A cruise company has revealed the names of two new vessels preparing to set sail on the high seas—and has also revealed ambitious plans to launch three ginormous ships, capable of carrying 8,000 passengers each.
Carnival Cruise Line shared the first details about the two ships due to embark upon their maiden voyages in 2027 and 2028, in a statement published on its website on Sunday.
And the company, which is based in Miami, also announced that shipbuilding work is currently underway on a trio of giant ships that will be gradually launched into the next decade, with delivery expected in 2029, 2031, and 2033.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said the vessels will “represent the next generation of Fun ships.”
Newsweek has reached out by email to Carnival Cruise Line seeking further information and comment.
Why It Matters
Some 32 million passengers embarked on ocean cruises worldwide in 2023, according to the most up-to-date figures published by number-crunching website Statista in Spring 2024.
Overall, North America was the leading source market for the industry, with around 18 million passengers setting sail. That figure dwarfed the second-highest passenger group, with guests from Western Europe making up 7.7 million cruise passengers.
What To Know
The three new cruise liners, which Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is making, will weigh in at a whopping 230,000 gross tons each. Up to 8,000 passengers spread across more than 3,000 cabins will be carried by the ships, which will be the largest in the Carnival Corporation global fleet.
Besides the three new mega ships, two smaller cruise liners are also due to be added to the company’s Excel-class line.
The fourth ship in Carnival’s Excel class will be named Carnival Festivale, which will sail on its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, in spring 2027. The itinerary details are due to be released later this year. The cruise liner will have 1,000 cabins, which is almost 70 percent more than the existing Excel ships.
A fifth Excel-class ship, to be named Carnival Tropicale, is due to be launched in the spring of 2028.
Festivale and Tropicale were both original names of early Carnival ships, with the monikers being re-used to honor the company’s nautical history.
What People Are Saying
Discussing the three new mega ships, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said: “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.
“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.”
What Happens Next
Fincantieri shipbuilders will continue working on the huge project, with cruise fans urged to check Carnival’s website nearer the time to find out more details and book a voyage.
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