Carnival Cruise Line has officially unveiled the names of its two newest Excel-class cruise ships, set to debut in 2027 and 2028.
The announcement was made during a pre-Seatrade Cruise Global event aboard Carnival Celebration in Miami, Florida, on 6th April 2025.
Carnival President Christine Duffy, celebrating her 10th anniversary at the helm of the world’s most fun-focused cruise brand, shared the exciting news with an audience of cruise industry insiders and media.
“We are very excited today to announce that our fourth Excel ship is coming in 2027,” said Duffy. “We’re continuing with our naming convention, showing the respect that we have for those original Carnival Cruise Line ships. It’s being named Carnival Festivale.”
The fifth Excel-class ship, due to set sail in 2028, will be named Carnival Tropicale – another nostalgic nod to the early days of the brand.
Both names harken back to Carnival’s pioneering fleet, with MS Festivale and MS Tropicale being two of the original ships in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Notably, MS Tropicale was the cruise line’s first-ever purpose-built ship, and the first to sport the now-iconic whale-tail funnel.
The upcoming 180,000-gross-ton sister ships will be constructed by renowned shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.
Like their Excel-class predecessors, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, the two new builds will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) as part of Carnival’s ongoing sustainability commitment.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class ships represent a bold evolution of the fleet, blending high-capacity, next-generation technology with innovative guest experiences.
Duffy revealed that Carnival Festivale will have a distinct music theme, with musical tributes integrated throughout the ship’s design and entertainment offerings.
She also confirmed the vessel will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida.
The repositioning of Mardi Gras, which currently sails from Port Canaveral, was also confirmed.
The ground-breaking ship will shift to shorter itineraries, offering cruises to the line’s private Bahamian destinations – Celebration Key and Half Moon Cay.
Sunsation Point to replace BOLT Coaster
In a surprise announcement, Carnival Cruise Line also revealed that the famed BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first rollercoaster at sea, will not feature on the new Excel-class ships.
Instead, it will be replaced with an expanded outdoor activity complex named Sunsation Point.
“Sunsation Point is going to be over-the-top with activities and fun for families and people of all ages,” Duffy explained.
Spanning three decks, Sunsation Point will integrate WaterWorks Ultra – the largest waterpark in Carnival’s fleet – boasting four new waterslides, a family raft ride, splash zones, and water dump buckets.
It will also include mini golf, a ropes course, and a new arcade and games zone.
The shift away from the BOLT rollercoaster comes as the line prioritises broader entertainment features and water attractions that cater to families and younger guests.
“We sail more families and more kids than any other cruise line,” Duffy emphasised, adding that Sunsation Point will also feature evening entertainment on select nights, making it a versatile space for both day and night activities.
Carnival Cruise Line continues to evolve and build on its 50-plus year legacy of “fun ships” with a blend of nostalgia and innovation.
The revival of historic names like Festivale and Tropicale offers a heartfelt tribute to the cruise line’s roots, while state-of-the-art design and entertainment ensure a modern and memorable guest experience.
With an expanding fleet, next-generation ships, and exciting destination developments such as Celebration Key, Carnival’s vision for the future remains focused on fun, family, and unforgettable memories at sea.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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