PAPENBURG — Just days after announcing its upcoming ship will be named Carnival Festivale, Carnival Cruise Line has marked the official start of construction with the cutting of the first piece of steel at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

The ship will introduce a new outdoor zone, Sunsation Point

The steel-cutting ceremony signifies the first major milestone in the construction of Carnival Festivale. The event was celebrated with a traditional ceremony, marking the beginning of the shipbuilding process. Once completed, the ship will become the fourth in Carnival’s Excel class, powered by environmentally friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Weighing in at 180,000 gross tons, the ship will accommodate up to 6,400 guests.

A video from the steel-cutting ceremony is available for viewing here.

The ship will feature two music-themed zones across Decks 6, 7 and 8, designed to showcase how music connects people. One zone will be inspired by the creative process, offering cutting-edge media and interactive experiences. The other will highlight the energy of outdoor music performances, located on Deck 8.

In addition, a new outdoor area, Sunsation Point, will span the top three decks, offering vibrant family entertainment. The highlight of Sunsation Point will be Carnival Waterworks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea. The park will feature six slides, including two new family raft rides, two splash pads and areas dedicated to babies.

Additional attractions will include a treehouse-inspired adventure trail, sports courts, a ropes course, re-imagined miniature golf and themed arcade spaces. Sunsation Point will also host evening events, extending water park hours, offering DJs and featuring various activities – marking the first time Carnival has opened Waterworks at night.

Sailing from Port Canaveral alongside sister ship Mardi Gras, Carnival Festivale will also introduce new dining concepts, in addition to Carnival favourites such as Guy’s Burger Joint, Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and Shaq’s Big Chicken.

“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,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “From the music-themed zones to the 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.”

Further details, including reservation and itinerary information, will be announced soon. Those interested in receiving the latest updates can sign up here.

For more information, visit carnival.com.