Carnival Corporation has announced an order for three new ships for its Carnival Cruise Line brand, introducing a new class of vessel. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri covers the design, engineering and construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships, set for delivery in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033.
The new vessels will be the largest in Carnival Corporation's global fleet at nearly 230,000 gross registered tons and over 3,000 guest staterooms each. At full capacity, they will be able to accommodate almost 8,000 guests, making them the highest-capacity ships in the world.
"For this next generation ship, 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,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
This order follows two previously announced Excel-class ships for Carnival Cruise Line, scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the company is transferring five vessels from sister brands to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet between 2023 and March 2025.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, explained the strategy behind the expansion.
"We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line — our highest-returning brand — to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world's most popular cruise line,” he said.
The new ships will contribute to Carnival Corporation's environmental initiatives. By 2033, the company will have 16 LNG-powered ships, including eight in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, representing almost 30% of Carnival Corporation's global capacity.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, noted that the class will represent "the largest cruise ship ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest ship ever built in Italy."
The order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year. Design details and itinerary information for the new vessels will be announced in the future.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Carnival Cruise Line. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
