The first piece of steel has been cut on Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship, marking the beginning of construction.
Just days after Carnival Cruise Line announced its next new ship will be named Carnival Festivale, construction is officially underway. The first piece of steel was cut on Tuesday 8 April at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.
Carnival Cruise Line’s AVP of New Builds Brett Vitols and the team took part in the steel cutting ceremony, which is the first milestone of the ship’s construction. The shipyard hosted a traditional ceremony to launch the beginning of the shipbuilding journey.
“The steel being cut for our next new ship is music to my ears, which is in tune with many of the themed experiences Carnival Festivale will bring to our guests,” Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said. “From the music-themed zones to expansive new water park we’ve planned for this ship, she will continue the tradition of infusing innovative new features into our fleet.
“Each of her three sister ships is a great success and we are excited to once again partner with Meyer Werft as we continue to build upon the revolutionary Excel platform.”
Excel class powered by LNG
Carnival Festivale will be Carnival’s fourth Excel class ship, powered by Liquefied Natural Gas. At 180,000 gross tons the ship will accommodate up to 6,400 guests.
The ship will feature two music-themed zones on Decks 6, 7, and 8 will celebrate how music connects people – one inspired by the creative process with cutting-edge media and interactive experiences, and another on Deck 8 symbolising the energy of outdoor music performances. A new outdoor zone, Sunsation Point, will span the top three decks, offering vibrant family fun. Its highlight is Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea, featuring six slides, four of which are new and include two family raft rides, two splash pads, and dedicated baby splash areas.
Additional features include a treehouse-inspired elevated adventure trail, sports court, ropes course, re-imagined miniature golf, and themed arcade spaces. Sunsation Point will also host evening events with extended water park hours, DJs, and activities, marking the first time Carnival opens Waterworks at night. In addition, Carnival Festivale will offer new dining concepts, along with Carnival favourites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaq’s Big Chicken.
The ship will be delivered in spring 2027 and will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida alongside sister ship Mardi Gras. More details will be announced soon, including reservation and itinerary information.
