Carnival Cruise Line Expands Fleet with Three Massive New Ships

Carnival Corporation & plc is expanding its fleet with the addition of three new vessels for a new class of ships under the Carnival Cruise Line brand. These will be the largest vessels in the Carnival Corporation fleet, designed to accommodate nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity.

The new ships, each featuring 3,000 staterooms, will measure nearly 230,000 gross tonnes and be powered by liquefied natural gas. Constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the ships are scheduled for delivery in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033.

Details about the new ship class remain under wraps, with more information to be released soon. The ship orders are contingent upon financing, which the company expects to finalize later this year.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed pride in the brand’s growth and guest loyalty, stating, “We are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new fun features and excitement that we know our guests will love.”

Carnival Cruise Line has been actively expanding its fleet in 2024, with five new ships ordered. Additionally, two more Excel-class ships are set to join the fleet in 2027 and 2028. The company is also integrating five vessels from its sister brands between 2023 and March 2025, including two ships from P&O Cruises Australia.

Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, emphasized the strategic growth of Carnival Cruise Line, noting that the newbuild pipeline includes one delivery each in 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2031, and 2033. He highlighted the disciplined approach to growth, targeting areas of highest demand at a rate of one to two new ships per year.

For shareholders, these new ship orders signify positive growth. Weinstein projected an average annual capacity growth of 1.5 percent between 2025 and 2033. He added, “This strategy allows us to provide new capacity to high-return brands like Carnival Cruise Line while continuing our responsible capital strategy, improving our balance sheet, reducing debt, and enhancing shareholder value.”

Carnival Corporation’s ongoing fleet expansion demonstrates its commitment to meeting strong demand and delivering innovative, memorable vacation experiences for its guests.