Carnival Cruise Line has officially announced the opening of reservations for its new ship, Carnival Festivale, which will launch in 2027. This new Excel-class vessel promises to transform the cruise experience into a continuous celebration of music and family fun.
The Carnival Festivale will make its inaugural voyage, a 15-day transatlantic journey, departing from Southampton, England, on May 2, 2027. This first trip will include calls at European destinations such as La Coruña and Vigo in Spain, Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, before crossing the Atlantic, visiting Grand Turk and arriving at its homeport in Port Canaveral on May 16, 2027.
Starting May 19, 2027, the Carnival Festivale will begin its regular operations from Port Canaveral with a four-day Bahamas cruise, including visits to Carnival’s exclusive private destinations: Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
The ship’s main itinerary will offer a wide selection of six- and eight-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises. Destinations include Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. All Carnival Festivale sailings will include a visit to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. Southern Caribbean cruises will also visit the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, emphasized that “music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and the Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll offer will appeal to all generations.”
The ship will feature three music-inspired zones:
- Studio 724: A space that celebrates the creative musical process with interactive experiences powered by technology, which reacts in real time to sound with synchronized lights and animations.
- The Festival: Located on Deck 8, aiming to capture the authentic social atmosphere and energy of outdoor music festivals in a cruise ship setting.
- Sunsation Point: Spanning three decks (16-18), represents the crown jewel of family fun and entertainment on this ship. This area shines primarily for Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea and the largest in Carnival’s history.
Carnival Waterworks Ultra on Carnival Festivale
Among the most outstanding features is WaterWorks Ultra, with six thrilling water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels, including two family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides. Additionally, Carnival has announced this will be the first water park with nighttime operations on a cruise ship.
The Carnival Festivale will offer 1,000 interconnecting rooms, almost 70% more than the first three Excel-class ships. It will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program, designed for children from six months to two years old.
The ship will operate year-round from Port Canaveral, where it will join the Mardi Gras, another Excel-class ship, increasing the variety and capacity of this popular homeport.
