7 night carnival cruise

• Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

Carnival Dinner Menus for 7 and 8 Night Cruises

by Prof. Cruise · Published July 18, 2023 · Updated February 25, 2024

Current (Updated) Dinner Menus for 7 and 8-Night Carnival Cruises

Here are the newest fleet-wide dinner menus on Carnival for a 7 or 8-night cruise (you can find the menus for 3-night cruises HERE , 4-night cruises HERE , 5-night cruises HERE , 6-night cruises HERE , and 14-night cruises HERE ). All ships have now received these new menus.

While this will almost always be the order of the menus, if you’re using these to plan for speciality nights, I highly recommend stopping by the MDR on embarkation day and double checking with the maître d,’ as occasionally on certain itineraries the order will be different.

*Important note about the 2nd elegant night and lobster. On 8-night cruises, the second elegant night serving complimentary lobster will take place on night 7. On 7-night cruises, the second elegant night (serving complimentary lobster) will take place on night 6.

INDEX (skip to): Carnival 7-night dinner menus Carnival 8-night dinner menus

Here are the new menus:

CARNIVAL 7-NIGHT DINNER MENUS

Carnival’s 7-night dinner menu, night 1.

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 2 (elegant night)

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 3

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 4

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 5

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 6 (2nd elegant night)

Carnival’s 7-Night Dinner Menu, Night 7

CARNIVAL 8-NIGHT DINNER MENUS

Carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 1, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 2 (elegant night), carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 3, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 4, carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 5.

Carnival’s 8-Night Dinner Menu, Night 6

Carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 7 (2nd elegant night), carnival’s 8-night dinner menu, night 8, looking for additional carnival menus.

Carnival Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2024

Carnival Menus 2024

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Today’s Bonus Cruising Tip

I ALWAYS buy travel insurance (especially during these uncertain times) to cover my cruises, but I NEVER purchase it through Carnival . It costs more and usually covers less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like  travelinsurance.com  to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want. Spend less on insurance and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!

Icon of the Seas Bar Menus and Drink Prices

February 4, 2024

 by Prof. Cruise · Published February 4, 2024

Carnival Cruise Line’s Christmas Dinner Menu 2021

December 4, 2021

 by Prof. Cruise · Published December 4, 2021

Princess Bar and Drink Menus 2022

May 4, 2022

 by Prof. Cruise · Published May 4, 2022 · Last modified August 8, 2022

13 Responses

• Pingbacks 5

too much chicken–where are the fish meals. why not have beer battered fish with chips.. get rid of pasta dishes tooo many.

I can’t find escargot on any of the dinners! Is it still served?

nope was what I was told but will wait and see

Do you have a kids menu?? Would love you see it please. My grandsons can be picky and to take care of it before we board!!!

https://profcruise.com/carnival-kids-menus/

Carnival’s VP of Food Richard told John Heald to announce the the beef strip loin would be taken off these new menus and replaced with the flat iron steak they used to serve every day in the MDR. These menus still show the strip loin steak. Also, some ships have not yet begun to serve the new menus.

What would the menu lineup look like for cruises shorter than 8 nights?

Emeril additions look good! I am confused as to which menus would be served on day 6 and 7 of a 7 day cruise. Would the day 8 elegant night menu shown above be served on day 6 and then day 7 would just be day 7 as shown? (And day 6 would only be used on and 8 day cruise?)

[…] You can see the new dinner menus for a 7-night cruise posted HERE: […]

[…] Since this post was originally written, Carnival has announced new fleet-wide dinner menus that will be rolled out to all ships by 2024. To see the new menus and which ships will be getting them first, go HERE. […]

[…] Carnival’s NEW Dinner Menus! […]

[…] ***UPDATE*** A FINAL VERSION OF THE NEW CARNIVAL DINNER MENUS HAS BEEN RELEASED. SEE THE FINAL FLEET-WIDE MENUS HERE*** […]

[…] NEW Carnival Fleet-Wide Dinner Menus for 7 and 8 night cruises […]

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Mardi Gras Trip Log Day 2: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Carnival Cruise – At Sea

Trip log, day two. At Sea. 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Carnival Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida  March 12, 2023

FUN TIMES – Day 2

The first full day onboard is underway sailing south-east passing The Bahamas as we make way for San Juan in a couple days. Emily started her typical gym-going routine, and then we all met for with breakfast. Isabelle and I got chicken biscuit sandwiches from Big Chicken’s breakfast menu and Emily and I had made-to-order omelet from the Lido Marketplace, the buffet located on Deck 16.

The omelet station became an instant favorite. There were multiple omelet stations with the cooks taking guests orders and doing one heck of a job moving the line while creating a quality breakfast item. So far, the food has been impressive, and it’s just the start of day 2.

Over on the Lido Deck across from the pool, is a cute little doghouse with towel dogs. This spot is where you can exchange your pool towels or buy some additional items such a blanket. Unfortunately, the towel folding book was sold out during our sailing.

The Mardi Gras features “ the fastest — and first! — rollercoaster at sea ” on the top deck named Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster. Prior to this cruise, we experienced Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom – fun ride, awesome overall design, but too short of an experience . Bolt, is also a motorcycle like ride vehicle what really makes this coaster unique is the speed is rider controllable. There is a throttle allowing you to control the speed as you race around the upper deck – there are built in limits and breaking, but for the most part you control the ride. While it is a short ride track, you are able to go around the track twice for the per ride price of $15/person. We had a blast, but this is defiantly one of those one and done experiences considering the per person fee. Reservations were required, but there was really no wait so I would imagine there was plenty of available time slots to select. I’d recommend booking a time early in the cruise in the event weather takes the attraction offline which wind was a factor for our friend who was unable to ride at their original, and even the first rescheduled time. They were finally able to ride on the 3rd attempt.

Plastic silverware and straws have vanquished from the ships in recent years for good environmental reasons, but straws are still desired by guests and Carnival using Sorbos Edible straws available in multiple flavors. We came across Lime, Chocolate, and Strawberry offered at various venues onboard. Carnival also does not use paper cups.

Over in La Piazza – the La Piazza on the Mardi Gras (not the La Piazza on the Disney Fantasy) there are a number of quick service options for pizza and paninis.

I knew I was going to like Pizzeria del Capitano when I saw they were using Caputo 00 pizzeria flour, the staple ingredient in my own pizza making process.

The line can build at this spot, but the Pizzaiolos are hard a work preparing and baking the pizzas to keep up with demand. More often than not, there was fresh pizza coming out of the ovens. For a quick service, this was some really good pizza. Made to order wasn’t really an option, but I am sure you could always ask for something.

In all, there are 5 standard pizzas on the menu, Margherita, Funghi, Pepperoni, Quattro Formaggi, and Prosciutto.

Next to the pizza area, was Piazza Panini with more than a dozen sandwich options pre-made, but heated or pressed when ordered if desired. There was also gluten free bread available. Given the slow speed of the line, I would have preferred a full made to order sandwich experience as the pre-made method didn’t seem to help move the line as they were limited to how many they could heat/press at any given time. I did enjoy my sandwich though.

Formal night on Carnival is called Cruise Elegant Night and we all dressed up, as did most of the other guests. I’m normally an outlier wearing a tuxedo on formal nights — not on this ship my friends. Passengers of all ages were dressed for the evening.

For dinner, we were back at our assigned table in the Palm Restaurant with our same serving team and a new menu.

Night 2 and still impressed with the food and the expanded menu options. The Grand Marnier Soufflé while not billowing over the ramekin, it was downright delicious.

Did a little post dinner walking around the ship since we really hadn’t spent all that much time exploring all of the venues. We walked over to the JavaBlue Café, and discovered an assortment of both included and additional cost items like this strawberry donut that looked appetizing (which I regret not getting!). This was a popular location for passengers with drink plans that included specialty coffees. I guess our room included the Bubbles Package for soda, but we do not drink soda, so we stuck with the included water, iced tea, and coffee. The coffee was actually quite good – the machines were a grind and brew on demand and I eventually found 1 machine that would make espresso.

I normally travel with a Sudoku book in my bag, but I changed bags at the last minute before leaving the house. To my surprise, I discovered a daily puzzle sheet with pencils along with FUN TIMES on the counter at JavaBlue Café. Something so simple that I didn’t realize I needed became part of my morning routine.

Our group settled in a booth across from the Fortune Teller bar for after dinner drinks. This bar has a menu with a number of Instagramable cocktails as some were served with the bartender shining a light on them to bring out characteristics such as glitter or color changing effects. While the bar is well themed, it was a bit too loud to have a conversation as the enjoyable live musicians were amplified via the venue speakers to the point it was a nuisance. The highlight of the Fortune Teller lounge was the Venus Rising cocktail with a hibiscus ice cube that we are working to replicate at home.

We ventured over to The Brass Magnolia lounge for a Sazerac night cap as one does when they are in New Orleans, or on a ship with a New Orleans motif. The live band, Washboard Joe, was really enjoyable during their Beatles set , but just like the previous venue, it was nearly impossible to hold a conversation. Our party preferred the drinks here over the Fortune Teller drink menu.

It was time to call it a night to prepare for our second consecutive day at sea.

Complete Trip Log Index

• Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida
• Day 2 – At Sea
• Day 3 – At Sea
• Day 4 – San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Day 5 – Amber Cove – Dominican Republic
• Day 6 – Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
• Day 7 – At Sea /  Day 8 – Port Canaveral (Debarkation )
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11 Replies to “Mardi Gras Trip Log Day 2: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Carnival Cruise – At Sea”

Day 2 menu is cruise elegent feat menu, the funtimes said cruise elegent

I fixed the menu. I see where I made the mistake, the PDF menu names from Carnival were not necessarily used on the specific day of the cruise. I originally included a MDR menu which was named QR-D2-Feb-2023 .

Thanks for sharing!

We had been regularly cruising Disney for a number of years (Gold status and well on our way to Platinum) before the pandemic. Given the way Disney has continued to increase proces while reducing services we really are not tempted to head back. The way they continued the vaccine requirement for far longer than they had to really left a bad taste in our mouths. Our last experience staying at a Resort and visiting the theme parks only reinforced this as we felt nickeled and dimed at every turn. Last year we took a break from Disney and stayed in a concierge suite at the Royal Pacific resort at Universal and had an amazing time. Unlike Disney where you could practically feel Chapek reaching into your pockets every five minutes for another handful of dollars we felt Universal really provided a much better overall experience and much better value for the money. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts from throughout the trip on how the experience compares and the value you received for your money. The difference in stateroom cost from day 1 was pretty astounding.

We’re going back on the Fantasy this fall after years of the unnecessary requirements that we refused to spend money on. I can’t wait to see how many people are still going to be voluntarily wearing masks that do not work. To this day I still see these morons driving themselves around town with a non-working mask on. If at any time I get a vibe that things aren’t completely back to normal, this will be the last DCL cruise for us. Plus, it looks like Disneyland is pulling a Bud Light and having pride night soon which is not surprising for Cali. Glad we’re on the east coast and at least have access to Disney World in Florida where most aren’t going to put up with that.

That’s quite a lot of misinformation and disinformation to pack into one comment.

Hello, do you find the restaurants have decent Gluten free options? Disney has done a pretty good job during our past few cruises. Thanks, enjoy your trip.

Hi Thomas, we were not traveling with anyone during this cruise who asked for a Gluten free menu. We did notice a few gluten free options here and there, but it was not on my radar. Our server did ask at dinner if anyone at the table had food allergies.

I did find the following information on Carnival’s Special Dietary Needs information page .

Carnival can provide our guests with meals suited to the following special dietary needs: vegetarian, low-cholesterol, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-sugar, and gluten-free. Our chefs will make every effort to fulfill your requests, and will gladly prepare freshly-made options that meet your dietary needs. Once on board, we ask you speak with the headwaiter or dining room host in advance, so they can assist in planning your daily meals in the dining room. This will allow us the necessary time to prepare foods, as requested, in a timely manner. Gluten-free pizza dough, pasta, bread for deli sandwiches, and hamburgers buns, as well as cake are available upon request. Plus, our frozen desserts and yogurt are gluten-free. All items are freshly prepared and may take a little longer than regular menu items. Gluten-free beer, Estrella Daura, is available for your enjoyment on our U.S.-based ships.

Thank you very much for looking into that. Have a great trip!

Scott, this is interesting as we a DCL only family. I would never, ever have considered a carnival sail but you made me think twice. How about doing a Royal Caribbean next so we can compare!

Very interesting. Maybe its the new ship, but with Carnival’s reputation as the “party cruises” I am very surprised the formal night participation was higher than Disney’s.

It probably doesn’t help that all my recent Disney cruises have been “optional dress up”. I don’t even prepare that much of an outfit for it at this point.

I suspect, at least for now, the Excel class (Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee) by design is set up to move away from a party focused demographic. The starting fare difference over other ships in the Carnival fleet sailing from Florida ports right off the top helps deter the demographic looking for a low cost booze cruise.

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Our 7 favorite summer cruises for all types of travelers

The best part of summer cruising is that there are more cruising options than in any other season. Cruises to destinations like Alaska and Scandinavia are highly seasonal; go in the summer, or you can't cruise there at all. Even the Mediterranean is somewhat seasonal, with most cruise lines leaning heavily into summer and moving ships to warmer destinations during the cooler months.

While putting together our list of favorite cruises for summer travel, we looked for options that would appeal to a wide variety of travelers. The one thing all these cruises have in common is that they make planning a summer trip easy. When you book a summer cruise, one transaction gets you transportation to multiple destinations, food, accommodations and onboard entertainment.

Whether you're looking for a short escape or the adventure of a lifetime, here are seven of our favorite summer cruises to book.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Best for short summer escapes: 3- to 5-night Carnival cruises

Carnival Cruise Line is an industry leader in short getaway cruises from local departure ports. You can sail to the Bahamas from Florida ports; Bermuda from Manhattan in New York; the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas , and New Orleans; and the Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, California. Each of these destinations promises beaches, water sports and land-based activities that range from cooking classes to all-terrain-vehicle rides.

Most Carnival ships feature top-deck waterslides and miniature golf, plus Seuss at Sea character parades, storytime and themed breakfasts. The Cloud Nine Spa and adults-only Serenity Retreat give adults a quiet place to relax, whether you cruise with kids or without. Carnival is known for having multiple included food venues like Guy's Burger Joint , Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and the Mexican BlueIguana Cantina.

Carnival is also budget-friendly. The line's short cruises are affordable while still providing all the food, fun and entertainment you crave on a big-ship cruise.

Best for grown-up fun: Virgin Voyages to the Mediterranean

Virgin Voyages deploys ships to multiple European destinations, all loaded with summer fun grown-up style. Choices range from seven- to 12-night Mediterranean adventures (think: round-trip cruises from Barcelona featuring ports of call like Cannes in France or Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain, where ships often stay overnight, allowing time for a night of clubbing European style). Longer cruises include one-way routes between Barcelona and Rome, adding Italian ports like Florence and Naples. The line also takes in the Greek islands on cruises originating in Athens (Piraeus).

Virgin's adults-only ships carry 2,770 passengers (known on board as "sailors"), all 18 or older. The line claims to offer the ideal cruise for adults who don't care for cruises. Entertainment on board includes pajama parties and immersive naughty nightclub performances. Virgin ships focus on wellness with a techno fitness studio , an outdoor gym and a boxing ring.

Dining choices are where Virgin Voyages really breaks from traditional cruise lines. All 20 eateries on board are included in the cruise fare, and you won't find even one buffet line.

Related: 11 things I loved on Virgin Voyages — and 6 that I kind of hated

Best for solo cruisers: Greek island cruises on Windstar

What better way to sail among the Greek islands than on a gorgeous ship with sails or an intimate yachtlike ship where you never feel like just another number? Windstar Cruises offers summer cruises in the Greek islands, stopping at dream destinations like Santorini, Mykonos and Patmos. Port activities in the Mediterranean lean toward cultural and culinary interests.

What moves the needle toward Windstar for solo cruisers is its standard single supplement of 175%, which dips even lower on occasion. That's quite a cruise budget bonus when most cruise lines charge 200% of the fare for cruising solo.

All Windstar ships carry just over 300 passengers or fewer. You'll feel like you're cruising the Mediterranean on a private yacht. Solo cruisers will find it easy to meet fellow passengers — mixing and mingling are a normal occurrence for almost everyone on such small ships.

The main dining room (Amphora) features solo-friendly open seating each evening. I once met an 82-year-old woman cruising alone on back-to-back Windstar cruises. She had no shortage of invitations to join tables at mealtimes, but when she opted to dine alone, the staff treated her like a queen.

As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar goes above and beyond when it comes to serving amazing food. Menus for both Amphora and a pop-up steak restaurant called Candles are highlighted by selections from James Beard Award-winning chefs — all included in the cruise fare.

Those same chefs are sometimes hosted on the line's special James Beard Foundation cruises. Besides hanging out with these amazing chefs (because they are there to enjoy the cruise, too), guests can go shopping with them as they prepare for menu takeovers using locally sourced ingredients. It's foodie heaven.

Best Alaska cruise: Weeklong Holland America cruises

Alaska sits at the top of many summer cruise wish lists. Sometimes it's a beat-the-heat plan. Most often, it's the desire to see the glaciers and wildlife in Alaskan waters and along its shores. You have lots of options for Alaska cruises, but we recommend the tried and true.

Holland America has been cruising in Alaska for more than 75 years and has more itineraries visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) than any other cruise line. You can feel confident that any Alaska cruise you book with the line will be done well.

Holland America ships carry between 2,000 and 3,000 passengers. While the passengers on other itineraries tend to be a mostly adult (and often senior) crowd, that changes during the summer season in Alaska. Families with children of all ages are welcomed and catered to with youth programs on board, including a Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay.

Options include round trips from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle , as well as one-way trips between Vancouver and Anchorage, Alaska. Add-on pre- and post-cruise land tours are a Holland America staple for those wishing to explore inland Alaska.

Best for families with teens: Weeklong Caribbean cruises on Royal Caribbean

Finding a cruise itinerary that pleases teens and preteens can be challenging. The megaships Royal Caribbean sails in the Caribbean fit the bill nicely. Look for the line's biggest ships cruising from Miami , Port Canaveral (near Orlando) and Galveston.

Most itineraries alternate between Eastern and Western Caribbean routes , all with beachy ports of call with plenty of water sports and land-based adventure options. Many itineraries also visit the teen-pleasing private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. It's an island playground with beaches, a pool, sand sports and a water park seemingly designed with easily bored teens in mind.

The ships themselves, however, are likely to be the real stars of the cruise for your teens. These ships carry close to 6,000 passengers and come loaded with waterslides, surf simulators, zip lines and rock-climbing walls. Teens ages 13 to 17 have a hangout space all their own, and the preteens have loads of age-appropriate activities to keep them on the go when the ship is not in port.

Royal Caribbean's biggest ships are family-pleasing masterpieces, cruising on sunny itineraries that make for incredible summer vacations.

Best for families with littles: Short Bahamas cruises on Disney Cruise Line

Putting smiles on little faces is the mission behind any Disney cruise, and if the littles are smiling, moms and dads probably are, too. Disney sails short cruises from multiple ports. Look for summer cruises to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral with stops at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay . Three to five nights is ideal for kids in the 4 to 7 age group — and their parents.

Disney Cruise Line cabins are designed with families in mind. They have split bathrooms (toilet in one, shower-bath in the other), privacy curtains for napping and plenty of storage.

Besides the fun onboard character encounters, water attractions and live musicals based on favorite movies, Disney cruise ships offer the most kid-friendly menus of any cruise line. Plus, 24-hour in-room dining is complimentary — perfect when the need for a quieter meal arises.

Imagine if the best parts of the Magic Kingdom were put on a ship for a much smaller crowd to enjoy, and you'll understand the magic of a Disney cruise summer vacation.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

Best for a cooler European vacation: Scandinavia cruises on Viking

If you're looking for a European getaway where the weather isn't as hot as in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia is calling your name. You can cool down while experiencing the summer beauty of the Norwegian fjords and the cultural delights of Denmark and Sweden. If you're an older adult, Viking has your cruise.

In fact, Viking has multiple options. Cruise lengths range from seven to 28 nights, with a long list of possible ports of call, including Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen; and the Norwegian ports of Bergen, Stavanger and Honningsvag (in the far north). And don't forget Iceland. Viking offers seven-night circumnavigation cruises of the land of fire and ice, as well as longer sailings that include Reykjavik as a port of call.

Viking ships carry just 930 passengers, all in cabins with private balconies. The ships feature seven dining options, all included in the cruise fare. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary during lunch and dinner, and at least one tour is also complimentary in each port of call. Viking is an adults-only cruise line, so all guests must be 18 or older — though its loyal fans tend to be retirees.

Viking ships make seeing the incredible sights of Scandinavia not only possible but comfortable. At the end of a day ashore — sometimes spent on excursions skimming across the waters of fjords in rigid inflatable boats or exploring tiny fishing villages near, or even above, the Arctic Circle — you'll return to relax in one of the best complimentary thermal suites at sea. If that's not enough, you'll also dine on extraordinary cuisine without worrying about extra costs.

Bottom line

Summer is by far the busiest cruise season. Destination choices expand exponentially, giving you more possibilities than in any other season. Even getting to the port, whether driving or flying, is a tad easier in summer than it can be in winter.

The best summer cruise matches your travel needs at this moment. Luckily, an abundance of cruise options makes it possible for almost anyone to find their match.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

7 - Day Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles, CA

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Day 2 & 3: Fun Day at Sea

Day 4: puerto vallarta, day 5: mazatlán, day 6: cabo san lucas.

Day 7: Fun Day at Sea

Day 8: long beach (los angeles).

Get to Know Carnival Panorama

There just isn’t enough vacation time to do everything, so we go for the widest variety, make the most of the moments... and above all, try to have the most fun whenever possible. All of you with the heads nodding, hands raised, folks who just stood up and cheered at the office — you’re Carnival Panorama’s people! This ship packs all the best, most delicious fun from her sister ships Carnival Vista ® and Carnival Horizon ® , but still manages to stand out. One example: it’s easy to stand out when you’re literally flying, and Carnival Panorama has the only Sky Zone ™ trampoline park you’ll find at sea. This spot gives a whole new meaning to leaving the land behind, so lose the shoes and gain some air with gravity-defying dodgeball sessions or slam-dunk basketball experiences. That’s not the only way to catch some air, either, because this ship also features SkyRide ® , a pedal-powered suspended bike experience that’ll have you enjoying wide, breezy views of the ocean. Plus there’s a ropes course, mini-golf and WaterWorks ™ waterpark, of course! It’s not all action, though, because relaxation options like Cloud 9 Spa ™ and Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ™ are on the menu. Great dining is too, with choices that range from the refined fare of Bonsai Teppanyaki ™ and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse to come-as-hungry-as-you-are classics like BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse and Seafood Shack ™ . (And at Guy’s, the brews are as fresh as the food, all of which are made on board.) Havana Bar & Pool are there to give you a bit of that “90 miles south” flavor and flair, with matching stateroom options that keep you close to the action all cruise long. There’s traditional Carnival fun too, and these fan-favorites are great news for everybody! Three age-perfect youth programs keep kids busy having a blast with their peers, while Playlist Productions ™ take songs you know and make high-energy crowd-pleasing shows out of them. Dive-In Movies makes a big production out of the big screen over the pool, plus The Punchliner Comedy Club ™ features family-friendly shows… and, uh, late-night shows for after the kids go to bed.

Onboard Activities

Onboard Dining

change your itinerary

Don't be dissuaded: Days at sea can be the best thing during a cruise

I woke up on the last morning of a cruise last month with big plans to do nothing.

The ship, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Venezia , was making its return to New York from Bermuda and I was staring down an entire day at sea. I found the ship’s remote position in the North Atlantic Ocean made a great excuse to be lazy.

After several early mornings in a row with jam-packed daily agendas, I slept in late, lounged on my stateroom balcony and caught up on my reading. Surrounded by water, the restless impulse that would have prompted me to run errands or do chores at home eased, too, even with a long list of available activities on the ship’s daily schedule.

“There’s plenty of stuff to do on a sea day as far as I'm concerned,” said Valerie Dorsey, a franchise owner and travel adviser at Cruise Planners. “And there's nothing to do if that's what you want.”

Unlike some other kinds of travel, cruises can be as much about the journey as their destinations, and sea days are different from port days. Here’s how to make the most of them.

Check the ship’s sea day schedule

Cruise ships can feel relatively quiet on port days when guests disembark to explore. “But on a sea day, you're going to have everybody occupying every available space and doing many more activities,” Dorsey said. To meet that demand, cruise lines generally offer more programming.

On my cruise, Carnival’s Hub app showed various kinds of trivia, volleyball and dodgeball tournaments, an art auction, a seminar on improving posture, karaoke and more on the docket.

Cruise lines may also offer sales at onboard shops during sea days, Dorsey said, and she even took a mixology class on a recent Antarctica cruise with Celebrity Cruises.

Kevin and Frank Cefalu-McNamara have a strategy for narrowing so many options down. The couple, who have been on more than 30 cruises and make cruise content under the name Cruising With Wheels , mark up the daily program cruise lines distribute with different colored highlighters over breakfast.

Frank might have a yellow highlighter, for instance, while Kevin has blue, which the Rochester, New York, pair use to note agenda items that look appealing. “And yellow and blue make green, so all the green things we know we're going to do,” said Kevin, 48, who also works as a hairdresser.

Mother Nature can also dictate what the ship offers. In bad weather, cruise lines often cancel activities on outside decks and replace them with others inside, Kevin said.

Watch out for crowds

More guests on the ship also mean more crowds. On sea days, cruise passengers may find themselves scouring the pool for open lounge chairs or waiting in longer lines for food.

Many passengers try to sleep in on those days, according to Dorsey. “But if the pool is your destination, getting there and claiming a seat right away is important,” she said. However, travelers should note that cruise lines ask guests not to save seats they aren’t using.

Dorsey recommended exploring the ship after boarding, which can help passengers find quieter areas to sunbathe. “I would say scope out where you want to go and keep it in mind for the day that you know you're going to be at sea,” she said.

The very back of the ship often provides a reprieve from congestion elsewhere on board.

Want a Caribbean getaway?: Celebrity Cruises adds new weekend sailings, more

The Cefalu-McNamaras also avoid certain parts of the ship at certain times. “We don't go to the buffet for breakfast, and we don't go to the buffet for lunch because it is going to be the most crowded area during those times,” Kevin said. Instead, they might start the day at a sit-down restaurant, which tends to be less packed.

Dorsey said “timing is everything.” If lunch opens at 11 a.m., for instance, the rush may have died down by 1 or 2 p.m.

As alternatives, the main dining room is usually open for lunch, as are some specialty restaurants, according to Dorsey – though the latter comes with an extra charge . There may also be small venues around the ship “nobody thinks of,” she said.

“So, you kind of need to scout around,” she said. “If you're not set on what you want to eat, and the buffet looks crowded, start walking.”

For extroverted travelers, though, sea days can present an opportunity. “If you don't mind the crowds, it’s a good day for meeting people,” Dorsey said.

Seize the opportunity to chill

Just because a ship stacks its schedule doesn’t mean you have to partake, though. Guests may find the days between ports of call provide a chance to get the rest many travelers seek on vacation.

“There's a lot to be said for finding quiet spots to read on a sea day,” Dorsey said. “If you've got a balcony, you're more likely to sit out there and put your feet up and maybe take a nap, because that is something that you don't get to do when you're working every day.”

Some trips may also lend themselves to chilling on board more than others. On a Mediterranean cruise, Frank said his days in port were “go go go go go, and on the ship (during) sea days, it is mostly drinking and relaxing.”

Caribbean cruise port days, on the other hand, may be more relaxed, leaving guests extra energy for when they get back on the ship.

Even in the face of so much to do, consider giving yourself permission to relax. “We're so trained to be alert and aware and ever vigilant that sometimes just resting is an activity,” Dorsey said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].