Carnival Corp. placed a massive newbuild order on March 26 for nine cruise ships for delivery from 2019 to 2022.
The two memorandums of agreement with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard and Meyer Werft in Germany also include options for additional ships.
Carnival Corp. did not specify which brands would get the newbuilds, although European shipping publications suggest one could be a 170,000-ton prototype for Costa Cruises and that Carnival Cruise Line also is a likely recipient.
"We're excited to take this next step in our fleet enhancement plan with these two new agreements that are consistent with our long-term strategy of measured capacity growth over time," said Carnival Corp. President and CEO Arnold Donald. "These will be the most efficient ships we have ever built and the great guest experience will create even more excitement around cruising, helping new cruisers realize the superior vacation experience and value that cruising offers versus land-based vacations."
Carnival did say that the new ships are expected to serve established cruise markets in North America and Europe, as well as newer markets, including China. The shipbuilding agreements are subject to several conditions, including financing.
Fincantieri will develop and construct five ships at its shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy, while Meyer Werft will build four vessels in Papenburg, Germany, and Turku, Finland.
The company said the ships will have a "groundbreaking new design that will be the most efficient in company history."
Carnival Corp. is the largest cruise company in the world, with nine brands operating 101 ships - Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Nine new ships are scheduled for delivery between 2015 and 2018. This year alone, Carnival is adding two ships to its fleet - the just-launched Britannia for P&O Cruises and AIDAprima for its Germany cruise line AIDA - but is removing four ships from the fleet.
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