Carnival Cruise Line has 27 ships in service, with more set to join the fleet by the end of 2028. That’s more than any other cruise line in the world!
With so many ships to choose from, it can be virtually impossible to remember which Carnival cruise ships are the newest and which are the older ones.
But, with some stark contrasts between the newest and oldest ships in the Carnival fleet, this is something that you’ll probably want to know before you book.
After all, a cruise on a ship that’s 20+ years old is going to be quite a different experience from what you’ll get if you choose one of Carnival’s fun new mega-ships!
And to further confuse things, Carnival has re-named several of its older ships, to create some new ships that are actually pretty old.
So, read on for a list of Carnival cruise ships by age, as well as some helpful info about the various ships in the fleet.
Carnival ships in age order
This table shows all Carnival cruise ships from newest to oldest as well as when they were last refurbished.
| Ship | Class | Year | Refurbished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Firenze | Venice | 2024 | |
| Carnival Jubilee | Excel | 2023 | |
| Carnival Venezia | Venice | 2023 | 2023 |
| Carnival Celebration | Excel | 2022 | – |
| Carnival Luminosa | Spirit | 2022 | 2022 |
| Mardi Gras | Excel | 2021 | – |
| Carnival Panorama | Vista | 2019 | – |
| Carnival Horizon | Vista | 2018 | – |
| Carnival Vista | Vista | 2016 | – |
| Carnival Breeze | Dream | 2012 | 2017 |
| Carnival Magic | Dream | 2011 | 2021 |
| Carnival Dream | Dream | 2009 | 2017 |
| Carnival Splendor | Splendor | 2008 | 2019 |
| Carnival Freedom | Conquest | 2007 | 2019 |
| Carnival Liberty | Conquest | 2005 | 2021 |
| Carnival Miracle | Sprit | 2004 | 2020 |
| Carnival Valor | Conquest | 2004 | 2021 |
| Carnival Glory | Conquest | 2003 | 2021 |
| Carnival Conquest | Conquest | 2002 | 2017 |
| Carnival Legend | Sprit | 2002 | 2018 |
| Carnival Pride | Sprit | 2002 | 2019 |
| Carnival Spirit | Sprit | 2001 | 2018 |
| Carnival Radiance | Sunshine | 2000 | 2020 |
| Carnival Sunrise | Sunshine | 1999 | 2019 |
| Carnival Elation | Fantasy | 1998 | 2020 |
| Carnival Paradise | Fantasy | 1998 | 2018 |
| Carnival Sunshine | Sunshine | 1996 | 2021 |
Although some Carnival cruise ships are pretty old, every ship undergoes an extensive dry dock refurbishment at least every five years. So even if you choose one of the oldest ships, you can rest assured that everything will be in good working order and looking nice and fresh.
Carnival Cruise Line acquired Carnival Luminosa from Costa Cruises, renamed the ship as Carnival Luminosa and added it to the Carnival fleet in September 2022.
Then Costa Venezia was renamed Carnival Venezia and relaunched in 2023. To complete the trio of ex-Costa ships, Costa Firenze launched as Carnival Firenze in 2024.
You can read more about those here: The Newest Carnival Ships (including ships acquired from Costa Cruises).
Carnival Venezia is the newest ship in the fleet, sort of
The newest Carnival cruise ship currently at sea is Carnival Venezia. Acquired from Costa Cruises where she sailed as Costa Venezia, this ship made her first voyage for Carnival on May 29, 2023.
Carnival Jubilee is a newer ship overall since she was a brand new build for the cruise line.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in this list of Carnival Cruise ships by size to see how much the ships have grown over the years!
Two more ships are on order
We don’t know the name of the next ships for Carnival yet, but we do know that they will be ships number 4 and 5 in the Excel Class. One is due in 2027 while the other will arrive in 2028.
This means they’ll be sister ships to Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. So they’ll look something like this:
Carnival Sunshine is still shining on as the oldest ship
The oldest Carnival ship in service is the Carnival Sunshine, which was launched in 1996. This Sunshine-class ship was known as Carnival Destiny until it was renamed in 2013 during a refit.
Carnival Sunshine was groundbreaking in the 1990s as the first-ever ship to exceed 100,000 gross tonnes in size. Modern cruise ships are now much larger, with Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, exceeding 250,000 gross tonnes.
Prior to October 2022, the oldest Carnival ship in service was the Carnival Ecstasy which was launched in 1991. This Fantasy-class ship was also one of the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet, accommodating just 2,606 guests across 10 decks.
A fond farewell – scrapped ships for Carnival
Here’s a list of Carnival ships that have been scrapped recently:
- Carnival Ecstasy was scrapped in Turkey in November 2022 at 31 years of age.
- Carnival Sensation retired in February 2022. The ship never restarted operations after the global pause in 2020.
- Carnival Fascination left the Carnival fleet in September 2020. After initial plans to be turned into a floating hotel fell through, the ship was scrapped in Pakistan.
- Carnival Imagination was sold in September 2020 after a long lay-up. The ship then headed to Turkey to be scrapped.
- Carnival Inspiration was sold for recycling in July 2020 along with the Carnival Fantasy.
- Carnival Fantasy was the first ship to leave the fleet in July 2020 as a result of the shutdown. The ship was scrapped in Turkey.
The big question – are newer ships better?
Many people believe that the newest Carnival cruise ships are the best. And if you want to ride a sky bike or rollercoaster high above the top deck, then they might well be.
However, even the oldest Carnival cruise ships have water slides, splash parks, mini golf, kids’ clubs, casinos, and nightclubs, so you’ll never be short of something to do.
Carnival cruises can be very loud and brash, so you may even find that sharing your ship with 5,000 other guests is a little too much and prefer the atmosphere of a smaller 2,000-passenger ship.
To find out which Carnival cruise ship is considered the best, I collated the review scores from all of the major cruise review sites. You can find the verdict here: Carnival Ships Ranked From Best To Worst and in this video…
You’ll also want to think about the price. People are willing to pay a premium to be among the first to try the latest and greatest new ships, so there are some real bargains to be had if you’re willing to give one of the older vessels a chance.
One thing to consider though, is that balcony rooms are pretty rare on Carnival’s oldest ships. But if you’d be happy with an Ocean View, then these can be a good option.
Suggested read: What to Expect From Carnival’s Ocean View Rooms
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Carnival cruise offers…
A full list of all ships (with info and photos)
Here’s some more information about each of the ships in the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet along with photos…
Carnival Firenze
The most recent addition to the Carnival fleet, though not the newest ship in terms of when she was built. Carnival Firenze launched in 2021 as Costa Firenze and is the second in the Venice Class.
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Jubilee is Carnival’s newest cruise ship in terms of new builds, launching in December 2023. This Excel-class cruise ship is a sister ship to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.
Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia was the first of the Venice-Class ships to transfer over from Costa. She made her debut as Costa Venezia for Costa Cruises in May 2019 and was originally made to serve the Chinese market. In 2023, the ship was transferred to Carnival and renovated before making her debut for Carnival.
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration launched in 2022. This Excel-class cruise ship is a sister ship to Mardi Gras and the second ship to feature the BOLT rollercoaster. Carnival Celebration cruises out of Miami all year round.
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa was launched for Costa Cruises as Costa Luminosa in 2009. While Carnival calls this a Spirit-class ship, the design also features elements from the Vista Class. She was transferred to the Carnival fleet in 2022.
Mardi Gras
Carnival’s Mardi Gras cruise ship was launched in 2021. This Excel-class cruise ship can accommodate up to 6,500 passengers at maximum occupancy as well as a crew of 2,000.
Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama launched in 2019. This Vista-class cruise ship can accommodate 4,008 guests and was the flagship of Carnival Cruise Line until Mardi Gras was launched.
Carnival Horizon
The Carnival Horizon cruise ship launched in the spring of 2018. This Vista-class cruise ship can accommodate 3,960 guests, slightly less than sister ship Carnival Panorama.
Carnival Vista
Carnival Vista was launched in 2016. The first of Carnival’s Vista-Class ships, this ship was highly-anticipated, marking the end of a four-year-long pause in shipbuilding for the cruise line.
Carnival Breeze
The Carnival Breeze cruise ship is over ten years old but still extremely popular. The ship was launched in 2012 and was last refurbished in 2017. Carnival Breeze is a Dream-class cruise ship and can accommodate 3,690 guests and 1,386 crew members.
Carnival Magic
The Carnival Magic launched in 2011, and the ship was last refurbished in May 2021 and now has the new blue, white and red livery. Carnival Magic is a Dream-class cruise ship and can accommodate 3,690 guests.
Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream was launched in 2009. The most advanced cruise ship in the world at the time, this ship was last refurbished in 2017. Like the other Dream-class ships, she can accommodate around 3,600 guests at double occupancy.
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor launched in 2009 and was last refurbished in 2017. She is the only Splendor-class ship in Carnival’s fleet. This is because she was originally ordered by Costa Cruises as a sister ship to the Costa Concordia which tragically sank in 2012.
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom is a cruise ship that was launched in 2007. She has since been refurbished in 2019. The last of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships, she can accommodate 2,980 guests at double occupancy.
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Liberty was launched in 2005. This ship has been refurbished several times. In 2011 she was the first ship to receive the FUN 2.0 enhancements and in 2021 she received the new blue, white and red livery.
Carnival Miracle
The Carnival Miracle cruise ship launched in 2004 and was last refurbished in 2020. Carnival Miracle is a Spirit-class cruise ship, offering more space per passenger than any other ship in the fleet.
Carnival Valor
Carnival Valor launched in 2004. However, she was refurbished recently in 2021. This Conquest-class cruise ship accommodates just under 3,000 guests.
Carnival Glory
Carnival Glory made her debut in 2003 but was last refurbished in 2021. This cruise ship is a Conquest-class ship, accommodating around 3,000 guests.
Carnival Conquest
Launched in 2002, the Carnival Conquest cruise ship was the first of a new class of ships for Carnival Cruise Line, back in the day. The ship was last refurbished in 2017.
Carnival Legend
The Carnival Legend cruise ship was launched in 2002 and was last refurbished in 2018. Carnival Legend is a Spirit-class cruise ship with space for 2,124 passengers – relatively small compared to most modern cruise ships.
Carnival Pride
Carnival Pride is a Spirit-class cruise ship. Launched in 2002, this ship is now over 20 years old but was last refurbished in 2019. Carnival Pride can carry just 2,124 passengers but is one of the most spacious ships in Carnival’s fleet.
Carnival Spirit
Carnival Spirit debuted in 2001. This first of the spacious Spirit-class ships, Carnival Spirit was last refurbished in 2018.
Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance was first launched in 2000 under the name Carnival Victory. In 2021, the ship underwent a huge $200 million bow-to-stern makeover, was given the new livery and was christened again with the new name.
Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Sunrise started off as Carnival Triumph in 1999. But in 2019, the ship underwent a $200 million transformation that took 38 days to complete. She was then christened again with the new name – Carnival Sunrise.
Carnival Elation
The Carnival Elation cruise ship was launched in 1998 and was last refurbished in 2020. One of the smallest in Carnival’s fleet, Carnival Elation is a Fantasy-class cruise ship and can accommodate 2,130 guests.
Carnival Paradise
Just like Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise also made her debut in 1998. This Fantasy-class cruise ship was last refurbished in 2018.
Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine was originally named Carnival Destiny when the ship was launched in 1996. In 2013, the ship underwent a $155 million transformation which saw an entire deck added to the front third of the ship and the addition of 182 more cabins.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Carnival cruise offers…
Related posts:
- Carnival Cruise Ships by Size
- Carnival Cruise Ship Classes Compared
- 12 Ways to Use Your Carnival Onboard Credit Like a Pro
- Carnival Cruise Suite Perks
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Please can l have your autographs & newsleters
Just an FYI there was (1st) Carnival Jubilee. We sailed on it in 1994 for our Honeymoon. I looked up some history on the ship and found it was built in 1986 for Carnival and sailed until 2004 when transferred to P&O Cruises Australia and renamed Pacific Sun, then 2012 sold to HNA Cruises a Chinese Co, renamed Henna. Sailed for only about a year, then sat until 2015. They tried to sell but no takers, eventually sold for scrap in 2017:(
Carnival should also build a 4th Excel-Class ship for Long Beach to replace the Carnival Miracle, on Hawaiian and Mexican Riviera Cruises. The Miracle is even smaller than the Radiance but is used on LONGER Cruises. I know Long Beach has the Panorama, but that ship doesn’t go to Hawaii. And The Radiance REPLACED Inspiration and Imagination, but I really do think that Long Beach should have ANOTHER Excel-Class cruise ship to replace the Miracle. And I’d imagine if that were to happen, then the Ship could also be relocated to Alaska in the future for some seasonal cruises, and due to it likely being the LARGEST cruise ship on the west coast, it would even DWARF Norwegian Bliss and Joy by Gross Tonnage, which is ALREADY the largest cruise ships in the west coast, and sail on the same itineraries, but WHAT IF Carnival joins the competition of THE LARGEST Cruise Ship, and THE FIRST LNG POWERED Cruise Ship in the Pacific West Coast?