Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison and is the parent brand of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company by number of ships and passengers. Its headquarters are in Miami. Carnival has a clear brand identity: the Fun Ships concept – affordable prices, a relaxed atmosphere, no dress code, plenty of activities, and large water slides. This positions the line primarily toward the American mainstream market, including families and young adults.

The fleet comprises over two dozen ships. The newest and largest are the Excel-class LNG ships Carnival Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), and Carnival Jubilee (2023) – each measuring 180,800 gross tons and featuring BOLT, the first roller coaster on a cruise ship. The Vista class (Vista, Horizon, Panorama) offers comparable size without LNG propulsion. Carnival Venezia (2023) and Carnival Firenze (2024) are former Costa ships that were reflagged for the US market.

The onboard language is English and the onboard currency is the US dollar. Key itinerary regions include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and Alaska – typically 3- to 8-day voyages. Carnival is well known for its live comedy shows, Guy Fieri's onboard burger restaurant (Guy's Burger Joint), and the casino experience (Casino at Sea).