Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled its five-year “Innovations Roadmap,” focused on fleet fun, exclusive destinations, and building guest loyalty.
With a record 29 ships now sailing globally, Carnival is expanding with new vessels, upgraded guest experiences, and enhanced port offerings.
At a PortMiami press event, President Christine Duffy announced the upcoming launch of Carnival Festivale in 2027, the fourth Excel-class ship, sailing from Port Canaveral.
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It will feature music-themed zones, a revamped youth program including 1,000 connecting rooms and a new Carnival Turtles program for infants, and Sunsation Point — a sprawling, multi-deck outdoor fun zone replacing BOLT with Carnival’s largest waterpark at sea, nighttime DJ events, and more family attractions.
A fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, will debut in 2028, followed by the Project Ace class: three 230,000-ton ships set to launch in 2029, 2031, and 2033, accommodating nearly 8,000 guests each — the largest in Carnival’s history.
Carnival is also enhancing its destination lineup under the new Paradise Collection. Key highlights include:
- Celebration Key, an exclusive Grand Bahama destination opening July 2025.
- A major expansion of RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay by late 2026.
- A reimagined Isla Tropicale (currently Mahogany Bay) in Roatán, Honduras, featuring new beach clubs and pools from 2026 onward.
Fleet adjustments include shifting Mardi Gras to shorter cruises from Port Canaveral in 2027 and a potential deployment of a larger Conquest-class ship to Baltimore. Carnival will also return to year-round service in Mobile, Alabama.
Guest experience upgrades are planned across the fleet with new dining, décor, and entertainment inspired by newer ships. A refreshed VIFP loyalty program will roll out in 2026, with full details expected this summer.
With these investments, Carnival continues its mission to deliver accessible, memorable vacations while staying ahead as the most popular cruise line in the world.
