Cruise Frog guide
Carnival Cruise Line vs Margaritaville at Sea
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than Margaritaville at Sea on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on cabins, entertainment, service and value; Margaritaville at Sea on pools & decks. Pick Carnival Cruise Line for friends and groups; Margaritaville at Sea for solo travelers.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Carnival Cruise Line | Margaritaville at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Mainstream | Mainstream |
| Best for | Families, First-time cruisers, Friends and groups, Value seekers | Value seekers, First-time cruisers, Families, Solo travelers |
| Fleet rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.1 / 5 |
| Cabins | 3.1 | 3.0 |
| Dining | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Entertainment | 4.0 | 2.5 |
| Service | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Pools & decks | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Value | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 29 | 2 |
| Ships on the way | 3 | 1 |
| Largest ship | Carnival Celebration (183,521 GT) | Margaritaville at Sea Islander (85,619 GT) |
| Newest ship | Carnival Jubilee (2023) | Margaritaville at Sea Islander (2000) |
| Guests per ship, average | 3,253 | 1,711 |
| Usually sails | Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Bermuda | Caribbean, Bahamas |
| Solo cabins | None | None |
| Single supplement | Fares are quoted per person based on double occupancy, and a solo guest pays a single supplement that varies by sailing and cabin. In a… | No published solo policy or single-occupancy rate. Fares are quoted per person on double occupancy; a solo guest should expect to pay for… |
| Loyalty program | Carnival Rewards | — |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. (licensed from Margaritaville Enterprises) |
| Headquarters | Doral, Florida, United States | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Founded | 1972 | 2022 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea?
Carnival Cruise Line rates higher than Margaritaville at Sea on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 3.7 to 3.1 out of 5 across their rated ships. Carnival Cruise Line leads on cabins, entertainment, service and value; Margaritaville at Sea on pools & decks.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea better value?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for value, 5.0 to 4.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 3.0 out of 5.
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea better for entertainment?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for entertainment, 4.0 to 2.5 out of 5 (shows, music, and things to do at sea).
Is Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea better for cabins?
Carnival Cruise Line scores higher for cabins, 3.1 to 3.0 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Carnival Cruise Line or Margaritaville at Sea?
Carnival Cruise Line's largest ship, Carnival Celebration, measures 183,521 gross tons, against 85,619 for Margaritaville at Sea Islander, Margaritaville at Sea's largest. An average Carnival Cruise Line ship carries 3,253 guests, a Margaritaville at Sea ship 1,711.
How many ships do Carnival Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea have?
Carnival Cruise Line has 29 ships in service and 3 on the way; Margaritaville at Sea has 2 ships in service and 1 on the way.
Are Carnival Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea owned by the same company?
No. Carnival Cruise Line is part of Carnival Corporation & plc; Margaritaville at Sea is part of Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. (licensed from Margaritaville Enterprises).