Carnival Corporation Orders Fourth Excel-Class Cruise Ship

Carnival Corporation, the world’s leading cruise company, has announced its first newbuild order since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company signed a contract with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for a fourth Excel-class cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Line brand. Anticipated to join the fleet in Spring 2027, the 180,000-ton vessel will be the 10th Excel-class ship across four of the corporation’s brands. It will join Carnival Cruise Line’s current Excel-class vessels, accommodating over 6,400 guests and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Carnival Corporation & plc, operating more than 90 ships across 9 brands, plans to add eight new ships by 2025. The new order marks the first in five years for Carnival Corporation, following a reported strong start to the peak booking season and record bookings for 2024, with pricing and occupancy surpassing 2023 levels.