What is your favorite Carnival Ship class?

[CarnivalShips480]

And why is it your favorite?

Edited October 24, 2022 by CarnivalShips480

[BTromboneFrack]

I guess we like the Conquest class probably because we have been on them more than the others.   The wrap around balconies are wonderful at the back of the ship.   It's tough, because every ship class offers something unique.   However, we''ll be sailing on the Celebration in the next couple of months.  We will then be able to compare it to our Mardi Gras trip last January, which was truly spectacular.   When we went on the Mardi Gras, it was only at 75 to 80% capacity.    I am curious to see how the lines are with a full ship.  

We LOVED the Miracle, which we went on in August.   It was nice to see the wild colors and EVERY corner of the ship having some kind of ornament or painting.    Carnival should never get rid of that style of decoration.  

The other thing is that we have not gone on the Sunshine yet, which I've heard is a favorite of a lot of people on these posts.  That is set for January.

[mz-s]

Conquest class - just wish they had more of the modern options like Shaq's Big Chicken etc. But the size and amount of public space is great on them I think.

[talkorpi]

Only been on the Conquest, Dream, and Vista classes (now that Triumph class no longer exists).  Of these, I think Dream is my favorite and Vista is my least favorite.  Dream is basically a slightly more modern Conquest class with an incredible Promenade which we love.  Vista, on the other hand, was not for me.  Felt cramped, not enough windows, bad atrium, and lack of public space compared to older ships was glaring.

 

Haven't had the chance to try the Excel class but always wanted to. Just waiting for the right price...

[LatinaInTexas]

I'm newer to cruising than a lot on here so I don't have much experience on all the different classes and have no sentimental attachment to certain older ships so the newer and bigger the better for me.

[Badfinger]

DREAM!  The Cloud 9 Spas are fantastic, and you can always find a place in the sun to be by yourself away from all the Lido deck noise and crowds (some call this "the action") on the promenade deck.  For me it is very simple moving forward....no Dream Class, no cruise.

[cruisingguy007]

If it were just the wife and I, spirit class for sure, as a family, vista class. I liked the layout of fantasy class also and the large aft open deck space, always a seat available, though drink service was sparse back there. I'd certainly try the new behemoth class if they bring one out west, which I suspect they will eventually.     

[Eli_6]

I like the Vista Class for the Havana area.  My second favorite ship "class" was the Splendor.  

[Bostwick girl]

Spirit class is best for me because they’re so easy to navigate! Everything is on Deck 2, can leave the dining room and walk all the way forward without having to deal with elevators. Love all the little nooks to sit quietly and also the seating where you can people watch. The smaller size is so much better to me!

 

[slavigne5577]

I love the Dream. Still praying Nola will get her back. Spa is awesome. I love being able to listen to live  music and be at Alchemy with no casino smoke.

[silvercrikhix]

Spirit Class. The Deck 4 Vista suite Aft Wraps are my favorite hands down. 
So relaxing, you really can wind down back there.
You can actually move freely in those cabins & on the balcony. 
We Have a Miracle Aft Wrap booked for next year. 
We like the smaller size but would love a few more food options. 

[Island Dog]

Spirit class. Most efficient and largest (by ship capacity) comedy club. Pool in Serenity area. Largest ship to passenger space ratio. Unique and funky steakhouse in the funnel with red glass skylights. IMHO no other class even comes close.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We’ve only sailed Fantasy class and Spirit class, but next summer we’ll be on the Vista and Conquest classes.

 

Comparing Fantasy and spirit classes: Spirit wins easily. Pool with the sliding roof, dive in movie, guys, blue iguana, bigger comedy club, better camp ocean space, 

 

Looking forward to comparing our next two classes.

 

For some reason I’ve always (well, since 2014) wanted to try the Dream class, just hasn’t worked out yet. 

[ChuckF]

I use to say I don't want to go on a ship without Guy's Burgers.  But now that they're on most, if not all, Carnival Ships, I say I don't want to go on a ship without an Ocean Plaza. So, that's Dream and Vista. And in my mind, there's not that much difference in the two except that Vista holds more people and generally seems more crowded. We really love the RockBands in the Plaza along with the ample room for trivia and other daytime activities. 

[samiam0403]

Definitely Spirit class. Just the right size, and the layout is much better than later ships. Of course, my real favorite isn't on the list - Holiday. Cruised that old gal 3 times before she left Carnival, and the staff and crew were always amazing. 

[surfone]

Spirit class for the layout and size.  Having the pool in the serenity area is a plus.  It seems to be a favorite for many crew members ( We always ask the crew what ship they prefer) Dining room, too is great on Spirit class ships.

[icft]

Our favorite is the Dream class with the Conquest class a very close second. We strongly dislike the Vista class - sailed Vista once but never again.

 

We find the Dream and Conquest class ships do not feel crowded and have an open feeling. Sure, there are some crowded places at times but you can always find lots of open space and great views off the ship (the sea or whatever land you are near). The Dream edges the Conquest class because of the covered (covered by the Spa deck) tables and chairs on the Panorama deck overlooking the Lido pool area on one side and the sea on the other. Sitting in the shade with the wind blowing through with great views gives Dream class the edge.

 

The Vista class makes you feel like a rat in a maze. In addition everything seems to be laid-out to be as inconvenient as possible (example: closest bathroom to the casino? - bring your hiking boots), though it does have a well designed Lido buffet area.

[n6uqqq]

3 hours ago, Island Dog said:

Spirit class. Most efficient and largest (by ship capacity) comedy club. Pool in Serenity area. Largest ship to passenger space ratio. Unique and funky steakhouse in the funnel with red glass skylights. IMHO no other class even comes close.

Plus one, everything you said above plus I love the triple length balconies to go with all this! 

[Island Dog]

28 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:

Plus one, everything you said above plus I love the triple length balconies to go with all this! 

Yessss! We have one booked next month!

[JandPB]

My preference is the Conquest class and then Spirit class. We were on the Magic at capacity in April and it was so crowded everywhere. We are debating the Celebration in 2024 but that's still up in the air. 

 

~PB

[pe4all]

7 hours ago, Island Dog said:

Yessss! We have one booked next month!

We have 6232 booked and can't wait.  Loved it when we had it previously.

[bguppies]

Easily the Spirit class but sadly they will be gone in a few years and we'll be left with only the overcrowded giganto ships.

The Spirit class wins anytime this is put up for vote, yet Carnival builds their new ships completely against why people love the Spirit class so much. 

[bguppies]

10 hours ago, n6uqqq said:

Plus one, everything you said above plus I love the triple length balconies to go with all this! 

Bowling alley balconies are fantastic.

Did one once on the Legend.

First cruise that I finally felt a balcony was worth the money.

[mz-s]

3 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Easily the Spirit class but sadly they will be gone in a few years and we'll be left with only the overcrowded giganto ships.

The Spirit class wins anytime this is put up for vote, yet Carnival builds their new ships completely against why people love the Spirit class so much. 

 

Carnival is building bigger ships yes, but the Spirit class isn't going anywhere.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

21 minutes ago, bguppies said:

Easily the Spirit class but sadly they will be gone in a few years and we'll be left with only the overcrowded giganto ships.

The Spirit class wins anytime this is put up for vote, yet Carnival builds their new ships completely against why people love the Spirit class so much. 

There are a couple ports, including Baltimore, that can't accommodate a ship bigger than spirit class.  So, I doubt they'll be gone completely anytime soon.  

 

Question is, when they do get too old to sail (and they are still quite a bit younger than remaining fantasy class)  will they give up on those ports or build new ships of that size.