The 24 ships in the Carnival family cruises fleet expect to carry more than 750,000 children this year — the most in company history. Dining options got a reboot with the launch of American Table menus and serving styles inspired by guest feedback. Fun Ships also offer family favorites such as 24-hour pizza, poolside restaurants, Guy’s Burger Joint (created by the Food Network’s Guy Fieri), and a new confections and gift shop called Cherry on Top.
What’s new: Carnival’s Fun Ships (many with Fun Ship 2.0 entertainment and dining upgrades) continue to be top choices for families with kids of all ages. The recently renovated Carnival Sunshine features the fleet’s longest water slide (334 feet) and open-air recreation areas. The fun Seuss at Sea program aboard Carnival Splendor (and soon-to-be expanded throughout the fleet by year’s end) means immersive new dining and entertainment experiences including a special “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast with beloved Dr. Seuss characters, themed activities, Seuss movie screenings and more.
On a bigger scale, the line, just one part of the Carnival Company, is participating in a new marketing venture called WorldsLeadingCruiseLines.com. Also new are 11 longer voyages — 10 to 11 days — visiting lesser-known tropical destinations such as Bonaire, Martinique, Dominica, Grenada and Tobago. Many can be combined into a three-week itinerary at bargain prices.
For kids: Carnival Cruise Lines offers complimentary programming and facilities for kids in three age groups – Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17). Camp Carnival is designed for younger cruisers and features indoor play areas stocked with games and toys along with indoor climbing mazes, computer labs and video walls. Kids can also eat with their counselors so parents can enjoy a night to themselves.
For tweens: Circle “C” provides 12 to 14 year olds with a place of their own to dance, watch movies outdoors, play games and get together with new friends.
For teens: Club O2 includes a dance floor with a DJ, soda bar, movies, video games and pool parties.
Around the ship: The ship features outdoor games and activities, along with children’s wading pools and main Lido deck pools that offer the line’s signature water slides. Outdoor play areas with mini basketball hoops, jungle gyms and other playground equipment, mini golf, as well as game rooms offering the latest video and arcade games, are available fleet-wide. The line also offers nightly babysitting and Carnival Night Owls featuring a full schedule of late-night activities running as late as 3 am. (Fees apply for babysitting and the Night Owls program.)
See also:
- Family Cruise Guide (main article)
- Celebrity Cruises (next article)
