Carnival’s Innovation Itinerary: New Ships, Destinations & the Future of Fun
- william miller
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Carnival Cruise Line is turning up the fun — and the future looks very exciting. At a recent media event aboard Carnival Celebration in PortMiami, Carnival President Christine Duffy unveiled the cruise line’s five-year strategic vision: the Innovation Itinerary. This bold new roadmap focuses on three key pillars:
Sailing the most fun fleet at sea, delivering compelling destinations and experiences, and creating more Carnival loyalists.
At Tomorrowland Voyages, we’re thrilled to break down what this means for our clients — from next-gen ships to enhanced private islands and exciting deployment changes. Let’s set sail into the future of Carnival together!
Carnival Festivale & Carnival Tropicale: A New Era of Excel-Class Ships
Two exciting new Excel-class ships are on the way, and both are inspired by iconic names from Carnival’s early fleet: Carnival Festivale (arriving Spring 2027) and Carnival Tropicale (Spring 2028).
Carnival Festivale Highlights
• Homeport: Port Canaveral, FL
• Debut: Spring 2027 (Itineraries available this summer)
• New Zones Celebrating Music: Two brand-new immersive zones on Decks 6, 7, and 8 will explore the magic of music — from creation to celebration.
• Sunsation Point Waterpark: Replacing BOLT, this three-deck family zone features:
• Six waterslides (including two raft slides)
• Splash pads and baby splash zones
• Treehouse-themed dry play area
• Sports court, ropes course, mini golf, and evening waterpark hours
• Family Enhancements:
• 1,000 interconnecting cabins (70% more than previous Excel ships)
• Expanded youth program areas
• A dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles Program (ages 6 months to 2 years)
• Dining & Nightlife:
• New dining venues curated by Emeril Lagasse, including a replacement for ChiBang!
• Fan-favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, and Pig & Anchor are here to stay
• Expanded Alchemy Bar with live music
Carnival Tropicale
• Will share many of the new concepts launched on Festivale, along with additional unique theming
• More details, including homeport and itineraries, coming soon
Project Ace: The Future of Fun Ships Begins in 2029
Carnival also introduced Project Ace, a brand-new ship platform that will redefine cruising:
• Launching in 2029, 2031, and 2033
• Ships will be 230,000 gross tons and carry nearly 8,000 guests — the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet
• Featuring new dining, reimagined outdoor decks, and next-level onboard experiences
Celebration Key & The Paradise Collection: Your Dream Destinations, Reimagined
Carnival isn’t just adding ships — it’s creating whole new worlds of fun. With a heavy focus on exclusive destinations, the Paradise Collection by Carnival brings all of Carnival’s private ports together under one name. Here’s what’s coming:
Celebration Key (Grand Bahama)
• Opening July 2025
• Features a massive freshwater lagoon, multistory sandcastle, beachside activities, and more
• Already featured on 1,400+ itineraries across 20 ships from 10 homeports
RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay
• Expansion begins Summer 2026
• Adds a pier to accommodate Excel and Project Ace ships
• Focused on preserving natural beauty while unlocking more beachfront fun
Isla Tropicale (Roatán, Honduras)
• Formerly Mahogany Bay, now renamed with a nod to Carnival Tropicale
• Expanding in 2026 with:
• Swim-up pool bar
• Private cabanas
• Expanded beach club and guest amenities
Princess Cays
• A brand-new pier is in the works, eliminating the need to tender ashore
Other destinations in the Paradise Collection include Amber Cove, Puerta Maya, Grand Turk, and more — all tailored for fun and exclusive to Carnival guests.
Deployment Updates: Big Ships & Short Cruises
Carnival is shuffling its fleet to maximize fun and accessibility:
• Mardi Gras will begin sailing short cruises from Port Canaveral in 2027, offering a 3-4 night getaway aboard a world-class ship
• Carnival returns to Mobile, Alabama for year-round cruises in 2027
• Baltimore may see a larger Conquest-class ship replace Carnival Pride in 2027
These moves ensure more people — especially first-time cruisers and families with limited time — can experience top-tier ships closer to home.
Fleet Enhancements & Guest Experience Updates
Carnival plans to bring new dining, entertainment, and design elements to existing ships in the coming years. Modern décor, upgraded bars and lounges, and refreshed staterooms will keep the fleet feeling fresh and fun across the board.
Loyalty Program Enhancements Coming in 2026
Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program is getting a major upgrade, with changes designed to deliver more value, benefits, and recognition to returning cruisers. More details will drop this summer, giving guests time to learn about the updates before they take effect in 2026.
Why Book with Tomorrowland Voyages?
As an official travel partner, Tomorrowland Voyages gets you early access to the latest Carnival ships, destinations, and offers. Plus, we make planning easy with:
• Free vacation planning services
• Onboard credit for qualifying cruises
• Personalized itinerary recommendations and reminders
• Help with dining, excursions, stateroom selection, and more
Let’s plan your next unforgettable Carnival cruise — whether it’s to Celebration Key, onboard the brand-new Carnival Festivale, or a quick weekend escape aboard Mardi Gras.
Contact Danny at Tomorrowland Voyages:
Phone: 304-207-0847
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