Fourth Excel-Class Ship Ordered for Carnival Cruise Line
Fourth Excel-Class Ship for Carnival Cruise Line, 10th Excel-Class Ship Across Global Fleet
World's largest cruise company finalizes agreement with Meyer Werft for
new world-class cruise ship scheduled for delivery in 2027
Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, has set the cruise world brimming with excitement by confirming the order for its fourth Excel-class cruise ship with the renowned German shipbuilder, Meyer Werft. This latest addition marks the 10th Excel-class ship across four of Carnival Corporation’s globally acclaimed brands and is slated to make its debut in Spring 2027.
The new 180,000-ton vessel, designed for Carnival Cruise Line, is set to carry over 6,400 passengers and will be propelled by an innovative liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform. This significant order represents Carnival Corporation’s first newbuild in five years, signaling a strategic move to enhance and diversify its fleet.
Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, stated: “Our Excel-class ships have been a tremendous addition to the Carnival fleet and proven very popular with our guests. This new ship enables us to continue the growth of our incredible fleet as we welcome our loyal guests back to cruise more frequently and attract new-to-cruise guests to experience all that a Carnival cruise has to offer.”
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, shared insights into the company’s forward-looking strategy, saying, “With one newbuild scheduled for delivery in 2025, none for 2026, and this order being our only expected newbuild in 2027, our responsible capital approach will support utilizing our substantial free cash flow over the next several years to strategically improve our balance sheet, significantly reduce our leverage levels, and continue to transfer value from debt holders to shareholders.”
Weinstein further outlined the company’s measured growth plan, with a focus on one to two ships per year beginning in 2027. He emphasised that this approach aligns with Carnival’s commitment to meeting heightened demand and ensuring an attractive payback period.
Bernd Eikens, CEO of the MEYER Group, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing partnership, stating, “We are very pleased that the partnership between the MEYER Group and Carnival Corporation will continue with this new order.”
As Carnival Corporation charts a course for the future, this latest announcement solidifies its commitment to providing passengers with cutting-edge cruise experiences while maintaining a strategic and sustainable approach to growth. The Spring of 2027 promises to bring the unveiling of another world-class vessel, ready to set sail under the iconic Carnival Cruise Line banner.