Ranked: Carnival Cruise Ships by Size

Since 1972, Carnival has been sailing the vast oceans of the world, delivering incredible vacation experiences to millions of happy passengers. In 2021, Carnival operated an impressive fleet of 24 different ships, with more enormous ships planned by the company. 

Have you ever wondered which is the biggest ship in the Carnival fleet? Perhaps you want to know what the average weight of Carnival’s cruise lineup is. Or how many decks a specific class has? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions and more as we delve deep into this article about Carnival cruise ships by size. 

Cruise Ships by the Numbers

With so many ships in their fleet, it’s helpful to arrange them by size and cruise type as you begin narrowing your search. Below are all the Carnival cruise ships by size.

Ship	Class	Weight (tons)	Length (feet)	Passenger Capacity	Passenger Decks	Cruise Duration
Celebration	Excellence	180,800	1,131	5,374	18	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Mardis Gras	Excellence	180,000	1,130	5,282	17	6-9 days
Jubilee	Excellence	183,900	1,129	5,374	18	6-9, 10+ days
Vista	Vista	133,500	1,055	3,934	15	2-5, 6-9 days
Panorama	Vista	133,500	1,055	5,146	15	6-9 days
Horizon	Vista	133,500	1,055	3,960	15	6-9 days
Dream	Dream	130,000	1,004	3,646	14	6-9, 10+ days
Breeze	Dream	130,000	1,004	3,690	14	2-5 days
Magic	Dream	130,000	1,004	3,960	14	2-5, 6-9 days
Miracle	Spirit	88,500	963	2,124	12	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Pride	Spirit	88,500	963	2,124	12	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Legend	Spirit	88,500	963	2,124	12	6-9, 10+ days
Spirit	Spirit	88,500	963	2,124	12	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Splendor	Splendor	113,300	952	3,012	13	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Conquest	Conquest	110,000	952	2,980	13	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Glory	Conquest	110,000	952	2,980	13	6-9, 10+ days
Valor	Conquest	110,000	952	2,980	13	2-5 days
Liberty	Conquest	110,000	952	2,974	13	2-5 days
Freedom	Conquest	110,000	952	2,980	13	2-5, 6-9 days
Sunshine	Sunshine	102,853	893	3,002	13	2-5, 6-9, 10+ days
Radiance	Sunshine	101,509	893	2,984	13	2-5, 10+ days
Sunrise	Sunshine	101,509	893	2,984	13	2-5 days
Ecstasy	Fantasy	70,367	855	2,056	10	2-5, 10+ days
Elation	Fantasy	70,367	855	2,190	10	2-5, 6-9 days
Paradise	Fantasy	70,367	855	2,124	10	2-5, 6-9 days

Excel-class

The Excel-class (also known as Excellence) consists of three ships, Celebration, Mardi Gras, and Jubilee. These three vessels are 1,131 feet long and weigh a staggering 180,000 gross tons. Each ship carries more than 7,000 passengers and crew. They are the largest vessels in the Carnival fleet. 

Celebration

Celebration is the second of the class and was built in Finland. The ship is homeported in Miami, Florida. It features ten restaurants, with outposts from Shaq and Guy Fieri, a Bolt sea rollercoaster, a waterpark, and extensive entertainment facilities.

Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras joined Carnival’s fleet in 2020. This ship was built in Turku, Finland, and sails the Caribbean from its homeport of Port Canaveral. Due to its size, a specially-constructed terminal was built, costing more than $160 million. It was the most expensive project in the port’s history. This ship has 11 restaurants, including one from Emeril Lagasse, and a roller coaster.

Jubilee

The final example of the -class, the Jubilee was built in Finland. It was originally ordered for AIDA Cruises. It is slightly larger than its sister ships, with a projected weight of 183,000 gross tons. It houses ten restaurants, endless bars, and entertainment opportunities. 

Vista-class

Carnival’s Vista-class comprises the Panorama, Vista, and Horizon. These three ships are identical in size, weighing 133,500 gross tons and being 1,055 feet in length. Their 15 decks can hold almost 4,000 passengers.

Panorama

The Panorama has been delighting cruisers since it entered service in 2019. It was built in Italy and sails from Los Angeles to Mexico. On its voyages, Panorama thrills passengers with ten restaurants, including two from Guy Fieri, and many exciting entertainment opportunities, such as a water park, playhouse, and trampoline park (the latter of which is unique to this vessel).

Vista

Sailing to the Caribbean from either Florida or Texas, the Vista was built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy. It entered service in 2016. This ship offers nine restaurants, numerous bars, a water park, a playhouse, a day spa, and many other amenities.

Horizon

Horizon was built in Marghera, Italy. Since entering service in 2018, Horizon has been sailing from Miami to the Caribbean. It offers nine restaurants, an IMAX theater, a waterpark, a spa, and an adults-only retreat.

Dream-class

Carnival operates three Dream-class vessels, Magic, Dream, and Breeze. One other, the Costa Diadema, serves with Costa Cruises and is the largest example of the class. The three Carnival ships are 1,004 feet long, weigh 130,000 gross tons, and have 14 passenger decks. While passenger numbers vary, they carry an average of slightly over 3,600.

Breeze

Breeze sails from Galveston, TX, to the Caribbean for short trips of five days or less. It offers nine restaurants, including two from Guy Fieri, the Lip Sync battle game show, a tequila bar, and mixology bar, a waterpark, and a spa and retreat. The breeze came into service in 2012 and was the last Dream built.

Magic

Sailing the seas since 2011, Magic is one of the most prolific ships in Carnival’s fleet, sailing to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada from ports in Florida, Virginia, and New York. The Magic features ten restaurants, several bars and pubs, plenty of kids-only and adults-only entertainment options, and a fun-filled water park. 

Dream

The Dream has been delighting sailors since 2009 with its impressive array of top-class amenities. Ten restaurants, including two from Guy Fieri, a water park, an ice cream bar, and a comedy club, help make the Dream one of the most fun ships in the fleet. The dream was the first Carnival ship to host a multi-slide water park.

Splendor-class

The Splendor is unique in the Carnival fleet as it has no sister ships because it was originally built for Costa Cruises. It is a mid-sized vessel that accommodates over 3,000 passengers across over 1,500 luxury staterooms. Built in Italy, Splendor joined the fleet in 2008. It weighs 113,300 gross tons, is 952 feet in length, has 13 passenger decks, and carries more than 3,000 passengers.

There are eight restaurants, an ice cream bar, and 24-hour room service with the many entertainment options on board. 

Conquest-class

This class of five (Conquest, Glory, Liberty, Valor, and Freedom) is an enlarged version of the Dream series of ships. Rooms are themed and reflect the ship’s name. These ships are 980 feet long, have an impressive weight of 110,000 gross tons, and offer comfortable accommodation to almost 3,000 people.

Conquest

Sailing to the Caribbean, the Miami-based Conquest embarks on cruises up to two weeks long. Conquest is the oldest of the class, entering service in 2002. French impressionism inspired its interior decor as a homage to New Orleans. This expansive ship has ten restaurants, several bars, kids-only destinations, a comedy club, and a playhouse.

Glory

Sailing from New Orleans to the Caribbean and Panama, the Italian-built Glory is nearly identical to its sister ship Conquest. Ten restaurants and entertainment include a playhouse, comedy club, water park, and several kid-only destinations.

Liberty

Liberty, homeported in Orlando, Florida, operates in the Caribbean. Constructed in Italy, Liberty was the first Carnival ship to be equipped with a “Seaside Theater”. Elsewhere, there are nine restaurants, including an outpost from Guy Fieri, a coffee bar, a water slide, and a comedy club.

Valor

The Valor sails from New Orleans to the Caribbean on a weekend and five-day cruises. Its features are similar to its sister ships. Valor began its maiden voyage in 2004. In 2020, it hosted ShipRocked, a rock-theme cruise featuring several artists.

Freedom

Sailing from Orlando to the Caribbean, Freedom was the last of the Conquests to join the fleet, entering service in 2007. Passengers can enjoy access to a nightclub, piano bar, rum and tequila bars, a waterpark, and a day camp for the kids. The Italian-built cruise ship sustained significant fire damage while docked in Grand Turk in May 2022.

Sunshine-class

The Sunshine-class consists of three ships with a length of 893 feet and a weight of more than 100,000 gross tons. There are 13 decks, housing about 3,000 passengers.

Sunshine

The Sunshine, originally the Destiny, was the first passenger ship to exceed 100,000 gross tons. It sails from Charleston, SC, and features eight restaurants, a waterpark, and plenty of excitement for the kids. 

Radiance

Carnival Radiance joined the fleet in 2000. It has ten restaurants, including Shaq’s BIG Chicken and two Guy Fieri spots, bars, and the SportSquare outdoor recreation area.

Sunrise

Sunrise operates in the Caribbean and is homeported to Miami. The ship features Piano Bar 88, the Punchliner comedy club, nine restaurants, and a coffee shop. 

Spirit-class

The Spirit-class was built in Finland. It consists of four ships, each with a length of 963 feet and a weight of 88,500 tons. Its 13 decks house almost 2,200 guests.

Miracle

The Miracle sails from California to some of the world’s most incredible destinations, including Alaska and Hawaii. features eight restaurants, a pizzeria, and an ice cream bar to go along with multiple bars and entertainment options. 

Pride

Once the flagship of Carnival, Pride has multiple homeports throughout Europe and the US East Coast. It offers eight restaurants, including the Normandie dining room, a water park, a comedy club, and a spa.

Legend

Legend joined the fleet in 2002 and is homeported in Baltimore and Europe, traveling to destinations like Bermuda, Bahamas, and Canada. Several restaurants include Guy’s Burger Joint, a Build-a-Bear Workshop, and a water park.

Spirit

The Spirit sails from ports across the United States and Brisbane, Australia. It was the first Carnival vessel to sail year-round from Australia. Spirit boasts several restaurants, two different dessert destinations, and a coffee shop. When you’re done eating, check out the water park, theater, or mini-golf course.

Fantasy-class

This class is the smallest and oldest on the list, with just ten passenger decks accommodating between 2,000 and 2,200 people. Another class built in Finland, these are 855 feet long and weigh in at 70,367 gross tons. All three ships have a Seuss Sea experience for kids.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is the oldest ship in the Carnival fleet, and once provided emergency accommodation to relief workers and survivors during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It offers eight restaurants, ice cream and coffee bars, Build-a-Bear, and WaterWorks for the kids, and plenty of exciting full-service and specialty bars.

Elation

Elation was the first Carnival ship equipped with an Azipod propulsion system, sailing to the Caribbean and the Bahamas from the Port of Jacksonville. Elation has eight restaurants, ice cream bars, a theater, a comedy club, and a spa.  

Paradise

The last of the Fantasy ships, Paradise had the distinction of being the first non-smoking ship in the world when the policy was introduced in 1999. It sails from Tampa to the Caribbean and offers seven restaurants, plenty of bars, a day camp for the kids, games, and contests. 

Final Thoughts

Carnival is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious cruise companies.

Unsurprisingly, they have an impressive fleet sailing to various destinations. Carnival cruise ships by size vary, from the enormous Mardi Gras (weighing 180,000 gross tons) to the more modestly proportioned Paradise. 

These vessels are more akin to floating hotels than the passenger ships of the past, like the QEII or Titanic. And, no matter which you voyage on, countless amenities keep you entertained and pampered.