Carnival Breeze
The 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze debuted in 2012 as the third ship in Carnival's Dream class and one of the earliest full-blown examples of the line's newest bells and whistles. With the emphasis on high-quality casual food and drinks, as well as entertainment to suit our shortening attention spans (think musicals, game shows, and comedy acts — all offered up in segments that are less than 30 minutes), cruisers on this ship can grab their fun on the go. And while this ship serves up family fun in spades, it also caters to grown-ups: The kid-free Serenity Lounge covers two decks with comfy clamshell chairs (the kind you would only expect to find on luxury ships), hammocks, and bartenders wandering around taking cocktail orders all day long. This space offers grownups a respite from the hustle and bustle of the main pool area, where kids clamor for burgers and soft serve and music blares.
What We Love
Great Fast Food: Along with the traditional dining room scene, Carnival Breeze showcases a dazzling array of casual specialty joints, delivering everything from burritos to pizza, and hand-ground burgers (on just-baked buns) designed in partnership with Food Network star Guy Fieri. Best of all, both the BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint have "fixin" bars, so you can top your chicken, steak, fish, or pork tacos with crema, cheese, or one of a dozen salsas, or dress your burger with everything from pickles, onions, lettuce and tomato to sautéed onions, mushrooms, or bacon. Looking for something a little healthier? The Mongolian Wok has its own fan base who flock there for the fresh, vegetable-laden creations topped with the sauces of your choice.
Awesome Water Park: Kids will make a beeline for the ship’s WaterWorks aqua park, which wows with corkscrew waterslides, a play zone with fountains and water cannons, and the ever-popular dumping bucket. Just remember: Kids must be 42 inches tall to ride the slides, so measure yours in advance to avoid disappointment.