Carnival Unveils New Ships, Destinations & Upgrades Through 2028

Carnival Cruise Line has shared exciting news about what’s coming next for the company and it’s all about bigger ships, new experiences, and fun destinations. The cruise line is calling it their “Innovation Itinerary,” a five-year plan that includes adding new ships, upgrading favorite places, and improving guest experiences both onboard and ashore.

Christine Duffy, Carnival’s President, shared all the upcoming plans during a special event on the Carnival Celebration ship in Miami.

New Ships Are Coming and They’re Going to Be Big

Carnival currently has 29 ships in its fleet, the most in the company’s history. But more are on the way:

• Carnival Festivale will launch in spring 2027 and sail from Port Canaveral, Florida. It will be the fourth ship in the Excel class and will feature brand-new zones, with fun experiences built around music, creativity, and family fun. The name honors Carnival’s second-ever ship, the original Festivale.
• Carnival Tropicale will arrive in spring 2028 as the fifth Excel-class ship. More details about this ship’s homeport and sailings will be shared later.

In a major move, Carnival also announced an entirely new class of ships under “Project Alchemy Class Expansion (ACE)”. These will be the largest ships ever for Carnival Corporation. Three ACE-class ships are planned:

• First ship: arrives 2029
• Second: 2031
• Third: 2033

Each ACE-class ship will be nearly 10% larger than current Excel-class ships and will carry almost 8,000 guests and 2,300 crew members. They’ll be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

What’s New on Carnival Festivale

This ship will bring exciting changes for families and all kinds of cruisers. Some of the top features:

• Three new onboard zones, including two music-themed areas with lights, sound, and interactive entertainment.
• 1,000 connecting rooms, great for large families or groups. That’s 70% more than current Excel ships.
• A brand-new baby area for children as young as six months, and more outdoor spaces for toddlers and kids.

A whole new three-deck outdoor space called Sunsation Park, which includes:

• Carnival WaterWorks Ultra: Carnival’s most family-friendly water park with six slides, splash areas, and play zones.
• Two family raft slides and a slide for toddlers.
• Treehouse climbing area, ropes course, mini-golf, sports courts, video games, and more.
• Nighttime events with music and extended water park hours.
• Sunsation Park replaces the BOLT roller coaster found on earlier Excel-class ships, offering something more family-focused.

Festivale will also feature:

• New dining choices, including a brand-new restaurant replacing ChiBang!
• Favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, and Pig & Anchor Smokehouse will still be onboard.

New Deployment and Port Plans

Once Carnival Festivale begins sailing from Port Canaveral in 2027, the popular Mardi Gras ship will move to a new role offering shorter cruises (3- and 4-day trips) from the same port. These quick cruises are perfect for new cruisers or families looking for a shorter vacation.

Other upcoming port updates include:

• Mobile, Alabama: Carnival will return to year-round cruising from Mobile starting in spring 2027. The port will receive one of the newer Fantasy-class ships (from Carnival Firenze, Luminosa, or Spirit class).
• Baltimore, Maryland: Carnival will move a larger ship here in the future, replacing Carnival Pride. The new ship will carry around 1,000 more guests and offer more onboard features.

Big News for Private Destinations

Carnival is also investing heavily in its private destinations to give guests better beach days and upgraded experiences. Here’s what’s happening:

• Celebration Key, a new private destination in Grand Bahama, will officially open in July 2025. It’s only for Carnival guests and will be visited by 20 ships from 10 U.S. ports.
• Half Moon Cay, one of Carnival’s most loved destinations, will be upgraded in 2026. A new pier will allow larger ships to dock, and beach access will improve — but the natural feel of the island will stay the same.

Mahogany Bay (Roatán, Honduras) will get a fresh look and a new name: Isla Tropicale. Upgrades include:

• A brand-new pool with a swim-up bar.
• More beach cabanas and shaded spaces.
• Larger beaches and a new beach club.

These locations will now be part of the Paradise Collection, a group of exclusive Carnival destinations designed to give guests the best island experiences.

Upgrades to Existing Ships

Carnival is also working on refreshing some of its older ships. While details are still being confirmed, Carnival plans to:

• Update décor and design.
• Add new food, drink, and entertainment options.
• Include some of the exciting ideas from the new Excel- and ACE-class ships.

More information will be released as dry dock schedules are finalized.

Carnival’s Loyalty Program Is Getting a Makeover

Carnival’s loyalty program, VIFP (Very Important Fun Person), will get a big upgrade in 2026. The current version has been around since 2012, and with so many new cruisers joining, the cruise line wants to give returning guests better rewards.

New VIFP perks will include:

• Added value for repeat cruisers.
• Better recognition and benefits onboard.

More information will be shared in the summer 2025, so cruisers and travel advisors have time to learn about the changes.

With new ships like Festivale and Tropicale, the arrival of the ACE-class ships, expanded port access, upgraded destinations, and better loyalty rewards, Carnival Cruise Line is planning a big future. Guests can expect bigger ships, better beach days, more family-friendly options, and new ways to enjoy their time at sea.

It’s all about keeping the fun going, now and for years to come.