Embarking on a cruise vacation opens up a world of exciting destinations and onboard experiences. For our family, Carnival Cruise Lines has become a favorite choice, and over the past year, we’ve had the pleasure of sailing on three distinct ships: Carnival Sensation, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Ecstasy. Each ship offered a unique flavor of the Carnival experience, and comparing them highlights the diverse options available for cruise enthusiasts. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, understanding the nuances of different Carnival ships can help you choose the perfect vessel for your dream vacation. This comparison delves into our personal experiences on these three ships, focusing on what makes each one special and how they cater to different preferences.
Our first Carnival adventure was during Spring Break on the Carnival Sensation. This Fantasy-class ship provided a fantastic introduction to cruising with an extended family group. Sailing from Port Canaveral on a 4-night Bahamas itinerary with stops in Freeport and Nassau, we quickly fell in love with the ease and enjoyment of cruise travel. The Carnival Sensation, while not the newest or largest in the fleet, proved to be a delightful ship for a shorter cruise. One of its key advantages was its manageable size. Navigating the ship was easy, and we found that food lines were consistently reasonable, making for a relaxed and enjoyable experience. After just a day, we felt completely comfortable moving around the ship. In Nassau, we ventured to the stunning Cabbage Beach, a truly breathtaking location that further solidified our love for Caribbean destinations.
Our second cruise experience took us on a longer 7-night Western Caribbean journey aboard the Carnival Dream in October. Departing again from Port Canaveral, we were immediately impressed by the sheer scale and variety of entertainment onboard this Dream-class ship. The Carnival Dream is significantly larger and newer than the Sensation, translating to a wider array of dining and entertainment choices. This size difference was immediately noticeable and appealing. For food lovers, the Chef’s Art Steakhouse on the Carnival Dream was a standout highlight. The quality of the steak and the exceptional service made it a truly memorable dining experience and well worth the extra cost. Another significant difference was the expansive Serenity adults-only area. Compared to smaller ships, the Serenity on the Carnival Dream was enormous, offering ample seating and a tranquil retreat for relaxation. Finding a lounger was never an issue, a stark contrast to our experiences on smaller ships where Serenity areas tended to fill up quickly.
In February 2014, we embarked on our third Carnival cruise, this time on the Carnival Ecstasy, another Fantasy-class ship. This 4-night cruise departed from Miami, visiting Key West and Cozumel. While the Carnival Ecstasy is also a Fantasy-class ship like the Sensation, we found its Serenity area to be noticeably smaller, though still inviting. It provided a cozy and pleasant space, even if not as expansive as the Dream’s Serenity. The Carnival Ecstasy, being an older and smaller ship, still maintained a pleasant cruising atmosphere. The Lido Deck at night offered a charming ambiance, and we found the ship to be clean and well-maintained. Our suite on the Carnival Ecstasy was particularly impressive, exceeding expectations for comfort and space.
Similar to the Carnival Sensation, the Carnival Ecstasy offered shorter and more manageable food lines compared to the larger Carnival Dream. While the entertainment was satisfactory, it wasn’t as extensive or varied as what we experienced on the Carnival Dream. For us, a significant part of the cruise appeal lies in exploring the ports of call and enjoying the onboard music and atmosphere. We appreciate the unique experience of traveling to destinations by sea. Two ports that particularly stood out were Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico. Roatan, with its monkeys, parrots, and stunning natural beauty, was a personal favorite. Cozumel, visited on both the Carnival Dream and Carnival Ecstasy cruises, impressed us with its gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Comparing these three Carnival ships, each offered similar core amenities including miniature golf, Carnival Kids Club, diverse dining options, swimming pools, and Serenity adults-only areas. However, when choosing between the Carnival Sensation, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Ecstasy, the Carnival Dream emerged as our favorite overall. Its larger size provided a greater variety of entertainment and dining, making it ideal for longer cruises where having more options is a plus. The Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy, while smaller, were well-suited for shorter itineraries, offering a more intimate and manageable cruise experience.
Ultimately, all three Carnival ships provided us with unforgettable memories. As we look ahead to future cruises, the question of which Carnival ship to explore next is always on our minds. The Carnival Sunshine is currently on our radar. Have you sailed on the Carnival Sunshine? We’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations as we continue our Carnival cruise adventures.
Note: We personally funded all of our Carnival cruises.
