-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-11-002121.txt : 20110121
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-11-002121.hdr.sgml : 20110121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110121151203
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-11-002121
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCKELEW ALAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001280888

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09610
		FILM NUMBER:		11541286

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3655 NW 87TH AVE
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33156

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CARNIVAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000815097
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER TRANSPORTATION [4400]
		IRS NUMBER:				591562976
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3655 N W 87TH AVE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1347
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33178-2428
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3055992600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3655 N W 87TH AVE
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1347
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33178

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000815097</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARNIVAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CCL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001280888</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUCKELEW ALAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CARNIVAL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3655 NW 87TH AVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33178</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO - PCL</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>13834</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>69126</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6544</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>46.26</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>62582</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of restricted stock made pursuant to the Carnival Corporation 2002 Stock Plan.  The restriction on the shares lapse on the third anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The grant was approved by the Compensation Committee as a total value to be received in the form of restricted shares.  The Compensation Committee also approved that the number of shares was to be determined by dividing the value by the closing price on date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents a surrender of shares to satisfy tax obligation on the vesting of the Restricted Stock Award.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Alan Buckelew</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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