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Destination-focused cruisers will appreciate the variety of itineraries on Norwegian Viva. This is a great option for families wanting to have diverse itineraries with a kid-friendly approach. However, Viva's design fell flat for me and the lack of entertainment was disappointing. From the world’s largest water park at sea to the thrilling Crown’s Edge obstacle course, Royal Caribbean has brought its A-game yet again. You can find a designated neighborhood just for families in Surfside, a suspended beach club at The Hideaway, the FlowRider surf simulator, and so much more.
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You’ll then earn 2 points per dollar on Carnival and partner cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on everything else. There are cruises as brief as two days and some as long as 31 days, depending on where you’re headed. You’ll do more than just pass the time as you sail from port to port. The seafood is fresh, the sun is shining and there’s a whole lot to do, so get out there and explore the city before, during and after your cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Other innovative spaces include the aft-facing venue of Eden and Rooftop Garden, an open-air space with real greenery for relaxing and connecting with the sea.
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Carnival's lineup of free eats is impressive — headlined by poolside burgers by Food Network star Guy Fieri, but also including Mexican, barbecue, excellent Italian-style pizza and Shaq's fried chicken. When looking at dining options on Royal Caribbean versus Carnival, Carnival has the edge for abundant included offerings, and Royal Caribbean leads with its number of extra-fee specialty restaurants. Carnival Cruise Line offers many budget-friendly sailings, many of which are designed with families in mind. Especially if you want to cruise to and around the Caribbean, Carnival is possibly the cruise line for you. For cruises that last 15 days or less, neither pre-cruise COVID testing nor vaccinations are required for children or adults cruising with Carnival. If you’re thinking of booking a Carnival cruise, be it on the new Carnival Celebration or any of Carnival's other massive ships, here’s what to expect and how to enjoy your time at sea.
Carnival Jubilee
She is the sister ship to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras in the Excel Class, each measuring 1,130 feet long. It's always wise to book your shore excursions in advance of your cruise to the Caribbean. Your Caribbean cruise will take you to beaches with unique features like pink and black sand, so make sure to pack organic and natural sunscreen so not only you can stay protected, but the coral reefs can too. A cruise to Caribbean is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Carnival also puts together its own live bands and musical acts — whether jazz, rock 'n' roll, show band or classical — that entertain at various bars and public areas throughout its ships.
Carnival Ship Rescues 27 People Adrift at Sea in the Caribbean - Cruise Hive
Carnival Ship Rescues 27 People Adrift at Sea in the Caribbean.
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A lot of people come aboard looking for fun times — but don't think it's a haven for debauchery. Most of Royal Caribbean's free food is found in its Windjammer Marketplace (the buffet) and main dining rooms, the focus again on normal cuisine you'd expect to find at a hotel. Ships offer a variety of extra-fee restaurants, with specialties ranging from sushi to steak. A shining point in these alternative venues is Jamie's Italian, in partnership with British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. You also can pay for a burger and milkshake at Johnny Rockets on Royal Caribbean's larger ships. Both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have two sizes of megaships.
When it comes to entertainment, Icon of the Seas blows the competition out of the water. Like most of Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships, you’ll find jaw-dropping entrainment that isn’t offered anywhere else at sea. Norwegian Viva is similar in terms of design, as the ship has a cozy ambiance with a very modern design.
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In fact, Royal Caribbean made huge waves in the cruise industry with the introduction of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. As the flagship vessel in a new ship class, Royal Caribbean welcomed Icon of the Seas with plenty of pomp and circumstance. You will find your favorite Caribbean cruise ports no matter what direction you go. Travel the Southern side and wander down the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico. On the Western, dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman or explore the ruins of Tulum when arrive in Cozumel.
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Similarly, I was surprised that Carnival Jubilee only featured two new production shows while most of the headliner shows were repeats from other Excel Class ships. Celebrity Ascent and Icon of the Seas had the best entertainment across the board, with Royal Caribbean’s newest ship leaving me the most impressed. For big-name performances, Norwegian Viva offered the nearly full-length Broadway musical, Beetlejuice.
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Royal Caribbean and Carnival take different approaches to onboard entertainment as well, though you'll never be bored on either line. A four-day trip from Miami to the Caribbean might cost under $200 for an interior cabin while a 10-day trip from Sydney, Australia to the Great Barrier Reef might start at $450 and go up from there. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Browse our photo gallery of Caribbean cruising photos from Carnival Cruise Lines. Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the sights waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise Lines Caribbean cruise vacation.
Carnival Dream is known for exciting entertainment and food and beverage offerings, including Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail "pharmacy." The ship sails from Galveston, Texas, on six to nine-day cruises. Sailings range from two to nine days out of Port Canaveral, so you can get a taste of what a cruise is like without committing to a more traditional weeklong sailing. Expect an onboard brewery, incredible restaurants, and family-friendly fun. Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Triumph) features an exciting splash zone for kids and a piano bar where adults can sing along to their favorite songs all night. The ship sails on two to five-night and six to nine-night cruises from Miami, Florida, to the Bahamas. Carnival Luminosa (formerly the Costa Luminosa) is for you if you want to sail to destinations like Alaska and Australia.
Carnival cruises are casual, with shorts, tee shirts, capris, swimsuits or swim cover-ups de rigueur during the day (no bathing suites in the dining venues, however). Most nights, the dress code on a Carnival Cruises remains much the same, minus the swimwear, though technically the cruise line asks that people not wear shorts into the main dining room. People on Carnival cruise ships hail primarily from the United States, mainly the south and Midwest, but you'll also meet folks from Canada, England and usually a handful of other European countries. Carnival Splendor sails the Southern Hemisphere around Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific on cruises that range from two to 10 days. The ship has Carnival’s only quick-service Indian restaurant and boasts a pool with a retractable roof, so you can swim without worrying about the weather.
Of course, Carnival is also known for its comedy shows with comedians performing daily. Smaller-scale production shows can be found onboard, along with Deal or No Deal and Family Feud game shows. Similarly, Celebrity Ascent showcases a strong assortment of production shows and headliner entertainment across the board.
In particular, one of the best improvements with newer ships is the availability of casual eateries onboard. Those who are looking for a smaller, more intimate cruise ship will want to book Norwegian Viva or Celebrity Ascent. Those sailing with kids should learn more about Norwegian Viva, while adults, couples, and older travelers will appreciate the elevated experience of Celebrity Ascent. In my experience, Norwegian Viva felt the most crowded of any of these ships.
Carnival ships also have lively bar nightlife, especially on ships with a RedFrog Pub; there's also an always-busy casino. Carnival is also one of the most family-oriented lines in the industry, and you're bound to see lots of kids onboard, even during the school year. When school is out, you can expect the number of kids to be well into the hundreds. Carnival Cruise Line sells itself as the "fun" cruise line, and it attracts cruisers who are looking to have a good time with little to no pretensions. Carnival cruisers, who range from young to old, tend to be quite friendly, looking to strike up conversations with other people in the buffet, by the pool and, really, anywhere. Head to the main theater for enchanting live performances and shows every night, enjoy tacos and burgers on the pool decks, or find a lounge chair around the pool and soak up the sun.
Carnival Sunshine (formerly Carnival Destiny) is 10 years old and a fan favorite. The lower guest capacity, at just over 3,000 for double occupancy, means you won’t have to fight hoards of people to get to and from activities. Families who want even more cabin space should book one of the aft-view extended balcony rooms with great wake views and ample private outdoor space. If you're a foodie, try Guy’s Burger Joint for loaded burgers straight from Flavortown or Shaq’s Big Chicken for the basketball star's incredible fried chicken sandwiches.
Not to be outdone, Carnival's largest ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — are divided into zones, such as Mardi Gras' French Quarter with a live jazz club. If you're considering a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line, you're looking at an affordable big-ship experience with lots of activities. Carnival has an impressive fleet of vessels and adds more every year. There are currently 24 ships with more maiden voyages scheduled later this year. On "elegant" nights, you'll see a range of clothing from ball gowns, dresses that leave little to the imagination, tuxes and suits to the same shorts and tees people sport all day long. Most men, however, opt for long pants and collared shirts, while women don sundresses, or a skirt or pants with a blouse.
