As the biggest and probably most-recognized name in cruising, Carnival Cruise Line offers more than two dozen big ships loaded with a little bit of everything to appeal to all kinds of cruisers. They don’t call them “Fun Ships” for nothing.
Carnival also has been innovative, creating a batch of special experiences and features on its ships that you can’t find anywhere else on the seas. Here are five cool things you will only find on Carnival cruises.
Doctor Seuss
Carnival’s partnership with Doctor Seuss appears on ships in the form of its Seuss at Sea programming. Kids young and old have fun with characters sailing onboard. You will see the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and Red Fish and Blue Fish. Activities include the Seuss-A-Palooza character parade, as well as a special breakfast. Parents and children also can share interactive story time and Seuss-themed arts and crafts sessions.
Guy Fieri Grub
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri partnered with Carnival a while ago to bring Guy’s Burger Joint to the lido deck. This casual food venue has become a sensation with cruisers, who love the tasty burgers, fries and fixings, which are complimentary. Sitting right in the heart of the action near the main pool also makes them hard to resist indulging at least once a day.
Several ships also offer Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que restaurants, an open-air venue (on the promenade) that serves lunches featuring barbecue specialties like pork butt, sausage, chicken and all the sides.
The partnership reached next-level status on Carnival Horizon with the creation of Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse. This concept combines the restaurant with the line’s onboard microbrewery.
Carnival Live
This concert series brings top music acts and comedians onboard to perform (for a fee) for passengers in the ship’s main theater or on the lido deck. Passengers have seen performances by Carrie Underwood, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jeff Foxworthy, Journey, Trace Adkins, Gladys Knight and many others.
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Microbreweries
Carnival Vista was the first ship to get an onboard microbrewery. The RedFrog Pub and Brewery was a revelation for craft beer aficionados who can now enjoy fresh flavors during their Carnival cruises. Varieties like Thirsty Frog Port Hoppin’ IPA and Frisky Frog Java Stout are brewed right onboard, and cruisers can enjoy flights and participate in brewery tours to see how the process works at sea.
With the arrival of Carnival Horizon, passengers were able to try more new craft beers at the new Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse. The facility is a hot spot for live music and games while eating barbecue meals and drinking brews like Parched Pig Farmhouse Ale and Parched Pig West Coast IPA.
Havana Complex
Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon feature the Havana Bar and Havana Cabanas staterooms. This combo gives cruisers a taste of Cuba with the Havana Bar, a night club offering rum-infused drinks and a sultry vibe. The place fills up at night with dancers moving to live musicians playing Latin beats. The adjacent Havana Cabana staterooms offer a private patio on a separated area of the promenade. Private means it’s only for the occupants of the stateroom to use; your Havana Cabana neighbors have a view of your area. This patio is an innovative space with a lounger and a swinging chair.
These rooms also come with exclusive access to the Havana pool and bar area at the aft of the ship on Deck 5. This area is open for all passengers in the evening, however, and is connected to the Havana Bar.
John Roberts is a freelance writer and operator of InTheLoopTravel.com. He writes about cruising and active travel, highlighting how people can connect with the world and other cultures through rewarding travel experiences.
