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We'd rather tell you it isn't than have you spend a week on the wrong ship.
Strong fit for
Budget-conscious families
First-time cruisers testing the format
Short 3–5 night getaways
Travellers who can drive to a home port
Groups wanting a social atmosphere
Probably not for
Travellers seeking a refined or quiet atmosphere
Those prioritising gourmet dining
Cruisers who dislike party energy
Anyone wanting extensive enrichment programming
The fleet, class by class
Two ships from the same line at the same fare can deliver completely different holidays. Class is the single most useful thing to understand before you choose.
Excel class
Not yet verified
Entered service2020
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
roller coaster at seamultiple dining zoneswaterworks
Typically sails Caribbean, Bahamas
Source pending verification
Vista class
Not yet verified
Entered service2016
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
IMAX theatreropes coursewaterworks
Typically sails Caribbean, Mediterranean
Source pending verification
Dream class
Not yet verified
Entered service2009
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
waterworkslarge pool decks
Typically sails Caribbean, Bahamas
Source pending verification
Conquest class
Not yet verified
Entered service2002
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
classic layoutvalue deployment
Typically sails Caribbean, Mexico
Source pending verification
Spirit class
Not yet verified
Entered service2001
Guests (double occ.)Not yet verified
DecksNot yet verified
Gross tonnageNot yet verified
smaller footprintunusual itineraries
Typically sails Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal
Source pending verification
Which class fits your trip?A specialist knows which ships are actually deployed where, and when.
This is the question that trips up most first-time cruisers. The fare covers a lot, but the gap between fare and final bill is where budgets go wrong. Here's the honest split.
Daily gratuityNot yet verified per guest, per day, added automatically to your onboard account. Suites may be charged at a different rate (Not yet verified). This is a published service charge, not a fare.
Included in your fare
Main dining roomSet or flexible seating
BuffetOpen most of the day
Select casual venues
Main theatre productions
Pools and sports decks
Fitness centreClasses may carry a fee
Kids club
Water, drip coffee, tea, select juice
Costs extra
GratuitiesAuto-added daily per guest; VERIFY current amount
Alcohol, soda, speciality coffeePackages available
Speciality restaurantsCover charge or à la carte
Wi-fiTiered packages
Shore excursions
Spa and salon
Casino and arcade
Laundry and pressing
Source pending verification
Inclusions change more often than any other detail on this page, which is why we re-verify this section every 30 days. Confirm what applies to your specific sailing with the agency that books it.
Choosing a cabin without regret
On the same deck, at the same price, one cabin can be perfect and the next can sit under the nightclub. Cabin number matters as much as cabin category.
Categories offered
VERIFY - list the line's own category names
Cabin types worth understanding
Before you pick a number
Cabins directly beneath the pool deck, buffet, theatre or nightclub can carry noise
Mid-ship, lower decks feel steadiest in rough water
Check deck plans for obstructed-view balconies before booking on price alone
Connecting cabinsNot yet verified
Accessible cabins per shipNot yet verified
Solo cabinsNot yet verified
Want the actual cabin numbers to avoid?That detail isn't published anywhere. It's what a specialist does in two minutes.
Age bands decide whether siblings are together or split across two clubs — the single most common family surprise on board. Check them before you choose a ship.
Kids clubCamp Ocean
Age bandsNot yet verified
Minimum sailing ageNot yet verified
NurseryNot yet verified
Teen programmeNot yet verified
BabysittingNot yet verified
Source pending verification
Accessibility
Accessible cabins are limited in number and sell out long before general inventory. If you need one, booking early matters more here than anywhere else in travel.
Tender ports Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary
Accessible cabin categoriesNot yet verified
Wheelchair & scooter policyNot yet verified
Service animalsNot yet verified
Medical equipmentNot yet verified
Source pending verification
Need an accessible cabin?Availability isn't visible on booking sites. A specialist can check it directly.
Regions run on seasons. Picking the right month usually matters more than picking the right ship.
Region
Operating months
Notes
Alaska
Not yet verified
Bahamas
Not yet verified
Caribbean
Not yet verified
Hawaii
Not yet verified
Mediterranean
Not yet verified
Mexico
Not yet verified
Panama Canal
Not yet verified
Home portsNot yet verified
Typical lengthsNot yet verified
Source pending verification
What actually drives the cost
We don't publish fares — they move daily and any number here would be wrong by the time you read it. What doesn't change is what moves the price. Understand these six and you'll know whether a quote is good before you're told.
Home port choice
Driving instead of flying removes the largest single variable for most families. Compare drive-to ports before anything else.
Sailing length
Short 3–5 night sailings cost less overall but more per night. Seven nights is often better value per day.
Ship age
Newer classes command a premium over older tonnage sailing similar routes.
Cabin category
Interior to balcony is the biggest single step. Cove balconies sit in between on some ships.
School holiday timing
Holiday weeks are the busiest and most expensive of the year.
What you add on
Gratuities, drinks packages, speciality dining and excursions change the all-in total substantially.
Get the real number for your datesPricing is live and specific to your sailing. A specialist quotes it in minutes.
Not uniformly. Short weekend sailings draw the liveliest crowds; longer itineraries and off-peak dates attract a broader mix including families and older travellers. Choosing the right sailing length matters more than choosing the right ship.
Why are so many people driving to their cruise?
Carnival sails from more US home ports than any other line, including several that competitors ignore. For a family of four, removing four airfares changes the entire budget — worth checking before you assume you need to fly.
What is a cove balcony?
A balcony set lower in the hull, closer to the waterline and more sheltered than a standard balcony. Only some ships have them. It's a distinctive option most booking sites won't explain to you.
Where this information comes from
Every factual claim on this page is taken from a primary source and carries its own verification date. We re-check inclusions every 30 days and ship specifications every 90.
Facts are compiled independently from published sources. Descriptions and opinions are our own. Cruise lines change fleets, facilities and policies frequently — always confirm details that matter with the agency booking your trip.
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