Carnival Cruise Line

Relaxed, informal dining is where Carnival really shines. You will find meals in the main dining room and the buffet, along with casual venues that change from ship to ship. Popular spots across the fleet can include Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, pizza and soft-serve ice cream. And when you fancy a special night out, speciality restaurants such as the steakhouses, Bonsai Sushi, Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table are there to book for a little extra.

Carnival's family programme gives children and teenagers their own spaces and activities. Turtles runs sessions for infants from six months, while Camp Ocean is split into age groups for children aged 2 to 11. Circle "C" is for 12 to 14-year-olds, and Club O2 is designed for teenagers aged 15 to 17. Simply register the children before they join in, and the rest of the holiday is yours to enjoy.

Celebration Key pairs a mile-long beach with wide freshwater lagoons, family areas, adult-focused spaces, live entertainment and more than 30 places to eat and drink. Starfish Lagoon has sports courts and the Guppy Grotto splash area, while Calypso Lagoon brings a livelier atmosphere for adults. Beach and lagoon access are included, with optional upgrades such as cabanas, waterslides and the adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club available for an extra cost.

There is always something on. Carnival ships run a busy schedule of live music, deck parties, quizzes, karaoke and stage performances throughout the voyage. Many ships feature Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club and Piano Bar 88, while selected vessels also offer Family Feud Live and their own signature venues. The mood is upbeat and sociable, especially on the shorter Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, and half the fun is discovering what is on aboard your ship.

Many Carnival ships come with WaterWorks waterparks alongside pools, sports courts and mini golf. Depending on the ship, you might also find ropes courses, SkyRide, Sky Zone and BOLT, the roller coaster aboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. A few of the headline attractions have age, height or weight guidelines, or a small charge, and it is the newer Excel Class ships that pack in the most to try.