What Class of Ship Is the Carnival Glory?

When it comes to cruise ships, one of the most important aspects to understand is the class to which a ship belongs. The class of a ship can tell you a lot about its size, amenities, and overall experience.

Let’s delve into what class of ship the Carnival Glory is, a beloved ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

What Class of Ship Is the Carnival Glory?

The Carnival Glory is part of the Conquest class, a group of ships known for their larger size and comprehensive range of amenities. Launched in the early 2000s, ships in the Conquest class were designed to provide a higher level of luxury and entertainment than their predecessors.

An Overview of the Carnival Glory

The Carnival Glory is a testament to Carnival’s commitment to creating unforgettable cruise experiences. With a capacity of over 2,900 passengers, the ship boasts a wide array of amenities, including multiple dining options, expansive entertainment venues, and plenty of outdoor spaces.

Like its Conquest class sisters, the Carnival Glory is known for its fun and vibrant atmosphere.

Carnival Ship Classes

Carnival Cruise Line boasts diverse ship classes, each offering a unique cruise experience. The most recent additions to the fleet are the Venice class ships, starting with Costa Venezia in 2019 and soon to be joined by Carnival Firenze in 2024.

Excel Class

The Excel Class of Carnival ships offers the largest cruise ships in the Carnival fleet. These impressive vessels, including the Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022), and the upcoming Carnival Jubilee (2023), boast sizes ranging from 180,000 to 183,521 tons.

Ideal for those who believe “bigger is better,” these ships offer various eateries, lounges, bars, and deck-top attractions that surpass any other ship class in the fleet.

Vista Class

The Vista Class is another significant group of ships within the Carnival fleet. Ships of the Vista Class, including the Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, are known for their impressive size and speed.

With a gross tonnage of 135,000 and a length of 1,055 feet, the Vista-class ships can cruise at up to 18 knots. Based on double occupancy, these ships can accommodate over 3,900 guests. An interesting feature of the Vista class is the trampoline park, which offers guests a unique experience.

Sunshine Class

The Sunshine Class, formerly known as the Destiny Class, is a unique group of ships in the Carnival fleet. This class includes the Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Sunshine. Although these ships are among the oldest in the Carnival fleet, they have been completely refurbished from the waterline up, essentially making them some of the newest vessels in the line.

Despite their age, the Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Sunshine have been so thoroughly revamped that they are practically new vessels.

Dream Class

The Dream Class consists of three ships launched from 2009 to 2012: the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Dream. Each of these ships is 1,004 feet long and weighs 130,000 tons. They can entertain around 4,600 to 4,724 guests and have many amenities like the Carnival Waterworks Water Park.

Splendor Class

Carnival Cruise Line’s Splendor Class has only one ship: the Carnival Splendor. This ship is all about laid-back luxury, offering modern comforts and loads of space. Expect top-notch dining, cool water parks, and plenty of fun activities onboard. Although it can host over 3,000 people, this ship might not have the facilities of the newer Carnival ship classes. Still, it has a great reputation among cruise goers as a luxurious, leisurely cruise.

Spirit Class

One of the key distinctions of the Spirit Class is its passenger capacity. With a maximum of 2,124 passengers at double occupancy, these ships can carry less than half of the biggest ships in the fleet, including Carnival Glory.

Despite their smaller size, Spirit Class ships still offer various dining options like the popular RedFrog Pub and BlueIguana Cantina. However, it is important to note that they do not host all the features found on larger ships like Carnival Glory.

Fantasy Class

Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy Class, a timeless fleet of ships, includes several well-loved vessels despite their age. These ships, the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy, have been delighting passengers for over two decades. Although these cruise liners may be older, they offer memorable experiences for about 2,000 to 2,500 passengers per voyage.

Comparing the Carnival Glory With Other Ship Classes

It’s interesting to compare the Carnival Glory with other ships in the fleet, particularly the Splendor and Conquest classes. Each class offers unique features that distinctively cater to different holiday seekers.

Like its peers in the Conquest Class, the Carnival Glory offers a vibrant party atmosphere typical of Carnival cruise ships. One of the standout features of the newer ship classes, like the Excel Class, is the introduction of a roller coaster at sea.

Comparison With Fantasy Class

When comparing the Carnival Glory to the Fantasy Class ships, the most obvious difference is their size. The Fantasy Class, built in the 1990s, like the Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, typically weighs around 70,000 tons. This makes them significantly smaller than the Carnival Glory.

Despite their smaller size, the Fantasy Class ships are much beloved for their intimate, cosy atmosphere. Many Carnival fans were saddened when the company retired its smallest ships, marking the end of an era for these much-loved vessels.

Comparison With Conquest Class

The Carnival Glory is part of the Conquest Class, which includes ships like the Carnival Freedom, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Valor. These ships typically weigh around 110,000 tons, notably larger than the Fantasy Class. They provide more amenities and a wider array of eateries, making them popular for many cruise goers.

Despite their larger size, the Conquest Class ships, including the Carnival Glory, are still about 20% smaller than the newer Excel and Vista Class ships. This makes them appealing to those who prefer a more intimate cruising experience without the overwhelming crowds often found on larger vessels.

Comparison With Spirit Class Ships

In examining the Spirit Class ships, one can notice certain characteristics that set them apart from the Carnival Glory. The Spirit Class, which includes ships like Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Miracle, are known for being the adventurers of the Carnival fleet. Unlike the Carnival Glory, these ships are designed for “all-weather” cruising, equipped with pools that can be covered to accommodate varying weather conditions.

Why Carnival Glory Belongs to the Conquest Class

The Carnival Glory belongs to the distinct Conquest Class, primarily based on the ship’s design and size.

The Conquest Class includes ships like Carnival Conquest, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Freedom, all sharing design elements similar to Carnival Glory. The ships in this class have also undergone multiple refurbishments, further solidifying their class distinction.

Relation of Carnival Glory to Other Conquest Class Ships

The Carnival Glory holds a significant position among other Conquest Class ships. Like its counterparts, it has undergone multiple refurbishments, enhancing its features and overall passenger experience.

Moreover, the Carnival Glory shares similar design elements with other ships in the class, further emphasizing its belonging to the Conquest Class. Despite these similarities, each ship, including the Carnival Glory, holds its unique appeal and experience for passengers, making every voyage a unique adventure.

Final Thoughts

From its 214-foot water slide at the Carnival WaterWorks to the Punchliner Comedy Club, the Carnival Glory offers a thrilling experience to Carnival Glory passengers. The Glory Atrium, a spectacle of grandeur, and the Amber Palace, a multi-purpose room, are among the key attractions on the ship deck.

Despite its maiden voyage in 2003, the Carnival Glory remains a popular choice in the Carnival Corporation fleet. The ship’s future seems promising, with plans to homeport in New Orleans in 2024. It also offers unique itineraries like the Panama Canal from Port Canaveral. The Carnival Glory is, indeed, a testament to the prowess of the Conquest class.