Carnival Excel Class Ships Will Sail a Wider Range of Itineraries During the 2027
Carnival’s Biggest Ships: What’s Coming for 2027-28 Winter Season
This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.
Carnival Cruise Line just shared exciting news about their Excel class ships. These are the biggest ships in their fleet. Let’s look at what these massive vessels will be doing during the 2027-28 winter season.
The Excel class includes four ships that can each carry over 5,000 guests. These floating cities offer tons of activities and dining options. Here’s where you’ll find each one and what cruises they’ll offer.
Mardi Gras: Making a Big Change
Ship Details:
- Built: 2021
- Guest Capacity: 5,200
- Size: 183,900 tons
- Home Port: Port Canaveral, Florida
The Mardi Gras is switching things up in a major way. This ship currently sails 7-day Caribbean cruises. But starting in spring 2027, it’s moving to shorter trips.
The ship will offer 4-night and 5-night cruises to the Bahamas. This makes it the first Excel class ship to run short cruises. Every trip will stop at Celebration Key, Carnival’s private island in Grand Bahama.
This change gives travelers more options for quick getaways. Weekend warriors will love these shorter cruises from Florida’s Space Coast.
Carnival Celebration: Sticking With Success
Ship Details:
- Built: 2022
- Guest Capacity: 5,200
- Size: 183,900 tons
- Home Port: Miami, Florida
The Carnival Celebration isn’t changing its winning formula. This ship will keep sailing 7-day cruises year-round from Miami.
The ship visits amazing spots across the Caribbean. Popular stops include Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Mahogany Bay in Honduras. Of course, it also hits Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
Miami makes a perfect starting point for Caribbean adventures. The ship offers both Eastern and Western Caribbean routes. This gives guests lots of choices for their vacation.
Carnival Jubilee: Texas-Sized Fun
Ship Details:
- Built: 2023
- Guest Capacity: 5,400
- Size: 183,900 tons
- Home Port: Galveston, Texas
The Carnival Jubilee serves cruise lovers in Texas and the surrounding states. This ship runs 6-night to 8-night cruises from Galveston year-round.
The itineraries focus on the Western Caribbean and Bahamas. Guests can visit multiple Carnival private destinations. These include RelaxAway at Half Moon Key and Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
The ship also stops at Isla Tropicale in Honduras. Traditional favorites like Cozumel, Mexico and Nassau, Bahamas are on the schedule too. Texas cruisers get easy access to Caribbean paradise.
Carnival Festivale: The Newest Addition
Ship Details:
- Built: 2027 (launching soon!)
- Guest Capacity: 5,400
- Size: 183,900 tons
- Home Port: Port Canaveral, Florida
The brand-new Carnival Festivale will debut in May 2027. This ship takes over the 7-day cruise schedule from Port Canaveral when Mardi Gras switches to shorter trips.
The Festivale will offer 6-night and 8-night cruises. Destinations include the Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas. The inaugural season features exciting ports like Aruba, Bonaire, and Puerto Rico.
St. Maarten and Celebration Key round out the destination list. This gives Port Canaveral cruisers continued access to longer Caribbean voyages.
What This Means for Cruise Lovers
These changes create more variety in Carnival’s schedule. Short cruise fans get a new Excel class option with the Mardi Gras. Meanwhile, the new Festivale ensures 7-day cruises continue from Port Canaveral.
Each ship offers the Excel class signature features. These include roller coasters, amazing restaurants, and tons of entertainment. The private destinations add exclusive experiences you can’t get elsewhere.
The 2027-28 winter season promises something for every type of cruiser. Whether you want a quick escape or a longer adventure, these ships deliver unforgettable experiences.
