Young people love Carnival's cruises I sailed on its newest ship and saw why
Brittany Chang
- Most of Carnival Cruise Line's guests are millennials amid a push for new and younger customers.
- I spent four nights on its new Carnival Firenze ship in May.
When you go on a Carnival cruise, you're more likely to see your millennial coworker than your older next-door neighbor.
Forget all preconceived notions you might have about the age of cruise fans (no, they're not all retirees). Carnival Corp has been pursuing new and younger travelers — so much so that it saw a 17% increase in first-time cruisers in the third quarter of 2024 from the same period in 2023, Josh Weinstein, the cruise giant's president and CEO, told analysts in late September.
Amid this push, the majority of the cruise line's guests are now millennials, hovering at an average age of around 41, David Bernstein, Carnival Corp's CFO, told analysts. That's five years younger than the average age of cruisers across the industry, according to trade group Cruise Lines International Association.
One look at its newest ship, the six-month-old Carnival Firenze, might explain why the cruise line is excelling with millennials.
Young travelers drawn to a good deal could find it hard to pass up a Carnival cruise.
Mass-market cruises are a beacon of affordability in an increasingly expensive vacation market, especially as inflation has ruptured American household finances.
After all, what other fare covers food, activities, accommodations, and the opportunity to see several bucket-list destinations in one trip?
Carnival's fares have become increasingly expensive amid growing demand.
Firenze's cheapest voyage in 2025 starts at just $60 a day. Plus, you won't have to pay for airfare if you live near its homeport in Long Beach, California.
It's a great deal compared to options on dry land. In May, US hotels hit an average daily rate of about $158, according to analytics company JD Power.
First-time cruisers often book shorter voyages.
In line with this, most of Firenze's 2025 sailings will be four or five days long. And its itineraries are straightforward, sailing only to California's Catalina Island and Mexico's Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
It's the same strategy Royal Caribbean has deployed with its newest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas.
The vessel, one of the world's largest, is exclusively scheduled for three- and four-night cruises to the company's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The warm-weathered port also has a big draw for cruising millennials: a boozy adult-only pool club.
With such short sailings, it's hard to be bored aboard Carnival Firenze.
As someone on the Gen Z-millennial cusp, I prefer cruises with good food, diverse bars, and a surplus of fun amenities.
For the most part, Carnival Firenze hits these marks.
The Italian-themed ship has plenty of complimentary activities, including ropes and mini-golf courses.
Are they as high-tech as some of the ones on competing cruise ships? No. But unlike those options, Carnival Firenze's are free.
The ship also has al fresco cornhole sets, a giant chessboard, and an outdoor sports court.
If you prefer staying away from the sun, head inside for the collection of board games, foosball, and ping pong.
As a family-friendly cruise line, you'll likely compete with kids to use these amenities.
Avoid the youngest travelers by lounging at the adult-only outdoor retreat. There, you'll find plenty of lounge chairs and hot tubs.
If you're looking for a pool club-like space, spend your afternoon at the outdoor pool. The sunshine, upbeat DJ, and proximity to the bartender curate a lively environment.
Speaking of adult beverages, there are enough onboard bars to mimic a pub crawl.
Venues like Piano Bar 88 and Tuscan Lounge have live music.
If you prefer options akin to the ship's Italian theme, head to Amari for aperitifs and digestifs.
Like your prosecco without sweet vermouth and Campari? Frizzante serves glasses of bubbles.
Catch the latest sports at the veterans-themed Heroes Tribute lounge.
Or, if you enjoy upholding the millennial stereotype of singing "Mr. Brightside" at karaoke, prep your vocal cords for karaoke night at the stylish and contemporary Moda lounge.
After karaoke, there are plenty of carby options to satisfy your cravings.
Nine of Firenze's 16 dining venues are complimentary, primarily geared toward the American and Italian-American cuisines.
Options include rotating menus in the main dining room, Mexican-Italian fusion tacos at the Tomodoro kiosk, and indulgent burgers served with slabs of fried mozzarella at the grab-and-go Guy Fieri's Burger Joint.
If you're craving something lighter than pizza and sausage, Firenze has a Fresh Creations salad bar in the adult-only lounge and roasted vegetables at the al fresco La Strada Grill.
If you're open to splurging, options include a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, sushi, and teppanyaki.
Expect to pay for chicken wings at the buffet and specialty coffee like lattes, too.
Most importantly, Firenze has the one necessity for chronically online millennials: WiFi. It will cost extra — I paid $85 for the premium package — but at least you get to post Instagram stories of your vacation in live time.
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