Carnival Cruise Line · Carnival Corporation · Resort ships with a suite class
Carnival is the budget-friendly big-ship line, and its newest ships have a real suite tier. Excel Suites on the Excel-class ships come with Loft 19, a private sun deck with cabanas and a bar. The line sails from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa and Jacksonville. Kathryn has sailed Carnival and books it when the price gap to the other lines is too wide to ignore.
Carnival Cruise Line, from the line's press room. Press photo, Carnival Cruise Line
Excel Suites and Loft 19
- Excel Suites are the top suites on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. Excel Presidential and Excel Aft-View are the two largest.
- Loft 19 is a keycard sun deck for Excel Suite guests with a bar, loungers and cabanas. Other guests can rent cabanas there.
- Carnival has no restaurant reserved for suites. Suite guests eat in the same restaurants as everyone else, with priority reservations.
- Older Carnival ships have Grand and Ocean Suites with no private area at all.
What comes with it
- Loft 19 access with a bar and loungers
- Priority boarding, tender and disembarkation
- A concierge line for restaurant bookings
- Bathrobes, upgraded bathroom amenities and a larger balcony
From Florida
Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral year round. Carnival Celebration sails from Miami. Tampa and Jacksonville get older ships. Celebration Key, Carnival's private beach in Grand Bahama, is on most sailings.
The ships
Carnival Festivale · Carnival Jubilee · Carnival Celebration · Mardi Gras · Carnival Venezia · Carnival Horizon · Carnival Vista
Fun first. Loud pool decks, comedy clubs, a roller coaster on the newest ships. It is the most relaxed dress code of any line.
Carnival Cruise Line in pictures
Carnival Cruise Line, from the line's press room · Press photo, Carnival Cruise Line
Who it fits
- Families and groups who want the lowest fare and a good time.
- Travellers sailing from Port Canaveral who want the newest ship there.
- Anyone who wants a suite and does not care about a private restaurant.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants quiet, formal or refined. Carnival is none of those on purpose.
- Suite guests used to a butler. Carnival does not have them.
Questions about Carnival Cruise Line
Also resort ships with a suite class
Thinking about Carnival Cruise Line?
Kathryn has sailed it. Ask her what the top tier is really like and which cabins to avoid.