Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail

Table Of Content

• Allure of the Seas itineraries
• The Most Fun Cruise Ship: A Comprehensive Guide to Ultimate Entertainment at Sea
• Best cruise line for an adults-only atmosphere: Virgin Voyages
• Virgin Voyages
• Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
• Best cruise line for a party: Carnival Cruise Line
• Best cruise line for quick sailings: Royal Caribbean

Because you won't find children running around the cruise ship, this can be an excellent option for adults looking to have kid-free fun. In our minds, nothing is more fun than cruising on the newest ship in a cruise line’s fleet. These new ships feature more fun to be had than any other ships at sea; more often than not, the newest cruise ships truly showcase the best that the cruise line has to offer. Although older cruise ships in a fleet can still offer incredible vacations, there’s something extra special about sailing on the latest and greatest.

Allure of the Seas itineraries

Although Icon of the Seas puts a heavy focus on family-friendly activities, the sheer amount of features onboard easily puts the ship as a top choice for adults. The perfect cruise ship should have enough onboard entertainment and activities to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset (and beyond!). That’s why it’s smart to instead focus on ships that have appealing adults-only areas. For instance, on many Royal Caribbean ships there is a Solarium area that is a covered pool designed only for adults. That’s appealing to some, but if you want something that’s more open air, then you might like Carnival’s Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. This is open-air (allowing you to get some sun) with hot tubs and private seating.

The Most Fun Cruise Ship: A Comprehensive Guide to Ultimate Entertainment at Sea

This massive ship is known for its larger-than-life adventures onboard, including the tallest slide at sea and dueling waterslides. As part of its Oasis-class, Wonder of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world. I’d also argue that Wonder of the Seas is the most fun ship at sea given how many onboard thrills and activities you can do. Cruise lines are consistently building cruise ships that are bigger and better than anything else built before. Each cruise line adds its own flair and unique attractions to set apart its cruise ships from others in the industry. If a traditional suite is more your style, consider a Grand Suite, which includes priority embarkation, disembarkation and dining times, as well as access to the Havana pool area.

Best cruise line for an adults-only atmosphere: Virgin Voyages

Formerly Carnival Triumph, the ship was completely gutted, overhauled and renamed in 2019. It offers the line's signature Serenity adults-only sun deck, RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and a slew of lounges, nightclubs and daily activities. These 100-square-foot inside rooms are designed for one, so travelers won't be paying extra. Studio guests also get access to the Studio Lounge, a communal gathering space with big-screen TVs, drinks and snacks. Not all NCL ships offer solo cabins; studios are available on multiple ships, including Norwegian Escape, Epic, Encore, the new Norwegian Prima and the upcoming Norwegian Viva.

Sailing from Los Angeles, California, she visits ports along the Mexican Riviera. In conjunction with the ship’s launch will be the opening of Hideaway Beach, a new adults-only beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Having access to this new venue will make your adult-focused getaway even more enjoyable.

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

Active young adults will enjoy the go-kart tracks, virtual reality game rooms, waterslides and lively dance clubs found on many of Norwegian's newest ships. If you prefer to relax with a book and enjoy the ocean breeze, you can do that, too. On each of its five luxury ocean vessels, Seabourn provides guests over the age of 18 with an all-inclusive, adult-centric vacation experience. The Seabourn Ovation, the line’s newest cruise ship, can carry up to 600 passengers and features amenities that can be found on the majority of Seabourn’s ships.

It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of venues and areas designated for families. Passengers who are at least 21 years old are granted free access to the area, and while they are there, they can take advantage of amenities including whirlpools, daybeds, and lounge chairs. Take in the warm sun and ocean air with a signature sangria in hand, or stop for a healthy meal at Fresh Creations Salad outlet (available on select ships) for an alfresco lunch. Between its fleet of seven small ships — none carrying more than 600 passengers — luxury line Seabourn cruises all seven continents.

Best cruise line for kids

Aurora offers a breadth of itineraries ranging from lengthy world cruises to four- and five-night “Short Breaks,” sailing round-trip from Southampton to nearby European cities like Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Zeebrugge. Aurora also sails to the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, and North America. The 2,388-passenger Arcadia is a bit larger; however, it has fewer pools (two compared to three) and bars and restaurants (15 compared to 19). While Arcadia also lacks a card room and a lounge, it does boast The Globe in its place, which offers movie screenings, art auctions, cabaret shows, live music, and more. Arcadia offers similar itineraries to her smaller sister ship, sans world cruises. Navigating the ocean with adults only royal caribbean cruises, Regent has crafted itineraries that cater to tranquility and elegance.

The best cruise ships for kids - The Points Guy

The best cruise ships for kids.

Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Best cruise line for quick sailings: Royal Caribbean

Seabourn’s hallmark restaurant, The Grill, is one of the world-class dining venues that have been developed in collaboration with acclaimed American chef Thomas Keller. You’ll also have access to Dr. Andrew Weil’s specially designed health and wellness programs. Another feature is the program called “Seabourn Conversations,” in which seasoned professionals lead guests on excursions ashore and then join them for meals and conversations on board the ship afterward. You won’t want to pass up the opportunity to experience “Caviar in the Surf” while you’re on your cruise. On board, passengers can choose from as many as ten unique dining venues, including the elegant Lumière restaurant.

Dining at the many onboard restaurants is also a treat, with venues specializing in sushi, backyard barbecue, French bistro classics and handmade Italian pasta. If your budget doesn't allow for specialty dining, you won't get menu fatigue with four main dining rooms included in the fare. Each restaurant is themed around a different country's cuisine, including Greek, French, Italian and new American. Along with fun fast-casual dining spots from celebrities like Guy Fieri and Shaquille O'Neal, Carnival's so-called "Fun Ships" have an abundance of shows, trivia challenges and outdoor activities that appeal to younger cruisers. On Carnival ships, those 18 and older can gamble in the onboard casino but cannot order drinks at the many themed bars unless they're at least 21 years old. Plus, cruise fares on Rhapsody of the Seas tend to be much lower than newer ships.

These itineraries will visit both Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, with the 4-night cruise including one day at sea. Mariner of the Seas currently offers Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. Everything from short 4-night cruises to 8-night itineraries are available, which visit gorgeous destinations including Tortola, Bermuda, Aruba, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Like Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas is a Voyager Class cruise ship that underwent a significant amplification to add new features and venues to the ship.

Virgin Voyages showcases the pulsating heart of vibrant cities and the serene beauty of secluded spots. With an itinerary featuring hotspots like Ibiza, it’s no surprise that they are a premier provider of adults only cruise options. And then there’s the exclusive Beach Club at Bimini—a private oasis that rewrites the narrative of what a beach getaway can be. Carnival Mardi Gras features distinct fun zones that transport passengers to different worlds and experiences.

This even includes a French Quarter, inspired by New Orleans and featuring Emeril’s Bistro by celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse. Families will appreciate the largest go-kart track at sea with 3 levels of twisting and turning fun. Prima's go-kart track is surprisingly 20% bigger than any other go-kart track in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. Other activities include water slides, open-aired game zone, miniature golf, and a slew of other family-friendly activities on the top deck. There's no limit on how much fun cruise lines can pack into a cruise ship these days.

In other words, before you book your trip, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of any adults-only area the ship may have. In other words, unless you have no problem flying to a port and have a flexible schedule, adult-focused lines might be out of the question. 7-day Dreams of Tahiti on the 148-passenger sailing ship Wind Spirit, all-inclusive from $3,122. Imagine a calm and quiet pool deck like the one aboard the Seven Seas Voyager. Virgin Voyages is an adult only cruise line, which has recently entered the cruise industry. The Virgin Valiant Lady was launched in 2020 and it can hold up to 2,700 “sailors”.