Carnival Cruise Line marks keel laying, reveals new features for Carnival Festivale

Carnival Cruise Line has revealed new details about its upcoming ship Carnival Festivale, as the vessel marked a key construction milestone with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. 

Scheduled for delivery in spring 2027, the Excel-class ship will be the fourth in Carnival’s fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

In keeping with maritime tradition, commemorative coins were placed beneath a 598-ton keel block, symbolising good luck for the vessel. 

“Carnival Festivale isn’t just joining our fleet, she’ll be setting the tone for how to have fun at sea by blending vibrant designs and guest experiences that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

“Music is a universal language that connects people from around the world, and this ship will bring that to life in true Carnival fashion. We’re grateful to work with the skilled team once again at Meyer Werft to bring Carnival Festivale into our fleet,” she added.

Carnival has confirmed that reservations are now open for the new ship’s inaugural programme, which begins with a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton to Port Canaveral on May 2nd, 2027. The itinerary includes calls in Spain, Madeira, and the Canary Islands, before crossing to the Caribbean and arriving in Florida on May 16th.

Following a short Bahamas cruise, Carnival Festivale will sail a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral. 

Destinations include San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, as well as Celebration Key, Carnival’s new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama, and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

Signature Zones & Features

Studio 724 – Interactive, music-themed hub with The Spark lounge, enhanced Alchemy Bar, Piano Bar 88, and Mix Bar

The Festival – Outdoor festival-style promenade with food truck-inspired venues: Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Pizza Palooza, Rhythm & Rolls Deli

Sunsation Point – Multi-deck family zone with Carnival WaterWorks Ultra (largest waterpark in the fleet), Vista Pool, Vault Retrocade arcade, Treehouse adventure trail, mini-golf, and illuminated nighttime waterpark events

Dedicated Turtles nursery (6 months–2 years) and expanded youth/teen spaces

The ship will expand on the Excel-class platform with three themed zones centred on music. 

Studio 724, located just beyond the Grand Central atrium, will offer an interactive celebration of the music-making process. Using synchronised lighting and sound technology, the space invites guests to take part in the creativity of mixing, recording and performing, rather than just watching from the sidelines. 

The area also includes The Spark, a cocktail lounge inspired by the art of songwriting, nightly live performances, and an enhanced Alchemy Bar with its own stage for music-driven mixology. Piano Bar 88 will continue the tradition of live piano entertainment, while the Mix Bar will serve drinks with a turntable-inspired design.

The Festival, meanwhile, brings the atmosphere of an outdoor music festival to sea. This brightly designed promenade space links together casual dining and social venues that evolve from day to night through lighting, sound and live performances. 

Options include Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar for specialty coffees and cocktails, Pizza Palooza for fresh pies, and Rhythm & Rolls Deli for gourmet sandwiches, all styled after food trucks and festival stalls. The area is designed as a social hub where music, food and conversation flow together, reflecting Carnival’s emphasis on high-energy, shared experiences.

Sunsation Point spans three decks and represents the ship’s signature family attraction. Anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the largest waterpark in the fleet, the zone features six new waterslides, including two raft rides, duelling Racing Currents slides, and child-friendly attractions such as the Mini Racers and Mini Twister. 

The multi-level space also includes the Vista Pool with a baby splash pad, Sunsation Sips for slushies and cocktails, and family dining staples such as Big Chicken and Swirls ice cream. 

For added variety, Deck 17 introduces the Vault Retrocade arcade, a Scenic Overlook bar with sunset views and outdoor games, and a new illuminated mini-golf course. A Treehouse adventure trail with netted bridges and a dry slide provides added fun for children, while Deck 18’s extended waterpark hours will debut Carnival’s first nighttime waterpark experience, enhanced with live DJs and lighting effects.

Other highlights across the ship include more than 1,000 interconnecting rooms—nearly 70 percent more than on the earlier Excel-class vessels—supporting families and groups travelling together. 

Youth spaces have been expanded with new programming, including a dedicated facility for the Turtles programme catering to infants and toddlers from six months to two years. With these additions, alongside new open-deck play areas and reimagined teen zones, Carnival Festivale aims to offer a wider range of family-centred experiences than any previous ship in the fleet.