8 day southern caribbean cruise carnival magic

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• Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Magic

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Miami (Florida)

Carnival Magic current position

Carnival Magic current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 25.77729 N / -80.17041 W) cruising en route to USMIA - MXCOZ. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic current cruise is 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean . Prices start from USD 739 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 20 Apr, 2024 and ends on 28 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Magic

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Carnival Magic Itineraries

Carnival magic review, review of carnival magic.

The 2011-built Carnival Magic cruise ship is one the biggest and Carnival's second DREAM-class liner, together with Breeze , Dream as well as Costa Diadema . Carnival Magic was last refurbished in February 2021.

The vessel (IMO number 9378486) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 370491000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3690-passenger ship Carnival Magic was built in 2011 for USD 740 million. Magic features facilities similarly designed on the previous generations of line's ships while presenting some new features. This extraordinary ship marks the end of Carnival's longtime interior architect Joe Farcus, and he goes out in style. While cruisers might still expect neon and mirrored surfaces, his touch is limited, as far as other designers were also hired. This is the reason why there is a lighting refinement to many of the places, including the main dining rooms, the sun deck and especially Serenity adults-only area.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Magic staterooms (1845 total) include 54 Suites, 877 Balcony, 227 Oceanview and 713 Iside cabins, in all 34 grades. Most staterooms are sized 170-185 ft2 / 16-17 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 35-45 ft2 / 3-4 m2. Deluxe Oceanviews are with two separate washrooms and advertised as "Family cabins" having max capacity 5 passengers. Cove Balcony (located beneath the lifeboats on Deck 2) have partially enclosed verandas.

CCL Magic ship also has 368 connecting ("Family" cabins), 79 "Cloud 9 Spa", 35 wheelchair-accessible, and "Cove Balcony" cabins (located on Deck 2/by the lifeboats). The largest are the Grand Suites (345 ft2 / 32 m2 plus 85 ft2 / 8 m2 terrace) with max occupancy 4 passengers. Deluxe Oceanviews have max capacity 5 passengers.

The boat has 14 decks , of which 9 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The two formal dining rooms on Carnival Magic are the Southern Lights and the smaller Northern Lights. Both restaurants are the focal point of dining onboard the ship. For those who like laughter with their food, is the Punchliner Comedy Brunch, taking place in the Spotlight Lounge only on sea days. The real foodies who are curious about how the galley feeds so many people, have to check out Chef's Table. For US$75 per person, you'll be able to meet the head chef and tour the galley, as well as dine on a multi-course meal at a private table, while watching the chefs at work.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Magic restaurants and food bars.

• Southern Lights Restaurant (1248-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining”)
• Northern Lights Restaurant (948-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, open seating breakfast and lunch; “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts for $5 cover charge)
• Sushi and More Bar (sushi bar, complimentary; serves as salad bar during the day)
• Lido Marketplace buffet restaurant (825-seat self-service restaurant with various complimentary takeaway food stations)
• Prime Steakhouse (69-seat, reservation-only specialty restaurant, serving seafood and prime beef)
• Cucina del Capitano (117-seats Italian restaurant; offers complimentary lunch and a la carte dinner/surcharge; serves as pasta bar during the day)
• SeaDogs (complimentary hot dogs, toppings)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (fast-food bar) and Bluelguana Cantina (Mexican eatery). Other new venues on Lido deck are BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-themed outdoor bar for frozens and beers) and the Pizzeria del Capitano
• Guy’s Burger Joint (fast-food bar) - since 2017
• Bluelguana Cantina (Mexican food bar) - since 2017
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Mexican bar for frozens and craft beers) - since 2017
• Pizzeria del Capitano - since 2017.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Lots of what is found onboard Carnival Magic came from first-in-class Carnival Dream, like the Seaside Theatre, 2-deck Cloud 9 spa and WaterWorks aqua park (Magic has two waterslides - corkscrew and bowl slide, Dream's got one). But Magic is not just a refined version of Dream. The liner has ushered in a handful of new features, such as Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant which boasts singing waiters and handmade pasta for a $10 fee; Cherry on Top candy store and industry's first water "dump bucket", that complements ship's waterslides.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Dream-class vessels (Breeze, Dream, Magic) as facilities and onboard amenities.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Magic lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Showtime Theatre (1349-seat show lounge for a live show and music productions; features the “Playlist Productions” live musical mixes and “Hasbro Game Shows")
• Magic Atrium (11-deck high midship open floor area, featuring Magic Lobby Bar with piano and dance floor)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop; offers branded gear, special occasions gifts, tuxedo rentals)
• Escape Bar (a 30-seat club with bar)
• FunHub (24-hour Internet computers room; free Intranet offered for information on onboard programs, menus and scheduled events)
• Circle C (complimentary kids' club and lounge area with video games, parties, movies, planned activities)
• Club O2 (teens only lounge with movies, karaoke, video games, themed parties); Warehouse Video Games Arcade
• Hat Trick Casino (500-seat, with slot machines and gaming tables; features gambling tournaments and complimentary classes)
• FunHub 44 (with Internet/Intranet computers)
• The Lanai (60-seat promenade with Lanai Bar-BQ Bar and four cantilevered Whirlpools; Power Walking/Jogging Track)
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge with Plaza Cafe)
• Vibe Disco and Nightclub; Play It Again Bar; Spotlight Lounge (400-seat; hosts the Punchliners Comedy Club)
• RedFrog Pub (120-seat, with indoor and outdoor seating, games, live music, international beers selection and Thirstyfrog/RedFrog beer)
• Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (added 2017, replacing Lanai Oceanside Barbeque)
• Tides Pool area; Sunset Pool area
• Camp Carnival (complimentary kids play area)
• Cloud 9 Spa (Thermal Suite, Oriental Steam Bath, Aroma Steam Bath, Steam Rooms, Sauna, Lacanium, Thalassotherapy pool)
• Carnival WaterWorks (kids pool play area with Twister water-slide, DrainPipe, and AquaPark)
• Seaside Theatre (with a huge LED screen for movies, sports events, concerts, with a stage for live performances)
• SportSquare complex (featuring outdoor relaxation area with Sports Park Bar; 18-hole mini golf course, Ping-Pong Tables and multisport court)
• Serenity (adults-only relaxation complex with sundeck and Serenity Bar).

Itineraries

Prior to the COVID crisis, Carnival Magic was homeported in Galveston TX for 7-day roundtrips to the Bahamas, Eastern, and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations included Key West Florida, Jamaica, Nassau , Belize , Mexico (Progreso, Cozumel, Costa Maya), Roatan, Grand Cayman.

Carnival Magic itinerary program in 2022 was based on homeporting in Port Canaveral-Orlando (Florida) . In 2023, the liner was homeported in Miami Florida and also offered voyages from Norfolk Virginia . Summer 2023 season from Norfolk VA was CCL's longest (6 months/May 14th thru October 22nd) since 2002. Carnival Magic's previously scheduled homeporting in NYC (to Bermuda) was canceled in Nov 2022.

Ex-Norfolk itineraries (roundtrip departures from Nauticus Half Moone Cruise Center) visit ports in The Bahamas (6-night to Bimini Island, Nassau, Freeport), Eastern Caribbean (8-night to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove Dominicana), Bermuda (6-night to King’s Wharf), Canada and New England (8-night to Portland ME, St John NB, Halifax NS, Sydney NS). Voyages to the Caribbean include 4 sea days (2 southbound plus 2 northbound).

Carnival Magic - user reviews and comments

Photos of carnival magic.

Carnival Magic ship related cruise news

VIDEO: Carnival Magic ship damages the cruise pier in Ocho Rios (Jamaica)

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CCL's Carnival Magic cruise ship delayed due to ‘soot’ accident

A CCL-Carnival Cruise Line vessel, carrying numerous passengers, encountered an unforeseen setback in its preparations for departure on Wednesday...

Major cruise lines change itineraries to avoid Hurricane Lee

Hurricane Lee is displaying a notable increase in strength and size this week, prompting significant attention from the travel industry, particularly...

35-year-old passenger overboard from CCL's ship Carnival Magic

A CCL-Carnival Cruise Line passenger went overboard on the Carnival Magic ship on Monday, May 29th. USCG crews were searching for the 35-year-old...

CCL starts its longest cruise season from Norfolk VA with Carnival Magic ship

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line is about to embark on the company's longest sailing season ever, based on homeporting in Norfolk (Virginia USA). According...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line offers twice as many voyages from Norfolk VA in 2023

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced it is doubling down on voyages from Norfolk VA (Virginia USA) and ramping up for year-round operations beginning...

CCL-Carnival to increase passenger capacity from homeport Norfolk VA (Half Moone Cruise Center)

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line on November 14, 2022, announced it would more than double its homeporting/departures out of Norfolk (Virginia USA) in 2023...

Unruly CCL-Carnival Cruise Line passengers to be fined $500

In a recent update to the company's cruise ticket contract, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line revealed that unruly passengers could be fined US$500 and forced...

Carnival cruise ships Magic and Legend experience satellite issues impacting their Internet service

Two CCL-Carnival Cruise Line ships operating in Northeast USA - Carnival Magic and Carnival Legend - are currently experiencing satellite antenna...

Massive brawl on Carnival Magic cruise ship

The US Coast Guard (USCG) was called in after a bar fight on a CCL-Carnival Cruise Line ship. That rare call came in on Tuesday, June 28, from the...

•   show more news

Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Magic Wiki

The boat's Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2015. The Carnival ship Magic is the second of the company's Dream-class vessels ( Fincantieri Monfalcone -built), with sisterships Breeze and Dream , and also Costa Diadema . The boat was christened by Lindsey Wilkerson (worker at the NYC -based ALSAC - fundraising organization for St Jude Children's Research Hospital).

Due to scheduled drydock refurbishment projects , in September 2020 CCL canceled all planned for 2020 and 2021-Q1 itineraries for 4 ships.

• Carnival Magic itineraries (15 total) from Miami Florida were canceled from November 7, 2020, through March 13, 2021 (1st departure).
• Carnival Paradise itineraries from Tampa Florida were canceled from November 2, 2020, through March 19, 2021 (1st departure).
• Carnival Valor itineraries from NOLA New Orleans   were canceled from November 2, 2020, through April 29, 2021 (1st departure), including two Transatlantic crossings - from NOLA (January 25) and from Barcelona (February 26).
• Carnival Spirit itineraries from Brisbane Australia   were canceled from December 6, 2020, through May 16, 2021 (1st departure is on June 12 / repositioning cruise from Singapore to Brisbane).

Carnival Magic drydock 2021

In 2021 (April 24 - May 24) Carnival Magic was drydocked at Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM Shipyard in Marseille France ), mainly for general maintenance works.

Curiously, Magic became Carnival's first liner to change the old hull design (white, with a red line running the entire length) with the new trademarked livery (red-white-blue) introduced on Mardi Gras.

During drydock 2021, the ship's Casino was expanded (with a greater variety of slots and other games), also were refreshed the WaterWorks aquapark and Lido Deck's swimming pools.

Carnival Magic refurbishment 2016 review

The list of deckplan changes after the ship's 2016 drydock refurbishment (February 21 to March 5) includes:

(On Promenade deck 5) was added the Alchemy Bar (cocktail pharmacy with resident mixologists). Also here, the Lanai Oceanside Barbeque was replaced by the new fast-food bar named “Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse”. The bar is complimentary and via a partnership with Guy Fieri (running also the “Guy’s Burger Joint” on Lido deck). Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is an open-air restaurant for a variety of BBQ favorites. The menu features pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, Guy Fieri's traditional sides, and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.

(On Lido deck 10) were added 2 new poolside eateries (both complimentary) – Guy’s Burger Joint (fast-food bar) and Bluelguana Cantina (Mexican eatery). Other new venues on Lido deck are BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-themed outdoor bar for frozens and beers) and the Pizzeria del Capitano (complimentary).

(On Lido deck 10) were added RedFrog Rum Bar (rum bar for frozens and beers, plus the Carnival’s private label ThirstyFrog Red (draught beer).

Among the various technical enhancements implemented were shoreside power capabilities and new hull coating.

In 2021-Q1 (February-March-April) Carnival Magic was drydocked at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport Bahamas , mainly for general maintenance works.

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival magic fun times, 8 day southern Caribbean

By carmenrosa77 , March 25, 2020 in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

carmenrosa77

Hi I'm looking for the recent fun times for a 8 day southern Caribbean, grand Turks, aruba, bonaire, half moon cay. Thanks

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6 hours ago, carmenrosa77 said: Hi I'm looking for the recent fun times for a 8 day southern Caribbean, grand Turks, aruba, bonaire, half moon cay. Thanks

@carmenrosa77

Thank you for your new thread on the  Ask a Cruise Question   forum that is for general questions about cruising.   👍

Since your thread concerns a specific cruise line, I have moved your thread to the  Carnival Cruise Lines  forum where it will be on-topic. The majority of your fellow Cruise Critic members that have sailed on Magic frequent the forum and provide feedback there. Please browse through the thread titles on the forum looking for threads of interest. You will probably find your fellow Cruise Critic members have already posted questions and received answers that will be of interest to you.  

Happy sails,

7 hours ago, carmenrosa77 said: Hi I'm looking for the recent fun times for a 8 day southern Caribbean, grand Turks, aruba, bonaire, half moon cay. Thanks

I have quite a few magic itineraries. Don’t think I have that exact one.  I have one from last month with La Romana instead of Bonaire.

https://saintgregtravel.com/fun-times/

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Carnival Cruise Line, Southern Caribbean From Miami, March 8, 2025

Cruising from: Miami, Florida ;

Departure Date: 8 March, 2025 ;

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line ;

Cruise Ship: Carnival Magic ;

Duration: 8-day cruise ;

Ports of Call: Miami, Aruba, Curacao, Amber Cove, Miami ;

8-day cruise to Miami, Aruba, Curacao, Amber Cove, Miami on board Carnival Magic.

Day 0 miami, florida.

Miami is well known across the globe for its glitz and glamor and its beaches and sunny weather. PortMiami, formally the Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami, is a major seaport located in Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. PortMiami delivers a tropical vacation experience like no other port in the world.

Day 1 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 2 At Sea, At Sea

Day 3 aruba, dutch caribbean.

Aruba is one of the three ABC islands in the southern Caribbean and a popular port of call for cruise ships from Miami, Florida. Aruba, a Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela, is an extremely safe tourist paradise, filled with glistening white sand beaches and countless entertainment options. Aruba also has a unique climate, combining the Caribbean tropics with a beautiful desert landscape. The Aruba travel season from Miami, Florida, lasts all year since the weather stays consistently warm. The best way to maximize your happy memories on the One Happy Island is to spend some time researching the sights and attractions or try some adventurous activities and entertainment.

Day 4 Curacao, Dutch Caribbean

Curacao cruises put you in the center of the Southern Caribbean's action. The vibrantly colored island of Curacao, located some 37 miles north of the coast of Venezuela, is part of the ABC chain of islands, which also includes Aruba and Bonaire. Curacao has two main docking spots: the new Curacao Mega Pier (West Willemstad) and the Curacao Cruise Terminal (Mathey Wharf). Willemstad, often called the Amsterdam of the Caribbean, is the capital and main cruise port on the island of Curacao. It is like an old-world European metropolis that was dumped into the Caribbean. You can take a slow walk through the historic district and port, relax on Mambo Beach, or go to one of the city's many museums to learn about the area's rich cultural history.

Day 5 At Sea, At Sea

Day 6 amber cove, dominican republic.

Amber Cove is a brand new port developed for Carnival Corp cruise ships to dock in the Dominican Republic, near Puerto Plata, where you can explore many of the region's attractions, like Fort San Felipe, the Amber Museum, or shopping along the Malecon. Amber Cove is great for couples, families, and friends, and there's always something to do.

Day 7 At Sea, At Sea

Day 8 miami, florida.

Sail with Carnival Cruise Line from Miami to the Southern Caribbean . Discover the best of Florida, At Sea, Dutch Caribbean, Dominican Republic on this Southern Caribbean cruise from Miami on board Carnival Magic cruise ship . Visit amazing Miami, Aruba, Curacao, Amber Cove, Miami. Carnival Magic leaving Miami, Florida for 8 days from March 8, 2025.

View all of the Southern Caribbean cruise vacations available in March 2025 , or browse the full collection of cruises departing from Miami Port during March 2025 .

Port order and/or content may vary, please check specific sailing date for details at Carnival Cruise Line website. Port arrival and departure times are approximate and subject to change without notice. For more information please visit the Carnival Cruise Line website.

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Carnival Magic - September 21, 2024

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September 21, 2024

September 21 - 29, 2024

Carnival Magic

Carnival Cruise Lines

8 Night Southern Caribbean

from Miami, Florida

The September 21, 2024 cruise on the Carnival Magic departs from Miami, Florida. On this 8 Night Southern Caribbean sailing, the ship will visit a total of 5 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Carnival Magic sets sail on a Saturday (September 21, 2024) and returns on a Sunday (September 29, 2024).

Cruise Price by Cabin Type

The price of the September 21, 2024 cruise on the Carnival Magic ranges from $609 for an inside cabin to $3,189 for a suite.

This is a 8 night cruise and price per night is noted below for each cabin type. An inside cabin will cost $76 per night, an ocean view cabin will cost $102 per night, a balcony cabin will cost $133 per night, and a suite will cost $398 per night.

$76 / night

$102 / night

$133 / night

$398 / night

The Carnival Magic was built in 2011 and is amoung Carnival's 26 ships in it's fleet. The Carnival Magic is included in the cruise line's Dream Class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the Carnival Magic vs all other Carnival ships.

All Itineraries

Explore all that Miami has to offer, from the magnificent Port of Miami, to the world famous Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, historic Coconut Grove, and trendy South Beach. Other attractions include the Miami Seaquarium , Miami MetroZoo, and sports teams the Dolphins, Heat and Marlins. No wonder so many celebrities, such as Gloria Estefan, Madonna and Ricky Martin, call Miami home.

Explore all that Miami has to offer, from the magnificent Port of Miami, to the world famous Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, historic Coconut Grove, and trendy South Beach. Other attractions...

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. Explore the Carnival Magic Deck Maps and make sure to view our list of Ship Venues and Features. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Blessed with a non-stop breeze, neat little Oranjestad reflects the Dutch passion for cleanliness. Stroll the town's chic shops, venture out to see the wind-formed divi-divi trees, or visit an undersea garden of brilliant corals on a semi-submersible craft.

Blessed with a non-stop breeze, neat little Oranjestad reflects the Dutch passion for cleanliness. Stroll the town's chic shops, venture out to see the wind-formed divi-divi trees, or visit an...

Hospitable and always sunny, Curacao bids you a warm welcome. The friendly inhabitants, first class hotels, wonderful climate, crystal clear seawater, fascinating architecture, floating market, pontoon bridge, secluded bays, rich fauna and flora, and the many possibilities for excursions and entertainment make Curacao the tourist's paradise.

Hospitable and always sunny, Curacao bids you a warm welcome. The friendly inhabitants, first class hotels, wonderful climate, crystal clear seawater, fascinating architecture, floating market...

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Carnival Magic Overview

There’s no need for a wand or cape, the magic comes naturally on the Carnival Magic. This super ship was the first ship to feature a ropes course at sea. The ropes course is a focal point of the SportsSquare where you and your friends can play miniature golf, table tennis or foosball. You could spend an entire day in the SportsSquare or the Carnival WaterWorks water park, just don’t miss out on the relaxing Cloud 9 Spa where a rejuvenating facial is calling your name. Then head to Cucina del Capitano for a family-style Italian dinner.

• Passenger Capacity: 3,690 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2011
• Last Refurbished:  2021

• Ocean Plaza Carnival Magic’s Ocean Plaza has something to offer every cruiser. This place is always serving up delicious snack foods and in the day it’s the place to go for trivia and other interactive games. At night live music fills the plaza and you can dance the night away.  

• Cucina Del Capitano Did you know that Carnival is rooted in the sailing culture of Italy? To honor the cruise line’s heritage the Cucina Del Capitano offers up classic Italian dishes, many of which come from the childhood recipes of the cruise line’s captains and officers. Inside you’ll feel like you’re in an Italian home. The restaurant has been known to be patronized by the captain himself; he even has his own table.  

• The Lanai On Deck 5 of the Carnival Magic guests can take advantage of the sea breeze as you can walk around the Lanai, a half-mile promenade. The deck is lined with chairs for those who would like to sit down with a drink and enjoy the view. And for those looking for an extra indulgence there are the four cantilevered whirlpools which extend slightly over the edge of the ship.  

Carnival Magic Cruise Destinations

Spanning 6 continents and countless countries ranging from Croatia to the Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Lines' list of destinations below is nothing short of inspiring. There's somewhere for the culinary enthusiast, the history buff, the beachside lounger and the rugged explorer. Destinations include, but are not limited to: the Bahamas, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, just to name a few. You can follow the links to learn more about each particular destination.

Cruise to the Caribbean for tropical weather and splendid beach-side excursions.

Carnival Magic Departure Ports

Carnival has ships home ported in cities across the U.S. making sure you’re never more than a car ride away from embarking on an unforgettable vacation. You can find Carnival ships in Charleston, New York, Long Beach and New Orleans. Ready to sail, call The Cruise Web to start your trip today!

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

Carnival Magic Deck Plans

Spa & sports, carnival magic staterooms.

Balcony (8M)

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Magic's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony (BL)

Any balcony stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Balcony (8A)

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Magic. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Balcony (8B)

Balcony (8c), balcony (8d), balcony (8e), balcony (8f), balcony (8g).

Balcony (7C)

Love the sea? Carnival Magic's Cove Balcony staterooms are the best way to see the sea - these rooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location. Enjoy things from a whole new perspective: one amazing up-close view of the wake and seafoam as the ship cruises along.

Balcony (9C)

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Magic, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea - and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Balcony (8N)

Two twin beds (convert to king). Sofa and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Private aft-facing extended balcony with patio chairs and table. Twin beds do not convert to king when two uppers in use.

Balcony (8P)

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important - take the ocean breeze in, then let it out - you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Balcony (8S)

Inside (1A)

A Carnival Magic Interior Upper/Lower stateroom creatively maximizes space for a pair of cruisers. These staterooms feature all the same amenities as other Interior staterooms, with a different layout - including one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed. They also feature linens from the Carnival Comfort Collection, a full private bathroom and more.

Inside (4A)

An Interior stateroom is the most affordable way to cruise, and Carnival Magic's interiors are not just cozy, but are full of things you'd expect from any Carnival stateroom: a full private bathroom, Carnival Comfort Collection linens and just-a-call-away 24-hour room service.

Inside (4B)

Inside (4c), inside (4d), inside (4e), inside (4f), inside (4g), inside (4h).

Inside (4J)

An Interior with Picture Window stateroom on Carnival Magic gives you a view beyond your stateroom, out to the observation deck outside including a great sky view. (Note that the view will be partially obstructed.)

Inside (IS)

Any inside stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Inside (PT)

Carnival Magic's Porthole staterooms give you the classic seafarer's view times two - a pair of round windows providing an affordable view of the ocean. If you tire of ocean-gazing, there's plenty more to do onboard, but 24-hour room service is one amenity you can enjoy as you continue to take in the view.

Inside (4S)

We've taken the warm essence of our Cloud 9 Spas and infused it into spa staterooms on Carnival Magic. Your room is the perfect place to do less, actually: just relax and take some you-time, anytime. All Cloud 9 Spa accommodations feature private spa access, special amenities and priority spa reservations.

Oceanview (OV)

Any ocean view stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Oceanview (6L)

Carnival Magic, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms in this category feature great views, a full bathroom - plus a separate washroom - and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five cruisers.

Oceanview (6M)

Oceanview (6n).

Oceanview (6A)

Catch a glimpse of what's going by from your Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Magic, where you'll get views you won't find anywhere on land. Don't miss sunrise and sunset at sea - your comfy stateroom is the best way to experience these!

Oceanview (6S)

The best way to enjoy the relaxing, invigorating Cloud 9 Spa while on a cruise is in a spa stateroom, and this one fits the bill, providing comfy accommodations and convenient, priority access to treatments and services at the Cloud 9 Spa. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

A Carnival Magic suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool.

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things - with a large room and balcony - and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Magic features even more space than the standard suite - plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Any suite, depending on availability.

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Magic, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Magic Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet; and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Photo Gallery for Carnival Magic Cruise Ship

Imagine the fun that’s waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise. The drinks, the games, the sights and the sun! Take a look at this photo gallery to help you envision your perfect vacation.

Deluxe Ocean View with Twin beds

Carnival Magic

Hat Trick Bar

Ropes course on the Carnival Magic

SportSquare Vita Course on Carnival Magic

Top 10 Carnival Magic Cruises

• Carnival Magic 8-day Eastern Caribbean Departing From Miami, Florida (Jun 2024 - Apr 2026)
• Carnival Magic 7-day Western Caribbean Departing From Miami, Florida (Jun 2024 - Aug 2025)
• Carnival Magic 7-day Eastern Caribbean Departing From Miami, Florida (Jun 2024 - Sep 2025)
• Carnival Magic 6-day Eastern Caribbean Departing From Miami, Florida (Jun 2024 - Apr 2026)
• Carnival Magic 8-day Southern Caribbean Departing From Miami, Florida (Oct 2024 - Apr 2026)

Learn More About Carnival Cruise Line

Accessibility

Learn about Carnival Cruise Lines' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities - including special staterooms, accessible elevators, dietary accommodations and more.

Savor dining aboard Carnival cruises, including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, the Asian Kitchen, Main Dining Room, Steakhouse, Pizzeria, Coffee Bar, Seadogs, Shake Spot and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Carnival's onboard entertainment, including stage shows, Thrill Theater, game shows, comedy clubs, live music, DJs, seaside theater, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Take advantage of Carnival's onboard activities, including WaterWorks water slides, pools, sports courts, ropes course, mini-golf, video arcade, sports bars, casino, duty-free shopping, bars and lounges, art gallery and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Carnival takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services by attentive, cheerful staff. Plus, view Carnival Cruise Lines' awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax at Carnival's Serenity Adult Retreat, Cloud 9 Spa, fitness center, jogging track, beauty salon, yoga or pilates courses. Carnivals treatments include massages, body wraps, facials, thermal suites and more.

Special Events

From weddings to parties, celebrate your special events at sea with Carnival Cruise Line.

View Carnival's cruise ship staterooms, including suites, balconies, oceanviews and interior staterooms. Plus, Cloud 9 Balconies bring health and wellness to your room.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Carnival. There's Camp Carnival for ages 2 - 11, Circle C for young teens and Club O2 for ages 15 - 17. Plus, Camp Carnival Night Owls will watch kids until 3 am.

Cruise Type

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The 8 classes of Carnival Cruise Line ships, explained

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Thinking about a cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line ship? You have a lot of options.

By the summer of 2024, Carnival will have 27 vessels in service — all currently available to book. That’s more ships than any other major cruise line except Royal Caribbean , which will have 28 vessels in service by the summer of 2024.

In general, Carnival ships are large but, aside from two exceptions, they’re not giants by today’s standards. Over the past two years, Carnival has begun operating its first two truly giant ships in years — the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and the 183,521-ton Carnival Celebration .

Other than these two ships, Carnival’s biggest vessel is the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia , which measures just 135,225 tons. That’s about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean .

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Six of the 27 vessels Carnival will operate by the summer of 2024 measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost mid-size by today’s cruise ship standards.

This is a notable change for the brand from just a couple of decades ago. There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. However, for many years, it has held back from following rivals such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in building ever-bigger ships. Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now the only Carnival ships on the list of the world’s 50 biggest cruise vessels.

The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration has marked a major turning point for the line. The two vessels rank 15th and 13th, respectively, on the list of the world’s largest cruise ships — the first Carnival ships to crack the Top 20 in quite a few years. They are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ship. One more ship in the series — Carnival Jubilee — will arrive in late 2023.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line  

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Carnival fleet is that the line’s ships can easily be bunched into just eight groups of vessels that have similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time with the same basic design.

An introduction to Carnival Cruise Line ships

As mentioned above, Carnival’s ships can be broken down into eight distinct groups or classes. A key detail about Carnival ships is that there are a lot of similarities from class to class within the Carnival fleet.

Unlike Royal Caribbean and some other cruise lines, Carnival doesn’t always drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Instead, Carnival usually takes an incremental approach to design changes for its new classes of ships. You’ll find a lot in common between the Vista class and Dream class, for instance. These two classes aren’t all that different in feel from the earlier Splendor and Conquest classes of ships, though they are a bit bigger.

That said, Carnival is in the midst of a major change in its philosophy on ship design. Its new Excel-class vessels — which first debuted in 2021 with the arrival of Mardi Gras — are far bigger than its earlier ships. These ships also have a lot of new features and amenities (including the first-ever roller coaster on a cruise ship — and, no, we’re not making that up).

Related: The 4 new giants of the cruise world — and how to book them

For many years, Carnival steered clear of the big ship trends in the industry. Executives thought the ever-bigger vessels being deployed by such lines as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises were too big to make for an enjoyable cruise experience.

Now, Carnival is switching gears — no doubt because the giant ships unveiled by some other lines have been enormously popular with cruisers.

At Carnival, as at other lines, the biggest ships in the fleet have the most amenities, eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than the smaller ships. This can be a huge plus for travelers who like to have a lot of options when vacationing.

However, Carnival’s biggest ships also sail with more passengers, which can be a turnoff if you’re the kind of traveler who likes a more intimate experience.

In general, Carnival’s biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. If you’re looking for a cruise experience with the most possible onboard activities and venues, you’ll want to steer toward the vessels in Carnival’s new Excel class and its relatively young Vista and Dream classes.

If cruising in a more intimate environment is your preference, you’ll want to look at some of Carnival’s older classes of ships including the Spirit and Fantasy classes.

The Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels. As noted above, the line has ordered a third Excel-class ship (Carnival Jubilee) that will be ready to sail in December 2023.

In addition, the line will begin operating a ship currently in the fleet of its sister line Costa Cruises — Costa Firenze — in May 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze and sail from Los Angeles.

Excel class

Ships in class: Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022) and Carnival Jubilee (coming December 2023).

Size: 181,808 to 183,521 tons.

If you’re in the “bigger is better” camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Carnival class for you.

At a bit over 180,000 tons, Carnival’s three new Excel-class vessels — one of which, Carnival Jubilee, is still under construction — are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ships and offer more eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than any other ships in the Carnival fleet by far.

Designed to take Carnival’s “fun ship” shtick to a new level, the ships are so big that, as noted above, they have room for roller coasters on their top decks — a cruise industry first. They also have a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival vessels.

Among the new dining venues on the ships are the first Emeril Lagasse restaurant at sea, as well as the first Big Chicken eatery at sea. (Big Chicken is a chain created by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, who also serves as a Carnival spokesperson.)

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise

In addition to featuring a roller coaster, Mardi Gras was the first ship from a North America-based line designed to operate on liquefied natural gas. The fuel is touted as being cleaner than traditional ship fuel.

One caveat to keep in mind if you’re thinking of booking an Excel-class ship: They sail with a very large number of people. If being around crowds bothers you, these may not be the ships for you. The vessels are designed to hold a whopping 5,282 passengers at double occupancy. With every pullout sofa and pull-down bunk filled, they can hold up to 6,630 passengers.

Vista/Venezia class

Ships in class: Carnival Panorama (2019), Carnival Horizon (2018), Carnival Vista (2016), Carnival Venezia (2023) and Carnival Firenze (coming in 2024).

Size: 133,596 to 135,225 tons.

With the arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships (so similar that we have combined them into one entry) are no longer the biggest and most amenity-packed ships in the Carnival fleet. Still, they offer a lot of options when it comes to eateries, bars, lounges and deck-top attractions — more than you’ll find on most other Carnival vessels.

All four vessels in the Vista and Venezia classes have water parks with waterslides on their top decks, as well as miniature golf courses, ropes courses and multiple pool areas. They’re also known for their pedal-powered, suspended-in-the-air SkyRide attractions.

Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, which officially are Vista-class ships, also have Imax theaters — the first in the cruise industry. Carnival Panorama, also a Vista-class ship, instead has the first trampoline park ever put on a cruise ship , in a partnership with Sky Zone.

There’s also a smorgasbord of restaurants, bars and lounges on all of the vessels. Among the many offerings on these ships are Carnival’s first breweries at sea (on all the vessels except Carnival Venezia, which is officially known as a Venezia-class ship and has a few notable differences).

On Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse offers beer brewed on-site along with barbecue dishes designed by the Food Network’s Guy Fieri. On Carnival Vista, there’s a stand-alone brewery and a separate barbecue venue.

Other eateries on the ships include casual, Guy Fieri-designed Guy’s Burger Joint, Chipotle-like burrito spot BlueIguana Cantina (on Carnival Venezia, this is called Tomodoro and also serves a few Italian items), sushi outlets and steakhouses. Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama also feature Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano, as well as JiJi Asian Kitchen, while Carnival Venezia has an Italian restaurant called Il Viaggio.

Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Venezia also have teppanyaki restaurants, and all four ships have dedicated chef’s tables located within their galleys.

Related: Everything to know about Carnival cabins and suites  

Both the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships were built on the same basic design platform and are roughly the same size with similar layouts. But Carnival Venezia originally was built for Carnival’s Italy-based sister brand, Costa Cruises. As a result, it has a much stronger Italy theme and a few design differences. Still, enough is the same that for all practical purposes, it is a Vista-class ship in all but name. Hence our combining the two classes into one listing.

Related: Our thoughts after sailing on Carnival Venezia

The Vista-class ships were, notably, the first ships in the Carnival fleet to boast exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas — a trend that has been growing at many mass-market lines. There are two such areas on the three Vista-class ships: Havana Cabanas and Family Harbor, the latter of which is specifically geared toward families. Carnival Venezia has a keycard-restricted area called Terrazza Carnevale.

The water park area on Carnival Horizon is particularly alluring if you’re a Dr. Seuss fan. Unique among the water parks in the Carnival fleet, it has a Dr. Seuss theme. The water park area on Carnival Venezia also is notable as it has one more water slide than the water parks on the Vista-class ships.

All of these ships hold about 4,000 passengers each, based on double occupancy.

Note that one more Costa Cruises ship that is similar to Carnival Venezia (Costa Firenze) will be joining the Carnival fleet in 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze.

Dream class

Ships in class: Carnival Breeze (2012), Carnival Magic (2011) and Carnival Dream (2009).

Size: 130,000 tons.

Carnival’s Dream-class ships are roughly the same size as its Vista-class ships, and the two classes have a lot in common. Still, there are a few key differences.

For starters, the Dream-class ships don’t have Imax theaters or trampoline parks. Both were innovations that debuted with the Vista-class ships. They also lack exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas and some of the eateries found on Vista-class ships.

Still, for the most part, if you’ve been on a Vista-class ship, you’ll immediately feel at home on a Dream-class ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival’s VIFP Club loyalty program

Dream-class ships share some of the same amenities as Vista-class ships. For instance, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic both feature ropes courses on their top decks while Carnival Breeze has a 4D “thrill theater.” These innovations first debuted on Dream-class ships.

Dream-class ships also offer water parks with waterslides on their top decks, miniature golf courses, sports courts for basketball and volleyball, and multiple pools.

Interior venues on Dream-class ships include Punchliner comedy clubs, piano bars, casinos and showrooms for big production shows. The dining options are similar to what you’ll find on Vista-class ships; Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, steakhouses and the Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano are included on all three vessels.

Two of the three ships — Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream — also have sushi eateries, while Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic have Carnival’s Caribbean-inspired watering hole, RedFrog Pub.

The ships in this class hold 3,646 to 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Splendor class

Ships in class: Carnival Splendor (2008).

Size: 113,300 tons.

Carnival Splendor is an outlier in the Carnival fleet — a ship that makes up a class all its own. That said, it has a lot in common with the ships of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships (see below).

Originally designed and ordered for Italy-based Costa Cruises — a sister brand to Carnival — the ship is actually a sister vessel to Costa’s four Concordia-class ships. It will be familiar to anyone who knows Carnival ships because the design of Costa’s Concordia class was based upon the design of Carnival’s Conquest class, and the two classes are very similar.

The main difference between Carnival Splendor and its Conquest-class cousins is that the former has an enlarged and redesigned top deck area. The structure around the main pool of the ship is noticeably different, with a retractable, sliding glass roof that you won’t find on the Conquest-class ships, as well as a water play area for kids. The ship also has a bigger spa area.

Other than that, though, Carnival Splendor is basically a variation of the Conquest-class ships. Size-wise, it’s just a few thousand tons bigger. It holds 3,012 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Conquest class

Ships in class: Carnival Freedom (2007), Carnival Liberty (2005), Carnival Valor (2004), Carnival Glory (2003) and Carnival Conquest (2002).

Size: 110,000 tons.

At 111,000 tons, the Conquest-class ships (and Carnival Splendor, noted above) are about 20% smaller than the newer Vista-class and Dream-class ships. As a result, they have somewhat fewer amenities.

Still, you’ll find a lot of the classic Carnival “fun ship” attractions on these vessels including water play areas with waterslides, miniature golf courses and adults-only Serenity deck-top retreat areas.

You’ll also find a solid array of eateries on each of the ships including a Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlets and steakhouses.

In addition to being smaller than Vista-class and Dream-class ships, Conquest-class ships also sail with fewer passengers. All of the Conquest-class vessels hold just shy of 3,000 passengers at double occupancy — about 1,000 fewer passengers than the Vista-class ships.

That’s a noticeable difference if you’re the kind of vacationer who doesn’t like to be around giant crowds. For some Carnival fans, the smaller size of the Conquest class and Splendor class makes these ships appealing. Others prefer the added amenities that come with the bigger ships.

Spirit class

Ships in class: Carnival Miracle (2004), Carnival Legend (2002), Carnival Pride (2002), Carnival Spirit (2001) and Carnival Luminosa (2009).

Size: 88,500 tons.

Carnival Spirit-class ships are the adventurers of the Carnival fleet.

The vessels are built for “all-weather” cruising, with pools that can be covered by retractable domes when it’s cold and stormy. These are the ships that sail in places such as Alaska, where even in the summer it can be too chilly for sunning on an open pool deck.

These are also the ships that Carnival uses for winter sailings to the Caribbean from Baltimore, which can involve a day or two of cold and stormy sailing in the Atlantic.

In some recent years, Carnival has also deployed one of its Spirit-class ships across the Pacific to Australia — the most far-flung destination that it offers on its schedule.

In addition to having a weather-proof main pool area, the Spirit-class ships are great for far-flung destinations because of their relatively small size, which allows them to access smaller ports. At just 88,500 tons, they’re among the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet — less than half the size of Carnival’s new Excel-class vessels.

The Spirit-class ships are notably lower and sleeker than most other vessels in the Carnival fleet. Passing under relatively small bridges is not a problem for them. Unlike a lot of recently built cruise vessels, they also are thin enough in the middle that they can squeeze through the old locks of the Panama Canal.

The Spirit-class vessels also boast the largest percentage of balcony cabins and oceanview cabins in the Carnival fleet, which makes them perfect for a destination such as Alaska where being able to watch the scenery from your cabin is a big plus.

They’re also relatively intimate ships, holding just 2,124 passengers at double occupancy. By modern-day cruise ship standards, that makes them “mid-size” vessels.

Still, you can expect to find many of the same fun-focused features on Spirit-class ships that you’ll find on the line’s bigger vessels, including water parks with waterslides and miniature golf courses.

Spirit-class ships also have one of the most unique features in all of the cruising industry — special date-night restaurants that are incorporated into their funnels and feature translucent glass-dome ceilings.

Note that one of the Spirit-class ships, Carnival Luminosa, was originally built for Costa Cruises, a sister line to Carnival (it originally sailed under the name Costa Luminosa). The vessel was built to the same basic specifications as the four Spirit-class vessels built for Carnival in this class, although it is a tad bigger and can hold a few more passengers. It dates to 2009.

Sunshine class

Ships in class: Carnival Radiance (2000/2021), Carnival Sunrise (1999/2019) and Carnival Sunshine (1996/2013).

Size: 102,000 tons.

The Sunshine class (once known as the Destiny class) may be the most unusual class of ships in the Carnival fleet. On paper, the ships in this class are among the oldest vessels that Carnival operates. However, you also can make an argument that they are among the newest vessels in the line.

This is because each of the ships in this series has been almost completely gutted and rebuilt from the waterline up.

The makeovers of the ships, which began in 2013, were so thorough that Carnival has given each of the vessels a new name. Carnival Sunshine is what old-time Carnival fans will remember as Carnival Destiny. Carnival Sunrise is the former Carnival Triumph. Carnival Radiance is the ship that began life as Carnival Victory.

Carnival spent $200 million alone in 2019 overhauling Carnival Sunrise. In addition to sprucing up just about every space on the ship, the money was used to add classic Carnival attractions that the ship lacked. This included a full-blown water park, which replaced a single waterslide on one of its top decks.

Carnival Sunrise also received a SportSquare area on its top deck like the ones found on newer Carnival vessels. It has a ropes course, basketball court, miniature golf course, outdoor pool and ping-pong tables. Carnival didn’t end the deck-top changes there. It also found space for another signature Carnival offering that had been lacking: an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area with padded loungers, daybeds, a hot tub and a full bar.

In addition, Carnival Sunrise now has half a dozen new food and beverage venues including a version of Carnival’s signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555; Carnival’s signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano; and a Bonsai Express sushi outlet.

Related: Our take on Carnival’s revamped Carnival Sunrise  

The overhaul of Carnival Sunshine, which took place in 2013, brought similar changes, as well as a complete renovation of the ship’s pool area that incorporated a multideck waterfall.

Carnival Radiance, for its part, just emerged from its long-scheduled overhaul, which was delayed in late 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note that even after the makeovers, the ships still don’t have all the bells and whistles of Carnival’s truly new ships, such as Carnival Panorama. As noted above, Carnival’s newest ships are bigger than its older ships, allowing for more attractions, restaurants and lounges.

At around 102,000 tons, the Sunshine-class ships are more than 20% smaller than Carnival Panorama and more than 40% smaller than Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

The ships hold from 2,984 to 3,002 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Interestingly, these weren’t always considered smaller vessels. In fact, when the line first unveiled Carnival Sunshine in 1996 (back when it was called Carnival Destiny), it was the biggest cruise ship in the world. It also was the first cruise ship to surpass 100,000 tons.

Now, it doesn’t even crack the list of the 50 biggest cruise vessels.

Fantasy class

Ships in class: Carnival Paradise (1998) and Carnival Elation (1998).

Size: 70,000 tons.

Built in the 1990s, the Fantasy-class ships are Carnival’s oldest and smallest ships, and the line is in the process of phasing them out. Going into 2020, the line had eight of these vessels. It removed four of them from its fleet soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, and this year it removed two more — Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy.

The two Fantasy-class ships that are left are mostly used in secondary ports — such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama — that might not be able to support bigger vessels.

Related: Why I’m sad to see Carnival retiree its smallest ship

While still much-beloved by Carnival fans, in part for their intimate size, these ships notably lack a large number of balcony cabins — the cabin type that everyone wants these days. Most of the cabins on these ships are ocean-view cabins that only offer a window or a porthole, or windowless inside cabins.

That said, the two remaining Fantasy-class ships have undergone renovations over the years to add more balcony cabins. Depending on the ship, there were between 98 and 150 new balconies added, including new suites.

The ships have relatively fewer amenities and venues than the newer and bigger Carnival ships. You won’t find giant water parks on these vessels as you would on newer Carnival ships. You will find multiple slides and a spray park for the kids, though. The dining options are also limited.

Still, for a lot of Carnival fans, these are fun ships.

Two vessels each hold around 2,100 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Bottom line

Carnival has quite a few different classes of ships, but the differences between many of them aren’t as big as the differences between classes at other lines.

You’ll find a lot of consistency from ship to ship in the Carnival fleet in the type of venues that you find on board. In recent years, Carnival has spent $2 billion overhauling many of its ships to create that consistency in onboard venues and amenities.

Vacationers looking for a big resort experience with a lot of options should choose one of Carnival’s newest ships, which are bigger and have more amenities. If you’re looking for more intimacy on a cruise ship, some of the older classes of ships, such as those in the Spirit class, might be just right.

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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

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8 - Day Southern Caribbean from Miami, FL

Get to Know Carnival Magic

We knew exactly what we were doing when we named this ship Carnival Magic... and we're sure you'll agree. At 1,004 feet, this one continued the Dream class tradition of large-scale, bow-to-stern cruise ship fun including the food-and-entertainment space Ocean Plaza, the splashy stylings of Carnival WaterWorks ™ ... and The Lanai, a convenient, scenic half-mile outdoor wraparound promenade deck. In other words, a cruise on Carnival Magic has no shortage of its namesake charm! It's no surprise Carnival Magic debuted all-new ways to have a good time onboard, and continues to prove it with the outdoor fitness-and-fun of SportSquare ™ , featuring the world's first ropes course at sea. This is also the ship that introduced the world to Cucina del Capitano ® , which serves up Italian favorites fit for a captain. Who can forget their first taste of RedFrog Pub ® , with its laid back, not-a-worry-to-be-found atmosphere... plus its exclusive, tasty, not-a-drop-to-be-found (on land, that is) beer, ThirstyFrog ® Red. And if you wanted to visit the original Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse ™ ... guess which ship you'd check out! Keeping with the times, Carnival Magic features the delicious good times of Guy's Burger Joint ™ , BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Alchemy Bar ® and RedFrog Rum Bar ® . Carnival Magic has a history of starting good things... and sharing them with guests.

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More From Forbes

9 bucket list luxury cruising destinations for 2024.

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Hilltop houses and Greek Orthodox church dwarfed by cruise ship anchored offshore, Gialos (aka ... [+] Yialos), Symi (aka Simi), Rhodes, Dodecanese Islands, South Aegean, Greece, Europe.

Cruise vacations are a wonderful way to visit multiple destinations in one trip and unpack only once. And while cruises may not give people multiple days in each destination, it acts as a sampler for people to discover new places that they may possibly want to return to later.

Top Luxury Cruise Destinations

Knowing when to visit and what to explore can help people make the right decision for which to cruise take. The Caribbean and Mexico are the most common cruise destinations that people may think of, there are plenty of other bucket list destinations worth exploring. Here are some of the most popular among them and some of the latest news in the cruise industry .

1. Mediterranean

Villefranche-sur-mer on the French Riviera in summer

From Spain to Turkey and everywhere in between, these are highly popular sailings that can book up quickly. The best time to travel is during the summer months when the most ships are sailing in the Mediterranean, but prepare for hot weather. Many cruise lines move their ships to the Caribbean during the winter months.

The Spanish coastline, French Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Greek islands and Turkish ports are some of the highlight destinations on these routes. Among the busiest departure ports for these cruises are Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona, and some travelers like to extend their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise stay in these cities. Taking a cruise here is a great way to visit many countries in one trip.

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Evrima is sailing its inaugural season.

Among the new ships in the region for this year is Silversea’s Silver Ray, the second in the Nova class for the line. The new Sun Princess from Princess Cruises started sailing the Med this year. The second yacht in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is Evrima, which will start sailing in the Mediterranean later this year. Also new for the season is the National Geographic Day Tours sailings from Holland America that give travelers the change to sail with a National Geographic trained guide and explore ports with an expert.

MSC World Europa is the first Liquified Natural Gas-fueled ship in the company's fleet. The company ... [+] has a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions for its entire fleet.

MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa are two of the most popular ships to sail in the region. The Italian-born company is especially appealing for travelers because its ships board new passengers every day unlike other cruises that start and end on a particular date. This schedule flexibility means travelers can choose which ports where they want to embark. Its ships have numerous specialty restaurants, engaging theater shows and family-friendly pool areas.

Another cruise line, SeaDream, operates differently than other companies by arriving in busy ports in the afternoon when most other cruise passengers are reboarding their ships. SeaDream then stays until midnight, or sometimes overnight, to give travelers the chance to explore without “people pollution.”

2. Australia and New Zealand

The famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

These cruises showcase some of the top destinations down under. The best time to take a cruise is between December and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather can be quite warm, but it is an ideal time to see major cities like Sydney and Auckland, explore the Great Barrier Reef or the Kimberley region on the Australian west coast. For those that want to extend their trip, they can visit major tourist sights like Ayers Rock in the center of the country and wine country regions in both countries.

The Kimberley region in Australia is a new destination for Seabourn.

New for the season is Seabourn Pursuit, which will sail the Kimberley region, the first time Seabourn visits the region. To honor the new itinerary, the cruise line named the Western Kimberley traditional land owners, the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit . Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, part of the Abercrombie & Kent brand, will sail around both countries this spring.

Oceania Cruises is known for its overnight stays in cities in the South Pacific including Melbourne and Bali in Indonesia .

Snow melts slowly from the mountains as spring approaches at the end of May in south-central Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier are top sights on an Alaska cruise sailing, which is best during the spring and summer months when the temperatures are not frigid. Sailings typically take place between April and October. Holland America is a leader in this part of the world, but many cruise lines send their ships here for the dramatic scenery. This is one of those ideal trips for a multi-generational trip.

Edge is one of the newest ships in the cruise line's fleet.

New for the season is Celebrity Edge, a dramatic ship with a cantilevered bar and restaurant known as the Magic Carpet and attached to the side of the ships and can be lowered closer to sea level for an up-close look at stunning glaciers. Among the top news for Alaska’s cruise ports is a new cruise terminal in the state capital, Juneau, and a new 28-day sailing from Holland America. Don’t miss the new seasonal drink “Killer Whale Pale Ale,” which Holland America is launching this year on its Alaska sailings.

4. Antarctica

Cruises sail through the Lemaire Channel

Cruises are the most common way to visit Antarctica, and there are all kinds of ships of varying sizes and price points. These are typically not cheap trips, but it is one of the most bucket list trips you can take. The cruise season in Antarctica is between November and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Don’t be fooled though, it will still be cold.

These sailings give passengers the chance to set foot on this remote continent amid massive glaciers and snow-covered mountains. Bird spotting and thousands of penguins are just some of the animal life people will see. Many travelers like to take the Arctic plunge when they jump into the frigid water for a brief second.

Scenic Eclipse II has its own helicopter.

Atlas Ocean just christened two Polar ships that will sail from Patagonia to Antarctica. Seabourn Venture is an expedition ship that was christened in Antarctica and is a great way to enjoy nature without giving up luxury. Don’t miss Scenic Eclipse II, which is an elegant yacht that comes equipped with a helicopter for birds eye views and a submarine for fisheye photo opps.

5. Panama Canal

The Panama Canal has cruise and cargo ships passing through.

Going through the locks of the Panama Canal gives travelers an up-close experience of this architectural marvel. Between November and April, taking a cruise around Central America and passing through the canal is ideal since temperatures are not as hot and humid as the summer. Some cruise lines move their ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans when they change destinations for the season. A popular itinerary is Viking’s Classic Panama Canal Passage, which sails from Fort Lauderdale through the canal and visits Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

A pair of Star Clippers ships

If you’ve done the Panama Canal cruise, consider a Suez Canal sailing, which explores the Greek Islands before crossing the canal to visit ports in Egypt. Guests can take an excursion to visit the Pyramids, which is a highlight of this itinerary. Star Clippers takes its majestic sailing ships with tall white masts on these trips. If you want a true sailing experience, Star Clippers is a great option.

An aerial view of the fishing boats in Zanzibar

Taking a cruise to ports along Africa’s coastline is a great way to visit multiple places without worrying about getting difficult visas for each country or finding a comfortable place to say. There are many different itineraries including around the southern tip to ports of South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Others visit remote islands like Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Azamara Quest visits the west coast of Africa.

The best time to visit is in the spring and fall as this means temperatures are not as hot as summer and also when cruise lines make these itineraries as they move ships to different regions. One of the most exciting (and quick to sell out) sailings is along parts of the west coast of the continent visiting places like the Bissagos Island chain, Sao Tome and Principe, Benin, Senegal and Gambia. Many travelers like to tack on a safari before or after their sailing.

Azamara Quest and Norwegian Sky are two of the most popular cruise ships that make these sailings. Azamara is known for its itineraries that remain in ports until late in the evening or even overnight giving travelers more time in each destination. For the 2025-2026 cruise season, Oceania Cruises will add new overnight stays in Mauritius, too.

Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam

Spotting the Northern Lights or sailing through panoramic fjords is often best experienced by ship. Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam sails through the Nordic countries during the summer months, the best time to visit the region since temperatures are not as cold. The newly launched Queen Anne from Cunard, which takes its first sailing in May, will sail around the British Islands and make its way to Norway to explore the fjords.

Hurtigruten Expeditions, a Norwegian company, operates its own series of sailings all along the coastline. The cruise line got its start here operating ferry ships bringing mail, supplies and other goods to remote parts of the country. Many of them also carry passengers that want to experience a smaller ship that visits different towns while also sailing through the fjords.

A Viking cruise ship sailing through the Norwegian fjords.

Another Nordic brand famous for its river and cruise ships is Viking, which operates its luxury ships carrying just under 1,000 passengers on signature itineraries like “Viking Homeland.” Viking Vela is one of the ships to make this journey, and Viking sailings are all-inclusive with drinks, all meals at specialty restaurants and excursions making it a great way to visit this region.

8. The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) are sunbathing in the last sunlight at the beach of ... [+] Espanola island, Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This species of sea lion is endemic at the Galapagos islands; In the background one of the typical tourist yachts is visible. Wildlife shot.

Sailing between these Ecuadorian islands is beautiful for the bird watching and animal spotting from the region’s famous tortoises, iguanas and penguins. Cruise ships in this region are limited in size by regulations to preserve the marine environment. Hurtigruten Santa Cruz II is one of the larger ships that operates several itineraries in the archipelago.

Celebrity Flora is based in the Galapagos Islands.

Among the most luxurious ships sailing the islands is Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built ship for the Galapagos with cabanas on its top deck, a marine biology exploration center and beautiful cabins with electronically controlled windows that allow cabins to feel larger.

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