s every chance the reviews will improve as upgrades and changes take effect.

Choosing the best Carnival Ship for You

There isn’t really a ‘best’ Carnival ship for everybody, because they are all different. Some are busier, others are more relaxing. Some are great for destinations, others are more about the onboard experience. It depends on what you’re looking for as to which is the best one for you.

The Most Luxurious Ship

Carnival is not a cruise line known for luxury, with ships more aimed at family fun and more of a party atmosphere. The most luxurious ship is therefore Carnival Dream – she has modern features, a more relaxed atmosphere and the fantastic Cloud 9 Spa.

The Best Carnival Class – There Isn’t One

Based on these reviews, there isn’t a standout class of ship that people tend to prefer.

The oldest classes – the Fantasy Class and Sunshine Class – do appear towards the bottom of the rankings. But the rest are scattered throughout the list.

As long as you don’t choose the oldest ships, you’ll likely enjoy your Carnival cruise provided you’re a good fit for the cruise line in general.

Three Ships Have An Actual Roller Coaster!

The Carnival cruise ships that have a roller coaster are Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. The feature debuted with the Excel Class ships.

The Best Casinos Are on Vista Class

The Vista Class ships – Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama – have some of the best casinos in the Carnival fleet and of all cruise ships in the world. Play at over 200 different gaming machines or at one of 22 gaming tables, and take part in massive tournaments on board.

Choose Bigger Ships for Better Water Slides

Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are the ships with the best collection of water slides, including Blue Lightning (312 feet), Orange Thunder (229 feet) and Carnival Twister (265 feet). The best individual waterslide is Kaleid-O-Slide (445 feet) on Carnival Panorama.

Mardi Gras has the best pools in the Carnival fleet. As well as the Waterworks Aqua Park, there’s also the Tides Pool with whirlpool, the relaxed Summer Landing pool, the Beach Pool with beach theming, and the exclusive Havana and Loft 19 pools.

The Havana pool is only for guests who have a Havana Cabana stateroom, while the Loft 19 pool is exclusive for Mardi Gras suite guests.

Most Carnival Ships Are Aimed at Family Groups

Carnival Panorama is the best Carnival cruise ship for families who have different tastes and want a lot of variety from their ship. Carnival Glory tends to be a popular ship for larger families who want a bargain cruise with fun activities and lots of space for everyone. But overall, Carnival is a family-friendly line no matter which ship you choose.

Older ships tend to be quieter – Carnival Conquest is a popular ship for couples who want to relax. Couples who want to party will enjoy Carnival Sunrise or Carnival Radiance more.

If you’re interested in a wedding cruise, or a Carnival honeymoon cruise, consider going for older ships rather than those where there are busy crowds everywhere.

Foodies, You’re Best Choosing a Ship With Lots of Choice

Mardi Gras has the best food out of all Carnival ships. She has 22 different dining venues to choose from, including more interesting options such as Emeril’s Bistro, a New-Orleans inspired venue. Food on board is varied, although reviews do criticize portion sizes across the whole Carnival fleet. Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee are very similar.

The Bottom Line

Carnival’s reputation for ships that have a fun party atmosphere is definitely well-earned. The slightly more negative reputation for ships being too crowded or too loud is maybe justified on some ships, but guests mostly have a really positive time during their cruise.

There are some Carnival guests that had REALLY bad experiences (you can read about those here), but on the whole, Carnival is a cruise line that people return to again and again.

But you need to plan carefully because the ships are quite different, and the best one for you might be different to the best one for a different group. You need to decide whether you want the very best and latest features, a ship where you can maybe relax, or just a bargain cruise experience.

And let me know what you think of the list. Like I said, it’s based on reviews, but if you disagree with the order, then feel free to add your own ranking below.

P.S. If you’re interested in other cruise lines too, then check out the guides that I also have for the Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Ships and also the Best and Worst NCL Ships.

Related Posts:

• Carnival Ship Classes Compared
• Carnival Shareholder Benefits Explained
• Are Carnival Cruises All Inclusive?