I sailed on a Carnival cruise for the first time and saw why they're so popular for budget vacations

Brittany ChangJul 11, 2024, 22:15 IST

Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival Corp experienced record bookings in the second quarter of 2024.
Its latest and 27th ship, Carnival Firenze, is a great budget option.

I love falling for the hype, whether it be clawing for a table at a new buzzy restaurant or queueing for a limited-edition clothing drop.

Unfortunately, the one craze I can't get fully behind is Carnival, specifically its new 5,245-guest Carnival Firenze ship. Because as much as I like a bargain, I love a quality vacation more.

Carnival's floating hotels have never been this popular. Bookings for the rest of 2024 are "the best on record" with higher occupancy rates, fares, returning cruisers, and new guests compared to the year prior, the cruise line's parent company, Carnival Corp, said in its second-quarter earnings report in June.

And it's looking like business will only get better from here, with the cruise giant already reporting stronger booking levels at higher prices for its 2025 voyages.

Carnival is beloved in part for its affordability.

A woman was denied boarding on the Carnival Luminosa as she was in her second trimester, per 9News.SOPA Images/Getty Images

With these price differences, it's easy to see why travelers have been clawing at Carnival's voyages.

Josh Weinstein, president and CEO of Carnival Corp, told analysts in late June that Carnival Cruise Line will make up 37% of its parent company's portfolio by 2028.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival acquired Firenze and its sister ship from fellow Carnival Corp-owned Costa Cruises in 2022.

A spokesperson for Carnival told Business Insider that Firenze underwent a two-month refresh to "install the Carnival Fun Italian Style Concept."Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The new ship's fares may be relatively affordable, but you get what you pay for.

My interior cabin was spacious but dated.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The complimentary food was second-rate, but the free, family-friendly amenities were plentiful, and there were ample opportunities to splurge.

Firenze is Carnival's second ship with the "Carnival Fun Italian Style" theme.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Some new cruise ships have complimentary food as good as, if not better, than the specialty restaurants.

Carnival Firenze had two main dining rooms. Pictured is Michelangelo.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

My fried calamari was chewy, the desserts were too sweet, and I found a piece of plastic in my clams and linguini.

I found a small piece of plastic in my clams with linguini.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The dinner buffet served the same dishes as the dining rooms.

The cost of wings ranged from six pieces for $5 to 24 for $18. Make sure you eat them at a booth that isn't stained.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Breakfast at the buffet and dining rooms were average.

Breakfast options in the main dining room included chicken and waffles. The bourbon maple syrup was heavy on the bourbon.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

You'll have to pay $4.50 for a morning latte with your breakfast sandwich.

Spiked coffees and milkshakes cost more than $9 and $7, respectively.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

For lunch, there's the pizza, Guy Fieri-branded burger, and Italian sandwich stands.

Guy's Burger Joint's fully-loaded burgers and fries were decent, as far as cruise ship burgers go.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The grilled vegetables at La Strada Grill were a divine and necessary counterpart to the ship's heavy meals.

The buffet-style La Strada Grill offered options like mac and cheese, a quinoa and chickpea salad, and grilled vegetables.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I could've spent $40 for the teppanyaki lunch or snacked on the $1.50-a-piece empanadas.

Specialty restaurants on Carnival Firenze include Italian, teppanyaki, sushi, steakhouse, and chef's table restaurants. The seafood shack and "empanada and pie" stands also had an à la carte fee.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

There are plenty of free, family-friendly amenities.

Carnival Firenze had a mini-golf course scattered around the open-air deck.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Or, you could spend your time splashing around the two pools.

Carnival Firenze hosts nightly movies by the indoor pool.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Onboard programming like trivia, dance classes, and karaoke also helps pass the time, free of charge.

Art of Tea bags (right) were $1.50 each during Tea Time. Bigelow's green tea (left) was free.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Or, save your money for a few fun beverages.

The atrium hosted entertainment like live music and DJs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If you don't want to pay for the bars, casino, or spa, you could escape the kids by going to the adult-only lounge.

Guests 21 years old and older can lounge at Firenze's Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

And whatever relaxation you manage to sneak in will quickly be gone on port days, thanks to an unnecessarily confusing disembarkation process.

Guests who didn't book an excursion could take a $4 shuttle from the port to downtown Ensenada, Mexico.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival Firenze could be great if you're planning a tightly-budgeted family vacation.

There's a children's water play area near the waterslides.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

With that being said, if you have some cash to spare, I'd suggest going with another ship or cruise line.

Norwegian Prima's mini-golf course, left, is $10 per person, while Carnival Firenze's, right, is free.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I sailed on Carnival's new cruise ship. See all of its amenities — and why some are better than its pricier competitors

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