Construction officially begins on Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship

Just days after Carnival Cruise Line announced its next new ship will be named Carnival Festivale, construction is now officially underway with the first piece of steel cut on April 8 at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

The steel cutting ceremony is the first milestone of the ship’s construction, and the shipyard hosted a traditional ceremony to launch the beginning of the shipbuilding journey. Carnival Festivale will be Carnival’s fourth Excel class ship, powered by Liquefied Natural Gas. At 180,000 gross tons, the ship will accommodate up to 6,400 guests.

“The steel being cut for our next new ship is music to my ears, which is in tune with many of the themed experiences Carnival Festivale will bring to our guests. From the music-themed zones to expansive new water park we’ve planned for this ship, she will continue the tradition of infusing innovative new features into our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Each of her three sister ships is a great success and we are excited to once again partner with Meyer Werft as we continue to build upon the revolutionary Excel platform.”

New music-themed zones

Carnival revealed that the ship will feature two music-themed zones on Decks 6, 7, and 8 will celebrate how music connects people — one inspired by the creative process with cutting-edge media and interactive experiences, and another on Deck 8 symbolizing the energy of outdoor music performances.

A new outdoor zone, Sunsation Point, will span the top three decks, offering vibrant family fun. Its highlight is Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea, featuring six slides, four of which are new and include two family raft rides, two splash pads, and dedicated baby splash areas.

Additional features include a treehouse-inspired elevated adventure trail, sports court, ropes course, re-imagined miniature golf, and themed arcade spaces. Sunsation Point will also host evening events with extended water park hours, DJs, and activities, marking the first time Carnival opens Waterworks at night.

New dining concepts

Sailing from Port Canaveral alongside sister ship Mardi Gras, Carnival Festivale will also offer new dining concepts, along with Carnival favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaq’s Big Chicken. More details will be announced soon, including reservation and itinerary information, and those who want to be the first know can be notified by signing up here.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://carnival.com, or contact your favourite travel advisor or online travel site.