Carnival Cruise Line has announced an expansion to its pioneering Excel-class fleet with the order of a fourth ship. The unnamed vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027. This addition underscores Carnival’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the cruise industry, particularly with the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology.
The 180,000-ton ship will carry over 6,400 guests and will be built by the leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft.
“Our Excel-class ships have been a tremendous addition to the Carnival fleet and proven very popular with our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “As the world’s most popular cruise line, this new ship enables us to continue the growth of our incredible fleet as we welcome our loyal guests back to cruise more frequently and attract new-to-cruise guests to experience all that a Carnival cruise has to offer.”
The new Excel-class ship is the 10th across Carnival Corporation’s brands and the fourth of its class in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The new vessel joins Carnival’s current Excel-class vessels, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
“Building on our strong performance and growing momentum around the world, we are excited to resume our newbuild program and further enhance our global fleet with yet another state-of-the-art ship that will wow Carnival Cruise Line’s guests,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
The Excel-class ships are known for their environmental friendliness. The vessels are powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), marking a significant step forward in reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
Mardi Gras made headlines as the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by LNG, boasting features like the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT. It has been followed by Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, further expanding the line’s offerings with unique attractions and amenities. The unnamed fourth Excel-class ship is expected to continue this trend, emphasizing Carnival’s focus on cutting-edge technology and guest experiences.
“We are following through on our measured capacity growth strategy with the addition of one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, which will be allocated to our cruise lines that most need the capacity to satisfy outsized demand, delivering an attractive payback period. We also remain focused on driving revenue growth throughout our portfolio of world-class cruise lines by continuing to improve execution across all aspects of our operation, yielding higher return on invested capital,” said Weinstein.
Carnival’s Excel-class ships have been well received, with Mardi Gras earning accolades such as the Best New Cruise Ship of 2021 by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice 10 Best Awards and the Best Cruise Ship of 2021 by Cruise Hive.
The Excel-class cruise ships feature diverse dining options and entertainment venues, catering to a wide range of passenger preferences. With nearly one million guests having embarked on Carnival cruises since the resumption of sailing, the Excel-class ships are a cornerstone of Carnival’s strategy to lead in the cruise industry’s recovery and growth.
The announcement of a fourth Excel-class ship is a testament to Carnival Cruise Line’s ongoing investment in sustainable and innovative cruising options.
