Carnival Reveals Multiple Updates on Ships, Destinations and More

Carnival Cruise Line is setting sail into the future with an ambitious five-year strategy it calls the “Innovation Itinerary.” The plan, unveiled by President Christine Duffy during a media event aboard Carnival Celebration at PortMiami, focuses on three pillars: operating the most fun fleet at sea, delivering unforgettable experiences and destinations, and building long-term guest loyalty. 

“Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different,” said Duffy. “The excitement and energy continue at Carnival! Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest global fleet in our history. Looking ahead, we have the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships in our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029, plus fleet enhancements and new investments at some of our existing destinations. We are poised to continue our leadership position as both America’s Cruise Line and the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line.”

New Ships on the Horizon

Duffy announced that Carnival Festivale, the fourth ship in the Excel class, will debut in spring 2027. The name is a nod to the line’s early history, continuing the tradition of naming ships after original Carnival vessels. Festivale will homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida, with reservation and itinerary details expected this summer.

The new ship promises several firsts for Carnival. Among the highlights are three newly designed zones, two of which—spread across Decks 6, 7, and 8—will celebrate the unifying power of music. One zone is inspired by the music creation process, featuring immersive sound design and lighting effects, while the other celebrates the impact of high-energy outdoor music performances.

To better accommodate the many families who sail with the line, Carnival Festivale will offer 1,000 interconnecting staterooms, representing an increase of nearly 70 percent compared to its first three Excel-class ships. It will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program, catering to children as young as six months and as old as two years. Enhancements to other youth programming areas are also planned.

Reimagining Fun at Sea

A standout feature of Carnival Festivale will be the debut of Sunsation Point, a three-deck outdoor area built for family entertainment. Located on the ship’s top three decks, Sunsation Point will replace the BOLT roller coaster found on other Excel ships and introduce Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, destined to become the largest and most family-friendly water park at sea. 

The expansive water park will include six waterslides—four new to the brand—featuring family raft rides and kid-friendly slides for guests as short as three feet. Splash zones, toddler play areas and a treehouse-inspired adventure trail provide all-ages fun, while sports courts, a ropes course, mini golf, outdoor games and themed arcade spaces round out the offerings. And, for the first time, Carnival will open its Sunsation Point water park at night, complete with lighting, a DJ and evening activities for all ages.

Culinary upgrades are also on the menu. Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse is collaborating with the food and beverage team to debut new dining venues aboard Carnival Festivale, including a replacement for ChiBang! But, don’t worry, fan-favorite eateries like Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, and Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse aren’t going anywhere.  

Next-Generation Ships Ahead

Looking ahead to 2028, Carnival will launch its fifth Excel-class vessel, Carnival Tropicale, named after another classic ship in the company’s history. This new ship will include many features introduced on Carnival Festivale, along with additional innovations and theming still to be revealed.

Carnival is also laying the foundation for a new ship platform dubbed Project Ace. This new class of vessel will begin launching in 2029, with a second and third to be delivered in 2031 and 2033. Built by Fincantieri, these ships will weigh in at 230,000 gross tons and house more than 3,000 staterooms, making them the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet. At full capacity, they’ll carry up to 8,000 guests.

“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,” said Duffy. “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.”

Upcoming Shifts in Deployment

The addition of several upcoming new ships will also allow for major shifts in fleet deployment. When Carnival Festivale launches in 2027, Mardi Gras will transition to sailing short cruises from Port Canaveral.

“As new ships are introduced, this will allow us to upgrade capacity and hardware in key markets, with a particular focus on short cruises,” explained Duffy. “With short cruises on Mardi Gras, our guests who may not have the time to take a weeklong vacation can experience all the amazing features of our Excel class.”

In addition to bolstering service from major ports, Carnival is renewing its commitment to secondary markets. Year-round cruises will resume from Mobile, Alabama, in Spring 2027. The line is also exploring the deployment of a larger Conquest-class ship to Baltimore to replace Carnival Pride, potentially increasing capacity by 1,000 passengers.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

Carnival’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience extends beyond the addition of new ships. The line plans to modernize its current fleet with updated décor, fresh dining and beverage options, and new entertainment experiences inspired by innovations being introduced aboard upcoming vessels. More details on these enhancements will be shared as dry dock and refurbishment plans are finalized.

Emphasizing Exclusive Destinations

Carnival’s “Innovation Itinerary” doesn’t stop at sea—it also includes a refreshed approach to exclusive destinations. Carnival Corporation already boasts the most extensive portfolio of cruise destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico, shared among its various brands.

As the largest year-round operator in these regions, Carnival Cruise Line visits these destinations more than any other brand. To reflect this, Carnival is enhancing these locations and remarketing them under a new banner: the Paradise Collection by Carnival.

Leading the charge is Celebration Key, Carnival’s first destination designed specifically for its guests, opening this July. Twenty Carnival ships from 10 U.S. homeports will visit the island on over 1,400 sailings through 2027.

Also in the works is a major upgrade to RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, set to include a new pier that will accommodate Excel and Project Ace ships. Enhancements, while preserving the island’s natural beauty, are expected to be completed by late 2026.

Mahogany Bay in Roatán, Honduras, will also get a facelift. By 2026, it will be rebranded as Isla Tropicale and will feature a pool with a swim-up bar, new cabanas, an expanded beach and a beach club.

Loyalty Program Refresh

Finally, Duffy announced updates to Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, with details set to be announced this summer and with changes taking effect in 2026.

“Carnival has an incredibly loyal and passionate fan base who are advocates for our brand, our crew and the amazing vacations we deliver.  We’ve had our existing VIFP loyalty recognition program in place since 2012 and as our fleet and business has grown, so has the VIFP program,” she said. “As we continue to grow, we are modifying the program to unlock greater value and engagement for our loyal guests.”

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