Carnival Cruise Line shared exciting updates about its upcoming ships, announcing that the fourth vessel in its celebrated Excel-class fleet will be named Carnival Festivale. This nod to its legacy celebrates the tradition of giving new ships the names of Carnival’s early vessels, which helped popularize cruising for many Americans.
Set to debut in spring 2027, Carnival Festivale will be homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida. While reservations and full itineraries will be available this summer, eager travelers can sign up for notifications now to stay informed.
Innovative Zones and Immersive Experiences
True to Carnival’s legacy of blending innovation and fun, Carnival Festivale will introduce three brand-new zones, two of which, located on Decks 6, 7, and 8, will celebrate music’s power to bring people together.
- Music Creation Zone: This area will explore the process of creating music, using cutting-edge media, interactive features, immersive soundscapes, and dynamic lighting to engage guests.
- Live Performance Zone: An entirely different space dedicated to the energy and excitement of outdoor music performances captures the essence of live entertainment through immersive experiences.
The third new zone, focused on vibrant outdoor family activities, truly embodies Carnival’s commitment to enhancing onboard experiences.
Family-Friendly Features for Every Age
Carnival is the go-to choice for families, hosting over 1 million children annually, and Carnival Festivale is taking family inclusion to the next level. The ship will offer approximately 1,000 interconnecting staterooms, nearly a 70% increase compared to earlier Excel-class ships, addressing the needs of families traveling together. This replaces the typical Family Harbor staterooms found on other Excel ships.
Carnival Festivale will also make accommodations for its youngest cruisers, aged six months to two years, with a dedicated area for Carnival’s Turtles program. Enhanced youth programming and new open-deck experiences will provide even more activities for kids of all ages.
Sunsation Point: A New Outdoor Adventure Zone
The top three decks will feature a brand-new outdoor zone called Sunsation Point, designed to be a hub of family fun and entertainment.
- Carnival WaterWorks Ultra will take center stage as the largest and most family-oriented water park Carnival has introduced, featuring six slides, including two family raft slides and others suitable for guests as short as three feet tall.
- Besides water fun, the area will include treehouse-inspired adventure trails, dedicated toddler splash pads, shaded seating, and dry play areas.
- Additional attractions like a sports court, ropes course, miniature golf course, outdoor games, and themed arcade spaces round out this activity-packed area.
Evenings at Sunsation Point promise to be just as exciting, with extended water park hours, vibrant lighting, DJs, and special evening activities—marking the first time Carnival has activated its WaterWorks area after dark.
Exciting Culinary Updates
Carnival Festivale will also introduce new dining experiences, developed under the expertise of Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse. This includes a fresh dining venue that will replace ChiBang!, while popular staples like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Big Chicken will remain onboard.
Further menu and dining details are expected to be revealed in the coming months, promising more foodies something to look forward to.
A Look into the Future
Carnival also unveiled details about its fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, set for delivery in spring 2028. Like its predecessor, it will carry forward many of Carnival Festivale’s innovative features, along with brand-new concepts and theming. The ship’s homeport and reservation details will be announced in advance of its debut.
Looking even further ahead, Carnival’s Project Ace is underway, with three colossal ships—boasting over 3,000 guest staterooms and a capacity of almost 8,000 guests—scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033. At 230,000 gross tons, these vessels will establish a new industry standard as the largest in the Carnival Corporation fleet and the most spacious fun ships in the world.
“These ships are our next-generation Fun Ships,” Carnival CEO Christine Duffy shared, emphasizing their unique blend of dining, entertainment, and redesigned outdoor amenities.
Stay Tuned
Carnival Festivale’s arrival in 2027 promises an exciting new era for cruising, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology and innovative guest experiences. To learn more about upcoming ships, exclusive itineraries, and onboard features, stay turned to thecruisingcompass.com.
