The Carnival Way

It’s been a year of special celebration for Carnival Cruise Line, which turned 50 and welcomed the aptly named Carnival Celebration^™, expanding its fleet to two dozen ships. She’ll sail from Miami starting in November, with room for more than 5,200 guests. 

By the end of 2023, Carnival’s fleet will total 27, including Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Jubliee. Carnival Jubilee will begin sailing in 2023 from Galveston, Texas, while Carnival Luminosa is currently sailing from Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, to a variety of seasonal itineraries before repositioning for seasonal service from Seattle and Alaska next May. Mardi Gras® began sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, in summer 2021.

But for now, it’s all eyes on Carnival Celebration^™.

Cause for Celebration

Powered by the clean fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG)—as is her sister ship, Mardi Gras—Carnival Celebration has six zones of attractions, including a travel-themed area called The Gateway where entertainment, shopping and dining options abound.

Carnival Celebration also marks the return of innovations like BOLT^™ Ultimate Sea Coaster™, described as the first rollercoaster at sea. And when you’ve had your fill of thrills, there’s something for everyone at the onboard destinations, such as Bonsai Teppanyaki, RedFrog Tiki Bar, Family Feud^™ Live, Havana Bar, Seuss at Sea^™ and Playlist Productions.

Sea the World from the Ship

With two dozen ships embarking on journeys of two to 30 days from 14 home ports across the U.S., it’s no overstatement to say Carnival travels the world. While best known for their Caribbean journeys, Carnival’s colorful ships with their signature, patented “whale-tail” funnel that’s functional and eye-catching also reach destinations in Alaska, Australia, the Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal.

Want to take your cruise experience to another level? Carnival operates transatlantic crossings to the U.S. from Barcelona, Lisbon, London and Rome.

No matter the destination, it’s all about fun vacations at sea and ashore. A Carnival cruise features a small city’s worth of day and nighttime entertainment, including stage shows, live music, deck parties, casinos and waterslides. It’s largely a casual atmosphere where everyone feels right at home with comfortable, well-appointed staterooms, attentive service, and both casual and elegant dining. It’s a special experience against the backdrop of some of the world’s most beautiful seaports.

Cruising Invites That Family Feeling

One of the beauties of a cruise: Getting there is probably closer than you think. More than 50% of U.S. residents can reach a home port in less than a day’s drive.

Emerging from the pandemic, people want to spend time together and reconnect with family and friends—and grandparents want to spend that time with the grandkids. What better way to do that than on a Carnival cruise? Make it even more special with a multigenerational family escape; the one-stop convenience of variety means there’s literally something for everyone, all in a floating hotel.

Also setting sail in November, Carnival Luminosa® brings hospitality and fun that’s pure, unmistakable Carnival. (The ship came from the fleet of Carnival’s sister cruise line, Costa, and has been retrofitted for Carnival service.) 

Carnival Luminosa is designed with fan-favorite onboard features like the flavors of Alchemy Bar® and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse; the entertainment of Playlist Productions, Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club; plus, the relaxation at Cloud 9 Spa and Serenity Adult-Only Retreat™.

There’s just one more decision to make: Australia or Alaska? Carnival Splendor remains based in Australia year round, offering service from Sydney. The world-traveling Carnival Luminosa will offer a season of trips from Brisbane, Australia, with plenty of itinerary options before heading to Seattle in 2023 for a full slate of Alaska cruises, May through September. Then it’s back Down Under for more fun. When the ship is traversing regions, it’s an opportunity to sail unique transpacific itineraries with stops in Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, Japan and elsewhere.

Sailing into 2023

Simply put, Carnival is optimistic about 2023. As a brand, they’ve been reaching their strong 2019 numbers for a good part of 2022. It’s been 23 years since Carnival brought on as much capacity as they’re planning to in a single year.

And that capacity includes the Carnival Jubilee™ Her name is a nod to the original MS Jubilee, which brought fun way back in the day. She has some big flip-flops to fill, but with Mardi Gras features and the BOLT roller coaster you can count on Carnival Jubilee to deliver.

The Fun Factor

What sets Carnival apart from other cruise lines? It’s the fun for all ages, a distinct vibe and plenty of personality with a crew that embodies the Carnival spirit. Even the dining rooms are lively.

“Service with a smile” comes standard. The staff recognizes people on board and go out of their way to make it an event.

Carnival’s newest awareness campaign launched in early 2022 is built upon the “Choose Fun” tagline and introduces a new word: Funderstruck. It’s the unmistakable feeling uniquely experienced when choosing Carnival’s brand of fun.

Whether it’s the thrill you get from unforgettable onboard attractions, destinations that live in your memories forever, or deliciously fun dining, one thing is for sure: A Carnival cruise is the only place to get Funderstruck. Here are the four ways that can happen.

• As you savor amazing flavors: Your taste buds will thank you for choosing Carnival. Food choices run deep—from custom omelets and fresh breakfast burritos early, to steak, sushi, 24-hour pizza and soft serve, and so much more.
• When you’re relaxing: Even in the low-key moments of your cruise you can feel it. The sea breeze—or the hands of a masseuse—will help you find the “ahhhh” in Funderstruck.
• With incredible activities: Prepare for huge waterslides, mini-golf, stage shows, concerts, activities just for the kids, and way more.
• While exploring the best destinations: Funderstruck can hit you while away from the ship, too. Grab your favorite exploration shoes because we’ll help you find new and surprising experiences in your destination ports that’ll make your vacation unforgettable.

Carnival Causes

Carnival isn’t all fun and games. The cruise line is an active supporter of two far-reaching charitable organizations that help very different groups of people through employee donations and other sources: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Operation Homefront.

Through the Care to Play program, Carnival and St. Jude have raised more than $18 million to fight childhood cancer, with a goal of raising $15 million more in the next five years. (Carnival is the Official Celebration Partner for St. Jude.)

A national supporter of Operation Homefront, Carnival helps the nonprofit provide aid to military personnel and their families who are facing challenging times, offering financial relief, housing, caregivers and other critical life resources.