Inside Look: Rooms on a Carnival Cruise Ship

So, you’ve decided you want to go on a cruise, you’ve chosen your destination, and you know roughly when you want to head off on your adventure. Maybe you’ve even earmarked a few shore excursions or onboard activities. The next important decision to make is what kind of room you want to book.  

In this article we take an in-depth look at our Rooms, so you can choose the right room for your next cruise. We’ve even included a video of real Carnival cruisers sharing their thoughts on the best accommodations options onboard.

What are the perks included in every room?

Our rooms are cleverly designed and decked out with all the essentials. Expect all the comfort of home with all the excitement of being at sea.  

Finding your perfect Carnival room

When it comes to choosing a room, you’re spoilt for choice. Carnival ships offer quite a few different room types, different bedding configurations and options to customise your space to your needs.  From super affordable interior rooms to lavish suites with ocean views, there’s a room to suit every type of fun seeker.  Here’s a breakdown of each room type to help you decide. 

Interior: Affordable inside room

Travelling on a budget? Start your adventure here. Our Interior Rooms compact and cosy.  They’re located on the inside of the ship and are our most affordable room type. They come in a range of different bedding configurations including a queen bed, twin beds, triple- and quad-share.

Ocean View Rooms: enjoy natural light & views

If you’re looking to make the most of your time at sea, upgrading your view is the best place to start. Sleeping  up to four guests and featuring a window, wake up to natural light and watch the world go by from your bed in an Ocean View Room.

Balcony Rooms: Private outdoor views

Get the fresh sea air flowing into your room. Balcony Staterooms come with all the standard inclusions – comfy linens, smart storage space, a lounge to kick back on. But, with one big perk: a private balcony! Balcony Staterooms sleep up to four guests.

Suites: Luxury and space combined

Well, hello VIP! Staying in a Suite gives you plenty of extra perks, including priority embarkation and disembarkation. Your room includes a separate chillout space with a TV, a private balcony and exclusive amenities making this the ultimate way to cruise. Suites sleep up to four guests

Cloud 9 Spa: Ultimate relaxation at sea

Say hello to total relaxation. Cloud 9 Spa Rooms are decked out with amenities like ELEMIS bath products, spa-branded bathrobes and extra comfy slippers. You’ll get priority spa reservations, free fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites and exclusive discounts on treatments during port days.

Check out all Carnival Staterooms 

Family-friendly room options on Carnival ships

After a day of fun-filled activities – we’re talking mini golf, waterslides and Dive-in movies – there’s nothing better than having a comfy space for the whole family to unwind. Here’s a quick look at our family-friendly room options.

Flexible Staterooms: Comfort for up to four guests

No two families are the same. That’s why our rooms offer a range of configurations to cater to different family sizes and dynamics. Bunk beds for the kids, a queen-size bed for the parents, extra pillows for an all-in pillow fight and a bathroom for everyone to share.

Interconnecting Rooms: Ideal for larger groups and families

Keep the whole crew together! Whether you’re a family of more than four, you’re travelling with your extended family or a bunch of friends, you can choose from a range of Interconnecting rooms that cater to up to eight people. An internal door will connect your rooms giving you and your troupe, more space, two bathrooms, and privacy when you need it. Look out for the interconnecting room symbol on the deck plans which looks like this:

Deluxe Ocean View Rooms: More space and an additional

Sometimes you just want to spread out. Deluxe Ocean View Rooms are a great option for families – especially those with older kids. They gives everyone a little more space, come with an extra half-bathroom and comfortably sleep up to five guests. 

Check out all Family-friendly Staterooms 

Real cruisers share their tips on finding the perfect

Hear first-hand from our cruisers about all the ins and outs of accommodation onboard Carnival. From the different room types and space in the rooms to their thoughts on how comfy the beds are, you heard it here first! 

Accessible Staterooms for guests with disability

We’re always working on additional modifications to give all our guests a wonderful experience at sea. To date, we’ve made substantial changes to our ships to make them more accessible, including upgrading our rooms to comfortably accommodate guests with disability.

Fully Accessible Rooms: Complete mobility support

Our Fully Accessible Rooms are designed for guests with highly limited or no mobility, who use a wheelchair, scooter or assistive device. The rooms have been equipped with widened doorways, no lip into the bathroom and balcony, full turnaround space in the room and bathroom, and accessible routes throughout the room. The bathroom features a roll-in shower equipped with grab bars and a fold-down shower seat.

Fully Accessible Rooms with single-side approach

Body: An alternative option for those using a wheelchair, scooter or assistive device. Our single-side approach accessible rooms come in two configurations: for rooms with one bed, there is an accessible route and clear floor space on only one side of the bed; and for rooms with two beds, the clear floor space will be between the beds, with one side of each bed getting an accessible route. These rooms also feature widened entryways, and an accessible bathroom.

Ambulatory Accessible Rooms: For guests with limited mobility

This type of accessible room is ideal for guests with mobility limitations. It’s suited to people who don’t require a wheelchair or scooter but may use another assistive device, such as a cane or walker for travelling longer distances, and who may benefit from certain accessible features like grab bars, to assist with balance.

Standard rooms: Comfort for those with minor mobility needs

Our standard rooms might suit your needs. These rooms have an entry doorway measuring approximately 55.9 cm, a 20.3 cm lip into the bathroom, and a 10.2 cm lip into the shower stall. And for rooms with a balcony, there’s a 17.8 cm lip to the balcony.

Accessible features and facilities onboard

Our ships are fitted with a range of features and facilities to ensure everyone feels welcome and looked after. Here are a few examples:

• Wheelchair assistance during boarding and disembarkation
• Visual-tactile, room alert system, teletypewriter (TTY) and assistive listening headsets for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign Language Interpreters are also available upon request.
• Braille signage, large print menus and information booklets, and screen-reading software are available for guests who are blind or have low vision.
• Bespoke Youth Programs and activities for children with disability.
• Medical staff are on call 24/7 to assist in the case of an emergency.

Find out more about support and services for guests with disability.

Choosing the best room location on a cruise

Got your heart set on a certain room type? Now, it’s time to choose your ship location. Here’s a quick guide to understand where our rooms are located:

Lower deck: On most of our ships, our value rooms such as Interiors and Ocean Views rooms are located on the lower decks. Here, you’ll enjoy quick disembarkation on port days and have easy access to all the amenities in the ship’s lobby.

Upper Decks: The perfect location for guests who want to be close to the entertainment, fun and outdoor deck areas.

AFT: Staterooms in this part of the ship are close to the ship’s casual dining outlets, comedy clubs and our karaoke bar.

Midship: Here, you’re right in the middle of the action with easy access to extra midship elevators to get you to the upper and lower decks fast.

Forward: If you want to be close to art, entertainment, health and relaxation, stay towards the front of the ship. Here’s where you’ll find the fitness centre and spa, plus the show lounge for show-stopping performances.

Check out the ship guide

How to pick the perfect cruise for you

Still stuck on where to go and for how long? Here’s what to expect on our short, mid-length and extended cruises.

Long weekends & midweek getaways: 2 to 3-day cruises

Body: Sometimes a few days at sea is just what the doctor ordered. Our 2-3-day cruises give you enough time to kick back and relax without lifting a finger. Entertainment, great food and drinks right at your fingertips.

Mid-length cruises: 4 to 7-day cruises

The perfect length to feel relaxed and restored, without getting homesick (or using up too much annual leave). Our mid-length cruises visit a varuety of destinations including the South Pacific and the Great Barrier Reef. Including a mix of port days and seadays, you will have the chance to tick off some new destinations and your favourite onboard activities too.

Extended trips: one to two week-long cruises

If one week simply isn’t enough, our 10, 12 and 14-day cruises are a great option. You’ll have the chance to explore multiple destinations in places like the South Pacific, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea. And during seadays you can taste your way through loads of onboard restaurants and really get to know the ship.

Top 5 tips before you start your cruise

Whether it’s your first or 101st cruise, these tips will help you have the best time aboard.

Carefully choose your room

This will be your home base for the time you’re onboard. Think about how much time you’ll be spending in your room: do you want to sit on the balcony and soak up a good book, or are you happy to have a cosy bed to come home to after a day of activities on the upper deck? Make sure the inclusions and configurations suit your group size and their preferences.

Pack your cruise essentials

(Almost) everything you need will be available onboard. But it’s a good idea to pack plenty of sunscreen (you can top up on board) and a hat. Bring your swimmers if you plan on hanging by the pool, floaties for kids, and activewear if you plan on hitting the gym.

Be sure to pack any medications you’ll need. If you have an existing medical condition, it’s also a good idea to have some documentation (or at least access to it on your phone) in case you need to see our medical team during your trip.

Plan your shore excursions at each destination

Take a look at the shore excursions on your itinerary ahead of time – which will also help you pack accordingly. Consider how much time you’ll have, your budget and what the rest of your group wants to do. The shore excursions add to the fun and help make the most of your time in port, so aim for at least one!

Understand your cruise package inclusions

The best thing about a cruise holiday? Most meals, entertainment and activities are included! Feast your way through the ship’s eateries for free (charges apply to specialty restaurants). You might also want to consider adding a drinks package to your trip.

Get to know the ship you’re cruising on because each of our ships is slightly different. Before you set off, familiarise yourself with the cruise ship you’ll be sailing on. You can find deck plans and a list of all the onboard amenities for each Carnival ship here.