Carnival Launches Festivale Cruise Ship with Ultimate Family Adventure Zone
Carnival Cruise Line has officially opened reservations for the Carnival Festivale, a new ship set to debut in 2027.
The ship’s inaugural journey will commence from Southampton, UK, with stops at various destinations including La Coruña and Vigo in Spain, Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It will then cross the Atlantic Ocean to visit Grand Turk before arriving at its homeport in Port Canaveral, where it will offer Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries.
The Carnival Festivale continues the tradition of naming ships after classic Carnival vessels, building on the successful Excel platform and marking a significant new chapter for this award-winning class.
“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation,” states Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Everyone – regardless of age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”
Duffy highlighted that the ship will feature truly immersive environments, with a passion for music inspiring a variety of unique experiences across three transformative zones.
Sunsation Point
Spanning three decks, 16-18, Sunsation Point is anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, which is the most family-friendly water park at sea and the largest in Carnival’s history.
Deck 16 offers a variety of family activities and dining options suitable for all ages, while Deck 17 includes nostalgic features such as the Vault Retrocade. This deck also boasts the Treehouse, a brand-new adventure trail complete with netted bridges, fun obstacles, and a dry slide. Additionally, a nearby toddler playground provides climbing fun for younger guests.
Deck 18 showcases Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, featuring six water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels. These include two family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides, as well as duelling Racing Currents slides and the kid-friendly Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister.
Sunsation Point will introduce the first nighttime WaterWorks operations, lighting up the multi-deck zone with vibrant colours and a live DJ, extending water park hours on special evenings.
Studio 724 and The Festival
Located just beyond the ship’s Grand Central atrium, which serves as the main hub and a three-deck-high live entertainment venue, is Studio 724: a unique celebration of the creative music process.
This vibrant zone employs interactive technology that responds in real-time to sound with lights and animations, encouraging guests to actively engage in the musical experience of mixing, recording, and listening.
Additionally, The Festival on Deck 8 captures the lively social atmosphere of outdoor music festivals aboard a cruise ship. A brightly coloured promenade connects guests to various food and drink venues, creating an ambience that evolves from day to night with changing lights and sounds.
The Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnected rooms, nearly 70% more than the first three Excel-class ships. It will include a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles programme for children aged six months to two years, along with enhanced experiences for young cruisers on open decks and improved youth spaces for additional programming.
This new vessel was announced earlier this year as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s five-year plan, the “Innovation Itinerary”, which focuses on three pillars: the most fun fleet at sea, compelling experiences and destinations, and enhancing Carnival loyalty.
The fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, set to arrive in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will incorporate many elements from the Carnival Festivale, along with new concepts and themes.
