Carnival Cruise Line is bringing a whole new vibe to the seas with Carnival Festivale, set to launch in 2027. First announced back in April, this upcoming Excel-class ship is designed to bring together everything families love most about cruising – great food, entertainment, places to relax, and plenty of exciting ports to explore.
The ship’s maiden voyage begins with a 15-day cruise from Southampton, England, on May 2, 2027 where vacationers can explore La Coruña and Vigo in Spain, Madeira, Portugal, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, before crossing the Atlantic to Grand Turk and finally arriving at Festivale’s homeport of Port Canaveral on May 16, 2027.
Just days later, the ship will kick off a four-day Bahamas sailing to Carnival’s private destinations—Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. From there, Festivale’s schedule will feature six- and eight-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises to spots like Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, with every itinerary including a Celebration Key visit. One standout voyage will be the special seven-day New Year’s cruise departing December 27, 2027.
Carnival Festivale will offer immersive, music-themed spaces designed for all ages:
- Studio 724 – A first-of-its-kind interactive zone celebrating the music-making process. Guests can enjoy sound-reactive lights, live music, The Spark’s songwriting-inspired lounge, the enhanced Alchemy Bar, and themed cocktails at Mix Bar.
- The Festival – An outdoor promenade on Deck 8 channeling the energy of a summer music festival with dynamic lighting, specialty coffee, cocktails, and food truck-inspired bites from Pizza Palooza and Rhythm & Rolls Deli.
- Sunsation Point – Spanning three decks, this family hub features Carnival’s largest WaterWorks ever, mini golf, a retro arcade, a Treehouse adventure trail, toddler playground, and even nighttime water park fun with a live DJ.
Carnival Festivale will have 1,000 connecting staterooms, ideal for families or multi-generational travel, and a dedicated Turtles program space for cruisers aged six months to two years. Youth areas and open-deck activities will be expanded to offer more options for cruisers of all ages
The ship will sail year-round alongside sister ship Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral. Carnival will be releasing additional 2027–2028 itineraries from Port Canaveral soon, giving cruisers even more ways to set sail on this music-infused adventure
