Carnival Unveils 8,000-Passenger Mega Cruise Ships: 3 on Order

Photo byCruise Fever

Carnival is breaking waves with today's announcement of the largest ships the company has ever made.

Carnival Corporation has announced plans to significantly grow its fleet with the addition of three new mega cruise ships for its Carnival Cruise Line brand.

These colossal vessels, each measuring nearly 230,000 gross registered tons, will be the largest in the company's history.

Scheduled for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033, respectively, the ships are being constructed by Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.

The order is a cornerstone of Carnival Cruise Line's broader expansion strategy, which also includes two additional Excel-class ships slated for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

"For this next generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new FUN features and excitement that we know our guests will LOVE," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

To further bolster its capacity, Carnival Corporation is transferring five ships from its sister brands to Carnival Cruise Line between 2023 and 2025. This fleet expansion comes amid a surge in demand for cruises.

"We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world’s most popular cruise line," said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Each of the new ships will be capable of accommodating nearly 8,000 guests in over 3,000 staterooms. For comparison, the current largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, boasts 250,000 gross registered tons.

A notable feature of the upcoming vessels is their environmentally friendly design. Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), they will incorporate advanced technologies to reduce emissions and minimize waste.

While specific details about the ships' amenities and itineraries are yet to be released, the announcement marks a significant investment in the future of cruising for Carnival Corporation.

The company aims to solidify Carnival Cruise Line's position as a leading player in the industry while catering to the growing appetite for ocean voyages.