Carnival Plans Big Expansions for Years Ahead

Carnival Cruise Line expects big enhancements over the next five years through a new initiative dubbed the “Innovation Itinerary” that will focus on new ships, experiences and destinations, as well as cruise line loyalty. Highlights will include opening Celebration Key in July, and taking delivery of new ships in 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The cruise line’s next ship, launching in spring 2027, will be Carnival Festivale, an Excel-class ship. This vessel will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, when it launches. The ship will introduce new spaces and “zones” dedicated to certain themes and activities, including two new zones centered around music, both making it and listening to it, and a new family outdoor zone. The ship will also feature a significant increase in interconnecting rooms and four new waterslides.

While the next ship to join the fleet in 2028 will be another Excel-class ship, the ship set to debut in 2029 will be in a league of its own, as the largest ship in the Carnival fleet to date, capable of carrying nearly 8,000 passengers.

Regarding this later ship and others planned for the 2030s, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said, “These ships clearly represent the next generation of Fun ships. They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise vacations for guests. This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment and re-imagined outer deck amenities. Our new build team is in the midst of designing these vessels, so stay tuned for more as we get closer to delivery.”