Carnival Cruise Line, unlike Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, is heavily focused on the North American market. You will find several cruises visiting the Caribbean and the Bahamas, although Carnival has increased its presence in Europe and Alaska in recent years.
Most Carnival Cruise ships are based in the United States, with PortMiami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, and New Orleans being popular ports of departure. Carnival primarily focuses on short, affordable voyages, offering a fun time for everyone onboard. Many of their cruises are short 3-4 night trips, though 7-night cruises are also available. However, 10-night cruises are quite rare.
The main Carnival Cruise Line destinations are:
- Caribbean (very popular)
- Bahamas (very popular)
- Canada
- Mexico (popular)
- Hawaii
- Panama Canal
- Alaska
Most Carnival Cruise Line ships departure from the following locations:
- Baltimore
- Charleston
- Galveston (popular)
- Jacksonville
- Long Beach (popular)
- Miami (popular)
- Mobile
- New Orleans (popular)
- New York
- Norfolk
- Port Canaveral (popular)
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Tampa (popular)
Here is a good table showing prices for cruises taking place in October 2024 and April 2025. These are starting prices per passenger, excluding taxes. Of course, these prices may also fluctuate significantly.
See how cruise prices can be really hard to understand? In October 2024, a three-day cruise to Mexico is cheaper than a four-day cruise, even though both are aboard the same ship with the same itinerary! It’s all about demand and cabins filling up faster than others, folks. You can always contact us so Famvia can help you with the best options and prices.
Carnival Cruise Line Main Destinations
Bahamas & the Caribbean
Main destinations: Mahogany Bay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Nassau, Half Moon Cay.
Starting price for a 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston aboard Carnival Jubilee in January 2025: $800 per guest.
There are many cruises that visit the Bahamas and the Caribbean each year. In fact, there are approximately 300 different cruises to these tropical destinations that’s more than half of Carnival’s total cruises offered each year. Everyone loves a good beach and great weather, so Carnival focuses on short, fun trips to these destinations that are affordable for everyone.
Older ships usually offer the 3 and 4-night cruises to these destinations, but Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee - two of the best ships in the entire fleet - tend to offer longer 6 and 7-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
From eastern ports like Port Canaveral, the itineraries often include stops in the Bahamas and Grand Turk Island. From Galveston, they frequently focus on the ports of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including Cozumel.
Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay is Carnival’s private island in the Caribbean. Unlike Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay and Disney’s Castaway Cay, Half Moon Cay is quite simple and small. There isn’t even a port, so you have to board a ferryboat to get to the island. It takes 15 minutes to travel from your ship to the island, but the boarding process alone can take about 20 minutes, which can be a lot. Make sure to board the ferry as soon as you can!
You can find some fun excursions here, from snorkeling to horseback riding on the beach. The beach gets good reviews, especially for its pristine water. Many people online say the water is absolutely amazing, even compared to CocoCay and Castaway Cay. There is also a simple waterpark called Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park, which is complimentary and has a few fun slides. However, don't expect anything as elaborate as CocoCay.
Food is included in your cruise price (except for sodas, alcohol, and ice cream). They serve a full barbecue lunch buffet-style at the food pavilion from 11:30 to 1:30. Heads up, guests often say that the island could use more water stations, so make sure to bring your own bottle of water and refill it when needed.
Mexico
Main destinations: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Catalina Island.
Starting price for 7-Day Mexican Riviera cruise from Long Beach aboard Carnival Firenze in September 2024: $650 per guest.
I know you already love the BlueIguana Cantina aboard Carnival, so how about enjoying even more burritos, but this time in Mexico? Carnival currently offers 30 cruises to Mexico, with almost all of them departing from Long Beach (Los Angeles), California, and one from San Francisco.
The 7-night Carnival voyages to Mexico usually include stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. These longer cruises are either aboard Carnival Firenze or Carnival Panorama.
Three- and four-night Carnival trips to the west coast of Mexico typically feature a single stop in Ensenada and sometimes a stop at Catalina Island off the coast of California. Many of these short, 4-night cruises depart from Long Beach, usually aboard Carnival Firenze or Carnival Radiance. As of this writing, there are 10 different 4-night cruises to Mexico and only two 7-night cruises.
Panama Canal
Main destinations: Cozumel, Limon, Colón, Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay.
Starting price for a 10-Day Panama Canal cruise from Galveston aboard Carnival Legend in October 2025: $1200 per guest.
Cruising across the Panama Canal is becoming increasingly popular with cruise lines worldwide. Many people might think crossing this iconic route is quick, but did you know that a complete transit takes about 20 hours? Additionally, the Panama Canal is quite far from the United States, which is why cruises to this destination range from 8 to 15 days.
Interestingly, cruises to the Panama Canal are among the longest offered by Carnival. Most cruises depart from Tampa, Florida, or Galveston, Texas, with a unique 15-day cruise departing from San Francisco. These cruises usually occur only once or twice per year on specific dates, so be sure to book in advance.
Australia and New Zealand
Main destinations: Airlie Beach, Cairns, Willis Island, Auckland.
Starting price for 7-Day Great Barrier Reef cruise from Brisbane aboard Carnival Luminosa in February 2025: $670 per guest.
Remember when I mentioned that Carnival is almost exclusively focused on the North American market? Well, here's a notable exception. Carnival has increased its presence in Australia and New Zealand over the past few years, offering round-trip cruises departing from Sydney and Brisbane. The most common cruise there is the “3-Day Getaway from Sydney (or Brisbane),” with 14 different dates in total, while longer cruises tend to occur only once a year.
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor are the ships based in Oceania. If you are traveling to Australia and would like to try an affordable cruise, this is your chance. Carnival even offers very short 2-night cruises that basically leave the port, cruise for a day without a specific destination, and then return. They also have cruises that depart from Sydney, stay in Brisbane for three days to allow you to explore the city, and then come back.
Hawaii
Main destinations: Honolulu, Kahului, Nawiliwili, Hilo, Ensenada.
Starting price for a 14-Day Hawaii cruise from Long Beach aboard Carnival Radiance in March 2025: $1900 per guest.
Aloha! Looking for a fun cruise to one of the most exciting places in the world? Of course you are! Carnival offers 14 or 15-night cruises to Hawaii, departing from Long Beach, San Francisco, or Seattle. They are increasing the number of cruises to the Aloha State in 2026, and you can book your spot right now. This cruise lets you experience an authentic luau, visit volcanoes and beautiful canyons, and enjoy the stunning beaches of Hawaii.
Alaska
Main destinations: Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, Victoria.
Starting price for a 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier cruise from Seattle aboard Carnival Spirit in May 2025: $1100 per guest.
Carnival isn’t the biggest cruise line when it comes to trips to Alaska, but they do offer some options departing from the West Coast if you’re looking for a more affordable choice. This might be a good alternative if you want to save money and still experience Alaska for some stunning photos. Who knows, maybe after a cruise with Carnival, you can try visiting Alaska aboard Royal Caribbean or Princess Cruises and also explore their land tours?
The Alaska season typically runs from April to September. Older ships like Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Luminosa will take you to Alaska during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Most cruises visit the Tracy Arm fjord for glacier viewing and include stops in the capital, Juneau.
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