Carnival Cruise Line unveils five-year strategic growth plan

Monday, Apr 07, 2025 0

* Names revealed for fourth and fifth Excel-class ships

* ‘Project Ace’ to introduce Carnival Corp’s largest-ever ships

* ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’ launched for private destinations

Carnival Cruise Line has outlined its upcoming plans for new ships and destination experiences as part of a five-year ‘Innovation Itinerary’ concept.

It has confirmed that its fourth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Festivale, launching in spring 2027. The vessel will sail from Port Canaveral, with further information regarding itineraries to be announced this summer.

The ship will introduce new onboard areas, such as music-themed venues and an outdoor family zone on the top three decks, named Sunsation Point, which will replace the Bolt rollercoaster. Additionally, it will have 1,000 interconnecting cabins, nearly 70% more than on the first three Excel class ships.

Meanwhile, the fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, with the homeport and open for sale date to be unveiled ahead of the scheduled delivery of the ship in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will include many of the new features to be found on Carnival Festivale, alongside additional new concepts and theming.

The cruise line will also launch the largest ships in the Carnival Corporation global fleet as part of a project named ‘Project Ace’. Three ships will enter service in 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively, with each carrying almost 8,000 passengers.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “These ships clearly represent the next generation of ‘Fun’ ships. They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise holidays for guests. This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment and re-imagined outer deck amenities.”

In addition, Carnival Corporation’s collection of cruise destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico – used by many of its brands – are to be promoted as part of a ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’. This comprises:

* Celebration Key: Located in Grand Bahama, opening July 19, 2025. It will feature five ‘portals’, each with a different theme, including family-friendly activities and adult-only areas.

* RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Enhancement work for the private island – to be completed by the end of 2026 – includes the addition of a pier that can support Excel class and Project Ace ships.

* Isla Tropicale: In 2026, Mahogany Bay, in Roatan, Honduras, will be renamed Isla Tropicale. A pool with a swim up bar and new cabanas will be added. Future enhancements will also include an expanded beach and a beach club.

Duffy said: “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.

“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.”