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Carnival Valor at sea

Conquest class · Carnival · In service since 2004

Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor is a Conquest class cruise ship operated by Carnival, in service since 2004. At about 110,000 gross tons, it carries roughly 2,980 guests and ranks #15 by size in the 29-ship Carnival fleet we cover.

  • 110,000 gross tons
  • 2,980 guests
  • 952 ft long

Photo: Marcin Wichary from San Francisco, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ship facts

Ship class
Conquest class
Entered service
2004 (22 years ago)
Gross tonnage
110,000
Guests
2,980
Length
952 ft (290.2 m)
Speed
21 knots
Builder
Fincantieri
Flag
Panama
IMO number
9236389

About Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor, delivered in 2004, is the Conquest-class ship themed around heroes, with décor that honors famous figures and acts of courage. Its structure matches its sisters: plenty of balcony cabins, a WaterWorks area with slides and Serenity, an adults-only deck. By the pool, you can grab a burger at Guy’s Burger Joint or tacos at the BlueIguana Cantina at no extra charge. Valor has long been associated with New Orleans, sailing short Western Caribbean trips to ports such as Cozumel and Progreso, so it suits a long weekend away from the Gulf Coast.

Best for: Gulf Coast cruisers who want a short, inexpensive Western Caribbean trip from New Orleans.

Carnival Valor highlights

  • Heroes-themed décor in the public rooms
  • Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina
  • WaterWorks with waterslides
  • Serenity adults-only retreat
  • Alchemy Bar cocktail lounge

How Carnival Valor compares in size

Conquest class sister ships

Sailing with Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line is America’s budget-friendly “Fun Ship” brand: casual, sociable and packed with free food, comedy and pool-deck parties. It sails from more US ports than almost any other line, which makes short Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico getaways easy to reach. It suits families, groups and value seekers, less so travelers wanting quiet elegance or fine dining.

Read our full Carnival guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →

Carnival Valor FAQs

How big is Carnival Valor?

Carnival Valor measures about 110,000 gross tons and is about 952 feet (290 m) long. That makes it #15 of 29 Carnival ships we cover by tonnage, and #111 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.

How many passengers does Carnival Valor carry?

About 2,980 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.

When was Carnival Valor built?

Carnival Valor entered service in 2004 and was built by Fincantieri. Older ships are often refurbished, so ask about recent upgrades when you compare sailings.

What class of ship is Carnival Valor?

Carnival Valor belongs to Carnival's Conquest class, alongside Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.

Is Carnival Valor good for families?

Camp Ocean runs free supervised activities for kids aged 2 to 11 in age groups, Circle C is for 12- to 14-year-olds and Club O2 is for teens 15 to 17. Night Owls offers paid late-evening group babysitting. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Carnival Valor offers for your kids' ages.

Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.

Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Carnival official site.