Carnival Cruise Ships

Since its beginnings in the 1970s, Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a wide range of cruise ships. While sizes and features change, all are characterized by a top-notch yet affordable cruise experience of exciting port excursions, numerous onboard activities, and multiple dining choices.

Carnival Cruise ships are grouped into seven classes. These include:

Fantasy Class

The oldest class of Carnival Cruise Line, these ships have been in use as far back as the early 1990s. Gross tonnage is 70,367 for each vessel. Home ports are located throughout the United States, from Tampa to Long Beach to Miami and even Charleston. Ships in this class include the Carnival Fantasy, the Carnival Ecstasy, the Carnival Sensation, the Carnival Fascination, the Carnival Imagination, the Carnival Inspiration, the Carnival Elation, and the Carnival Paradise.

Destiny Class

A single-ship class, Destiny features the Carnival Destiny, which debuted in 1996. Significantly larger than the Fantasy class ships, the Carnival Destiny has gross tonnage of 101,353. Update: The Carnival Destiny has been completely refurbished and renamed the Carnival Sunshine.

Triumph Class

Similar to Destiny Class ships, Carnival's Triumph vessels are slightly larger (101,509 gross tonnage) and are equipped with additional features. The first ship, Carnival Triumph, set sail in 1999, with the Carnival Victory included a year later. Such ships consider Galveston, San Juan, and Miami their home ports.

Spirit Class

With its first ship introduced in 2001, the Spirit Class includes the Carnival Spirit, the Carnival Pride, the Carnival Legend, and the Carnival Miracle. All ships have 88,500 gross tonnage. Home ports are scattered domestically and internationally, from Sydney, Australia to Tampa.

Conquest Class

With ships introduced starting in 2002, Conquest Class ships all are 110,000 GT and call several domestic ports home. Included in this class, with the latest ship introduced in 2007, are the Carnival Conquest, the Carnival Glory, the Carnival Valor, the Carnival Liberty, and the Carnival Freedom.

Splendor Class

Another single-ship class, the 113,300 GT ship Carnival Splendor provides Caribbean, Bahamas and Canada cruises from New York.

Dream Class

Carnival's latest ship class, the Dream Class began in 2009. This series of 128,000 GT liners includes the Carnival Dream, the Carnival Magic, and the Carnival Breeze, which are the company's largest vessels thus

far.