Carnival Cruise Line marked a key milestone in its next phase of fleet growth with the start of construction on Carnival Festivale.

A steel-cutting ceremony took place today at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, officially kicking off the build for the fourth Excel-class ship in the fleet.

The 180,000-gross-ton vessel is set to debut in spring 2027 from Port Canaveral, where it will sail alongside sister ship Mardi Gras. Designed with families in mind, Festivale will accommodate up to 6,400 guests and be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), continuing Carnival’s commitment to cleaner propulsion.

Carnival Festivale will introduce a new music-inspired design across several areas of the ship, including two themed zones that span Decks 6 through 8. The spaces will feature immersive exhibits and experiences that draw on the energy of live outdoor performances.

On the upper decks, Festivale will debut Sunsation Point, a three-deck outdoor space that replaces the BOLT roller coaster with Carnival Waterworks Ultra—the line’s largest water park at sea. The zone will offer six waterslides, family raft rides, toddler splash areas, and nighttime entertainment with DJs and lighting effects.

The ship will also see the return of guest favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint and Big Chicken, alongside new dining venues that are expected to be announced soon.

Festivale was first revealed during a media event aboard Carnival Celebration in Miami earlier this week. The line also announced Carnival Tropicale, Project ACE, and updates to its VIFP loyalty program.