The 1990's were a time of growth for Carnival Cruise Line's fleet and during this decade Carnival introduced a new class of ships known as the Fantasy class. Starting in 1990 with the Carnival Fantasy, the class of ships grew into 8 ships that were the largest in Carnival's fleet until the Destiny class started in 1996. My first cruise was on the Carnival Ecstasy, the second of Carnival's Fantasy class ships. This post is going to take a look at each of Carnival's 8 Fantasy class cruise ships, what happened to most of the ships, and for those that are still sailing discuss what they are doing now.
Carnival's Fantasy Class ships introduced a variety of new features for Carnival Cruise Line. One of the notable features onboard was an atrium that spanned from the ships' Empress Decks with the skylight up through the Sun Deck. Each atrium had 2 glass elevators.
Carnival Fantasy
The Carnival Fantasy debuted in 1990 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. As the first ship in the class, the Carnival Fantasy was the namesake of the class. Carnival took the Carnival Fantasy out of service when the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown began in March 2020. Later in 2020, the ship was sold to the Aliagia Shipbreaking Yard where it was run aground to be scrapped. Prior to Covid-19 the Carnival Fantasy was primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Mobile, Alabama on a year-round basis.
The Carnival Fantasy debuted in 1990 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. As the first ship in the class, the Carnival Fantasy was the namesake of the class. Carnival took the Carnival Fantasy out of service when the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown began in March 2020. Later in 2020, the ship was sold to the Aliagia Shipbreaking Yard where it was run aground to be scrapped. Prior to Covid-19 the Carnival Fantasy was primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Mobile, Alabama on a year-round basis.
Carnival Ecstasy
The Carnival Ecstasy debuted in 1991 after being built in Heksinki, Finland. The Carnival Ecstasy went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown, but unlike the other Fantasy class ships that were scrapped the Carnival Ecstasy returned to service in March 2022. The ship sailed its farewell season from Mobile, Alabama through October 2022. After leaving Mobile the Carnival Ecstasy sailed to Aliaga, Turkey where the ship was scrapped.
The Carnival Ecstasy debuted in 1991 after being built in Heksinki, Finland. The Carnival Ecstasy went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown, but unlike the other Fantasy class ships that were scrapped the Carnival Ecstasy returned to service in March 2022. The ship sailed its farewell season from Mobile, Alabama through October 2022. After leaving Mobile the Carnival Ecstasy sailed to Aliaga, Turkey where the ship was scrapped.
Carnival Sensation
The Carnival Sensation debuted in 1993 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Sensation went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. After Carnival's restart to cruising in 2021, the Carnival Sensation continued to be in layup and was transferred to Galveston to occasionally come into port & sail into the open Gulf of Mexico waters. At the time, it was believed Carnival was using the Carnival Sensation to help support restart efforts on the other Galveston based ships. I cruised on the Carnival Breeze in December 2021 and saw the Sensation sitting offshore from Galveston waiting to come in. In early 2022, the Carnival Sensation was sold for scrap and went to Aliaga, Turkey.
The Carnival Sensation debuted in 1993 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Sensation went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. After Carnival's restart to cruising in 2021, the Carnival Sensation continued to be in layup and was transferred to Galveston to occasionally come into port & sail into the open Gulf of Mexico waters. At the time, it was believed Carnival was using the Carnival Sensation to help support restart efforts on the other Galveston based ships. I cruised on the Carnival Breeze in December 2021 and saw the Sensation sitting offshore from Galveston waiting to come in. In early 2022, the Carnival Sensation was sold for scrap and went to Aliaga, Turkey.
Carnival Fascination
The Carnival Fascination debuted in 1994 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Fascination went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. During the time out of service, Carnival Cruise Line sold the Carnival Fascination to Century Harmony Cruise Ltd who renamed the ship to Century Harmony. Ultimately, the ship was sold and did not return to service. The Century Harmony (former Carnival Fascination) was sold in 2021 again and scrapped in 2022. The ship's scrapping took place in Pakistan.
The Carnival Fascination debuted in 1994 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Fascination went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. During the time out of service, Carnival Cruise Line sold the Carnival Fascination to Century Harmony Cruise Ltd who renamed the ship to Century Harmony. Ultimately, the ship was sold and did not return to service. The Century Harmony (former Carnival Fascination) was sold in 2021 again and scrapped in 2022. The ship's scrapping took place in Pakistan.
Carnival Imagination
The Carnival Imagination debuted in 1995 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Imagination went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. In July 2020, Carnival announced a fleet reduction and the Carnival Imagination was sold. The ship repositioned to Aliaga, Turkey where it was run aground to start the scrapping process. Prior to Covid-19, the Carnival Imagination was sailing 3 and 4 night cruises from Long Beach, California.
The Carnival Imagination debuted in 1995 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Imagination went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. In July 2020, Carnival announced a fleet reduction and the Carnival Imagination was sold. The ship repositioned to Aliaga, Turkey where it was run aground to start the scrapping process. Prior to Covid-19, the Carnival Imagination was sailing 3 and 4 night cruises from Long Beach, California.
Carnival Inspiration
The Carnival Inspiration debuted in 1996 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Inspiration went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. In July 2020, Carnival announced a fleet reduction and the Carnival Inspiration was sold. The ship repositioned to Aliaga, Turkey where it was run aground to start the scrapping process. Prior to Covid-19, the Carnival Inspiration was sailing 3 and 4 night cruises from Long Beach, California. Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination both sailed short cruises from the same homeport.
The Carnival Inspiration debuted in 1996 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Inspiration went out of service in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. In July 2020, Carnival announced a fleet reduction and the Carnival Inspiration was sold. The ship repositioned to Aliaga, Turkey where it was run aground to start the scrapping process. Prior to Covid-19, the Carnival Inspiration was sailing 3 and 4 night cruises from Long Beach, California. Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination both sailed short cruises from the same homeport.
Carnival Elation
The Carnival Elation debuted in 1998 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Elation is still sailing for Carnival Cruise Line. As of October 2025, the Carnival Elation is primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Jacksonville, Florida.
The Carnival Elation debuted in 1998 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Elation is still sailing for Carnival Cruise Line. As of October 2025, the Carnival Elation is primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Jacksonville, Florida.
Carnival Paradise
The Carnival Paradise debuted in 1998 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Paradise is still sailing for Carnival Cruise Line. As of October 2025, the Carnival Paradise is primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Tampa, Florida.
The Carnival Paradise debuted in 1998 after being built in Helsinki, Finland. The Carnival Paradise is still sailing for Carnival Cruise Line. As of October 2025, the Carnival Paradise is primarily sailing 4 & 5 night cruises from Tampa, Florida.