Carnival Cruise offers a wide variety of fun options for all ages, with activities, bars, partying nightclubs, and theme nights available at a reasonable price.
However, some Carnival Cruise ships are more suitable for young adults looking for a fun and party vibe rather than too many families with kids.
The largest Carnival Cruise ships have various adults-only venues that can satisfy both demographics as they have their own separate areas of the ships to have their fun.
As the “fun ships,” all Carnival ships in the fleet have a party vibe, which is one of the main reasons that makes them of the best cruise lines for young adults.
Carnival are also rated as one of the best cruise lines for singles under 30.
Below we have outlined some of the most suitable Carnival Cruise ships for young adults, highlighting their outdoor activities, bars, and party events.
Remember that each ship offers much more than we’ve highlighted, including theater shows, live music, comedy, pools, fitness gyms, and many other activities.
Carnival Celebration
Class: Excel Class
Age: 2022
Capacity: 5282 (double occupancy)
Size: 181,800 GT
Carnival Celebration, the newest and largest ship from Carnival Cruise Line, offers a variety of amenities that are sure to appeal to young adults.
With a larger ship comes a greater number of activities and entertainment options, ensuring that there is always something to do onboard.
One standout feature of Carnival Celebration is the roller coaster located onboard the second-ever onboard a ship after Carnival Mardi Gras.
This thrilling attraction along with the amazing water slides, is popular with young adults who enjoy this adrenaline rush type of activities onboard.
Carnival Celebration offers a range of other activities and entertainment options geared towards young adults, including a sports bar, arcade, and nightclub.
For those looking to relax, Carnival Celebration also offers plenty of opportunities to unwind, with multiple pools, a spa, and a variety of lounges and bars.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Celebration
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Celebration, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster (Additional Cost)
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Loft 19 (retreat for all) (Additional Cost)
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Ropes Course
- Serenity (Adult-Only Retreat)
- SportSquare
- Twister Waterslide
- Volleyball
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration has more bars and loungers than any other Carnival Cruise Ship, offering a wide variety of drinking environments in which to enjoy yourselves.
Bars and drink events on Carnival Celebration:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Casino Bar
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse / Brewhouse
- Havana Bar
- Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge
- Latitudes
- Piano Bar
- Red Frog Tiki Bar
- SkyBox Sports Bar
- The Golden Jubilee
There’s also an Alchemy Martini Tasting event at the Alchemy Bar.
Parties on Carnival Celebration:
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
Mardi Gras
Class: Excellence Class
Age: 2021
Capacity: 5282 (double occupancy)
Size: 183,520 GT
Mardi Gras was the first ship in the new Carnival Cruise Excellence Class. A much larger ship which was the first in the world to feature the first-ever roller coaster at sea.
Guests can take a ride on the Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster, offering stunning views of the ocean while reaching speeds of up to 40 mph.
Mardi Gras offers a wide range of amenities, from thrilling entertainment options to delicious dining experiences.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars, and lounges, including the Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and the Havana Bar.
Additionally, the ship features multiple pools, a spa, and a fitness center and more.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Mardi Gras
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Mardi Gras, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster [Additional]
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Loft 19 [Additional]
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Ropes Course
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Skycourse Rope Course
- SportSquare
- Twister Waterslide
- Volleyball
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Mardi Gras
Bars on Carnival Mardi Gras are:
- Alchemy Bar
- Casino Bar
- Fortune Teller
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse / Brewhouse
- Havana Bar
- Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Tiki Bar
- The Brass Magnolia
Parties on Carnival Mardi Gras are:
- Mega Deck Party
- White Hot Night Party
- Sailaway Party
Carnival Vista
Class: Vista Class
Year Launched: 2016
Capacity: 3934
Size: 133,596
Carnival Vista is one of the larger ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and offers a wide range of activities and amenities that are sure to appeal to younger adults.
The ship boasts an IMAX theatre, a SkyRide, and a WaterWorks aqua park with thrilling slides and attractions.
It also features a variety of bars and lounges, including the Havana Bar and Pool, RedFrog Pub, and the Alchemy Bar all with their own vibe and atmosphere.
Whether you’re looking to relax by the pool, catch a movie on the big screen, or try your luck at the casino, Carnival Vista has something for everyone.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Vista
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Vista, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Ropes Course
- Sky Fitness
- SkyRide
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- SportSquare
- Twister Waterslide
- Volleyball
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Vista
Bars on Carnival Vista are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Havana Bar
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Pub & Brewery
- RedFrog Rum Bar
- SkyBox Sports Bar
Parties on Carnival Vista are:
- 80s Night
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
- White Hot Night Party
Carnival Dream
Class: Dream Class
Age: 2009
Capacity: 3646
Size: 128,000 GT
Carnival Dream is a popular choice among 20 somethings and early thirties groups due to its range of onboard activities, entertainment options and dining experiences.
The ship boasts three pools, a water park, a mini-golf course, a sports court, and a ropes course, making it perfect for those who love outdoor activities.
For indoor entertainment, the ship offers a theater with live performances, comedy shows, and a nightclub.
The dining options are diverse, from casual eateries to fine dining experiences. The ship also offers a spa, fitness center, and a casino.
Carnival Dream has a capacity of over 3,600 passengers and offers various room types, including interior, oceanview, and balcony rooms. The ship is ideal for those looking for a good mix of fun and relaxation while on vacation.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Dream
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Dream, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Twister Waterslide
- Volleyball
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Dream
Bars on Carnival Dream are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Casino Bar
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Rum Bar
Parties on Carnival Dream are:
- 80s Night
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
- White Hot Night Party
Carnival Glory
Class: Conquest Class
Age: 2003
Capacity: 2980
Size: 110,000 GT
Carnival Glory is a popular choice for those seeking a fun-filled cruise vacation.
The ship features a variety of dining options, entertainment venues, and activities, making it a great choice for passengers of all ages.
The ship’s RedFrog Pub and Alchemy Bar offer a lively atmosphere for those looking to socialize and enjoy a drink. The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat provides a peaceful oasis for those looking to relax and unwind.
Carnival Glory also offers plenty of exciting onboard activities, including the WaterWorks water park, mini-golf course and basketball court.
The ship’s theater hosts Broadway-style shows and comedy acts, while the Punchliner Comedy Club offers adult-oriented humor.
The lively casino and themed parties also provide plenty of entertainment options for young adults looking to have some fun.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Glory
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Glory, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Twister Waterslide
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Glory
Bars on Carnival Glory are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Casino Bar
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Rum Bar
- SkyBox Sports Bar
Parties on Carnival Glory are:
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
- White Hot Night Party
Carnival Sunrise
Class: Sunshine Class
Age: 1999 (last refurbished in 2019)
Capacity: 2984
Size: 101,509 GT
Party atmosphere
Carnival Sunrise is a popular cruise ship among party-goers and offers a variety of entertainment options suitable for young adults.
The ship underwent a major renovation in 2019 (was previously Carnival Triumph) and now features an expanded water park, mini-golf course and more.
The ship also boasts several restaurants, including a sushi bar, steakhouse, and Guy’s Burger Joint, a popular spot for grabbing a quick bite to eat.
Carnival Sunrise is particularly popular with young adults for short breaks to the Bahamas with lots of 20-something guests in party vibe mode.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Sunrise
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Sunrise, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Ropes Course
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- SportSquare
- Twister Waterslide
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Sunrise
Bars on Carnival Sunrise are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Casino Bar
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Pub
- RedFrog Rum Bar
- SkyBox Sports Bar
Parties on Carnival Sunrise are:
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
Carnival Radiance
Class: Sunshine Class
Age: 2000 (refurbished in 2019)
Capacity: 2,984
Size: 101,509
Carnival Radiance is a newly renovated cruise ship, which was previously known as Carnival Victory.
The ship underwent a major refurbishment in 2019, which included the addition of new restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
As one of the larger ships in the Carnival fleet, Carnival Radiance offers plenty of space and amenities for guests to enjoy. The ship features multiple pools, a spa, a fitness center, and a range of dining options, including specialty restaurants and casual eateries.
Offers itineraries to Hawaii and Mexico. The short 2 to 5 days durations are more popular with young adults.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Radiance
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Radiance, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Dive-In Movies
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Ropes Course (additional cost)
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- SportSquare
- Twister Waterslide
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Radiance
Bars on Carnival Radiance are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Casino Bar
- Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Pub
- RedFrog Rum Bar
Parties on Carnival Radiance are:
- 80s Night
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
Carnival Miracle
Class: Spirit class
Age: 2004 (last refurbished in 2020)
Capacity: 2124
Size: 88,500 GT
Carnival Miracle is a popular smaller Carnival cruise ship that offers a variety of amenities and activities for all ages.
As part of the Spirit class of ships, it has a capacity of over 2,100 guests and features a wide range of dining options, bars and lounges, and entertainment venues.
The ship underwent a significant renovation in 2020, which included the addition of several new dining options and entertainment venues.
Some of the standout features of Carnival Miracle include the Serenity Adult Only Retreat, where guests can relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the ship, and the Punchliner Comedy Club, which features nightly stand-up comedy performances.
While the ship is suitable for families and individuals of all ages, it also offers a lively party atmosphere that isbe particularly appealing to young adults.
Additionally, its itinerary includes destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii, which can on shorter durations, come with higher intensity party vibes full of younger adult guests.
Outdoor Activities on Carnival Miracle
Here’s a list of outdoor activities on Carnival Miracle, all are included in the cruise fare unless marked otherwise.
- Basketball
- Jogging Track
- Mini Golf
- Pools
- Serenity Adult-Only Retreat
- Twister Waterslide
- WaterWorks
Bars and Parties on Carnival Miracle
Bars on Carnival Miracle are:
- Alchemy Bar
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar
- Piano Bar
- RedFrog Pub
- RedFrog Rum Bar
- SkyBox Sports Bar
Parties on Carnival Miracle are:
- Mega Deck Party
- Sailaway Party
Best Time for Young Adults to Book With Carnival
The best time to book a Carnival cruise for a young adult who wants to avoid too many families and kids and sail with more of their own age range, would be during the off-peak season.
Typically, this would be during the fall months or in the early spring, as most families tend to book their cruises during the summer months or holidays when children are out of school.
Shorter cruises and 3 to 5-day breaks tend to attract a younger adult demographic than longer cruises of 7 days and more.
It is also worth considering the ship and its itinerary when booking a Carnival cruise for young adults.
Some ships are more geared toward families with children, while others cater more toward adults.
As well as checking the ship’s amenities and onboard activities, selecting an itinerary with more adventurous and adult-focused ports of call can also help to ensure a more suitable environment for young adults.
Short cruises to the Bahamas are particularly well known for their party vibes.
If you are single you might want to check out our best Carnival Cruises for singles as well as extra tips of where and when to travel.
How to Check the Best Carnival Cruise Ship Yourself
You can get an idea of whether a Carnival Cruise is catered more towards kids and families or adults by using the filter on the Carnival.com website page for each ship.
I’ve linked to all our recommendations above, but you can easily look at other ships from the list.
First, go to Carnival Cruise Onboard Activities page and and select one ship at a time via the site menu filters.
From the first filter, it will show you “Fun for All”. This can give you a quick overall impression as to whether the ship looks full of activities for kids and young teens.
Although bear in mind larger ships will have a lot more activities, and as long as there are enough adults, you can pretty much aim to avoid those younger areas while onboard.
For adults, you can choose to filter featured attractions and activities by 18+ or 21+, see the image below:
For comparing ships Id recommend opening up a tab for each ship you interested in or want to compare and then put the lists in A-Z order rather than the preset Featured.
In A-Z order you can quickly scan down any pages and see what’s on each ship for your specified adult age range as well as what’s suited to your own personal interests.
You can further filter by activity types via the menu at the top of the page, so if Bars are your focus, select Bar, or if its all about Activities, select accordingly.
You’ll quickly see for example, that most ships have Basketball courts, so perhaps ships that offer the less commonly seen activities in addition to the standard ones on most ships will be more of interest.
You can then flick between tabs and compare which ship features you prefer.
Related Posts:
Depending upon your relationship status and what you might be looking for on a cruise you might find some of these articles of interest:
- Best Singles Cruises To Hook Up – includes Carnival Cruises
- How to Get Laid on a Cruise – popular with some single young adults
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Carnival Cruise Class for Young Adults
Excel class are the newest and largest class of Carnival Cruise which was launched with Carnival Mardi Gras in 2020 and Carnival Celebration in 2022.
These two ships are huge and two of the largest cruise ships in the world, although not quite as big as some of the largest Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
The advantage of a larger ship is that there will be more sports and other activities, as well as various evening options to keep you entertained.
However, with larger ships comes bigger crowds of people, which for some might be a factor.
What’s The Best Carnival Cruise Ship For Partying
The best Carnival Cruise ships for partying tend to be those for shorter durations, two to five days, where everyone on board can party hard without flagging.
Longer duration cruises tend to be calmer with slight more adult guests on boards.
Look for ships with party events like the Mega Deck Party and White Hot Night parties, or 80’ night.
Short cruises to sunny locations while the kids are at school so there’s more adults onboard also makes for a good party ship.
Carnival Vista and Carnival Dream are ideal party cruise ships. Or a short break to the Bahamas on Carnival Sunrise.
Conclusion
We hope this short list helps you find the best ship for, which in part depend upon whats available in your accessible ports.
All Carnival ships are known for their fun and parties, even the small Carnival ships, so you can’t go too far wrong.
If you have any personal views on the above or any other recommendations please share in the comments.
