Carnival Cruise Line released the first itineraries for its new cruise ship.
Carnival Festivale, which is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, is scheduled to debut in May 2027.
Her inaugural cruise will take place on May 2, 2027. The one-way voyage will sail from Southampton, United Kingdom, to her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, where she will join Mardi Gras.
Ports of call on the itinerary include La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal, Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, arriving in Florida on May 16, 2027.
Prices for the voyage start at $1,229 per person for an inside cabin. Suites are going for as much as $12,078 for two travelers. The Presidential Suite has already sold out.
After the maiden sailing, Carnival Festivale will enter service with one short 4-day cruise before beginning a regular schedule of 6 and 8-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.
Although Carnival Festivale isn't part of a new ship class, there's a lot to look forward to that sets her apart from the three existing Excel ships: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
Read more: How does Carnival Jubilee compare to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras?
New features on Carnival Festivale
Just as each of the existing Excel Class ships has a specific theme, Carnival Festivale will be centered around music.
"Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation," said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.
"Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship."
Starting with Studio 724, the new zone will feature interactive experiences powered by technology. You can expect synchronized lights and animations that react in real time — guests can actually become part of the musical journey, rather than just observing it!
Studio 724 will also be home to The Spark on Deck 6, a new bar with music-inspired cocktails and nightly performances. Nearby is Carnival's famous Alchemy Bar, which will have the same cocktail menu available fleet-wide, as well as the Piano Bar 88, giving guests more ways to enjoy their evening.
Mix Bar on Deck 7 is a new Carnival Festivale-exclusive venue, where guests can enjoy cocktails like the Synth and Hi-Fi. You can also create your own concoction by layering flavor “tracks” beneath a turntable-themed bar.
Those who are fans of the iconic Limelight Lounge, which is home to Carnival's hilarious Punchliner Comedy shows, will appreciate the redesigned look to make it flow with Studio 724's music theme.
Moving to Deck 8, there's the new Festival outdoor space. It captures the social atmosphere and energy of outdoor music festivals. The vibe shifts from day to night with evolving lights and sounds.
Here, guests will also find multiple food and beverage venues, including Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Pizza Palooza, and Rhythm & Rolls Deli. The latter two were designed after festival food trucks.
All that said, the biggest change onboard Carnival Festivale is the addition of Sunsation Point on Decks 16, 17, and 18.
Home to Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, Carnival's biggest and most family-friendly water park at sea, guests can enjoy thrilling water slides, splash pads, and shaded play areas. There will be six thrilling water slides designed for different thrill levels, including two innovative family raft rides, the SunSoaker and Turning Tides.
The dueling Racing Currents slides are great for some friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition, while the Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister are ideal for younger cruisers.
The fun doesn't stop at dusk, either. Water park hours will be extended on certain evenings for more thrills. Even better? The water park will be illuminated and have a live DJ. Note that because of the new water park, Carnival is removing the BOLT roller coaster from Carnival Festivale.
That said, Sunsation Point also has places to relax. On Deck 16, for example, there's the Sunsation Sips bar, which features everything from craft cocktails to slushies. The Vista Pool is also a more low-key spot for families to hang out, complete with a baby splash pad for young kids in diapers.
Deck 17 is home to nostalgic lounges with scenic ocean views. The Vault Retrocade, for instance, will combine retro charm with modern arcade games, while the Scenic Overlook will have outdoor games like pool and giant Jenga, as well as an all-new miniature golf course. There will also be a bar and televisions for those who want to watch the latest sporting event.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
