Carnival Cruise Line unveiled its strategic plans for the next five years with the introduction of its “Innovation Roadmap,” centered on three pillars: operating the most fun fleet at sea; creating compelling experiences and destinations; and building stronger Carnival customer loyalty. The line’s president, Christine Duffy, shared details about new ships, deployments, fleet enhancements, and exclusive destinations aboard the Carnival Celebration in PortMiami.
“Since our founding 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! We just added two ships to the fleet in Australia, bringing us to a total of 29 ships. Looking ahead, we have the debut of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel-class ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships under our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029, in addition to fleet enhancements and investments in some of our current destinations.”
New Ships
The fourth ship in the Excel class will be named Carnival Festivale, debuting in spring 2027 and sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Carnival Festivale will continue the tradition of innovation and fun, introducing three new zones, two of which will celebrate music through themed spaces and immersive experiences.
This ship will have 1,000 interconnected cabins, 70% more than the first three Excel ships, and a new space for the Turtles program (for children from six months to two years old), as well as improvements to the spaces for youth programs.
On the top deck, the new Sunsation Point outdoor area will debut, featuring Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea with six slides, two splash zones, and a dry, treehouse-style area for toddlers. Other activities will include a sports court, mini-golf, outdoor games, and nightly events with DJs and light shows.
The Carnival Festival will also offer new dining options, developed in collaboration with Chef Emeril Lagasse. Some restaurants, such as Guy's Burger Joint and Big Chicken, will remain open. More details will be announced soon.
Duffy also revealed the name of the fifth Excel ship: Carnival Tropicale, scheduled for delivery in spring 2028. It will include many of the features of the Festivale and other new surprises.
Looking ahead, Project Ace is a new platform of ships, each with a gross tonnage of 230,000, to be delivered in 2029, 2031, and 2033. These will be Carnival Corporation's largest ships, accommodating nearly 8,000 guests each. They will feature new dining options, entertainment, and redesigned outdoor areas.
Deployment updates
When the Carnival Festivale begins operating from Port Canaveral in 2027, Mardi Gras will offer short cruises from the same port.
Carnival plans to use its new ships to increase capacity in key markets, especially for short cruises, which are ideal for families or people with limited time. Carnival offers short cruises from almost all of its homeports in the U.S. and Australia (except Baltimore and Seattle).
Duffy also reaffirmed the line's commitment to secondary markets. Carnival will return to year-round operations in Mobile, Alabama, in the spring of 2027. Additionally, the company is evaluating moving a Conquest-class ship to Baltimore to replace the Carnival Pride, increasing capacity by 1,000 passengers.
Since the introduction of Fun Ship 2.0 in 2011, Carnival has consistently sought to enhance the onboard experience. Now, strategic improvements will be made to existing ships, including interior redesigns, new dining, beverage, and entertainment offerings, based on the innovations of upcoming ships.
The Innovation Itinerary also focuses on exclusive destinations. Carnival will unveil its new Paradise Collection, which will include:
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Celebration Key, the first destination designed exclusively for Carnival guests, will open in July and already has 1,400 sailings scheduled through 2027.
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RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, will be expanded with a new pier to accommodate Excel and Project Ace ships, while maintaining its natural beauty.
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In 2026, Mahogany Bay in Roatán, Honduras, will be renamed Isla Tropicale, and will have a pool with a bar, cabanas, an expanded beach and a beach club added.
Loyalty program
Duffy concluded by announcing that Carnival's loyalty program, VIFP, will be improved in 2026.
“Carnival has a loyal and passionate fan base. As we’ve grown, so has our VIFP program. These enhancements will unlock even more value for our most loyal guests.”
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