The wait is over: Carnival Festivale bookings now open! Cruisers now have the ability to book their cruise vacation on Carnival’s newest Excel-class ship, the Carnival Festivale. This exciting announcement dropped quietly overnight on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. In addition to booking options being added to Carnival.com, some new details about the ship emerged as well.
First Sailing: A Transatlantic Adventure
Carnival opened multiple itineraries up for booking on Carnival Festivale. The first is a 15-day transatlantic voyage departing from Southampton on May 2, 2027. This unique sailing takes you through some incredible ports:
- La Coruña, Spain – Explore historic streets and charming architecture.
- Vigo, Spain – Sip wine and enjoy coastal beauty.
- Madeira, Portugal – Stroll its lush gardens and scenic landscapes.
- Tenerife, Canary Islands – Soak up sunshine on golden beaches.
- Grand Turk – Relax in paradise before wrapping up in Port Canaveral.
It’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that promises both adventure and relaxation and we’re already counting down the days!
Meet Carnival Festivale: Excel-Class Excellence
Carnival Festivale is the fourth Excel-class ship, joining Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. She will be powered by LNG and packed with fan-favorite features from sister ships. Calling Port Canaveral home, Festivale will sail alongside Mardi Gras. The combo of sister ships will offer both long and short itineraries for travelers.
With a guest capacity of up to 6,400 and 70% more interconnecting cabins, Carnival is making it easier than ever for families and groups to stay connected – literally – throughout the cruise.
Music-Themed Zones: A Celebration on Deck
Carnival Festivale is all about immersive music experiences, especially across Decks 6, 7, and 8. Two brand-new zones promise to set this ship apart:
- Studio 724 (Decks 6–7) – Light and sound effects create a dynamic space where you might catch a Broadway-style show or a live band and parade. A custom bar called Mix will serve creative drinks inspired by the music theme.
- The Festival (Deck 8) – Featuring Pizza Palooza and Rhythm and Rolls Deli, this new zone will combine food with musical flair. Think music-inspired pizza flavors: maybe a spicy “Disco Inferno” or cheesy “Rock ’n’ Roll”?
And that’s not all. Festivale’s Sunsation Point will replace the Ultimate Playground on sister ships, offering:
- Carnival WaterWorks Ultra with six waterslides, including SunSoaker and Turning Tides
- Splash pads, mini-golf, arcade, and outdoor games
- Extended water park hours, including nighttime fun
Dining Highlights: Something for Every Appetite
Carnival Cruise fans rejoice! Carnival Festivale will bring back fan-favorites like:
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- Blue Iguana Cantina
- Shaq’s Big Chicken
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse
Plus, expect specialty dining options such as Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano, and Emeril’s Bistro. We promise: You will not go hungry on board Carnival Festivale!
Carnival Festivale: A Must-Sail
Bottom line: Carnival Festivale combines Excel-class innovation, massive guest capacity, immersive music experiences, and family-focused design that’s all topped off with Carnival’s signature food and entertainment.
If you’ve been dreaming of crossing the Atlantic, now you can aboard Carnival’s newest ship. Spots on the first sailing from Southampton are sure to fill fast, and we couldn’t resist… We’re already booked!
Want to join us? Reach out to Rocky directly, and keep an eye on the blog and YouTube channel for:
- Construction updates
- Ship walkthroughs
- Deck plan overviews
- And so much more
We’ve sailed every Excel-class ship multiple times, and we can’t wait to compare experiences on Carnival Festivale. See you in Southampton as we strike up the very first notes aboard this spectacular new ship in 2027!
Can’t wait? You can read all of our coverage of the new Excel-class ships in our July announcement!