7 Best Carnival Cruise Ships Ranked By Travellers

Carnival is one of the hottest cruise lines in the world. In fact, among the cruise lines ranked, US News gave Carnival the No. 5 spot in terms of value for the money you pay. While Princes Cruises are fun, The Carnival Cruise Ship experience is best for families.

With over 25 ships currently in service, the worst thing about travelling on a Carnival cruise ship is figuring out which one you’re going to sail on. And, whether you’re going to sail to the Greek Islands or stay in the Caribbean. However, that’s the small price you pay when sailing the open seas in style.

If you’re planning a Carnival cruise vacation in 2020, then we thought we’d round up the top Carnival Cruise ships review. We scoured current rankings and Cruise Critic reviews in order to help you make sense of the best Carnival cruise ships.

Best Carnival Cruise Ships, How do these rankings work?

1. Carnival Glory

Back in 2003, the Carnival Glory was one of the first Carnival cruise ships to be outfitted with what they called “Fun Ship 2.0” amenities. Extensive buffet options and a full-fledged steakhouse ensure that foodies will always be in their element. Service on the ship is also always great, making it easily one of the best Carnival cruise ships in 2020.

Cruise Critic Review: “From our cabin steward to the staff at Guest Services, everyone, bar none, was delightful, courteous, and seemed genuinely interested in assisting their passengers.”

2. Carnival Legend

The same US News report that ranked Carnival cruises at the No. 5 cruise line in America ranked Carnival Legend as the absolute best Carnival cruise ship. And, it’s not hard to see why. Entertainment is top-notch, and the food and dining experiences are world-class. Treat yourself to a drink at the BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar or at the RedFrog Rum Bar.

Cruise Critic Review: “We wanted to relax this cruise and that is what we did on the Legend, thanks to its fantastic crew.”

3. Carnival Conquest

Carnival Conquest is Carnivals best budget-friendly cruise ship. You’ll get all of the style and perks without such a big price tag, and that’s something to rave about. The ship takes shorter cruises throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean while still offering guests the chance to indulge in updated interiors and lots of fun things to see and do.

Cruise Critic Review: “All I can say is wow, this was an amazing cruise. The staff on the Conquest was so polite, gracious, helpful attentive to all your needs. I felt like I was rich for seven days.”

4. Carnival Vista

Non-stop action is what travellers love about Carnival Vista. It sets sail from Galveston’s port, making it an accessible cruise for people from all over the United States. You’ll never get bored aboard the Carnival Vista, with amenities that include a unique 4D Thrill Theater and the adrenaline-inducing suspended bike attraction that’ll let you soar above the open seas.

Cruise Critic Review: “Sailed this cruise for New Years and loved almost everything about it. The free food on board was excellent, the entertainment was fantastic, and I don’t have enough time to describe how incredibly hard every crew member worked to make it the best cruise possible.”

5. Carnival Miracle

Built in 2013, the Carnival Miracle is one of the cruise line’s newer ships. And, it shows. The ship is consistently ranked as offering some of the absolute best amenities in the cruise ship game. A lush garden-themed promenade welcomes guests aboard where they’ll enjoy everything from an interactive game of CLUE to a SkyBox Sports Bar that’s great for catching a big game.

Cruise Critic Review: “Cabin was nice, balcony for us was key to relaxation! We would definitely go with Carnival again. Variety of activities available onboard for all ages.”

6. Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon only set sail in 2018, making it easily one of the newest Carnival cruise ships to test out. A Dr. Seuss-themed water park ensures that it’s also one of the best Carnival cruise ships for families with little ones. Havana suites and Cloud 9 spa staterooms ensure that mom and dad won’t miss out on all of the fun either.

Cruise Critic Review: “We just returned from the eight-day Southern itinerary and enjoyed the ship immensely. This was my 19th cruise, on eight different cruise lines, so I do have a pretty good basis of comparison. The service was outstanding, the food was very good, and the entertainment was the best I have experienced on any ship or any line.”

7. Carnival Inspiration

The Carnival Inspiration is massive. In fact, it holds up to over 2,000 passengers at any given time. If you’re into activities, this is easily one of the best Carnival cruise ships for you. It’s got six bars and lounges, a mini-golf course, a video game arcade and a full-on WaterWorks water park. Talk about a superb stay-cation out on the open seas.

Cruise Critic Review: “When we take short cruises, we often like to go Carnival as they really do provide the most fun. Our cabin service, as well as our food servers, were outstanding.”