First New Build in 5 Years Ordered by Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation, the leading global cruise company, has revealed its inaugural newbuild order since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, the company announced the signing of a contract with the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for a fourth Excel-class cruise ship, slated for its Carnival Cruise Line brand.

Expected to join the fleet in Spring 2027, the new 180,000-ton vessel will be the 10th Excel-class ship spread across four brands within the corporation.

This new addition will join Carnival Cruise Line's existing Excel-class vessels, which include Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. Designed to accommodate over 6,400 guests, the new ship will operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), enhancing its environmental sustainability.

Carnival Corporation & plc, renowned as the world's premier leisure travel company, manages a fleet of more than 90 ships across 9 distinct brands. Additionally, the group plans to welcome eight new ships into its fleet by 2025. Carnival Cruise Line stands as the company's largest brand, boasting a fleet of 27 ships.

This latest order marks Carnival Corporation's first venture into newbuild acquisitions in five years.

Carnival reported robust performance during the beginning of the peak booking season last month, surpassing expectations. Since November, booking volumes have soared to unprecedented heights. The company anticipates achieving record bookings for 2024, with both pricing and occupancy levels exceeding those of 2023. Remarkably, the first half of 2024 is already nearly fully booked.