MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line is adding a fifth Excel-class ship to its fleet, set to be delivered in 2028.

The news follows parent company Carnival Corporation’s announcement last month that it had placed its first newbuild order in five years, with news that a fourth Excel-class ship would join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in spring 2027. This new announcement confirms an 11th Excel-class ship for the corporation’s fleet across four of its brands, and the fifth to be sailed by Carnival Cruise Line.

“Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

“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. 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 growth with these two Excel ships,” she added. 

On Carnival’s growth trajectory, Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, said:” This measured capacity growth strategy will result in our adding one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, and we will be identifying additional fleet plans over the coming months for our cruise lines to meet capacity demand and improve execution across all aspects of our operation, with the benefit of yielding higher return on invested capital.”

This fifth Excel-class ship will be built by Meyer Werft shipyard, on the same platform as its sisters, with the 180,000-ton ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and designed to carry over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew. The order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year.