Exciting news is on the horizon for cruise enthusiasts as Carnival Cruise Line announces the addition of a fifth Excel-class ship to its fleet, slated for delivery in 2028. This announcement comes hot on the heels of Carnival Corporation's recent revelation of ordering its first newbuild in five years, including a fourth Excel-class ship set to join Carnival Cruise Line's fleet by spring 2027.
With this latest unveiling, Carnival Corporation marks the introduction of the 11th Excel-class ship across four of its brands, with Carnival Cruise Line proudly boasting five of these remarkable vessels. Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies."
Since the debut of Mardi Gras in 2021, followed by the additions of Carnival Celebration in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee in 2023, the Excel-class ships have been setting new standards in the cruising industry. These vessels have not only sparked excitement but have also garnered high demand and exceptional guest satisfaction ratings. As Carnival Cruise Line gears up for the imminent arrival of Carnival Firenze in April, completing the addition of five ships to its fleet in less than 20 months, the cruise line is poised for another phase of growth with the addition of these two Excel ships.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, shed light on Carnival's strategic growth trajectory, emphasizing a measured capacity growth strategy. He mentioned, "This measured capacity growth strategy will result in our adding one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, and we will be identifying additional fleet plans over the coming months for our cruise lines to meet capacity demand and improve execution across all aspects of our operation, with the benefit of yielding higher return on invested capital."
The fifth Excel-class ship will be constructed by Meyer Werft shipyard, utilizing the same platform as its predecessors. With a weight of 180,000 tons and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), this state-of-the-art vessel is designed to accommodate over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew members. The order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be finalized later this year.
As the Carnival Cruise Line fleet continues to evolve and expand, passengers can look forward to unparalleled amenities, exceptional service, and unforgettable experiences aboard these innovative Excel-class ships. Stay tuned for more updates as Carnival Cruise Line sets sail into a new era of excellence and adventure on the high seas.