Carnival Cruise Line has announced that reservations are now open for Carnival Festivale, a new ship scheduled to launch in 2027.
Its maiden voyage from Southampton, UK, will call at destinations including La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, as well as Tenerife in the Canary Islands, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to visit Grand Turk and arrive at its Port Canaveral homeport, before offering Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries.
The Carnival Festivale continues the tradition of matching a classic Carnival ship’s name, building on the popular Excel platform and marking a new chapter for the award-winning class.
“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”
Duffy stated that the ship will offer truly immersive environments, with a love of music fueling a range of unique experiences across three transformative zones.
Sunsation Point
Spanning three decks, 16-18, Sunsation Point is anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea and the biggest in Carnival history.
Deck 16 provides a range of family activities and dining options suitable for all ages, while Deck 17 features nostalgic elements, including the Vault Retrocade. This deck also features the Treehouse, an all-new adventure trail with netted bridges, fun obstacles, and a dry slide. A nearby toddler playground offers climbing fun for little ones.
Deck 18 features Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, offering six water slides suitable for various age groups and adventure levels. These include two family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides, as well as duelling Racing Currents slides and the kid-friendly Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister.
Sunsation Point will introduce the first nighttime WaterWorks operations. Activating the multi-deck zone with colourful lighting and a live DJ, water park hours will be extended on special evenings.
Studio 724 and The Festival
Just beyond the ship’s Grand Central atrium, the main hub and a three-deck-high live entertainment venue, is Studio 724: a first-of-its-kind celebration of the creative music process.
Through interactive technology, the vibrant zone responds in real-time to sound with lights and animations, inviting guests to actively participate in the musical experience of mixing, recording, and listening.
Elsewhere, The Festival on Deck 8 captures the lively social atmosphere of outdoor music festivals on a cruise ship. A vividly coloured promenade links guests to multiple food and drink spots, creating an ambience that shifts from day to night with changing lights and sounds.
Carnival Festivale will have 1,000 interconnected rooms, nearly 70% more than the first three Excel-class ships. It will include a space for Carnival’s Turtles program for children aged six months to two years, as well as additional experiences for young cruisers on open decks, along with improved youth spaces for further programming.
The new vessel was announced earlier this year as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s five-year plan, the “Innovation Itinerary”. This is centred on three pillars: the most fun fleet at sea, compelling experiences and destinations, and increasing Carnival loyalty.
The fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, arriving in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will feature many elements from Carnival Festivale, plus new concepts and theming.
