Construction Officially Begins on Fourth Carnival Excel-Class Ship

Just days after announcing its name, the first piece of steel has been cut for Carnival Festivale, officially kicking off construction. The steel-cutting ceremony took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Tuesday.

The ceremony is the first milestone in a ship’s construction, launching the beginning of the shipbuilding journey. Carnival Festivale will be Carnival Cruise Line’s fourth Excel-class ship, powered by liquefied natural gas. It will come in at 180,000 gross tons and be able to accommodate up to 6,400 guests.

“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. 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 Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “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.”

Carnival revealed on Sunday that the vessel will feature two music-themed zones on decks 6, 7, and 8 that celebrate how music connects people. One will be inspired by the creative process of producing music, while the other will symbolize the energy of outdoor musical performances.

A new outdoor zone, Sunsation Point, will span the top three decks. Its highlight will be Carnival Waterworks Ultra, a massive water park featuring six slides, two splash pads, and a dedicated baby splash area. Additional features will include a treehouse-inspired elevated adventure trail, a sports court, a ropes course, a reimagined mini golf course, and themed arcade spaces. Sunsation Point will also host evening events, including keeping the water park open into the night — a first for Carnival.

Sailing from Port Canaveral alongside sister ship Mardi Gras, Carnival Festivale will also offer new dining concepts along with favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Shaq’s Big Chicken, and Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse.

Comments

Have you ever sailed one of Carnival’s Excel-class ships? Are you excited about Carnival Festivale? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates!