Carnival Cruise Line presented its 5-year strategic growth roadmap, called the “Innovation Itinerary,” which focuses on delivering new ships, enhancing guest experiences and expanding loyalty initiatives.
Announced by President Christine Duffy during a media event aboard Carnival Celebration in PortMiami, the plan builds on recent momentum and outlines the next chapter in Carnival’s expansion.
“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. The excitement and energy continue at Carnival! Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest global fleet in our history,” said Duffy, at the event.
Carnival Festivale in 2027 & More
The fourth Excel-class ship, Carnival Festivale, will debut in spring 2027, sailing from Port Canaveral. The ship pays homage to the original Festivale that helped define the modern cruise experience. Designed with families in mind, the vessel will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms—nearly 70% more than previous Excel-class ships—and enhanced youth programming, including a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program for infants and toddlers.
The ship will also introduce three new entertainment zones, two of which are music-themed and spread across Decks 6–8, offering immersive, interactive experiences. A new outdoor space, Sunsation Point, spans the top three decks and includes Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the line’s largest waterpark at sea, replacing the BOLT rollercoaster.
Renowned chef Emeril Lagasse is collaborating with Carnival’s food and beverage team to develop new dining concepts for Carnival Festivale, including a venue to replace ChiBang! Guest favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and Big Chicken will remain.
In spring 2028, Carnival Tropicale, the fifth Excel-class ship, will join the fleet. Its homeport and booking details will be shared at a later date. Looking further ahead, Carnival’s new Project Ace class will consist of three 230,000-gross-ton ships built by Fincantieri, debuting in 2029, 2031 and 2033. These next-generation ships will each feature over 3,000 staterooms and carry up to 8,000 guests.
Fleet Redeployment and Short Cruise Strategy
When Carnival Festivale arrives in Port Canaveral in 2027, Mardi Gras will shift to offering short cruises from the same port. The move supports Carnival’s strategy of providing top-tier short cruise experiences, particularly for families and first-time cruisers. Carnival offers short cruises from nearly all U.S. homeports, excluding Baltimore and Seattle.
Destination Expansion: The Paradise Collection
Carnival is investing in its private destinations under a newly branded umbrella, the Paradise Collection. Celebration Key in Grand Bahama, opening in July 2025, is the first destination built exclusively for Carnival guests. More than 1,400 sailings across 20 ships from 10 U.S. homeports will include calls to Celebration Key through 2027.
Half Moon Cay will undergo major enhancements by the summer of 2026, including a new pier to support Excel and Project Ace-class ships. Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras, will be rebranded as Isla Tropicale, adding a pool, cabanas, and a beach club as part of its 2026 refresh.
Loyalty Program
Carnival also plans to update its VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program, with enhancements set to launch in 2026. More details will be announced this summer, providing travel advisors and guests time to understand the changes.
Looking Ahead
Since the introduction of Fun Ship 2.0 in 2011, Carnival has continued to evolve with guest-centric innovations. As part of the “Innovation Itinerary,” Carnival will also invest in modernizing existing ships, updating decor and introducing new food, beverage and entertainment experiences inspired by upcoming vessels.
For more information, visit carnival.com.
