Carnival is the world's largest cruise line — 29 mega-ships, millions of passengers, and a fun-first American identity. Celestyal is a Greek-owned niche operator with two mid-size ships focused exclusively on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. These lines exist in different universes, but for Australian travellers considering a Greek Islands cruise, the comparison has merit. Jake Hower explains where each delivers.
| Carnival Cruise Line | Celestyal Cruises | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Rating | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Fleet size | 29 ships | 2 ships |
| Ship size | Large (2,500-4,000) | Mid-size (1,000–1,800) |
| Destinations | Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Mediterranean | Greek Islands, Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic |
| Dress code | Resort casual | Casual to formal |
| Best for | Budget-friendly fun-seeking families | Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean cruisers |
Carnival delivers the broadest mainstream cruise experience afloat — 29 ships, global deployment, the lowest per-night fares, and seasonal Australian departures. Celestyal delivers the most focused Greek Islands product in the industry — genuinely all-inclusive pricing, overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos, and mid-size ships that access smaller island ports. For Australian families wanting a large-ship mainstream cruise with maximum entertainment, choose Carnival. For travellers whose primary motivation is the Greek Islands at genuine value with cultural immersion included, choose Celestyal. These lines serve fundamentally different purposes.
The core difference
Carnival Cruise Line and Celestyal Cruises are not natural competitors — they occupy fundamentally different positions in the cruise market, serve different purposes, and attract different travellers. Carnival is the world’s largest cruise line, operating 29 mega-ships across global itineraries with an entertainment-driven, fun-first American identity. Celestyal is a Greek-owned niche operator with two mid-size ships, a laser focus on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, and genuinely all-inclusive pricing that bundles drinks, excursions, and gratuities into a single fare. Comparing them is like comparing a theme park to a cultural tour — both are valid holidays, but the motivations are entirely different.
Carnival exists to entertain. The 29-ship fleet carries more passengers than any other line, with onboard experiences ranging from the BOLT roller coaster and waterparks to Guy Fieri’s burger joints and the Punchliner Comedy Club. The atmosphere is casual, loud, festive, and designed to make cruising accessible to families who have never cruised before. Ships carry 2,000 to 5,200 guests. The destination footprint centres on the Caribbean and Mexico, with seasonal deployments to the Mediterranean, Alaska, and Australian waters.
Celestyal exists to showcase Greece. The two ships — Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery — carry approximately 1,200 passengers each and sail exclusively from Athens to the Aegean islands, Turkey, and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. These are not glamorous vessels. They are mid-size, recently refurbished, and functional. But their size allows access to smaller island ports that mega-ships cannot reach, and the itinerary design is exceptional — three-, four-, and seven-night sailings that pack in Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, and Kusadasi, often with overnight stays that let passengers experience sunset and nightlife ashore. The all-inclusive pricing — meals, drinks, two excursions, port charges, and gratuities — makes Celestyal one of the strongest value propositions in Mediterranean cruising.
For Australian travellers, this comparison is relevant only if you are considering a Greek Islands cruise and wondering whether a large mainstream ship or a focused regional specialist delivers a better experience in those waters. The answer is almost always Celestyal — not because Carnival is inferior, but because Carnival is not designed for this purpose.
What is actually included
The inclusion gap between these lines is significant and directly affects the total cost of a Greek Islands holiday.
Carnival’s base fare includes the main dining room, buffet, complimentary casual venues (Guy’s Burgers, BlueIguana Cantina, Shaq’s Big Chicken on Excel-class ships), basic room service, pool access, entertainment, and fitness centre. Alcoholic beverages are excluded — the Cheers! package runs approximately USD $60 to $70 per person per day. Shore excursions are priced individually, typically USD $50 to $150 per port. Wi-Fi starts from USD $13 per day. Gratuities are USD $16 per person per day. A seven-night Mediterranean Carnival cruise at the base fare with a beverage package, two excursions, and gratuities typically totals AUD $2,000 to $3,000 per person all-in.
Celestyal’s fare is genuinely all-inclusive. The price covers meals (buffet and a la carte), a classic drinks package (wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks), two select shore excursions per voyage, port charges, entertainment, and gratuities. Seven-night sailings start under AUD $1,400 per person with all of the above included. The shorter three-night Iconic Aegean itineraries start under AUD $600 per person all-inclusive. Upgrades available at extra cost include a premium drinks package, additional excursions, and spa treatments.
The value proposition is clear. Celestyal’s all-inclusive fare delivers a complete Greek Islands holiday at a lower total cost than Carnival’s base fare plus the equivalent add-ons. For Australian travellers planning a Mediterranean cruise with a specific focus on Greece, Celestyal removes the pricing complexity that characterises mainstream lines and delivers a transparent, all-in cost that is difficult to beat.
Dining and culinary experience
The dining comparison reflects the fundamental difference in purpose between these lines — one is a floating entertainment complex, the other is a floating Greek cultural experience.
Carnival’s dining offers more variety and more venues. Guy’s Burgers, BlueIguana Cantina, Shaq’s Big Chicken, the main dining room, the buffet, and paid specialty restaurants (Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen) provide options from morning to midnight. The food quality is solid mainstream fare — not distinguished, but consistent and plentiful.
Celestyal’s dining leans into the region. The main restaurant and buffet feature Greek and Mediterranean cuisine — fresh salads, grilled fish, moussaka, lamb, and regional specialities that reflect the waters being sailed. Greek cooking classes, wine tastings featuring local Aegean varieties, and cultural food experiences are woven into the onboard programme. The dining is not gourmet — these are mid-size ships operating at value pricing — but the regional authenticity is genuine and the menu curation reflects a line that understands its region intimately.
For Australian travellers who enjoy Mediterranean food culture, Celestyal’s regionally focused dining delivers a more authentic culinary experience than Carnival’s international-mainstream approach. For travellers who want maximum dining variety and the convenience of round-the-clock casual options, Carnival’s breadth is unmatched. Neither line will challenge premium cruise dining, but both deliver honestly for their respective price points.
Suites and accommodation
The accommodation comparison reflects the dramatic difference in ship scale and investment between these lines.
Carnival’s accommodation spans from compact inside cabins (approximately 185 square feet) to the Excel Presidential Suite at roughly 1,120 square feet. Balcony cabins, suites, and the Loft 19 suite sundeck on Excel-class ships provide a range of options. Newer ships feature modern amenities, USB charging, and updated bathrooms. The fleet-wide variation in cabin quality is significant — Excel-class ships far exceed the older vessels.
Celestyal’s accommodation on Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery offers inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, and balcony cabins in a more compact range. Suites are available but modest by mega-ship standards. The ships received recent refurbishments including in-cabin experience tablets fleet-wide in early 2026, bringing the hardware up to a comfortable standard. Cabins are functional, clean, and adequate — but they are not the draw. Celestyal guests spend their days in port exploring islands and their evenings enjoying the included drinks and onboard entertainment. The cabin is where you sleep, not where you live.
For Australian travellers, Carnival offers dramatically more accommodation choice and quality at the premium end. Celestyal’s cabins are adequate for the purpose — if your priority is the Greek Islands and the onboard experience is secondary to the destination, the cabin serves its function. If cabin quality and onboard luxury matter to you, Carnival’s newer ships deliver more.
Pricing and value
Pricing is where Celestyal’s focused model shines most brightly against Carnival’s broader approach.
Carnival’s per-night fares are the lowest in mainstream cruising for Caribbean and domestic Australian sailings. Seven-night Caribbean cruises start from approximately AUD $1,000 to $1,400 per person. Australian deployments from Brisbane and Melbourne start from roughly AUD $800. However, Carnival’s Mediterranean programme is smaller and typically prices higher than its Caribbean equivalent — seven-night Mediterranean sailings from approximately AUD $1,400 to $2,000 per person before add-ons.
Celestyal’s all-inclusive fares are remarkable for what they deliver. Three-night Iconic Aegean itineraries visiting Mykonos, Santorini, and Patmos start under AUD $600 per person including meals, drinks, two excursions, port charges, and gratuities. Seven-night sailings covering the broader Eastern Mediterranean start under AUD $1,400 per person all-inclusive. The newer seven-night Heavenly Adriatic itinerary adding Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu alongside Greek ports is competitively priced against any Mediterranean cruise at any price level.
For Australian travellers planning a Greek Islands cruise specifically, Celestyal delivers more ports, more included experiences, and a lower total cost than any Carnival Mediterranean sailing. The total cost — flights to Athens (AUD $1,500 to $3,000 return from Australian cities) plus a seven-night Celestyal cruise (AUD $1,400 all-inclusive) — represents a complete Mediterranean holiday for under AUD $5,000 per person. Adding a few nights in Athens before or after the cruise is a natural extension.
Spa and wellness
The spa comparison reflects the scale difference between these lines rather than any philosophical distinction.
Carnival’s Cloud 9 Spa is a full-service spa operation with thermal suites, thalassotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and comprehensive treatment menus. Cloud 9 Spa staterooms include priority access and unlimited thermal suite use. The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat provides a complimentary quiet pool and sundeck. The spa facilities on Excel-class ships are genuinely impressive.
Celestyal’s spa is modest — treatment rooms offering standard massages, facials, and body treatments. There is no thermal suite, no thalassotherapy pool, and no dedicated adult-only retreat. The spa exists as a service rather than a destination. Most Celestyal guests spend their time ashore or on deck rather than in the spa — the itinerary is the wellness experience, not the onboard facilities.
For travellers who value spa facilities, Carnival is categorically superior. For travellers whose wellness comes from walking the streets of Mykonos, swimming off Santorini’s red beach, and exploring the ancient ruins of Patmos, Celestyal’s itinerary delivers a different kind of renewal.
Entertainment and enrichment
The entertainment philosophies could not be more different — and both are successful at what they promise.
Carnival’s entertainment is the most extensive in mainstream cruising. The Punchliner Comedy Club, game shows, deck parties, the BOLT roller coaster, waterparks, SkyRide, and poolside DJs create constant activity. Stage shows (Playlist Productions) fill the main theatre nightly. The entertainment is designed to keep guests busy and social across ships carrying 2,000 to 5,200 passengers.
Celestyal’s entertainment is destination-focused. Greek nights with traditional music and dancing, cooking classes, regional wine tastings, and cultural performances reflecting the ports being visited. The smaller ships carry lounge entertainment — a house band, a pianist, a singer — rather than production shows. The daily programme is deliberately lighter than a mega-ship’s because Celestyal assumes guests will spend significant time ashore. Overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos — a Celestyal hallmark — allow guests to experience the nightlife, restaurants, and sunset culture of the islands directly, rather than through onboard entertainment.
For Australian travellers, the choice is straightforward. If onboard entertainment is a priority, Carnival delivers exponentially more. If cultural immersion is the priority, Celestyal’s programming — and its overnight port stays — deliver something no mega-ship can replicate.
Fleet and destination coverage
The fleet comparison is dramatic in scale and purpose.
Carnival’s 29 ships cover the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and Australian waters. The fleet spans from older Fantasy-class vessels to the newest Excel-class ships at 180,000 gross tonnes. Private destinations include Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Isla Tropicale. The line sails from more US homeports than any competitor.
Celestyal’s two ships — Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery — sail exclusively from Athens to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Ports include Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Crete, and the newer Adriatic additions of Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu. Winter sailings extend to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. The mid-size ships (approximately 1,200 guests each) access smaller island ports that mega-ships cannot reach — a genuine practical advantage in the Greek Islands, where many harbours are too compact for larger vessels.
For Australian travellers, Carnival offers global coverage and domestic departures. Celestyal offers the deepest Greek Islands programme of any cruise line — and the only year-round homeporting in Greece. If Greece is your destination, Celestyal’s focus is unmatched. If you want a cruise that can go anywhere in the world, Carnival’s fleet provides the flexibility.
Where each line excels
Carnival excels in:
- Scale and entertainment. Twenty-nine ships with waterparks, roller coasters, comedy clubs, game shows, and celebrity dining. More things to do per ship than almost any competitor.
- Per-night value. The cheapest mainstream cruise per night, particularly for Caribbean and Australian departures.
- Australian accessibility. Seasonal departures from Brisbane and Melbourne with no international flights required.
- Fleet breadth. Global coverage across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and South Pacific with more departure dates and homeports than Celestyal can offer.
- Family entertainment. Purpose-built for families with children, with Camp Ocean kids’ clubs and extensive youth programming.
Celestyal excels in:
- Greek Islands focus. The only cruise line homeporting in Greece year-round, with itineraries designed exclusively around the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
- All-inclusive pricing. Meals, drinks, two excursions, port charges, and gratuities included in the fare. No add-on complexity.
- Overnight port stays. Stays in Santorini and Mykonos that let guests experience sunset, nightlife, and early-morning island atmosphere — experiences no mega-ship provides.
- Port access. Mid-size ships access smaller island ports that Carnival’s vessels cannot reach.
- Cultural immersion. Greek cooking classes, wine tastings, traditional music and dance, and a programme built around regional culture rather than onboard spectacle.
Standout itineraries for Australian travellers
Carnival Luminosa: South Pacific from Brisbane or Melbourne (7 to 10 nights, seasonal) — Carnival’s domestic programme with no flights required. South Pacific itineraries at AUD $800 to $1,200 per person. The most practical and affordable cruise option in this comparison.
Carnival Celebration: Mediterranean from Barcelona (seasonal) — For Australians wanting a mega-ship Mediterranean experience, the Excel-class flagship delivers Carnival’s best with BOLT roller coaster and themed zones. Fly to Barcelona via Singapore or Dubai. Fares from approximately AUD $1,400 per person.
Celestyal: Three-night Iconic Aegean from Athens (multiple departures, March to November) — The perfect Greek Islands taster. Mykonos, Santorini, and Patmos in three nights with all meals, drinks, two excursions, and gratuities included from under AUD $600 per person. Combine with three or four nights in Athens for a complete one-week Greek holiday. Fly to Athens via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha from Australian cities.
Celestyal: Seven-night Idyllic Aegean from Athens (multiple departures, March to November) — The comprehensive Greek Islands circuit covering Mykonos (overnight), Santorini (overnight), Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi, and Crete. All-inclusive from under AUD $1,400 per person. For Australian travellers whose primary motivation is the Greek Islands, this is the most efficient and best-value way to see them.
Ship-by-ship recommendations
Carnival
Carnival Celebration or Carnival Jubilee (Excel class, 180,000 GT, approximately 5,200 guests) — The flagships for Mediterranean deployment. If Carnival offers a Mediterranean sailing on an Excel-class ship, it delivers the brand’s best onboard experience in European waters.
Carnival Luminosa (92,000 GT, approximately 2,260 guests) — The Australian deployment ship for South Pacific cruising. Choose for domestic-departure convenience.
Celestyal
Celestyal Journey (approximately 1,200 guests) — The newer of Celestyal’s two ships, offering a slightly more modern onboard experience with recent refurbishments including fleet-wide in-cabin tablets in early 2026. Choose for the more updated hardware.
Celestyal Discovery (approximately 1,200 guests) — Similar in size and itinerary coverage to Journey, with the same all-inclusive fare structure. Choose by itinerary and date rather than ship — both vessels deliver the same core Celestyal experience.
Both Celestyal ships are interchangeable in quality and concept. The itinerary — three-night Iconic versus seven-night Idyllic versus the newer Heavenly Adriatic — matters more than the ship selection.
For Australian travellers specifically
These lines serve entirely different purposes for Australian travellers, and the choice depends entirely on what you are trying to achieve.
Carnival is the domestic cruise option. Carnival Luminosa from Brisbane and Melbourne provides a mainstream cruise holiday without international flights. For Australian families wanting a fun-filled cruise at the best possible price, Carnival’s South Pacific programme is the natural choice. The entertainment, casual dining, and party atmosphere deliver exactly what the brand promises.
Celestyal is the Greek Islands specialist. For Australian travellers whose primary motivation is seeing the Greek Islands — Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos — Celestyal delivers the most efficient, best-value, and most culturally immersive way to do so. The all-inclusive pricing removes budget uncertainty, the overnight stays allow genuine island exploration, and the mid-size ships access ports that mega-ships skip. The flight to Athens (approximately 20 to 24 hours via Middle Eastern or Asian hubs) is the only significant logistical barrier.
Combining both is a practical strategy for Australian travellers. A Carnival South Pacific cruise from home for the annual family holiday, paired with a Celestyal Greek Islands cruise as part of a European trip, covers both ends of the cruise spectrum — and both represent outstanding value within their respective niches.
Neither line’s loyalty programme crosses to the other. Carnival’s VIFP Club and Celestyal’s loyalty programme are entirely separate. For Australian travellers, booking through a specialist cruise agent familiar with both lines ensures the best fare, cabin selection, and pre- and post-cruise arrangements.
The onboard atmosphere
The atmosphere difference between these lines is absolute — and understanding it prevents disappointment in either direction.
Carnival’s atmosphere is the American pool party. Loud, festive, participatory, and designed for families and groups who want non-stop entertainment. The dress code is resort casual. The demographic is primarily American families and first-timers. The energy is high from morning until well past midnight.
Celestyal’s atmosphere is the Mediterranean cultural cruise. Quieter, more destination-focused, and designed for travellers who are there for the ports rather than the ship. The dress code is casual to smart casual. The demographic is international and European, with couples and cultural travellers predominating. The evenings feature Greek music and dancing rather than game shows and deck parties. The atmosphere aboard reflects the understanding that most guests will spend their energy ashore and return to the ship for dinner, drinks, and rest.
For Australian travellers, Carnival’s energy translates well for families and social travellers. Celestyal’s pace suits independent travellers and couples who want a ship that facilitates their Greek Islands exploration rather than competing with it for attention.
The bottom line
Carnival and Celestyal are not competing for the same traveller — and framing this as a contest misses the point. Carnival is the world’s largest cruise line, built for mainstream family entertainment at accessible prices. Celestyal is a niche regional specialist, built for Greek Islands immersion at genuine all-inclusive value. Both are excellent at what they do, and neither can replicate what the other offers.
Choose Carnival for the broadest mainstream cruise experience available — 29 ships, global deployment, the BOLT roller coaster, Guy’s Burgers, the Punchliner Comedy Club, and seasonal Australian departures. Choose it for the lowest per-night fares in mainstream cruising and the most accessible introduction to cruising for families who have never sailed before.
Choose Celestyal for the Greek Islands. Choose it for all-inclusive pricing that bundles drinks, excursions, and gratuities without add-on complexity. Choose it for overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos. Choose it for mid-size ships that access intimate island ports. Choose it for three-night Iconic voyages under AUD $600 that deliver more Greek island time than a two-week mega-ship Mediterranean cruise. Accept that the ships are modest, the entertainment is limited, and the spa is basic — because the Greek Islands are the product, not the ship.
For most Australian travellers, the question is not which line to choose — it is whether your next cruise is a fun-filled family holiday from Brisbane or a cultural immersion in the Aegean. The lines answer different questions, and both answers are worth hearing.
