The world's largest cruise line's humble origins pigeonholed it as the cruise industry's version of a floating fraternity party for a long, long time. But that's yesterday, and while Carnival still commands a certain reputation for a flashy, neon-esque atmosphere, and by no means stints on elaborate lounges and discos, its ships continue to evolve. In particular, Carnival has earned kudos for enhancing cuisine (never a high point in the old days), investing in a top-notch children's program, and expanding its itinerary offerings beyond traditional Caribbean and Bahamas trips to regions like Alaska, Atlantic Canada, even Europe. Lately, the line has taken advantage of the fastest-growing cruise segment in the United States—short vacations of three to five nights—and has deployed most of its Fantasy-class ships to those markets.

In 2005, cabins were updated to include robes in standard categories and the "Carnival Comfort Bed" sleep system, which features deluxe new plush mattresses, soft duvets, high quality linens and upgraded pillows. (Suite passengers have a "suite pillow menu" from which to select a specific pillow of their liking.) But perhaps the biggest potential improvement is the quantum leap in culinary quality due in part to the new partnering with Michelin three-star chef, Georges Blanc, who is developing new menu entrees fleet wide and instituting training for Carnival chefs both in his Vonnas, France restaurant and aboard the ships themselves.

Carnival also is one of the world's most innovative cruise lines. Among its firsts:
It pioneered the concept of building regional "drive to" ports, expanding its embarkation centers beyond Miami to places like New Orleans, Mobile, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Norfolk, Charleston, Galveston, and New York. It has built a cruise port in Long Beach, California, to take advantage of sailings to the west coast of Mexico.

It offers a vacation guarantee program that allows dissatisfied passengers the chance to disembark at the first port and receive a refund.
The explosive expansion at Carnival Cruise Line extends beyond its ships. Parent company Carnival Corporation is the industry's largest. Other cruise lines in the family fold include Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Windstar Cruises. Carnival Corporation also acquired P&O Princess—now named Carnival P.L.C.—which adds Princess Cruises, Swan Hellenic, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia, Ocean Village, AIDA, and A'ROSA.

Life Onboard
Carnival offers an incredibly diverse range of onboard activities, ranging from traditional (napkin folding classes, Vegas-style revues, and kitchen tours) to funky (belly flop pool contests and waterslides). All of its ships offer size-appropriate spa and fitness facilities and have multiple pool areas. From Destiny-class onward, one pool always lies under a retractable roof so that it can be used year-round. Casinos on Carnival ships are elaborate, Vegas-style rooms with all the neon and flash one would expect.

Carnival is increasingly experimenting with dining venues on its ships. The revamp, which falls under the umbrella "Total Choice Dining," includes a four-tiered, staggered dining time arrangement in the ships’ main restaurants. Passengers can choose dining times of 5:45 PM, 6:15 PM, 8 PM, and 8:30 PM.

Beyond traditional dining, Carnival is gradually introducing specialty eateries, including an Asian-themed restaurant and New York-style deli on Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Victory, and a pre-dinner sushi bar on Celebration, Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Imagination, Inspiration, Jubilee, Paradise, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Conquest. Other new dining concepts include a patisserie on Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Paradise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Victory; and an upscale "supper club" alternative restaurant, on Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Valor.

Carnival has renamed its Nautica Spa; the new moniker, adopted fleet wide, is SpaCarnival. Other ship highlights include Internet cafés and the recent introduction of in-cabin amenity baskets.

The newfangled additions Carnival is gradually implementing on its ships vary wildly among vessels. For the most part, the newer, bigger ships have the more sophisticated accouterments. This is definitely one cruise line where, despite much uniformity, ship-by-ship research is a good idea if there are particular features of interest.

Fellow Passengers
Passengers are a broad crisscross of mostly mid-America. According to Carnival, 30 percent of its passengers are under age 35, 40 percent are ages 35–55, and 30 percent are over age 55.