Construction Begins as First Steel Cut for Carnival Festivale
A new party is coming for Carnival Cruise Line as the official construction kicks off for Carnival Festivale, the line’s fourth Excel class ship.
The steel cutting was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the 182,800-gross ton ship is now under construction.
“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,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line’s president.
“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.”
Cruise line and shipyard executives were on hand for the momentous occasion, celebrating the beginning of the process that will gradually bring the new LNG-powered ship to life.
The steel cutting happened just 48 hours after Carnival Cruise Line announced the ship’s name – Carnival Festivale – in honor of the legacy of the third-ever ship to sail for the line, the original Festivale.
While few details have been confirmed for the new ship, the overall theme is going to be celebrating how music connects people together. Two distinct music-themed zones will be located on Decks 6, 7, and 8, including cutting-edge interactive experiences as well as outdoor music performances and their vibrant energy.
What Else Will Carnival Festivale Have Onboard?
The new ship will feature many of the favorites of the already popular Excel class ships – Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
Guy’s Burger Joint, the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaq’s Big Chicken will all be onboard, as well as exciting venues like the sports court, miniature golf, and a ropes course.
Carnival Festivale will also feature a treehouse-inspired elevated “adventure trail” – which could be part of the ropes course or a separate feature entirely.
What the ship will not feature is the Bolt rollercoaster, a thrilling upper deck ride on the first three Excel ships. While Bolt remains popular with guests, Carnival Festivale will instead introduce an entirely new space – Sunsation Point.
It is not unusual for sister ships to be slightly different than their siblings. While the general layout will remain the same, new spaces and unique features make each ship distinctive and offer new experiences for eager 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 Duffy.
The three-story Sunsation Point will offer six water slides – two of which are family raft slides – in the new Waterworks Ultra, which the cruise line is calling “the most family-friendly water park at sea.”
Two splash pads and dedicated “baby splash” areas are also part of the space, along with plenty of lounge space to enjoy the outstanding sunshine and ocean views.
Read Also: What to Do on the Last Sea Day of a Carnival Cruise
Especially exciting is the news that Sunsation Point will offer evening events, including extended water park hours – the first time Waterworks is open at night on any Carnival ship. Waterslides after dark? Yes please!
While her construction is now underway, Carnival Festivale will not arrive at her homeport – Port Canaveral, Florida – until 2027.
The new ship will likely offer 7-night sailings, though her exact itineraries have not yet been announced. We do know, however, that her sister ship – Mardi Gras – will transition to shorter 3- and 4-night sailings at that time, with Port Canaveral continuing to be home to both vessels.
The original Festivale sailed for Carnival Cruise Line from 1975 through 1996 – may her new, larger namesake have an even longer service life, bringing a festival of FUN to thousands of guests every week!
Construction Begins as First Steel Cut for Carnival Festivale