Carnival Announced Two New Ships for 2027 and 2028 Enjoy
Line presented strategic plans to further consolidate its position as an innovator and leader in the cruise industry.
Carnival Cruise Line announced the fourth ship in Carnival's award-winning Excel class will be named Carnival Festivale, continuing the tradition of naming these ships after the early Carnival ships that popularized cruise vacations for so many Americans.
Carnival Festivale, which will debut in spring 2027, will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida. Booking and itinerary details will be released this summer.
What you will find in this note:
- What is Carnivale Festival like?
- A water park with 6 slides and much more
- Carnival Tropicale arrives in 2028
What is Carnivale Festival like?
Carnival Festivale will continue Carnival's tradition of delivering innovation and fun with each new ship and will debut three new zones; two of them, on decks 6, 7, and 8, will celebrate music with new themed spaces and immersive experiences that represent how music brings people together.
One zone is inspired by the music-making process, utilizing cutting-edge media, interactive moments, immersive sound, and transformative lighting to activate it throughout the cruise, while the other, on Deck 8, symbolizes the energy of open-air musical performances.
Carnival carries more families than any other cruise line , welcoming one million children annually. To better serve these families, Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, nearly 70% more than the first three Excel ships.
The expansion of the interconnecting rooms replaces the Family Harbor cabins on existing Excel ships. Carnival Festivale will also incorporate a dedicated space for Carnival's "Turtles" program, geared toward children ages six months to two years, and more experiences for them on the open decks. Carnival's general youth program spaces will also be enhanced to offer more programs.
Carnival Festivale will also feature a new outdoor area on the three upper decks, called Sunsation Point, a vibrant and exciting family fun zone that promises endless entertainment and unforgettable memories for guests of all ages.
On deck 18, one of Sunsation Point's main attractions is Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea and the ideal destination for splashing and fun. This new area will replace BOLT, the Ultimate Seacoaster, the main upper deck space on existing Excel ships.
A water park with 6 slides and much more
The sprawling water park will feature six thrilling slides, four of which are new to Carnival, including two family raft slides and, for all ages, slides for guests up to one meter high.
Two splash zones offer endless water play with slides and toys for children, while special baby areas will allow even the littlest ones to have fun. The treehouse-inspired elevated adventure trail and toddler areas offer dry play activities with plenty of shaded seating nearby.
This area also includes a sports court, a ropes course, and a jogging track, as well as a new mini-golf course, outdoor games, and themed arcades. At night, Sunsation Point lights up with vibrant lighting, and the fun continues well into the night with special nightly events that extend the water park's hours, along with DJs and other activities.
This is the first time Carnival has opened Waterworks at night, activating multi-deck areas for guests of all ages to enjoy together at night.
Since this ship will sail from Port Canaveral during Mardi Gras, there will be new dining options. Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse, is working closely with the Food & Beverage team to develop new concepts, including a new restaurant that will replace ChiBang! But guests needn't worry, as fan favorites Guy's Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Big Chicken are some of the restaurants that will remain. More details about the dining options will be released in the coming months.
Carnival Tropicale arrives in 2028
At the launch event, the company also revealed that the name of the line's fifth Excel-class ship will be Carnival Tropicale , one of the original names for Carnival's earliest ships. The homeport and opening date for sale will be announced well in advance of the ship's scheduled delivery in spring 2028. Many of the new features from Carnival Festivale will also be included on Carnival Tropicale, as well as some new concepts and themes.
Looking ahead, Carnival’s unique new ship platform, currently named Project Ace, includes three 230,000-gross-ton ships built by Fincantieri, scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. With more than 3,000 staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet and capable of entertaining more guests than any other ship in the world, accommodating nearly 8,000 people at full capacity.
"These ships clearly represent the next generation of leisure ships. They will be unique experiences and, along with itineraries that call at our exclusive destinations, will offer incredible cruise vacations to our guests," the company emphasized. "This class will incorporate new restaurants, entertainment, and refreshed amenities on the exterior deck. Our New Construction team is in the midst of designing these ships, so stay tuned for more details as the delivery date approaches."
