Carnival Liberty

The 2005-built Carnival Liberty cruise ship is the fourth of five Conquest-class vessels, alongside sisterships Conquest, Freedom, Glory, and Valor. This class preceded the newer Dream-class ships. In 2011, Liberty became the first Carnival vessel to undergo the USD 0.5 billion "Fun Ship 2.0" drydock refurbishment project—a multi-year program focused on enhancing older ships with signature dining and entertainment venues.

The vessel (IMO number 9278181) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 371083000) and registered in Colon.

History - Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US-based cruise brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. Founded in 1972 by Ted Arison (1924–1999, co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line), CCL operates the Corporation's largest fleet by both number of ships and total GT tonnage.

As of 2023, CCL held approximately 9% of global cruise industry revenue and 19% of the worldwide passenger market. In 2024, Carnival Corporation commanded a ~51% share of the US$64+ billion global cruise industry.

The 3,000-passenger Carnival Liberty and her sisterships are enlarged versions of the earlier Destiny-class ships, featuring additional decks, more bars and lounges, an upscale steakhouse, and spacious public areas.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Liberty staterooms total 1,489 across 27 categories, including 54 Suites, 521 Balcony, 330 Oceanview, and 566 Inside cabins. Among these are 29 wheelchair-accessible rooms (available across all categories). Although the ship has no "family cabins," connecting staterooms are offered in various categories. Most cabins range from 170-185 ft² (16-17 m²), with balconies between 35-75 ft² (3-7 m²). Suite categories include Captain's, Grand, and Ocean Suites, with Captain’s Suites being the largest at 500 ft² (46 m²) plus a 150 ft² (14 m²) terrace.

The ship has 13 passenger decks, including 8 with cabins. Over 50% of all staterooms are outside-facing, and 60% of those have balconies.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Liberty offers both traditional fixed dining and flexible “Your Time Dining” through the Carnival program. The two main dining venues are Silver Olympian (aft, with three walls of windows and an upscale atmosphere) and Golden Olympian (centrally located). Both serve the same menu, offering vegetarian, low-carb, and Spa Carnival selections. Cuisine is often praised, particularly at Harry's Steakhouse and the complimentary Guy's Burger Joint. Other highlights include a fish-and-chips bar, sushi station, and dining room entertainment where waiters sing and dance. The two-level Emile’s buffet features various stations, including salad bar, deli, desserts, and regional cuisines. Room service is available 24/7 with a limited menu.

Complete list of Carnival Liberty restaurants and food bars:

• Golden Olympian Restaurant (744-seat forward dining room; fixed and Your-Time dining; Seuss at Sea-themed breakfasts for $5)
• Silver Olympian Restaurant (1,122-seat aft dining room; fixed seating, open for breakfast and lunch)
• BlueIguana Cantina (complimentary Mexican-style burritos and tacos)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary burgers by Guy Fieri)
• Emile’s Lido Buffet Restaurant (1,396-seat buffet with multiple food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings)
• Harry’s Steakhouse (108-seat specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood; includes dance floor and live music)
• Origami Sushi (complimentary sushi bar)
• Sushi at Sea (Lido Bar; à la carte pricing, items priced USD 1.50–7.50)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

Carnival Liberty offers a wide range of entertainment, including a candy shop, signature bars, and comedians endorsed by George Lopez. Like her Conquest-class sisters, Liberty features a 3-deck theater and numerous retail venues. Teens enjoy a dedicated disco located along the promenade. The ship delivers Carnival’s signature fun-focused experience with added flair—highlighted by personal service and diverse evening entertainment from Vegas-style shows to jazz performances. The EA Sports Bar is a standout venue for gaming, sports broadcasts, and beer—considered the ultimate man cave at sea.

Complete list of Carnival Liberty lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Venetian Palace Theatre (1,400-seat main show lounge for musicals, movies, bingo)
• Liberty Atrium Flowers Lobby (9-deck open atrium with Flowers Lobby Bar, piano and live performances)
• Persian Card Room (28-seat); Satin Room Art Gallery (36-seat); Antiquarian Library (17-seat with board games); Photo Gallery; Tapestry Conference Room (100-seat)
• Circle C (kids' club with video games and planned activities)
• The Web Internet Cafe (24-hour, 6 computer stations)
• Cabinet Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music)
• The Fun Shops (Bon Voyage gifts, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion, souvenirs, logo merchandise)
• Cherry on Top (candy and gift shop with branded gear, tuxedo rentals)
• EA Sports Bar; Jardin Cafe (specialty coffee); Taste Bar (complimentary appetizers); Alchemy Bar (craft cocktails); Piano Man Bar (100-seat); The Stage Bar (88-seat jazz venue)
• Czar’s Palace Casino (484-seat); Promenade Bar (23-seat); Kiosk (Sail & Sign Card services)
• Club O2 (teen lounge for gaming, movies, karaoke, themed parties); Without Batteries Arcade (24-hour)
• Hot & Cool Disco/Nightclub (211-seat); Victoria Lounge (425-seat, home to Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch)
• Versailles Pool Area (with 2 whirlpools, Versailles Bar, grill, pizzeria)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar; RedFrog Rum Bar (Caribbean rum cocktails, ThirstyFrog Red draft beer)
• Aqua Park (Coney Island Pool, Twister Waterslide, splash pools, fountains)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (outdoor LED movie screen and live performance stage)
• Spa Carnival (steam rooms, saunas, massage, salon, spa pool, gym)
• Sports Deck (multi-sport court, ping pong, shuffleboard); jogging track; 9-hole mini-golf
• Serenity (adult-only sundeck with bar, whirlpools, padded loungers)
• Camp Ocean (kids’ club with supervised activities and outdoor play area; note: wading pool no longer available)

Itineraries

Carnival Liberty’s current itinerary program offers short Bahamas cruises departing from Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida). These 3- to 4-day roundtrips visit Nassau or Nassau plus Princess Cays (Eleuthera).

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberty was homeported in Galveston, Texas (since March 2016) for 3- to 4-day Mexico cruises visiting Cozumel or Cozumel + Progreso.

Starting in May 2024, Carnival Liberty begins sailing from New Orleans (Louisiana), replacing Carnival Glory (relocated to Port Canaveral). Departing Sundays from Port NOLA, Liberty will offer 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries and one 7-day Bahamas/Eastern Caribbean cruise. Ports of call include Nassau and Freeport (Bahamas), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Roatan Island (Honduras), Grand Cayman, and Belize City.

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was completed in 2016. The vessel was christened by Mira Katherine Sorvino (born in 1967), an Academy Award-winning American actress. Following its drydock refurbishment in 2011, Carnival Liberty became the first ship in the fleet to receive the "Fun Ship 2.0" enhancements. It was also the first Carnival ship to feature the "Seaside Theater" — a large outdoor LED movie screen (12x22 ft or 3.7x6.7 m) located on the Lido Deck.

Liberty is one of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships, built by Fincantieri Monfalcone, and is a sistership to the Conquest, Freedom, Glory, and Valor. In April 2017, Carnival Cruise Line recognized a Florida-based couple, Bernard and Janice Caffary, who set a record by booking their 200th Carnival cruise — this milestone voyage was on Carnival Liberty departing from Port Canaveral. Over 15 years (since their first cruise in 2002), the retired couple averaged more than 13 Carnival cruises annually, accumulating a total of 878 days at sea — nearly 2.5 years aboard Carnival ships. Carnival celebrated the occasion with welcome signage throughout the Port Canaveral terminal and honored them during special onboard VIP events. By 2017, the couple had already booked 30 more Carnival cruises.

The 2016 drydock took place from December 1–16.

In October 2021, Carnival Liberty underwent drydock at Navantia Shipyard (Cadiz, Spain) for general maintenance and technical upgrades, as well as hull repainting. During this period, she received Carnival’s new livery.