Two new ships are on the way—and they’re not even Carnival’s biggest plans. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale will join the Excel-class fleet in 2027 and 2028. But the bigger news? Plans are also in motion for a brand-new ship class that could carry up to 8,000 guests—making it the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet..
In an announcement led by Carnival President Christine Duffy, the cruise line outlined what it calls its ‘Innovation Itinerary’, a multi-year plan that includes fleet growth, onboard enhancements, and destination investments designed to support Carnival’s position as the largest year-round operator in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Here’s everything travel professionals need to know.
Two new Excel-class ships are coming
The next ships in Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will launch in 2027 and 2028—and their names have now been confirmed.
- Carnival Festivale will debut in spring 2027, sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida
- Carnival Tropicale will follow in spring 2028, with its homeport still to be announced
“These will be spectacular additions to our fleet that build on the success of Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee,” said Duffy.
Each will continue the Excel-class format: LNG-powered, zone-based designs carrying more than 6,400 passengers at double occupancy. Both are being built at Meyer Werft in Germany.
Carnival Festivale: All-new zones and family-first design
Carnival Festivale will introduce three brand-new zones, two of which are dedicated to music—one focusing on sound creation and the other on the energy of live outdoor performances. The third zone will introduce new culinary and entertainment concepts, with further details to be released soon.
Also new is Sunsation Point, a three-deck family zone replacing the BOLT rollercoaster. Features include:
- Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the line’s largest water park to date
- Six slides, including four new designs and two family raft slides
- Two splash pads, baby splash zones and dry toddler play areas
- A treehouse-inspired adventure trail, mini golf, sports court, and arcade
- Evening activations with extended water park hours, DJs and deck-wide lighting
Carnival Festivale will also introduce 1,000 interconnecting staterooms—70% more than on previous Excel-class ships—and a dedicated Turtles space for children aged six months to two years. Youth program areas will also be expanded.
Chef Emeril Lagasse is working with the food and beverage team to create new dining options, including a replacement for ChiBang!. Fan favourites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, and Pig & Anchor Smokehouse will remain.
Carnival Tropicale: New concepts to come
Set to launch in 2028, Carnival Tropicale continues the naming tradition of honouring Carnival’s early fleet. It will incorporate many of the new features introduced on Carnival Festivale, with further theming and innovations expected. Booking and homeport details will be released closer to launch.
“With these orders, Carnival Cruise Line’s capacity will grow to more than 120,000 lower berths by 2028,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
Project Ace: A new ship class for 2029 and beyond
Looking further ahead, Carnival confirmed development of a new platform known as Project Ace—a class of three 230,000-gross-ton ships being built by Fincantieri, set to launch in 2029, 2031, and 2033.
Each will feature over 3,000 guest staterooms and accommodate up to 8,000 guests at full capacity—making them the largest ships in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet.
“These ships clearly represent the next generation of Fun ships,” said Duffy. “They will be experiences unto themselves… with new dining outlets, entertainment, and re-imagined outer deck amenities.”
Paradise Collection: Carnival’s new destination portfolio
As part of the Innovation Itinerary, Carnival has launched the Paradise Collection—a refreshed destination portfolio highlighting its exclusive beach destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
According to Carnival, its ships visit these locations more than any other cruise line. New developments include:
Celebration Key (Grand Bahama Island)
Opening July 2025, Celebration Key is Carnival’s first destination designed specifically for its guests.
- 20 Carnival ships from 10 U.S. homeports are scheduled to visit on more than 1,400 sailings through 2027
- Features include five zones, white-sand beaches, a mile-long beachfront, and Bahamian retail and dining
RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay (Bahamas)
An expansion of Carnival’s private island experience, set to begin completion in mid-2026.
- Includes a pier upgrade to accommodate Excel-class and Project Ace ships
- Enhancements will focus on increasing guest access while preserving the island’s natural features
Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay, Honduras)
Carnival’s existing destination in Roatán will be rebranded and expanded from 2026.
- Additions include a pool with swim-up bar, cabanas, and an expanded beach and beach club
The line says the Paradise Collection will continue to grow and evolve as guest demand for exclusive beach destinations increases.
2025 deployment updates
While the new builds are still on the horizon, Carnival is also shuffling its current fleet for the 2025 season:
- Carnival Legend will reposition to Tampa
- Carnival Miracle returns to San Francisco
- Carnival Luminosa shifts to Seattle for Alaska
- Carnival Sunshine begins year-round cruises from Norfolk, Virginia from February 2025
Carnival expects to carry 100,000 guests annually from Norfolk, up from just 20,000 in 2023.
What this all means for travel agents
Carnival’s Innovation Itinerary delivers both immediate selling points and long-term opportunities. Agents can tap into:
- Short-lead deployment changes and new ports of call in 2025
- Long-lead interest in Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale
- Family-focused features including interconnecting rooms and upgraded youth programs
- A growing network of exclusive destinations through the Paradise Collection
With more product, more capacity, and more private beaches to pitch, Carnival’s multi-year expansion gives the trade plenty to work with—starting now.
