Carnival Corp may have deferred deliveries for all but one of its ships this year, but it remains committed to its fleet redevelopment plans, with steel cut for Carnival Celebration, due for delivery next year to its flagship brand.
Steel cutting for Carnival Celebration began Tuesday, a day after Carnival Cruise Line’s parent company Carnival Corp announced that it would delay newbuild deliveries during 2021 amid the ongoing pandemic.
Carnival Celebration will be a sister ship to Mardi Gras, which was delivered in late 2020.
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Carnival Celebration, a sister ship to the LNG-powered, 180,000-gross ton Mardi Gras, will be delivered next year, according to a statement from the cruise line, although there remains a possibility that it may too be delayed depending on how the cruise market recovers.
The steel cutting was held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and attended by Carnival’s Senior Vice President of New Builds Ben Clement and Meyer Turku’s CEO Tim Meyer.
It marks the official start of construction of the ship, with her coin ceremony, keel laying and float out to follow during the year.
Like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration will feature BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, along with unique design features created specifically for this vessel, and new signature venues that will be specific to this ship, the company said.
Carnival Celebration is scheduled to begin sailing from PortMiami in November, 2022, as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s year-long 50th birthday festivities.
The steel cutting was attended by Carnival’s Senior Vice President of New Builds Ben Clement and Meyer Turku’s CEO Tim Meyer.
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“The steel-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for Carnival Cruise Line,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “Not only will Carnival Celebration feature signature amenities from Mardi Gras, but usher in a new era for Carnival Cruise Line with some special innovations created just for her that we’re sure our guests will enjoy.”
“We’re equally excited about Carnival Celebration’s role in our 50th birthday festivities which will serve as an unforgettable way for our fans to mark this exciting milestone in our company’s history,” she added.
Carnival Celebration will cruise from the line’s new Terminal F at PortMiami.
Carnival Celebration is scheduled to debut in November, 2022 and will offer year-round service from PortMiami’s new Terminal F being constructed specifically for Carnival Cruise Line.
The addition of Carnival Celebration to Miami will maintain PortMiami’s position as the top embarkation port for Carnival Cruise Line, the company said in a statement.
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