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Carnival Paradise Deck Plans & Reviews

Carnival Paradise

Activities & entertainment

• Art Auction *
• Beauty Salon *
• Blue Riband Library
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Rex Dance Club
• Majestic Casino *
• Evening Kids Programs *
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast *
• Groove For St Jude *
• Ice Carving Demonstrations
• Internet Cafe *
• Massage Rooms *
• Photo Gallery *
• Photo Portraits *
• Whirlpools (5)
• Relaxation Room *
• Seuss_A_Palooza Parade and Storytime
• Retail Shops *
• Spa Carnival *
• Spa Parties *
• Steam Room *
• Video Arcade *
• White Party
• Wine Tasting *
• Waterslides
• Serenity _ Adults_Only
• Circle C _ Tweens Club
• Camp Ocean _ Kids Club
• Club O2 _ Teens Club
• Comedy Shows
• Leonardo Lounge
• Live Nightly Music
• Normandie Main Lounge
• Destiny Dining Room - Main
• Elation Dining Room - Main
• United States Bar - Casino Bar *
• Paris Lido Restaurant - Buffet
• BlueIguana Cantina - Mexican
• Guys Burger Joint - Pool Grill
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar - Pool Bar *
• RedFrog Rum Bar - Pool Bar *
• Cafe Ile de France - Coffee & Pastries *
• Taste Bar - Light Bites
• Rotterdam Bar - Martini Bar *
• America Piano Bar - Piano Bar *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 38
• Very Good 18
• Terrible 23
• All languages ( 117 )
• English ( 116 )
• Spanish ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

• Cruise Lines
• Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Paradise

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About Carnival Paradise

The popular 70,367-ton, 2,052-guest Carnival Paradise was aptly named because that is what you will find on this Fantasy Class ship. She offers something for all age groups, making her a perfect choice for a fabulous multigenerational cruise vacation.

Greatly enhanced with a multi-million-dollar upgrade in 2015, she now features a variety of new dining, bar and entertainment options. You now can enjoy a Mexican eatery with delicious just-made burritos, tacos and tortillas, a full-service sushi restaurant with Asian-inspired favorites and a poolside venue with a California vibe for melt-in-your-mouth handcrafted burgers and fries.

A variety of bars with diverse themes include one with a Mexican theme serving frozen drinks, as well as beers, another with mixologists preparing unique cocktails and delicious Caribbean rums served at a different choice. Have a sweet at the onboard candy store that was also added to the ship.

The ship’s stunning centerpiece is a seven-deck-high atrium with a nautical décor. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the many amenities offered, including two pools and whirlpools. Exhilarating turns will thrill you at the 214-foot twister waterslide — the fastest and steepest at sea — where you will also get sprayed. Carnival Paradise boasts 12 chic bars and lounges, a casino, disco, Internet café, library and a game room. Serenity awaits you at a peaceful adults-only retreat. The large spa offers an array of treatments that will make you feel like a million bucks. Take a yoga or Pilates class and work-out at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Shop for duty-free items and have a treat at the coffee bar. Play mini-golf and shoot some hoops at the large sports park. Be as active or inactive as you like — this is paradise after all.

Kids will love the summer camp feel at supervised youth activities that were designed according to age. Tweens and teens also have their own area where they can hang-out with friends, listen to music, dance and eat pizza. A video arcade is another popular place to go.

Take your tastebuds on an exciting culinary journey at a myriad of fabulous eateries offering plenty of dining options . Mouthwatering continental cuisine is served at the two main dining rooms, as well as healthy spa fare and delicious vegetarian dishes. A kids menu offers all their favorites, from spaghetti and meatballs to mac and cheese. A special multi-course dinner is a favorite experience for foodies and also includes a special galley tour.

Casual eateries include a buffet with food from all around the world, a venue for wok specialties, a rotisserie, a 24-hour pizzeria with delicious piping hot pizza, a rotisserie, a cafeteria-style café, coffee bar, a grill, a sushi bar and a New York-style deli. Complimentary room service is also available 24/7.

A range of accommodations include a high percentage of oceanview staterooms and those with private balconies. Some also boast floor-to-ceiling windows, providing incredible views. Feel like you are sleeping on a cloud on Carnival’s exclusive comfortable bed system. Relax and watch first-run movies on the flat-screen TV — You will never want to go home.

Entertainment includes Vegas-like productions at the two-story theater, as well as magicians, comedians, talent shows and more. Take part in a game show, try your luck at the casino, join in a sing-along at the piano bar, and dance the night away at the disco and chill-out at the relaxing jazz club.

Whether a first-time cruiser or just looking for a delightful fun ship, Carnival Paradise is for you.

Cruise on the Carnival Paradise to the Caribbean.

Grand Vista Suite

If you’re looking for the greatest room on the ship, look up. The Grand Vista Suite is the biggest, located on the uppermost deck… and all this altitude has a way of also elevating the view. As do floor-to-ceiling windows that make sure nothing gets in the way. Even more convenience and comfort come standard, like a huge balcony made for stretching out, a tub that’s great for doing the same, a convenient walk-in dressing area, plus VIP check-in.

Extended Balcony Grand Suite

When you go for one of the largest, most luxurious rooms — and balcony — available on Carnival Paradise, you get a room designed to suit your desire for comfort, inside and out. Add VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity and you can begin to see just how extraordinarily comfy the entire experience can be.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Paradise 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.

Junior Suite

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Paradise, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into luxury. With VIP check-in, more indoor space for stretching out and an outdoor balcony made for fresh air and great views, try a Junior Suite for a private oasis away from home.

Junior Suite (Obstructed View)

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Paradise, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into luxury. With VIP check-in, more indoor space for stretching out and an outdoor balcony made for fresh air and great views, try a Junior Suite for a private oasis away from home. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Aft-View Extended Balcony

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 Paradise's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

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 Paradise. 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.

Scenic Ocean View

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Paradise provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you'll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea... and let's not forget sunrise and sunset.

Oceanview Stateroom

A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Porthole Stateroom

A pair of round windows in your room give you the classic seafarer’s view times two, a view of the ocean without breaking the budget. Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control

Inside Stateroom

This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Upper/Lower Inside Stateroom

These staterooms are great for a pair of cruisers on a budget, creatively maximizing space with a different layout — featuring one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed.

View Deck Plan

Deck: 10 Lido

Cafe Ile De France

Deck: 9 Promenade

Cafe Ile De France.

Destiny Dining Room

Deck: 8 Atlantic

Destiny Dining Room.

Elation Dining Room

Elation Dining Room.

Paris Lido Restaurant

Paris Lido Restaurant.

Tossing dough is an age-old art passed down the generations. Lucky for you, someone passed us the secret to the perfect pie. While aboard, this is the place that will shiver your timbers and warm you to the bone, 24 hours a day, with a Margherita, Funghi, Prosciutto, Pepperoni or Quatttro Formaggi pizza served with a delicious Caesar salad. Savvy? Then it’s the pirates’ life for you!

Dessert Station

Dessert Station.

Blue Iguana Cantina

Nobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, our blue iguana, at least. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm” (which is actually Iguanese for “more, please”).

Guy's Joint Burger

We went looking for someone to help us grill up the best burgers at sea, and we found just the guy. Carnival has teamed up with best-selling author, restaurateur and Food Network personality Guy Fieri to bring all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to Guy’s Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries. Try a fresh-off-the-grill burger Guy’s way, or take it off-road to our toppings bar and truly make it your own.

Dining Room Annex

Dining Room Annex.

Fitness Studio

Deck: 12 Sports

Deck: 7 Empress

Paradise Atrium Plaza

Dance Floor

Dance Floor.

Normandie Main Lounge

Decks: 8 Atlantic 9 Promenade

Normandie Main Lounge.

Decks: 8 Atlantic 9 Promenade 10 Lido

Majestic Casino

Majestic Casino.

Blue Riband Library

Blue Riband Library.

Rex Dance Club

Rex Dance Club.

Internet cafe

Carnival Waterworks

Deck: 11 Verandah

Carnival Waterworks.

Resort Pool

Resort Pool.

Deck: 14 Grand

Ah, imagine a perfect day out on the links, the golfer's zen of the ball, the hole and nothing in between but well-manicured fairway... plus one cactus, a treasure chest... and wait, is that a windmill in the way? Just who designed this course anyway? Whoever it was, they had one thing in mind — maximum fun for mini-golfers, big and small! That's precisely why you'll find a course on every Carnival ship, where you can hit the holes and take in everything you’d expect, like the sights and the sounds... plus the seagulls.

Art Gallery

Art Gallery.

Photo Gallery

The Carnival Paradise Photo Gallery is located on the Promenade deck and loaded with some of your best "Fun Ship" moments. Pick your favorites; then take home your fondest and funnest memories.

Video Arcade

If you love to play video games, you’re in luck. Our video arcade boasts a huge array of games, and is open to players of all ages, all night and all day. So get some tokens from the vending machine and let the fun times begin. Challenge your friends to a game, or just see if you can beat the top score. After all, with the video arcade open 24 hours and an entire cruise ahead of you, you have plenty of time to try.

Carnival BLVD Promenade

Carnival BLVD Promenade.

Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions.

What does the “C” in Circle “C” stand for? Well, “chill,” “connect” and “cool,” just to name a few. It’s where young teens ages 12 to 14 go to hang out, meet new friends, and enjoy some pretty awesome activities like dance parties, games, outdoor movies and more, in the special Circle “C” area or around the ship. It’s all supervised by friendly and fun-loving counselors who want your young teens to have the best vacation ever.

Your parents deserve a nice vacation… but then again, so do you. So let’s let them go do their thing while you do yours. Where to? Club O2. Hang out and do stuff like watch movies, listen to music from this decade, play sports and video games, join karaoke jam sessions… maybe even have a pool party or two, all with other high schoolers ages of 15 to 17.

Special Occasions Shop

Special Occasions Shop.

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops.

Beauty Salon

A trip to the salon is an opportunity to relax, to chat with others, to focus on yourself. It’s about more than just getting your hair or nails done… but it’s definitely about getting your hair or nails done! Even though you’re on vacation, you won’t have to settle for anything less than the salon style you’re used to back on land. And these good looks go beyond the usual — we even offer services like teeth whitening… great for taking those ‘I’m on vacation and I’m looking great!’ smiles to the next level.

Fitness Center

We have some bad news for you — your ship has a gym. In other words, there’s no excuse for leaving your fitness routine back on land. That’s great news, however, for your body, which will definitely benefit from all the extra energy that vacationing pumps directly into you. And let’s not forget the extra time you’ll have, since you won’t be waking up and spending most of the day at the office or anything like that. If those were some of your go-to excuses, we’re sorry, but we all know this is important. Why not treat yourself to some of our fitness classes — you might even have a little fun while you do something great for yourself!

Massage Rooms

Cruising always feels good, but it doesn’t usually — ooh, right there. Right where? Sorry, we’re at the onboard spa, where they do these amazing massages by hand. But they don’t just stop there — they’ve got tools to enhance the benefits too. Select from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration and hot stones for — ahhh — for perfection. We know you’re all about feeling good, and so are these massages.

Relaxation Room

Relaxation Room.

Spa Carnival

When it comes to complete relaxation from the inside out, nothing beats a trip to the spa. From the minute you step inside, the soothing ambiance begins to work its magic. Renew yourself with premium beauty and wellness therapies, like hot stone massages, aromatherapy or full-body wraps. This is your time to be spoiled, indulged and even beautified. Lie back, close your eyes, and feel the stress sail away as your body and mind experience total tranquility. (Oh yeah, and this feel-good stuff isn’t just for the ladies — dudes, there are plenty of treatments on our menu for you too.)

The little ones can enjoy the best parts of summer camp, year-round aboard their Carnival cruise. At Camp Ocean kids will have a blast in supervised, age-based groups and give each a cool marine-life label: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Together with their group they’ll enjoy tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, games, toys, dancing, movies and video games.

Guest Services

Guest Services.

America Piano Bar

America Piano Bar.

Decks: 7 Empress 9 Promenade 10 Lido 11 Verandah

Rotterdam Bar

Rotterdam Bar.

United States Bar

United States Bar.

Leonardo Lounge

Leonardo Lounge.

Queen Mary Aft Lounge

Queen Mary Aft Lounge.

Paradise Atrium

Decks: 8 Atlantic 10 Lido 9 Promenade 12 Sports 11 Verandah

Paradise Atrium.

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

BlueIguana Tequila Bar is the onboard spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza. The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or by the pitcher, and even a special Mexican beer cocktail (yes, really). Where can you find this little slice of Mexican paradise? Next to the pool, of course. So stay cool and take in the bar’s vacation vibe while you kick back on your cruise – that’s what official bar mascot Blue the Iguana would tell you.

Red Frog Rum Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar.

Slide Entrance

Slide Entrance.

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Carnival Paradise Decks and Cabins

• 9 Promenade
• 11 Verandah
• Click here for ALL
• Small Interior
• Scenic Oceanview
• Junior Suite
• Grand Suite
• Grand Scenic Suite
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabins Check

Carnival Paradise cruise ship weighs 70k tons and has 1061 staterooms for up to 2546 passengers served by 980 crew . There are 14 passenger decks, 6 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 28 tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for Carnival Paradise showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all types of cabins including pictures and videos.

Carnival Paradise

Last Drydock: Oct 2023

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

GRAND SCENIC SUITE

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin G3

Sleeps up to: 5 2 Cabins Cabin: 348 sqft (33 m 2 ) Balcony: 62 sqft (6 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Click for    

More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, important size information, stateroom cabin perks, grand suite.

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin U107 and U111

Sleeps up to: 4 28 Cabins Cabin: 330 sqft (31 m 2 ) Balcony: 70 sqft (7 m 2 )

 Accessible Info [+/-]

More diagrams of this cabin type.

JUNIOR SUITE

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin V14 and V5

Sleeps up to: 3 48 Cabins Cabin: 220 sqft (21 m 2 ) Balcony: 20 sqft (2 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin M222 and U194

Sleeps up to: 4 98 Cabins Cabin: 185 sqft (17 m 2 ) Balcony: 35 sqft (3 m 2 )

SCENIC OCEANVIEW

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin G1

Sleeps up to: 4 2 Cabins Cabin: 230 sqft (22 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Similar to cabn M31 and R101

Sleeps up to: 4 466 Cabins Cabin: 185 sqft (17 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin R3

Sleeps up to: 4 58 Cabins Cabin: 170 sqft (16 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin U5 and U6

Sleeps up to: 4 340 Cabins Cabin: 170 sqft (16 m 2 )

SMALL INTERIOR

Floor Diagram Similar to cabin U169, U175

Sleeps up to: 4 19 Cabins Cabin: 160 sqft (15 m 2 )

Carnival Paradise Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

Carnival Paradise Quick Stats

Big picture carnival paradise decks.

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Carnival Paradise Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• Carnival Paradise DECK DRAG
• Carnival Paradise Cabin Check

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Best Carnival cruise ships: Here’s which ship you should sail, based on your travel style

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Choosing a Carnival cruise ship is no simple task, especially if you’re new to cruising. As one of the largest cruise brands in the world, Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, offering everything from megaship adventures to smaller-ship experiences. Many variables — price, embarkation dates, travel companions, ship size and amenities, and destination — can shape the way you make your choice.

So, what is the best Carnival cruise ship? Here are my picks for the top options in several categories.

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

Mardi Gras: Best Carnival cruise ship for families

The best Carnival cruise ship for kids is undoubtedly Mardi Gras . Not only is it one of Carnival’s newest vessels, but it’s also one of the largest, and it has tons of activities to keep families with children busy.

At the expansive kids club, daily programming includes scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and video games. The club draws in young cruisers and gives them space to make friends and play with peers. Beyond the dedicated kids facilities, the ship has a massive arcade and many top-deck diversions. One of these is the Ultimate Playground — a space encompassing a ropes course, waterslides and Bolt, the first-ever roller coaster at sea . (Note that the arcade and Bolt cost extra.)

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families  

Mardi Gras is full of fantastic family-friendly dining, including the line’s Dr. Seuss-themed Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (for a small fee). The ship also includes pizza, soft-serve ice cream, Shaq’s fried chicken and Guy Fieri burgers in its fares. Even the pickiest of eaters will be satisfied. Kids can order off special menus in the complimentary main dining rooms and join in their waiters’ rollicking dance performances just when they start to get antsy sitting still.

The ship also does a nice job of accommodating families of all sizes and budgets. Many of Mardi Gras’ standard cabins sleep at least four people, and the ship offers connecting cabins.

Its Family Harbor staterooms provide access to a special family lounge area with TVs, sitting areas and internet stations. Breakfast is offered there each morning, and snacks and drinks — including free soda — are provided throughout the day. So, you never have to go far when the kids need a snack. Cabins in the Family Harbor category feature a nautical theme, plenty of storage and space to sleep at least four people.

Mardi Gras’ new sister ship, Carnival Celebration, is also a fantastic option in this category, offering a nearly identical experience (with just a few changes in the names and themes of specific venues).

Carnival Horizon: Best ship for luxury lovers

Let’s be clear: Carnival is not a luxury cruise line, nor does it offer huge suites on most ships. The suites it has are smaller than most other brands’ high-end accommodations, and they do not include amenities like butler service.

With that in mind, one ship that offers slightly more exclusive options is Carnival Horizon — the second vessel in Carnival’s three-ship Vista class. It offers a top-deck, adults-only Serenity sun deck area; an extensive menu of spa treatments, salon services and fitness classes at the onboard Cloud 9 Spa; and a handful of upmarket cabin offerings.

If you’re into wellness, relaxation and self-care, check out the spa and fitness center’s manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, teeth whitening treatments, acupuncture, anti-wrinkle procedures, state-of-the-art cycling classes, thermal suite, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms for a fee. For digs that include pampering, try a Cloud 9 Spa cabin to receive extras like complimentary thermal suite access and two free yoga or Pilates classes.

Related: The 8 best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

If exclusive stateroom enclaves are what you seek, you’ll want to book one of the ship’s Havana Cabana cabins. They come in several varieties, from 185-square-foot insides to Havana Suites, which offer 260 square feet of interior space (with a dividing wall to separate sleeping and living areas), plus a 100-square-foot patio area with loungers and a hammock. All Havana Cabana cruisers get access to an exclusive lanai and pool deck. With a suite booking, you’ll also receive priority embarkation and disembarkation.

If a traditional suite is more your style, consider a Grand Suite, which includes priority embarkation, disembarkation and dining times, as well as access to the Havana pool area. Note, however, that Grand Suites run only 345 square feet with 85-square-foot balconies — disappointing when you consider some of Royal Caribbean’s largest rooms are nearly five times that size.

The only ships on which you’ll find larger accommodations are the line’s newest: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, all of which house Presidential Suites. Those accommodations offer 1,120 square feet of space with 600-square-foot balconies and separate living and sleeping areas. However, the ships — part of the line’s Excel Class — are so large and attract so many families that I’ve ruled them out as the most luxurious.

Carnival Conquest: Best ship for budget travelers

If you’re on a budget and simply looking for one of the cheapest Carnival cruise ships, a solid bet is Carnival Conquest. It offers Bahamas and Caribbean voyages of three to five nights. Think of it this way: The shorter the cruise , the less expensive it will be.

Plus, it sails from Miami, one of the world’s largest cruise hubs. More ships leaving from a specific port means more competition, which can drive prices lower.

Related: The 8 classes of Carnival ships, explained

Carnival Conquest is one of the line’s oldest ships, but it’s also a ton of fun. Because short sailings tend to attract a more lively crowd, passengers can expect lots of dancing, socializing and late nights at Henri’s Dance Club. During the day, passengers enjoy spending time around the pool and grabbing free burgers from Guy’s Burger Joint.

It’s also one of the few vessels left in the fleet that still features jaw-dropping interiors designed by renowned architect Joe Farcus, who made Carnival synonymous with quirky patterns, bright colors and neon lights.

At the time of publication, prices started from $47 per person, per night, for an inside cabin.

Carnival Sunrise: Best Carnival cruise ship for singles

Unfortunately, Carnival has been slow to adopt solo cabins, meaning that no ships in its fleet offer accommodations for one.

Because all staterooms are designed for double occupancy, it’s generally a rule that a person traveling alone must pay both fares. This means they would pay twice as much per person as two people sharing a room.

Related: The best cruise ships for solo travelers

In order to make the single supplement as affordable as possible, solo Carnival cruisers will want to balance finding an inexpensive vessel with choosing one that sails short itineraries. They’ll also probably want one that’s a bit livelier (read: not the oldest in the fleet).

A great contender for the title of best Carnival ship for singles is Carnival Sunrise. Formerly Carnival Triumph, the ship was completely gutted, overhauled and renamed in 2019. Although it originally debuted in 1999, it feels fresh and nearly new. It offers the line’s signature Serenity adults-only sun deck, RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and a slew of lounges, nightclubs and daily activities.

Combine that with short, affordable voyages from Miami, and you can sail to the Bahamas or Caribbean for four or five nights from as little as $104 per night if you’re solo. Short sailings also tend to draw a more fun-loving, social crowd. So, if your goal is to mingle and potentially meet other solo cruisers, you stand a good chance on Carnival Sunrise.

Carnival Pride: Best ship for retirees

Retired travelers have all the time in the world to take longer cruises, which generally allow them to visit more far-flung locales. Those trips can come with a substantial price tag, which is why, as a budget option, Carnival is such a great choice.

In particular, Carnival Pride’s voyages consist of nine- and 12-night itineraries to the Baltic, British Isles and Iceland on a regular cadence. Longer voyages mean more time to explore but also fewer children and less of a frat party vibe. (Take note if you’re thinking of bringing your grandkids.)

Related: The 7 best cruises for seniors who love to travel

Carnival Pride is one of the oldest ships sailing for Carnival. That actually works in its favor if you’re a retiree who enjoys smaller ships and vintage design — in this case, more artwork and decor by Farcus.

In addition to a comedy club and an onboard spa, the ship also offers an adults-only sun deck, several bars and lounges, and plenty of dining options and daily activities to stave off boredom on longer voyages.

Bottom line

So, which Carnival cruise ship is the best? It all depends on your specific preferences. Whether you’re searching for an inexpensive vacation, a family-friendly vessel or a ship that will take you on a longer voyage to Europe, there’s a Carnival cruise to fit your taste and budget.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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• What to pack for your first cruise

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Carnival cancels cruises after ship catches fire in bad weather

Customers are facing cancellations after a Carnival Cruise Line ship caught fire during bad weather on Saturday.

The company said cruises scheduled for March 25 and March 29 from Port Canaveral will not embark. Carnival also issued the following statement.

“We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

The Carnival Freedom caught fire while sailing in the Bahamas. The company said there were multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike.

The ship was heading to Freeport after canceling a call to Princess Cay due to the bad weather. According to a release, the fire broke out on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel, causing a portion to fall onto the deck.

Bay area residents Morgan Letchworth and Jacob Tures had just put their two young daughters down to a nap when they woke up to an emergency announcement on-board.

"It was pretty scary to be asleep and then get an announcement about a fire. It wasn't fun," Morgan said. "You can see people walking around in their life jackets. It was just kind of scary."

It's the second time in two years the Carnival Freedom's funnel caught fire, happening back in May of 2022.

Carnival Cruise Line now sending the ship back to Freeport for repairs, while fully refunding passengers on board the two cancelled trips this week.

"We are heartbroken," said Keen Red-Elk from West Lafayette, Indiana. "Luckily, we will go on another one we are positive about that."

Red-Elk said not only is the family getting fully-refunded for this trip, but a 100% credit for a future cruise and Carnival offered passengers up to $200 dollars a person for airfare he said.

"So in essence two [cruises] for the price of one," he said.

This while Morgan said she and her family were offered nothing for their troubles on ship.

"Obviously it's not their fault, but still our vacation was kind of ruined because we couldn't do stuff," she said. "The whole back was closed. There was a seafood restaurant, they had the track closed, the basketball courts closed, all of that."

A Carnival spokesperson told ABC Action News once the ship was cleaned of debris it was back to being "fully operational".

Though frustrated families who were on-board say it's not true and want to be compensated in some way.

"We made the best of what we could for our kids and us, but I don't think I should feel the way I do after getting off a vacation," Morgan said. "I shouldn't have anxiety."

Another viewer emailed ABC Action News with the same frustrations.

"Feel awful for my kid. She spent her (own) hard earned money to go and had a horrible experience," the email said.

No injuries to guests were reported, but two members of the firefighting crew were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

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A Carnival cruise that left Baltimore last week will return to a different port and bus passengers home

• Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday morning after a container ship crashed into it.
• Carnival Cruise Line  is temporarily relocating the Carnival Legend's homeport from Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia.
• The company is providing guests on the ship, returning on Sunday, with a bus back to Baltimore.

On Sunday, travelers on Carnival Cruise Line's Legend ship will return home after a relaxing weeklong vacation in the Caribbean.

But instead of disembarking at the ship's homeport as planned, these cruisers will soon find themselves a four-hour bus ride away in Norfolk, Virginia, as the Port of Baltimore remains closed following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Related stories

Amid the disruption, Carnival said it had moved the Carnival Legend's March 31 disembarkation from Baltimore to Norfolk, Virginia, where it will temporarily remain homeported. The company will provide guests on the ship's Caribbean voyage a free bus back to Baltimore.

The Carnival Legend's next weeklong cruise, embarking the same day it returns, will sail roundtrip from Norfolk, about a four-hour drive from Baltimore. The cruise line said it will update future guests on its plans to return to Maryland.

Carnival's Carnival Pride and Legend, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Sea, and American Cruise Line's American Glory are all scheduled to sail from the Port of Baltimore in April. The companies did not immediately respond to Business Insider's inquiry about potential itinerary changes.

Experts told Business Insider that the Port of Baltimore's ongoing closure could amount to a daily $15 million loss in economic activity .

While the port is vitally important for certain imports and exports, it represents a relatively small portion of US cruise departures, with smaller ships compared to hubs like Florida. More than 444,000 people embarked on cruises there in 2023, according to state officials.

Watch: The container ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge has crashed before

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Video shows Carnival Freedom on fire, again. Two upcoming cruises were canceled. Here's what to know

The Carnival Freedom 's next two sailings have been canceled after the cruise ship, based out of Florida, caught fire . Again.

Carnival initially said there were no expected changes in its schedule but on Sunday afternoon announced cancellations of the Monday and Friday cruises out of Port Canaveral, which come during a busy spring break period.

"Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought, and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," according to a statement issued by Matt Lupoli, Carnival Cruise Line's senior manager of public relations. "The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs."

This is the second time in less than two years this cruise ship's funnel has caught on fire and disrupted the schedule.

Carnival cruise fire: Carnival Freedom's next two cruises from Port Canaveral canceled after exhaust funnel fire

When did the Carnival Freedom catch on fire?

The fire broke out on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel area at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Carnival said.

The ship was 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. It was intended to call on the Carnival private island of Princess Cay but had rerouted toward Freeport due to adverse weather.

"The ship’s fire response team was quickly activated, and the ship’s captain also turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximize the efforts to put out the flames," an earlier Carnival statement said. The fire was put out by 5:20 p.m., the cruise line said.

Why did the Carnival Freedom cruise ship catch fire?

Unknown at this time.

"Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike, and that is being investigated," Carnival said, "but cannot yet be confirmed."

Was anyone hurt in the Carnival Freedom fire?

The cruise line said there were no reports of passenger injuries, although two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation and part of the funnel fell onto Deck 10, according to Carnival.

There were about 3.700 passengers aboard.

Which Carnival Freedom cruises have been canceled?

While initially the cruise line said the schedule would not be affected, further investigation found more damage than suspected. Scheduled cruises for Monday, March 25 and Friday, March 29 have been canceled.

Can I get a refund for my canceled Carnival Freedom cruise?

"We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation<' Carnival Cruises said in a statement. "We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit, so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

Where is Port Canaveral?

Port Canaveral, Florida is located on a barrier island between the Banana River and the Atlantic Ocean just north of Cape Canaveral. The port is 54 miles from Orlando and 75 miles from Daytona Beach.

What is the funnel on a cruise ship?

A cruise ship exhaust funnel works as a smokestack to lift emissions away from the deck and from passengers and crew. They're often called stacks.

The Carnival Freedom debuted a new stylized winged funnel in October last year after a 16-day dry-dock refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain. Carnival cruise funnels are referred to as the whale tail.

Has the Carnival Freedom cruise ship caught on fire before?

A fire broke out in the funnel area in May 2022 while it was docked in Grand Turk. Three scheduled sailings were canceled while the ship was repaired at a shipyard in Grand Bahama.

The ship was carrying about 2,500 passengers at the time and a crew of about 1,100, according to the cruise line. There were no injuries reported.

Which cruise ship caught fire?

The  Carnival Freedom  caught on fire on Saturday, March 23.

The 110,000-ton vessel made its inaugural sail in 2007.  The Freedom, which has 13 decks, can hold up to 3,754 passengers and 1,150 crew members. 

Has a Carnival cruise ship ever sank?

No. But one has been shipwrecked.

On Jan. 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia struck a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. The ship, which was owned by a Carnival Corporation subsidiary, when the captain steered the 952-foot, 13-deck ship close to the shore to "impress the passengers" and tore a 160-foot gash in the port hull.

Captain Francesco Schettino was found guilty of manslaughter in 2015 and sentenced to 16 years in prison for the deaths of 32 passengers and crewmembers.

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Santa Catalina Island CA (Avalon, California)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region West Coast USA and Canada

Local Time 2024-04-02 21:24

Port Santa Catalina Island CA cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Santa Catalina Island CA, Avalon, California. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Santa Catalina Island (aka Catalina Island) is located off California's coast (USA) in the Gulf of Santa Catalina (Pacific Ocean). The island has length of 35 km (22 mi) and max width of 13 km (8 mi). It is located approx 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Los Angeles . Its highest elevation point (Mt Orizaba) is 639 m (2097 ft). Catalina Island is part of Channel Islands (Californian archipelago of 8 islands).

The island's only town is Avalon - located on the southeastern coast.

Originally, Catalina was settled by Native Americans who named the island Pimu (Pimugna). The first Europeans on Catalina were the Spanish, but over the years, territorial claims were transferred to Mexico and later to USA. The island was developed as tousit destination in the early 1920s by William Wrigley Jr (1861-1832, chewing gum industrialist.

Of Catalina's total population (around 4,000), nearly 90% live in Avalon (island's only city). Online searching for "Isla Catalina" often results in finding three Catalina-named islands - the namesakes Isla Catalina (Baja Mexico), Isla Catalina (Dominican Republic) and the island Santa Catalina (California USA).

Santa Catalina Island CA cruise terminal

Cruise ships to Santa Catalina Island California anchor at sea near Avalon - port town on the southeastern coast. Between the anchored ship and the port (Green Pleasure Pier), passengers are transported via the ship's tender boats.

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Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival, royal caribbean will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

On Thursday, the cruise company said the current sailing would end in Norfolk.

“Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.

Upcoming cruises on April 4 and 12 will sail from Norfolk as well, and passengers will be compensated for the change. The ship was already scheduled for maintenance in the Bahamas after the April 12 cruise.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.

Frequently Asked Questions

2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival cruise

MIAMI — Two crew members died on board a Holland America cruise ship, and a fire broke out on a Carnival ship while both of the ships were in the Bahamas this weekend, officials said.

The two crew on the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam died Friday during an "accidental steam release" while it was calling at the private resort island Half Moon Cay, Holland America said in a statement on Sunday.

"There was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members," the cruise line said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board were investigating the exact cause of the release, Holland America said.

A representative of the Bahama’s Coroner’s Court did not immediately respond to a request for information, such as the crew members’ identities and the cause and manner of death.

The cruise line said the conclusions of any investigation would be taken seriously. "Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident," it said.

Passenger Laine Doss said she was on board when the captain announced the deaths on the vessel's P.A. system.

"We were celebrating the last day of the cruise," she said, when the mood changed "to something extremely somber."

The captain's voice broke, she said.

"He broke down crying," Doss said. "There was a moment of silence that the captain requested. And that entire scenario did affect the entire cruise. Things were canceled, joyous events were canceled, and we really just thought about mortality — the people who perished on the ship."

Crew members were being offered counseling, Holland America said.

Dutch government inspectors determined the vessel to be "fully operable," and this was "confirmed" by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cruise line said.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said she was looking into the statement and was unable to immediately confirm it.

The Nieuw Amsterdam returned Saturday to its home port of Fort Lauderdale, guests disembarked, and the vessel has embarked on a cruise with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday, Holland America said.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event," the cruise line said. "We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time."  

The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

Fire on the port-side exhaust funnel of another Florida-based cruise ship in the Bahamas, the Carnival Freedom, rocked some passengers Saturday and took the ship out of commission for repairs, the cruise line said.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement Sunday, Carnival Cruises acknowledged witness reports of a lightning strike or the sound of thunder before the fire erupted.

Passenger Heath Barnes said the ship was on a detoured path, destined for an unscheduled stop in Freeport, as a result of stormy weather and high winds when fire started.

"I was shocked," he said. "I mean, I looked out there and you're not supposed to see black smoke and fire shooting out of the tail end of the cruise."

The blaze was preceded by "the loudest thunder-lightning clap that I've ever heard in my life," Barnes said.

Ship personnel extinguished the fire, Carnival Cruises said.

The cruise line said a technical team determined the ship sustained enough damage that it will need repairs before it can be returned to scheduled cruises. The funnel was stabilized, passengers were expected to be returned to Port Canaveral, and the ship will set off to Freeport for repairs, it said.

"The damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruises said.

Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said.

It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom since 2022.

Marissa Parra is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

Carnival cruise ship catches fire after possible lightning strike

(CNN) – A Carnival cruise ship caught fire Saturday near the Bahamas.

Passengers say the Carnival Freedom was likely struck by lightning during a violent storm.

That, however, has not been confirmed, and the cause is still being investigated.

The ship sustained major damage to its exhaust funnel. Carnival says the fire caused the funnel to fall onto the deck.

The captain turned the ship toward an area with heavy rain to help put out the flames. It took about two hours to put out the fire.

There were no reports of injuries, but two firefighters were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Passengers were able to attend dinner as planned on Saturday night, but the damaged deck area remained closed.

The ship returned to Florida on Monday.

Cruises on the ship that were originally scheduled to depart on Monday and Friday have been canceled as the ship undergoes repairs.

Carnival says passengers will get a full refund and a credit for a future cruise.

Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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