Carnival Unveils Ambitious “Innovation Itinerary”
Carnival Cruise Line is setting sail into the future with a bold five-year strategy known as the “Innovation Itinerary.” Unveiled by President Christine Duffy during a media event aboard Carnival Celebration at PortMiami, the plan focuses on three key pillars: operating the most fun fleet at sea, delivering unforgettable experiences and destinations, and building long-term guest loyalty. Duffy emphasized that, since its inception in 1972, Carnival has led the modern cruise industry and that the upcoming years will see continued innovation and growth. With the integration of two newly added ships in Australia, Carnival now boasts 29 vessels, the largest global fleet in its history, and plans even more exciting developments on the horizon.
Among the upcoming highlights is the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by a major expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026. Duffy revealed that the fleet will further grow with the delivery of the fourth and fifth Excel-class ships in 2027 and 2028, while three new ships from a platform known as Project Ace are scheduled to debut starting in 2029. These next-generation ships, built by Fincantieri and weighing in at 230,000 gross tons with over 3,000 staterooms, will carry up to 8,000 guests and offer completely reimagined dining outlets, entertainment, and deck amenities. Duffy stated that this new class of vessels will create cruise vacations that are truly experiences unto themselves.
A key addition to Carnival’s fleet is the Carnival Festivale, the fourth Excel-class ship, set to debut in spring 2027 and homeported at Port Canaveral, Florida. The ship’s name pays homage to Carnival’s early history, and its design introduces several industry firsts. Notable features include three newly designed zones, two of which span Decks 6, 7, and 8 and celebrate the unifying power of music through immersive sound design and lighting. Festivale will also offer 1,000 interconnecting staterooms, a nearly 70 percent increase compared to earlier Excel-class ships, and will feature a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program catering to young children. A standout feature will be Sunsation Point, a three-deck outdoor area built for family entertainment that replaces the traditional BOLT roller coaster. This new water park, Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, is set to become the largest and most family-friendly water park at sea, featuring six waterslides, splash zones, sports courts, a ropes course, mini golf, outdoor games, themed arcade spaces, and nighttime activities complete with DJ-led events.
Carnival is also modernizing its guest experience through culinary upgrades, with Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse collaborating on new dining venues that will debut aboard Festivale, while fan favorites such as Guy’s Burger Joint and Big Chicken remain part of the offering. Alongside these enhancements, Carnival is refreshing its Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program to unlock greater value and engagement for its loyal guests, with changes scheduled to take effect in 2026.
The ambitious “Innovation Itinerary” is not only set to revolutionize Carnival’s fleet and service offerings but also promises major shifts in deployment. As new ships are introduced, existing vessels like Mardi Gras will transition to shorter cruises from key ports, and plans to expand service from secondary markets such as Mobile and Baltimore are underway. With a comprehensive strategy that blends cutting-edge ship design, exclusive destinations like Celebration Key, and enhanced onboard experiences, Carnival Cruise Line is poised to continue its leadership as America’s Cruise Line and the world’s most popular cruise brand.
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