Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) has cut the first steel on Carnival Destiny, the lead ship in a new Ace Class arriving in mid-2029, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
Carnival Destiny will be the first of three next-generation Ace Class vessels, with delivery scheduled for summer 2029 in the Northern Hemisphere and two further ships planned for 2031 and 2033.
The name revives the original Carnival Destiny, which entered service in the 1990s as the world’s largest cruise ship at the time and marked the start of the line’s now three-decade shipbuilding relationship with Italy’s Fincantieri.
The traditional steel-cutting ceremony revealed the ship’s name and used a 3D hologram to preview the design.
What makes the Ace Class different
Carnival Destiny is being pitched as the most outward-facing megaship at sea, built to keep the ocean in near-constant view.
The ship will carry an unprecedented number of ocean-view balcony cabins, a reimagined lanai deck and more than 1.8 hectares of glass, including multi-storey glass walls that open sightlines across the vessel.
More than 70 per cent of its venues and attractions will be entirely new concepts for Carnival, spanning reimagined dining, next-generation bars and lounges, immersive entertainment and outdoor spaces.
Where it will sail
Carnival Destiny will sail to destinations in the Paradise Collection by Carnival, the line’s portfolio of exclusive stops across the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico.
That places the ship squarely in the North American cruise market, making it a fly-cruise proposition for Australian travellers who pair a US or Caribbean sailing with a wider North America itinerary.
“Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea,” said CCL president Christine Duffy.
“With this ship, we’re elevating the guest experience again creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun.”
Further detail on the ship’s features and experiences is due later this year.
KARRYON UNPACKS: With delivery four years out, this is a long-lead sell rather than a book-now, but it gives advisors a fresh talking point for clients drawn to big-ship holidays in the Caribbean and Mexico. The Ace Class reveal, plus two more ships to follow in 2031 and 2033, signals where Carnival is steering its product for the next decade.
