TL;DR: Looking for Carnival’s new ships? Here’s what’s confirmed for Festivale (2027, Port Canaveral) and what to expect from Tropicale (2028)—plus dates & itineraries (including Celebration Key) and how to book with Cruisebound. Updated Aug 19, 2025; details verified against Carnival’s latest releases.
Related: Navigating Carnival ship classes? Start here
Start planning your Carnival cruise:
At a glance — Carnival’s 2027–2028 new ship plan
- Carnival Festivale (2027, Port Canaveral): First sailing May 19, 2027; 6 & 8-night Eastern & Southern Caribbean; every sailing includes Celebration Key; booking open now.
- Carnival Tropicale (2028): Delivery spring 2028; inherits Festivale upgrades + new concepts; homeport TBA; fare alerts open.
- Short Excel cruises (’27/’28): Mardi Gras adds 4–5-day Port Canaveral runs (many include Celebration Key / RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay).
- Destinations: Celebration Key guaranteed on Festivale; RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay and Isla Tropicale (Roatán) upgrades roll in across the period.
What’s confirmed for Carnival Festivale (2027)
Repositioning & early schedule. Festivale sails a 15-day transatlantic from Southampton to Port Canaveral (May 2–16, 2027), then begins Florida service with a May 19, 2027 4-day Bahamas cruise calling Celebration Key and RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay. The primary deployment features 6- and 8-day Eastern/Southern Caribbean itineraries (e.g., Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten; Southern routes can include Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), plus a 7-day New Year’s cruise on Dec 27, 2027.
Family-first top decks. Carnival Festivale swaps BOLT for Sunsation Point, a 3-deck family zone built around WaterWorks Ultra—Carnival’s largest WaterWorks to date. Expect 6 slides (including 2 family raft slides), toddler splash areas, an elevated trail, and mini-golf, plus planned evening hours on select nights.
Cabins & youth spaces. Festivale adds around 1,000 interconnecting rooms (nearly 70% more than the first three Excel-class ships) and introduces a dedicated space for Turtles (ages 6–24 months), alongside broader youth-area updates.
Music-driven venues & dining. Three new zones—Studio 724 (sound-reactive, music-creation theme), The Festival (outdoor music-fest energy), and Sunsation Point—anchor the ship’s identity. Dining is refreshed, including a new venue replacing ChiBang!, while staples like Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, and Shaq’s Big Chicken remain.
🛟 Heads-up: Carnival Festivale doesn’t include the BOLT coaster. If you want expanded splash zones and after-dark deck energy, Festivale fits; thrill-ride fans may prefer Carnival Celebration or Jubilee.
Carnival Tropicale (2028): what we know now
Carnival officially named Excel-class ship #5 Carnival Tropicale, arriving spring 2028. Carnival indicates Tropicale will carry forward many of Festivale’s additions and introduce new concepts and theming; homeport and on-sale timing are still TBA. Carnival’s ship overview positions both as part of the Excel class (sisters to Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee). Check back regularly for updates.
Destinations & private-island upgrades to watch
Celebration Key (Grand Bahama)
Guaranteed on every Festivale sailing. It’s the built-in private-island day—easy beach time without giving up sea days. See our Celebration Key guide for zones, suggested beaches for kids, and cabana options.
RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay (Bahamas)
Pier and amenity upgrades are underway. The goal is smoother, tender-free calls for larger platforms, with improvements rolling in from 2026 onward. Read our Half Moon Cay overview for what’s open seasonally and tips on timing your beach day.
Isla Tropicale (Roatán)
Mahogany Bay is being reimagined as Isla Tropicale. Expect a pool, cabanas, an expanded beach, and a refreshed beach-club vibe as upgrades arrive from 2026. See our Roatán port guide for getting around and choosing beach-day vs. island-tour options.
Short & sweet Excel-class: 4–5 day options in 2027/28
Starting May 2027, Mardi Gras adds 4–5-day Port Canaveral cruises—many include Celebration Key or RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay—so you can sample the Excel class without a week-long commitment.
Quick compare: New vs early Excel-class
| What Matters | Festivale vs Early Excel | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Top-deck Marquee | Sunsation Point replaces BOLT; WaterWorks Ultra (6 slides) with planned evening hours | Families who prioritize water play and evening deck time over a roller-coaster thrill |
| Family Features | 70% more connecting rooms; Turtles nursery space | Multi-gen groups needing side-by-side rooms; parents sailing with infants (6–24 months) |
| Dining | New venue replaces ChiBang!; Guy’s, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, Shaq’s Big Chicken remain | Repeat Carnival fans who want something new without losing favorites; variety-hunters |
| Itineraries | Year-round Port Canaveral; every sailing includes Celebration Key; 6–8-day Eastern/Southern Caribbean | Travelers who want a guaranteed private-island day and easy air access to MCO |
| Booking Status | Festivale: open now; Tropicale: TBA | Early planners ready to lock dates and price-watchers |
What’s after Tropicale? Project Ace (2029–2033)
Carnival’s next platform—Project Ace—will bring three 230,000-GT ships with 3,000+ staterooms in 2029, 2031, and 2033. At full capacity, they’re designed to carry nearly 8,000 guests, the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet, with refreshed dining, entertainment, and outdoor decks.
FAQs
Q1: What are Carnival’s new ships?
Carnival Festivale (Excel-class #4, 2027, Port Canaveral) and Carnival Tropicale (Excel-class #5, 2028).
Q2: When does Carnival Festivale start from Florida?
May 19, 2027 (4-day Bahamas). Repositioning: May 2–16, 2027 Southampton to Port Canaveral.
Q3: Do all Festivale trips stop at Celebration Key?
Yes—every Festivale sailing includes Celebration Key.
Q4: Are there 4–5-day Excel-class cruises before Tropicale arrives?
Yes. Mardi Gras runs short itineraries from Port Canaveral starting May 2027.
