Carnival Cruise Line Ends Year Ahead of Rivals

Carnival Cruise Line was voted the best cruise line of 2022 by Cruise Hive readers, with 32% of the votes. 2022 is also the 50th anniversary year for Carnival, making this achievement even more special. 

The Cruise Ship Awards are an annual event, and this year, readers could type in the name of any cruise line to cast their vote, making sure that the vote included all eligible cruise lines.

Carnival Votes Best Cruise Line of 2022

The Miami-based cruise line has received more votes than rival lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian in the annual Cruise Ship Awards. The cruise line, which has gone through an eventful 2022, is the Best Cruise Line of 2022, according to Cruise Hive readers.

It has been an extraordinary year for Carnival Cruise Line. After a challenging year post-global pause in operations, the popular cruise line is back stronger than ever. America’s cruise line celebrated its 50th anniversary, which started with various events ashore and onboard and included some spectacular ship meet-ups around the Caribbean, Pacific, and the Bahamas. 

Carnival Cruise Line Ship
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive

The 50th Anniversary celebrations concluded with the launch of the cruise line’s second Excel-class LNG-powered cruise ship, Carnival Celebration, which also won the Best New Cruise Ship of 2022 category. 

Carnival Celebration‘s sister ship, Mardi Gras, also came out on top in a different category. Mardi Gras was voted the best cruise ship of 2022, beating out competition from other top cruise lines. Mardi Gras features a number of innovative features, such as the first roller coaster at sea and several dining options from popular chefs.

Best Cruise Line of 2022

In 2022, Carnival Cruise Line also introduced a new initiative called Carnival Fun Italian Style and took possession of the former Costa Luminosa and renamed it the Carnival Luminosa. The Carnival Luminosa offers a unique cruise experience focusing on Italian culture. 

However, the true nature of Carnival Fun Italian Style will become apparent when Carnival Venezia joins the fleet next year. Carnival Cruise Line concludes the successes it booked this year with the win of the Best Cruise Line Award, taking home 32% of the votes.

Carnival Cruise Line has won the Cruise Hive Ship Awards multiple times since 2018, only missing out in 2020 as there were no awards that year due to the industry suspension.

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Complete the Podium

In second place in the Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Awards was Royal Caribbean, with 23% of the votes. Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative ships and wide range of activities and amenities.

The cruise line revealed plans for the biggest cruise ship in the world, coming in 2024, and launched the current biggest ship in the world this year, Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: AlexeMarcel / Shutterstock

In third place was Norwegian Cruise Line, with 13% of the votes. Norwegian is known for its Freestyle Cruising concept, which allows passengers to have a more flexible and customizable vacation experience. Fourth place went to Celebrity Cruises, with 8% of the votes. Celebrity is known for its luxury cruises and top-rated dining options.

Carnival Cruise Line was a clear winner in the awards, with a strong showing in multiple categories. Its 50th anniversary was marked by the successful launch of the Carnival Celebration and rave reviews for Mardi Gras, as well as the introduction of the Carnival Fun Italian Style initiative and the launch of Carnival Luminosa

With its wide range of new ships, initiatives, and fun atmosphere onboard, it’s no wonder that Carnival Cruise Line was voted the best cruise line of 2022.