Carnival Cruise Line has officially started construction on its newest ship, the Carnival Festivale. The first piece of steel was cut this week at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. This steel-cutting event marks the first significant step in the shipbuilding process and was celebrated with a traditional ceremony.
The Carnival Festivale will be the fourth ship in Carnival’s Excel class and will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a cleaner and more efficient fuel option. Once completed, the ship will be able to accommodate up to 6,400 guests, making it one of the largest in the fleet.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, shared her excitement about the project. She said that hearing the steel being cut was like music to her ears, a fitting remark since the ship will feature several music-themed experiences. She emphasized that this new ship would build on the success of the other Excel class ships while introducing new and innovative features.
Carnival also revealed that Carnival Festivale will include two music-themed zones spread across Decks 6, 7, and 8. These zones are designed to reflect the spirit of Carnival’s onboard energy and entertainment focus.
One of the standout features will be an expansive new outdoor zone called Sunsation Point. Spanning the top three decks, it will include the Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, a next-generation water park. This attraction will have six slides, four of which are completely new, including two family raft rides. There will also be splash pads for kids and separate areas for toddlers.
Guests can also look forward to a treehouse-style adventure trail, a sports court, a ropes course, redesigned miniature golf, and themed arcade areas. Sunsation Point will stay active into the evening with DJs, extended water park hours, and themed nighttime events, a first for Carnival’s WaterWorks experience.
When it launches, Carnival Festivale will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, joining the Mardi Gras in that homeport. Onboard, guests can expect new dining options alongside returning favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaq’s Big Chicken. More details about the ship’s features and itineraries are expected to be revealed soon.
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