Carnival Corp. made headlines once again by announcing the order of a fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, just six weeks after revealing plans to order a fourth one. This decision showcases the company’s commitment to growth and innovation in the cruise industry. Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, has been selected to build the new ship, which is projected to be delivered in 2028.
The upcoming vessel will join the ranks of the 11th Excel-class ship within Carnival Corp.’s four brands. Similar to its predecessors, this 180,000-gross-ton ship will run on liquefied natural gas and have a capacity to accommodate over 6,400 passengers and 1,800 crew members. Despite the imminent arrival of the fourth Excel-class ship in 2027, the fifth ship has yet to be given a name. Carnival Corp. is confident in its strategy to gradually increase its fleet with one to two new ships annually starting in 2027, as stated by CEO Josh Weinstein.
Weinstein highlighted that the company has maintained a conservative approach to ship orders as the effects of the pandemic subside. In addition to the latest Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corp. intends to explore further opportunities for ship acquisitions in the coming months, focusing on meeting the demand for increased capacity while ensuring a favorable return on invested capital. President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, praised the Excel-class ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee — for generating heightened excitement, demand, and positive guest satisfaction ratings.
Duffy pointed out that with the introduction of the Carnival Firenze, the second Italian-styled ship obtained from Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line will have incorporated five new ships into its fleet in less than two years. At the same time, the company has phased out six Fantasy-class ships since 2020. This extensive fleet renewal and expansion strategy demonstrate Carnival Corp.’s dedication to enhancing its offerings and staying competitive in the evolving cruise market landscape.