Carnival Cruise Lines review: Carnival celebration – July 5–12, 2026

I’m not really sure how to begin this review, so I’ll start with the biggest positive: family.

We planned this vacation with some of our children and adult grandchildren, and the time we spent together was absolutely priceless. We created memories that will last a lifetime, and I give Carnival a lot of credit for providing the setting that made those moments possible.

The crew members we interacted with were friendly and helpful throughout the cruise. Our stateroom steward, Jimcor, deserves special recognition. He was outstanding—always greeting us by name whenever he saw us in the hallway, keeping our room spotless, and making us feel welcome. Every crew member we encountered was courteous and professional.

Now for the “but.”

This was my first cruise with Carnival, so I can’t compare it to other Carnival ships or sailings. I can only compare it to the other cruise lines I’ve sailed with, and, unfortunately, there really wasn’t much comparison. While the staff was consistently friendly, very few went beyond the basics to create those memorable moments that make you feel genuinely valued as a guest. On other cruise lines, that extra level of service has always stood out, and I found it missing on this sailing.

The food was another disappointment. The buffet was, overall, below my expectations. There were a few items that were very good, but most of the offerings were just average. The food in the main dining venues and specialty restaurants was definitely better, but the portions often left us wanting more. More than once, we found ourselves heading to the buffet afterward because we were still hungry.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the behavior of many of the teenagers and young adults onboard.

Throughout the cruise, there were numerous instances of disruptive and inappropriate behavior. Some groups were confrontational with other guests, and several young men were making inappropriate comments and gestures toward young women. It created an uncomfortable atmosphere that took away from what should have been a relaxing vacation.

The final sea day was especially disappointing. We went to the Lido Deck to relax and play cards. A large group of teenagers and young adults spent approximately an hour and a half running through the seating areas, chasing one another, yelling, and disrupting everyone around them. During that time, there was little to no visible security presence. Eventually, arguments escalated into physical fights, and only then did security begin responding. By that point, the situation had already gotten out of hand.

I understand that managing thousands of guests is a difficult job, and I don’t blame the crew members who were working hard throughout the week. However, I do believe Carnival needs to take a more proactive approach to enforcing its code of conduct, especially when disruptive behavior begins affecting the experience and safety of other guests. Waiting until situations escalate into fights is simply too late.

Overall, our family had an unforgettable vacation because of the time we spent together, and for that I am grateful. The crew worked hard and treated us well, especially our stateroom steward, Jimcor. Unfortunately, the inconsistent food quality, lack of exceptional service compared with other cruise lines, and the failure to address unruly behavior before it escalated left me disappointed. While we made wonderful family memories, this experience has left me uncertain about choosing Carnival for a future cruise.