Carnival’s New Ship for 2027: Carnival Festivale
The fourth Excel-class ship, previewed through its sisters.
Get Free Cruise QuotesNew-ship dates can move. Shipyards sometimes deliver late and debut seasons get rearranged. The details here were checked against announcements and trade reports in October 2026; confirm the schedule when you book.
Carnival Festivale: Carnival’s New Ship for 2027
Most searches for new cruise ships 2027 Carnival cruise lead to Carnival Festivale, the line’s fourth Excel-class ship. Port Canaveral announced in April 2025 that it would sail from Port Canaveral beginning in 2027, powered by liquefied natural gas and measuring about 180,000 tons.
| What has been reported | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ship class | Excel class, the fourth ship after Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee |
| Shipyard | Meyer Werft, Germany |
| Size | 182,015 gross tons and room for 5,356 guests at double occupancy, as reported by Cruise Hive |
| Maiden voyage (as reported) | 2 May 2027, a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton, arriving Port Canaveral 16 May 2027 |
| From Port Canaveral | Mostly six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises, per the same report |
| Signature area | Sunsation Point, a three-deck family zone with the WaterWorks Ultra water park |
Previewing Carnival Festivale Through Its Sisters
Like Hero of the Seas, Carnival Festivale cannot be toured yet, but its sisters can tell you a great deal. The Excel class is built around themed “zones” spread across the ship, and the first three ships have been sailing since 2021, 2022 and 2023. Their deck plans, cabin categories and dining line-ups are the best preview available of what Festivale will feel like, with new touches such as Sunsation Point added on top.
When you look at a sister ship, focus on the things that stay the same across a class — cabin types and sizes, the main dining rooms, the theatre and the layout of the open decks — and treat named bars and attractions as likely to change.
What a Port Canaveral Homeport Means for You
Port Canaveral sits on Florida’s Space Coast, about an hour from Orlando, which makes it easy to combine a cruise with a theme-park stay. Six- and eight-day itineraries give room for longer Caribbean routes than the short Bahamas trips many Florida ships run. If you are flying in, Cruise Airfare covers getting to the port; if you are driving, Free Cruise Parking covers parking. Caribbean Cruise Ports has the ports.
The rest of 2027’s new ships, and Carnival’s fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, due in 2028, are listed on New Cruises.
Questions to Ask Before Booking a Ship’s First Season
- What happens to my booking if delivery or the maiden voyage moves?
- Are cabin numbers and deck plans final for my sailing?
- Which sister ship offers similar dates if I would rather not sail in the first weeks?
- Do launch-season promotions apply to the cabin type I want?
Carnival 2027 FAQ
When does Carnival Festivale start sailing?
Carnival expects delivery in spring 2027. Cruise Hive reported a maiden voyage scheduled for 2 May 2027, a 15-day crossing from Southampton that reaches Port Canaveral on 16 May 2027.
Where will Carnival Festivale sail from?
Port Canaveral, Florida, where it will join Mardi Gras, the first Excel-class ship.
Which ships are most like Carnival Festivale?
Its Excel-class sisters: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.
Want an Early Look at Festivale Prices?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price Festivale and its Excel-class sisters for your dates.
Ask About Festivale