by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:15 PM ET, Tue March 26, 2024
Carnival Corporation has ordered a fifth Excel-class cruise ship that will sail under its Carnival Cruise Line brand starting in 2028.
The 180,000-ton vessel will be similar to other Excel-class ships, with capacity for more than 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew members, plus systems that can run on liquefied natural gas.
The news comes on the heels of the company’s February announcement that it had ordered a fourth Excel-class ship, also for Carnival Cruise Line, to be delivered in spring 2027. That was the firm’s first newbuild order in five years.
Both new vessels are being constructed by Meyer Werft in Germany. Together, they’ll bring the total number of Excel-class ships in the company’s fleet to 11, with five of those sailing under the Carnival Cruise Line brand.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said the Excel-class ships are “very popular” among travelers and provide “tremendous operating efficiencies.”
"Since the introduction of Mardi Gras in 2021 and the subsequent expansion with Carnival Celebration in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee in 2023, these Excel-class ships are driving excitement, demand and strong guest satisfaction ratings,” she added.
“With the arrival of Carnival Firenze in April, we are completing the addition of five ships to our fleet in less than 20 months, and then we will pivot to another phase of growth with these two Excel ships," Duffy continued.
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