Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled its five-year plan, the “Innovation Itinerary,” centred on three pillars: the most fun fleet at sea, compelling experiences and destinations, and increasing Carnival loyalty.
President Christine Duffy shared details on new ships, deployment, fleet enhancements, and exclusive destinations during a media briefing aboard Carnival Celebration at PortMiami.
“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.”
Carnival Festivale
Carnival’s fourth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Festivale. It will debut in spring 2027, sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
It will debut three new zones; two on Decks 6, 7, and 8 celebrate music with themed venues and immersive experiences. One zone uses cutting-edge media and lighting to activate the music creation process, while the other on Deck 8 symbolises the energetic vibes of outdoor performances.
Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, 70% more than the first three Excel ships. This expansion replaces the Family Harbor staterooms. It will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program for children six months to two years, along with more experiences on the open decks. Additionally, spaces for Carnival’s youth programs will be enhanced to support more programming.
Carnival Festivale introduces Sunsation Point (pictured, top), an outdoor family zone on the top three decks. On Deck 18 is Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea, perfect for splashy fun. This area will replace BOLT, the Ultimate Seacoaster, on existing Excel ships.
The water park will feature six slides, four new to Carnival, including two family raft slides for guests over three feet tall. Two splash pads will offer kids’ slides, spray toys, and dedicated baby areas for younger guests. The treehouse-inspired adventure trail and toddler areas provide dry play with shaded seating nearby.
Sunsation Point also features a sports court, ropes course, jogging track, miniature golf course, outdoor games, and themed arcades. It will light up in the evening and host special events with extended water park hours, a DJ, and more.
Carnival Tropicale and Project Ace
Duffy announced the fifth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, coming in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will feature many elements from Carnival Festivale, plus new concepts and theming.
Beyond this, Carnival’s Project Ace involves three new ships, each 230,000 gross tons, being built by Fincantieri for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033. With over 3,000 staterooms, these ships will be the largest in Carnival Corporation’s fleet, accommodating nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity.
“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.”
In spring 2027, when Carnival Festivale begins sailing from Port Canaveral, Mardi Gras will offer short cruises from the same port.
“As new ships are introduced, this will allow us to upgrade capacity and hardware in key markets, with a particular focus on short cruises,” added 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.”
Since introducing Fun Ship 2.0 in 2011, Carnival has aimed to enhance the guest experience. To innovate further, Carnival will modernise décor and introduce new dining, beverage, and entertainment options on existing ships inspired by features on new ships.
Upgraded destinations
Carnival Corporation boasts the largest cruise destination collection in the Caribbean and Mexico. These locations are being upgraded and branded as the new Paradise Collection.
This includes Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, which is opening in July as an exclusive destination designed for Carnival guests. Twenty Carnival ships from 10 US ports will visit through 2027, with more scheduled. Celebration Key will be anchored by two freshwater lagoons featuring Blue Mar Basins technology from Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, a world-class aquatic firm.
Carnival also recently announced the expansion of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, a top Caribbean destination. A new pier for Excel class and Project Ace ships will allow Carnival’s largest vessels to visit. The expansion aims to enhance the beach while preserving its natural beauty. Enhancements are expected to be completed by summer 2026, continuing through the year.
In 2026, Mahogany Bay, Carnival’s Roatan destination, will be renamed Isla Tropicale and will feature a pool with a swim-up bar and cabanas, as well as an expanded beach and beach club.
Finally, Duffy confirmed that Carnival would enhance its loyalty program, with details expected this summer and changes effective 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 have 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.”
Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel Class ship launched at the end of 2023, offers exciting new spaces for guests unique to the 6,500-guest vessel. These include the underwater-themed Currents zone, a two-deck-high promenade with a massive wave-shaped LED ceiling, six LED windows, show lighting, and an immersive sound system.
