Carnival Cruise Line Launches New ‘Innovation Itinerary’ with Enhanced Ships and Experiences
Carnival Cruise Line has announced its ambitious five-year strategy, dubbed the “Innovation Itinerary,” which focuses on three key areas: creating the most enjoyable fleet at sea, offering captivating experiences and destinations, and enhancing loyalty among Carnival guests.
During a media briefing aboard the Carnival Celebration at PortMiami, President Christine Duffy provided insights into new ships, deployment strategies, fleet upgrades, and exclusive destinations.
“Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry, and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different,” stated Duffy. “The excitement and energy continue at Carnival Cruise Line! Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest global fleet in our history.”
“Looking ahead, we have the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships in our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029, plus fleet enhancements and new investments at some of our existing destinations.”
“We are poised to continue our leadership position as both America’s Cruise Line and the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line.”
Carnival Festivale
The fourth Excel class ship from Carnival Cruise Line will be named Carnival Festivale, set to launch in spring 2027, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
This ship will introduce three new zones; two on Decks 6, 7, and 8 will celebrate music through themed venues and immersive experiences. One zone will utilise cutting-edge media and lighting to enhance the music creation process, while the other on Deck 8 will embody the vibrant atmosphere of outdoor performances.
Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, which is 70% more than the first three Excel ships. This expansion will replace the Family Harbor staterooms and will also include a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles programme for children aged six months to two years, along with additional experiences on the open decks. Furthermore, enhancements to Carnival’s youth programmes will support more activities.
Carnival Festivale will also introduce Sunsation Point, an outdoor family zone across the top three decks. On Deck 18, Carnival Waterworks Ultra will be the most family-friendly water park at sea, perfect for splashy fun. This area will replace BOLT, the Ultimate Seacoaster, found on existing Excel ships.
The water park will boast six slides, four of which are new to Carnival, including two family raft slides for guests over three feet tall. Two splash pads will provide kids’ slides, spray toys, and dedicated baby areas for younger guests. The treehouse-inspired adventure trail and toddler areas will offer dry play with shaded seating nearby.
Sunsation Point will also feature a sports court, ropes course, jogging track, miniature golf course, outdoor games, and themed arcades. In the evenings, it will come alive with special events, extended water park hours, a DJ, and more.
Carnival Tropicale and Project Ace
Duffy revealed that the fifth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, arriving in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will incorporate many features from Carnival Festivale, along with new concepts and themes.
Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line’s Project Ace will involve three new ships, each weighing 230,000 gross tons, being constructed by Fincantieri for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033. With over 3,000 staterooms, these vessels will be the largest in Carnival Corporation’s fleet, accommodating nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity.
“These ships clearly represent the next generation of Fun ships. They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that include our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise vacations for guests,” Duffy remarked.
“This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment, and re-imagined outer deck amenities. Our New Build team is currently designing these vessels, so stay tuned for more updates as we approach delivery.”
In spring 2027, when Carnival Festivale begins its voyages from Port Canaveral, Mardi Gras will offer short cruises from the same port.
“As new ships are introduced, this will allow us to upgrade capacity and hardware in key markets, particularly focusing on short cruises,” Duffy added. “With short cruises on Mardi Gras, our guests who may not have the time for a weeklong vacation can still enjoy all the fantastic features of our Excel class.”
Since launching Fun Ship 2.0 in 2011, Carnival Cruise Line has aimed to enhance the guest experience. To innovate further, Carnival will modernise décor and introduce new dining, beverage, and entertainment options on existing ships, inspired by features on new vessels.
Upgraded Destinations
Carnival Corporation boasts the largest collection of cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. These locations are being upgraded and rebranded as the new Paradise Collection.
This includes Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, which is set to open in July as an exclusive destination for Carnival guests. Twenty Carnival ships from 10 US ports will visit through 2027, with more scheduled. Celebration Key will feature two freshwater lagoons designed with Blue Mar Basins technology from Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, a world-class aquatic firm.
Carnival has also announced the expansion of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, a premier Caribbean destination. A new pier for Excel class and Project Ace ships will enable Carnival’s largest vessels to visit. The expansion aims to enhance the beach while preserving its natural beauty, with enhancements expected to be completed by summer 2026.
In 2026, Mahogany Bay, Carnival’s Roatan destination, will be renamed Isla Tropicale and will feature a pool with a swim-up bar and cabanas, as well as an expanded beach and beach club.
Finally, Duffy confirmed that Carnival will enhance its loyalty programme, with details expected this summer and changes effective in 2026.
“Carnival has an incredibly loyal and passionate fan base who advocate for our brand, our crew, and the amazing vacations we deliver. We’ve had our existing VIFP loyalty recognition programme in place since 2012, and as our fleet and business have grown, so has the VIFP programme,” she stated.
“As we continue to grow, we are modifying the programme to unlock greater value and engagement for our loyal guests.”
Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel Class ship launched at the end of 2023, offers exciting new spaces for guests unique to the 6,500-guest vessel. These include the underwater-themed Currents zone, a two-deck-high promenade with a massive wave-shaped LED ceiling, six LED windows, show lighting, and an immersive sound system.
