Carnival Unveils New Excel-Class Ships Set for 2027 & 2028

Carnival Cruise Line shared the first look at its upcoming Excel-class ships during an event aboard the Carnival Celebration on Sunday.

The two new ships, scheduled to launch in 2027 and 2028, will be named Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale. They will become the fourth and fifth vessels in Carnival’s Excel series and are being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Like their predecessors, both will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Carnival President Christine Duffy said the new ships will feature a refreshed design for the Excel class and will place a strong emphasis on multi-generational cruising, including more connecting cabins and improved youth programming areas.

Replacing the BOLT! roller coaster seen on earlier Excel ships, these vessels will debut Sunsation Point, described by Duffy as a “multi-deck, ultra water park at sea.” The space will also host exclusive evening events and themed celebrations.

The Carnival Festivale will be homeported in Port Canaveral starting spring 2027. It will feature music-inspired venues, an expanded Alchemy Bar, and upgraded dining options. The 5,400-passenger ship’s itineraries will include Caribbean and Bahamas sailings with stops at Carnival’s new private island, Celebration Key, and the newly enhanced RelaxAway Half Moon Key.

Details about the Carnival Tropicale's deployment will be announced at a later date.

These two new ships will join the existing Excel-class fleet: the Mardi Gras, which launched from Port Canaveral in 2021; the Carnival Celebration, which began sailing from Miami in 2022; and the Carnival Jubilee, which entered service from Galveston in late 2023.

Beyond these additions, Carnival will welcome another Excel-class vessel in 2028. The cruise line has also ordered three larger 230,000-ton ships under the working title Project Ace. Built by Fincantieri in Italy, these 8,000-guest mega-ships are expected to enter service between 2029 and 2032.