Diplomacy

It was just a few days ago that the world learned the names of two new Excel-class ships set to join the Carnival fleet in the coming years.  Today, it was announced that construction has already begun on one of those ships.

The first piece of steel for Carnival Festivale was cut on Tuesday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, officially kicking off the construction process.

The traditional steel cutting ceremony marks the very first stage in the long shipbuilding process.  So, now we can say that the next Excel-class ship is officially being built.

Carnival Festivale will be the fourth in Carnival’s popular Excel-class of ships and will be powered by cleaner-burning Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The ship will boast an impressive 180,000 gross tons and accommodate up to 6,400 guests at max capacity.

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

As revealed earlier this week in a huge release of news, a key highlight of Carnival Festivale will be its two unique music-themed zones spanning Decks 6, 7, and 8. One zone will focus on the creative process of music with cutting-edge media and interactive experiences, while the other, located on Deck 8, will incorporate the energy of live outdoor performances.

And then there’s the big change of Sunsation Point, a brand-new outdoor zone stretching across the top three decks.   Notably missing, will be the cruise line’s iconic BOLT rollercoaster that is present on the previous Excel ships.

The centerpiece of this area will be Carnival Waterworks Ultra, which will be the cruise line’s largest water park at sea. This water park will feature six slides, including four brand new designs with two family raft rides, alongside two splash pads and dedicated baby splash areas.

Beyond the water park, Sunsation Point will also offer a treehouse-inspired elevated adventure trail, a sports court, a ropes course, a miniature golf area, and themed arcade spaces.

And in a very different kind of experience for water parks at sea, Sunsation Point will also host evening events with extended water park hours, meaning it will be open at night.

Carnival Festivale is scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, joining its sister ship Mardi Gras which will offer shorter 3- and 4-night sailings.

Carnival Cruise Line has indicated that further details regarding itineraries and reservation information will be announced soon, so we’ll make sure our Cruise Fever readers know about that as soon as we do.

Carnival Cruise Line recently unveiled the first details of Project Ace, their largest cruise ships yet that will be at least 230,000 gross tons in size.

Carnival has three Project Ace ships on order that will debut in 2029, 2031, and 2033.  While the cruise line hasn’t given a lot of details on these new ships, here is what we know so far.

During a press event on Carnival Celebration before Seatrade Cruise Global, Carnival talked a little about Project Ace and even had a Q&A with members of the media.

The ships will hold 8,000 passengers at maximum capacity, among the most in the world.

Say hello to Project Ace from Carnival Cruise Line, new 8,000 passenger ship that will debut in 2029. pic.twitter.com/gWR5EclE6X

— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) April 6, 2025

James Shillinglaw, Editor in Chief of Insider Market Report, asked Carnival’s President Christine Duffy if the ships would be the largest in the world.

Duffy said that the purpose of the ships wasn’t necessarily that they would be the largest in the world. She said that she wasn’t sure on the exact size of the ships, but they were more concerned with what the ships would offer than being the “biggest in the world”.

Carnival has yet to name the homeport for the first ship, but it’s hard to imagine that the vessel would homeport outside of Florida (my opinion, not fact).

I asked Ben Clement, executive vice president maritime & new builds for Carnival Cruise Line, if Terminal F in PortMiami would be able to accommodate an Ace class ship. He said that it will be able to hold that class of ship when it’s built.

Carnival spent millions of dollars upgrading and expanding the terminal before Carnival Celebration debuted in 2022.

Cruise Fever will continue to monitor all new news on Project Ace from Carnival Cruise Line and will have all updates on this new class of ships right here on our website.

Viking announced two new hydrogen powered cruise ships today at Seatrade Cruise Global that will debut in 2026 and 2027.

When the ships runs on hydrogen power, it will allow them to operate at zero emissions. The first ship, Viking Libra, is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The cruise ship will debut in late 2026.

A second hydrogen powered ship, Viking Astrea, which is also under construction will debut in 2027.

Both ships will be 54,300 gross tons in size and carry 998 guests in 499 staterooms. The propulsion system will be based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. The ships will be capable of running at zero emissions and access some of the most remote environmentally sensitive areas of the globe. 

Fincantieri and @VikingCruises announce a hydrogen powered cruise ship debuting in 2026. pic.twitter.com/glV9ODHs4L

— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) April 8, 2025

Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, gave the following statement:

“From the outset, we have designed our river and ocean ships thoughtfully to reduce their fuel consumption, and we are very proud the Viking Libra and the Viking Astrea will be even more environmentally friendly.

“Viking made the principled decision to invest in hydrogen, which offers a true zero-emission solution. We look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship to our fleet in 2026.”

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, added:

“With the Viking Libra, we are not only delivering the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored on board, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable maritime transportation.

“Furthermore, we are thrilled about Viking’s decision to expand its fleet with the order of two additional ships, which reaffirms the strength of our partnership, and the trust placed in our expertise. This new order is a testament to our shared vision for a more sustainable cruise industry, as together we continue to set new standards for innovation and responsible shipbuilding.”

You just booked a cruise–awesome!  Now, it’s time to get a few things done right off the bat.

I love that “I-just-booked-a-cruise” rush after securing a cruise vacation.  But besides celebrating and sharing the news with a few friends, there are some details you’ll want to get on top of before you start posting your favorite cruise memes on Facebook.

Some of the things on this list should be done as soon as possible, but even for the less time-sensitive things, you’ll want to at least be aware of them before that cruise date sneaks up on you.

*This post has been updated since its original publishing date.

After booking a cruise, here are 15 things you should do:

1. Check that Info

Make sure the information in your booking is correct.  Everything from the spelling of the names on the booking to the cruise date are easy to overlook, but it’s a good time to make sure it’s all correct to save you some frustration later on.  You don’t want an extra letter in your name to cause trouble later on.

Just a few weeks ago I was very close to booking a cruise for the wrong year.  In my haste to nab a good deal I almost booked a cruise for 2026 that I meant for 2025.  So yeah, it happens.

You also want to double-check the dining time preference.  Usually, you select this time during the booking process, but it can be changed if you picked the wrong one.

Of course, you should make sure all your info is correct while you’re filling out the booking form but a quick double-check right after is always a good idea.

2. Mark Your Calendar with Important Reminders

This is something I always do immediately after I book a cruise.  You don’t want the final payment date to sneak up on you or pass by without remembering to settle it.   Mark any payment dates on your calendar, whether it’s the one on your phone or the one hanging from the fridge.

You also should mark the dates when certain reservations open up.  This is especially true if your cruise is a long way off and you don’t want to forget to reserve an excursion, restaurant or other activity that is on a first-come, first-served basis.  These reservations usually have specific dates before the cruise when passengers can secure those reservations.

And one of the most important dates to mark down is the check-in date that we will talk about in the next point.

3. Get your account on the cruise line’s website or app

If you don’t already have an account with the cruise line, you should get one as soon as you can.  Even if you are booking through a travel agent or 3^rd party website you should have an account you can check out directly on the cruise line’s website.

This will allow you to check on the status of your cruise, your final payment date, your loyalty status, and all the extra amenities you can have on your cruise.

With most cruise line apps you can check-in right on your phone, making the whole process a breeze as well.

To go with the last point, I recommend finding out the soonest you can check-in and marking your calendar so you can get the best boarding time on embarkation day.

Do this as SOON as you possible can so you get the most optimal boarding time.

Carnival allows you to check-in 14 days before a sailing, for Royal Caribbean it’s 45 days, and for Norwegian Cruise Line it’s 21 days.  But check with your cruise line to make sure of this date and then slap it on the calendar.

I recently wrote on how to get on your cruise ship as fast as possible with some other tips on this subject as well.

4. Add Your Booking Extras

If you’re going to want Wi-Fi, a spa treatment, or drink package on the ship this is a good time to add these to your reservation.  It’s always cheaper to pay for this ahead of your cruise than to wait until you’re on the ship as cruise line’s offer discounts for buying them ahead of time.

And if you book one of these extras and the price drops, you can usually cancel and book it again.

If you are set on certain excursions you want to do through the cruise line, this is the time to add them.  Some of the more exotic or off-the beaten path excursions can fill up and sell out quickly

You can also add some room décor or arrival treats if your cruise is for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.

Some cruise lines like Carnival will give you a discount for adding multiple things like Wi-Fi and excursions onto your booking, giving another reason to add these extras shortly after you book.

5. Check Airfare

Actually, I often book the airfare first, making sure this aspect of the cruise is still reasonable before I look at cruise prices.

If you don’t live within driving distance of the cruise port you will want to check on flights right away.

The longer you wait to book a flight the more chances costs will go up.  But this is not always the case.  I recommend checking on airfare costs and then tracking prices over the next few days if you feel the price is too steep.  Either way, you will want to book those flights well before your cruise.

You can use a price tracker through Kayak or Google flight price alerts to stay on top of any fluctuations.

Ideally, I like to look at flight costs before I book a cruise because depending on where you’re going this can be a huge part of your travel budget.  If I’m cruising out of the US though I may prioritize a good cruise deal first and find an affordable flight later.

6. Look at Hotels Near the Cruise Port for a Pre-cruise Stay

If flying to a cruise port, I always recommend getting a hotel for at least one night before.  The stress of flying to a cruise port on the day of the sailing is just not worth it in my opinion.  I’ve done it before, and staying in a hotel ahead of time makes for a much more relaxing experience.

So, after booking your cruise it’s a great time to check out hotels near the cruise port.  You can often find hotels with free shuttle services to the cruise port.   In certain areas like Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida there are many hotels that provide extra services for cruise travelers.

Additionally, you can also book a hotel both before and after your cruise, so you never have to worry about delays with your flights on either side of your vacation.

Related:  19 things you should do on cruise embarkation day

7. Plan your Transfers

On top of getting a flight and hotel you will also want to consider how you will get to the cruise port from the airport and vice versa.  If you’re not going to use a hotel shuttle service to the port you can look at ride share prices or book a private car for transportation.

Some cruise lines also offer transportation with bundled packages if you want to go directly through them.

This step is especially important if your airport is far from the cruise port.  Ports like Port Canaveral and Galveston can be an hour or more to the nearest airports.  Because of this distance many shuttle services have popped up to help fill this need.  Look into pricing and options well ahead of your cruise so you can lock in these travel plans.

And don’t overlook rideshare services.  You’d be surprised how many times taking an Uber of Lyft can be cheaper (and more convenient) than taking a shuttle.

8. Sign Up for Price Drop Alerts

Unless you’re looking at a last-minute cruise it’s a great idea to add your cruise itinerary to a price alert service.  This will allow you to take advantage of price drops that might happen leading up to your cruise.

I like services offered by Cruisewatch that will monitor any price drops and let you know when you can get a better deal.  It can be a hassle to cancel your cruise and book again, but having a travel agent can make this a lot simpler.

A travel agent may also be able to help monitor price drops, so this is a question you can ask an agent ahead of time if this is something that’s important to you.

9. Make Sure Your Documentation is Up to Date

Really, this should be done before you even book, as you don’t want to be waiting for a passport to come in the mail when your cruise date is rapidly drawing nearer.  But this is still a good time to at least double-check and make sure your documentation is current.

Remember, your passport cannot expire within 6 months of your cruise date.  These days passport offices are pretty backed up right now as well.  I recently visited my local office and they said the current wait time was 10 – 13 weeks for renewals.

If traveling internationally to certain countries, you will want to check on visa requirements and get on top of that as well.

10. Purchase Travel Insurance

Consider buying travel insurance to protect yourself against the things you probably don’t want to think about happening while you’re on a cruise.  We hear stories all the time about medical helicopter evacuations costing tens of thousands of dollars.

You can often buy travel insurance from the cruise line during the booking process to help protect your trip, but don’t forget about expenditures outside of your cruise like flights and hotels.  If you should have to cancel your trip you’ll want to get compensation for these costs as well.

Also check with the credit card you used to purchase the cruise as you may have at least some built-in protections already.

A 3^rd party travel insurance plan might offer more peace of mind if you’re looking for extra medical evac coverage or even “cancel-for-any-reason” coverage.

Check out our complete guide to cruise travel insurance here for more great tips on this topic.

11. Get That Time Off Work

Perhaps this should happen before you book a cruise, but it depends on your boss.  I mean, a good deal is a good deal, right?  You can’t always wait to get permission first.

When asking for time off work remember to take into account extra days for that pre-cruise hotel and post-cruise hotel if you decide to go that route.

A vacation is always much more relaxing when you don’t have to worry about rushing home and jumping right back into work.  Those days on either side of your cruise are vacation days too so take advantage of it.

12. Inform your bank and credit card companies

This step isn’t as important as it used to be.  In fact, many credit card companies are smart enough to know when you use that card to book a trip that you will in fact need to use that card overseas.

So, feel free to skip this step if you’d like, but for a little extra peace of mind that you won’t have any trouble using your credit cards, it’s just a quick phone call or clicks on the website.

This step can prevent your transactions from being flagged as suspicious and potentially declined.  And it will probably happen just as you’re about to buy that incredible souvenir that you just have to take home with you.

13. Start Getting Your Packing List Together

If you’re like me, you tend to wait until the last minute to pack.  But planning ahead with what kind of luggage you need to bring and what “easy-to-forget” items will need to be thrown into the suitcase can make for a smoother planning process.

Begin preparing a packing list based on the cruise duration, weather conditions, and any specific dress codes or formal nights. Consider including essential items such as medications, travel adapters, and appropriate attire.

And remember, there are some things you may THINK you need to pack for a cruise that you actually should leave at home.  More on that here.

Related: Cruise Packing: 15 things people always forget

14. Do Research on Each Port of Call

Get to know everything you can about each port of call your ship will be visiting.  There’s nothing worse than finding out AFTER your trip about something amazing you would have loved to see had you only known about it.

This is one of the fun parts of cruise planning for me.  I love doing deep-dive research so when I arrive at the port I feel like I know the place and can get right to exploration.

We have plenty of articles on Cruise Fever about many popular ports of call if you’d like to use the search bar.   I also recommend checking out some videos of each port, so you get some visuals as well.

See our ports of call page here for a list of popular ports to check out.

15. Share Your Itinerary with a Trusted Contact

You know that little space on the booking form where you enter the name of your emergency contact?  It might be a good idea to let them know you’re traveling out of country for a bit.  I’ve been guilty of taking a trip without letting my emergency contacts even know.  Terrible, I know.

Inform a family member or friend about your cruise plans, including the ship name, itinerary, and contact details. It’s always good to have someone aware of your whereabouts in case of emergencies.

Bottom Line

Remember that these steps may vary depending on the specific cruise line, itinerary, and personal preferences.  You might totally disagree with a few of these steps, and that’s completely ok.  We all cruise differently and plan differently.  The important thing is that you don’t get caught off guard when it comes to being ready for that sailaway date!

Related:  19 things you should do on cruise embarkation day

Carnival is sending a Conquest-class ship to Baltimore in 2027, allowing about 1,000 more cruise passengers per sailing compared to the current Spirit-class ship in the Maryland port, Carnival Pride.

According to a recent press release, Carnival is “exploring moving a larger Conquest class ship to Baltimore in 2027,” showing the cruise line’s commitment to the port even as another cruise line is saying goodbye.

But one logistical issue stands out: how will a ship of that size navigate the bridges in Baltimore’s harbor?

Height Difference with Conquest and Spirit Classes

The Conquest-class ships—like Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, or Carnival Liberty—are noticeably larger than the Spirit-class vessels currently sailing from Baltimore.

While the numbers in terms of height are still negligible between the two classes, you don’t want the margins to be too tight, especially in choppy seas.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge has a clearance of just 186 feet. The new Francis Scott Key Bridge, set to replace the collapsed structure by 2027, will offer a more generous 230 feet of clearance.

But it’s the Bay Bridge that matters most, and here’s where the numbers get tight.

A Spirit-class ship stands around 205 feet tall, with a 26-foot draft, leaving about 179 feet above the waterline. A Conquest-class ship, by contrast, reaches roughly 208 feet with its full funnel and a 27-foot draft, putting it at about 181 feet above the waterline.

That’s a slim five-foot margin under the Bay Bridge—sure, it’s doable, but only with perfect conditions and, likely, some clever adjustments.

And that’s where some speculation is coming into play.  Will Carnival need to adjust the funnel of one of its Conquest ships for it to fit under the bridges?

How Can the Ship Fit?

So, how might Carnival make this work? One possibility lies in the ship’s funnel, the distinctive whale-tail smokestack that is iconic to Carnival ships.

The company has a history of trimming funnels to fit under low bridges—think of ships operating in places like Sydney with modified stacks.

Carnival Freedom, in particular, seems like a good possibility.  It’s already had its funnel replaced twice—once after a fire, then again after a lightning strike—leaving it with a shorter, straighter design.

With a dry dock scheduled from September 1, 2026, to October 8, 2026, Carnival could use that window to further tweak Freedom’s funnel, shaving off enough height to slip under the Bay Bridge’s 186 feet. Other Conquest-class ships, like Carnival Conquest (dry dock: August 22, 2025 – September 30, 2025), could also be candidates, though Freedom’s timing aligns better with the 2027 rollout.

The Carnival fleet offers more clues. Several Carnival ships, including Carnival Luminosa, already have straight funnels instead of the traditional whale tail—a design that could drop a Conquest-class ship’s height by a few feet, which would really make all the difference.

With at least five ships under the Carnival umbrella that lack the whale tail, this isn’t too much of a stretch. Still, even with a modified funnel, the ability to safely navigate bridge clearance requires more than just a minor adjustment.

Tide changes, ship speed, and the vessel’s tilt could shrink that five-foot margin, so precision engineering a must.

The new Key Bridge’s 230-foot clearance clears the way for taller ships, but the Bay Bridge remains the bottleneck at 186 feet.

Perhaps Carnival is banking on a specific Conquest-class ship—like Freedom—or they’re planning on some other kinds of tweaks I have not even addressed. Either way, the move shows the cruise line is staying in Baltimore and even expanding its offerings.

Cruise Fever has reached out to Carnival for more information on which ship will be used and if modifications will be required.  No word yet, but we will update this article if we hear anything.

Carnival Sailing in as Royal Caribbean is Sailing Out

Carnival’s expansion in Baltimore comes at a unique moment.  Royal Caribbean is set to depart the port in late 2026, moving its Baltimore-based ship, Vision of the Seas, to Port Everglades.

With Royal Caribbean focusing on bigger ships that can’t fit under the port’s bridges, Carnival is stepping up to meet the demand from mid-Atlantic cruisers who value the convenience of a drivable port.  And with almost 3 million people living in the Baltimore metropolitan area alone, a lot of cruisers are happy with the decision.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced some big changes coming up for where their ships will be sailing from over the next few years.  The announcement was part of a wave of other big news from the cruise line, including new ships, an all-new water park, and updates to some private islands as well.

On the homeport front, three U.S. ports in particular are going to see some shifts: Port Canaveral, Mobile, and Baltimore.

More Big Ships for Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is getting another big, new ship. Carnival Festivale, one of their huge 6,500-max capacity Excel-class vessels, is set to make Port Canaveral its home starting in 2027. It’ll be joining Mardi Gras, which was the first Excel-class ship and already a familiar sight at the Space Coast cruise port.

What’s confirmed is that with Carnival Festivale arriving, Mardi Gras will begin offering shorter 3- and 4-night cruises.   So, Carnival fans will have two Excel-class ships to choose from in Port Canaveral, depending on how long a cruise they want to book.

Year-Round Cruising Returns to Mobile

Mobile, Alabama, has some good news because Carnival is bringing back year-round cruises starting in 2027.   I know some Mobile cruisers who were very happy to hear this news.

It’s been a while since the cruise port had continuous service-– not since before the whole cruise industry shutdown. Right now, Carnival Spirit sails from Mobile for about six months of the year.

Mobile now has a new five-year deal starting in 2027 for year-round cruising. The city even invested in a new gangway to make boarding easier, and local businesses are expecting a nice economic boost with more consistent cruise traffic.

We don’t know yet exactly which ships will be there year-round or where they’ll be sailing, but it’s definitely a positive development for cruise fans in the South. Carnival Spirit will still be doing its usual seasonal trips to places like the Bahamas and Belize for the next couple of years.  Hopefully, we’ll find out soon if Spirit or another ship will be sailing year-round from Mobile

Bigger Ship Coming to Baltimore

Baltimore is also getting a ship upgrade in 2027. Instead of Carnival Pride, they’re going to get a bigger ship from their Conquest class. That means more people will be able to set sail from Baltimore.   Conquest-class ships hold roughly 800 more passengers than Spirit-class ships.  This will help provide Baltimore with a little more revenue as well.

Even with the recent bridge situation causing some temporary changes, this shows Carnival is still serious about Baltimore as a convenient cruise spot, especially for those within driving distance.

Baltimore’s metropolitan area is home to almost 3 million people, making the port’s location a prime spot for the cruise line.

What This Means for Cruisers

Carnival is bringing newer and bigger ships to different homeports and committing to year-round service in places like Mobile, Alabama. After recent reports questioned if Royal Caribbean will come back to Baltimore or not after next year, it appears, at least for now, that Carnival is planning on sticking around for a while.

After Carnival lost its homeport in Charleston earlier this year, the company is showing a commitment to these three cruise ports as the industry continues to see strong demand.

It was their first cruise–a gift from their son, and now the fallout from the medical evacuation is a crippling expense the widow is trying to deal with.

While taking a cruise is an amazing experience that people often enjoy in a celebration of a birthday or anniversary, the truth is that tragedy can strike at any time.  No one wants to think about it, but this story is a reminder to always have cruise travel insurance.

What was meant to be a celebration – a first-ever cruise for a Brisbane couple marking their 50th wedding anniversary – has turned into a heartbreaking situation, leaving a wife grieving the sudden loss of her husband and staring down a huge bill.

According to Australian news reports, Glenn and Beverley Stein set sail from Brisbane, Australia on March 30th aboard Carnival Luminosa.  This 4-night trip to Whitsundays, a beautiful group of islands off the Queensland coast, was a gift from their son.  The son stated it was a gift of appreciation for the parents who were always putting others first.

Their daughter-in-law, Sarah Stein, stated on a fundraising website how Glenn was “like a kid at Christmas,” his excitement very real as they began what they hoped would be a memorable trip of a lifetime.

However, three days into their sailing, as Carnival Luminosa made its return trip to Brisbane, tragedy struck. Glenn suffered a serious medical emergency on Tuesday, April 2nd. Despite the immediate care provided by the onboard medical team, his condition quickly worsened.

An emergency helicopter evacuation to Bundaberg Hospital was needed.  Sadly, Glenn passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.

“The shock and heartbreak of losing Glenn so suddenly has left an unfillable void in our family,” Sarah Stein shared.

Adding to the heartache now is the immense bill Beverley is facing.  After all, medical evacuations from cruise ships are not cheap and often cost tens of thousands of dollars.

This expense is compounded by the costs associated with funeral arrangements, and the transportation of Glenn’s body back to Brisbane as well.

“Bev has always been proud and self-reliant, but this heartbreaking situation is more than anyone should have to bear alone,” her daughter-in-law stated.

I should note that even with travel insurance, this would still be a sad and tragic story.  And with hundreds of thousands of people on cruise ships at any given time, this is a reality the industry faces.

While no insurance policy can ever replace a loved one, it can at least take away one of the hardships associated with a loss at sea

Carnival Cruise Line recently revealed a ton of new information about what’s ahead for the cruise line: new ships, new deployments, and an all-new waterpark at sea–the largest for the company.

Cruise Fever attended a press event aboard Carnival Celebration in Miami today, during which Carnival unveiled some bold plans for the family-oriented cruise line and its lineup of ships.

Among the announcements were the names of their fourth and fifth Excel-class ships—Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale—set to debut in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

While these will be Excel-class ships, there will be one very noticeable change from previous builds: no more BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.

Instead, Carnival is introducing something entirely new: Sunsation Point, a new area with a massive, family-focused waterpark that will be the biggest the cruise line has ever had on a cruise ship.

Family Cruising at the Focus of the 3-Deck Water Park

In a candid discussion between Carnival’s beloved Brand Ambassador John Heald and President Christine Duffy, the conversation focused on the new water park.

When Heald asked, “What’s happening instead of BOLT? What have we got?” Duffy explained a few things about the new addition that caught my attention.

“So, we’re replacing BOLT on these two sister ships with something we’re calling Sunsation Point,” Duffy explained. “This will be three outdoor decks where we continue to have our main, you know, mini golf, the ropes course—all the things that people like on the outdoor decks—but an expansion of what we’re going to call WaterWorks Ultra.”

This isn’t just any water park. Duffy emphasized that Sunsation Point will house “the largest WaterWorks that we will have at Carnival,” featuring four brand-new slides and a family rafting experience that promises to thrill guests of all ages.

“We’ve added four new slides. We also have family rafting!” she stated. “So, this is really leaning into the fact that we sail more families, more kids, than any other cruise line. Sunsation Point is just going to be over the top with activities and fun for families and people of all ages.”

More Than Just a Water Park

What sets Sunsation Point apart isn’t just how big it is—it’s the way Carnival is changing “the rules” about water parks. Beyond the slides and water features, the area will include a dedicated arcade and games zone, separate from the ship’s main arcade, offering even more entertainment options.

But the real magic happens after dark.  Yes, the waterpark will even be open at night!

“We’re actually going to have special arcade and games that are separate from our regular arcade on the ship,” Duffy shared. “And then, [the] really exciting thing—and it looks amazing, the pictures that I’ve seen—is that this will be open on certain evenings during the cruise, with entertainment in these areas. So, people will be able to use WaterWorks at night, the pool will be open, and there’ll be special entertainment on select evenings.”

Colorful lights illuminating the waterpark, families splashing under the stars, and live entertainment creating a festive vibe–it’s a bold change from the typical daytime-only waterpark model, and it’s clear Duffy is thrilled about the future plans for these new ships.

“I can see how excited you are,” Heald told Duffy during the interview.

A Perfect Fit for Carnival’s Family-First Philosophy

Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale are doubling down on family-focused cruising. Carnival Festivale, set to homeport in Port Canaveral starting in 2027, will feature 1,000 connecting cabins—70% more than the current Excel-class ships in service—making it easier than ever for families to travel together.

Looking Ahead

Sunsation Point is just one part of Carnival’s future plans. Alongside the Excel-class ships, the cruise line teased Project Ace—a new class of 230,000-gross-ton ships debuting in 2029—and major additions to destinations like the newly renamed Isla Tropicale Roatan (formerly Mahogany Bay).

But for families eagerly awaiting their next Carnival adventure, Sunsation Point promises to be a welcome addition the to many choices in Carnival’s fleet.

As Christine Duffy put it during the press event, “The excitement and energy continue at Carnival!” With Sunsation Point already making headlines, Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale are getting Carnival fans excited and may win over some new cruisers as well.