Carnival Cruise Line continues to reveal new details about Carnival Festivale, the fourth ship in the cruise line’s popular Excel class. While the ship shares many similarities with sister ships Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, Festivale introduces the biggest collection of new restaurants, bars, public spaces, and family attractions the class has seen since it debuted in 2021. We’ve put together our Carnival Festivale Guide: July 2026 Update to provide you with a quick summary of the latest announcements.

And if you’d like to watch this update instead, check out our Carnival Festivale July 2026 Update live on YouTube!

Carnival Festivale Will Sail from Port Canaveral

As previously announced, Carnival Festivale will be homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida, where she’ll join Mardi Gras. As Festivale begins sailing week-long Caribbean itineraries, Mardi Gras will transition to shorter cruises.

Combined, Carnival’s two Excel-class ships alone will bring nearly 11,000 guests at double occupancy – and close to 13,000 guests at maximum capacity – through Port Canaveral.

Like her sister ships, Carnival Festivale features six themed zones designed to spread guests throughout the ship. Two of those neighborhoods will be unique to Festivale, embracing the ship’s music-inspired identity.

Carnival’s “Next Course” Debuts on Carnival Festivale

One of the biggest announcements surrounding Carnival Festivale is the launch of Next Course, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest collection of dining and bar experiences. Several brand-new venues will debut aboard Festivale before expanding throughout the Carnival fleet in the coming years.

Uku Lei Lei Replaces Chibang!

One of the biggest surprises is the retirement of Chibang on Carnival Festivale. Replacing the popular Mexican-Chinese fusion restaurant is Uku Lei Lei, a colorful new restaurant inspired by Hawaiian cuisine blended with bold Asian flavors.

According to Carnival, guests can expect Hawaiian-inspired specialties along with Asian classics. You’ll find tropical flavors in a rich and vibrant island décor.

Carnival has confirmed:

• Lunch and dinner service
• First visit included
• Additional visits cost just $8

While Carnival hasn’t released the complete menu yet, preview images show appetizer platters, ribs, and other island-inspired dishes. Now all we’re waiting for is Loco Moco!

Fetaccine Replaces Cucina del Capitano

Another major change comes to Deck 8. Carnival is replacing long-time favorite Cucina del Capitano with an all-new restaurant called Fetaccine.

Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, Fetaccine combines Greek seaside flavors with traditional Italian favorites. Early menu previews include: Shrimp Saganaki, Chicken Parmesan, a Hummus Trio, Greek Lamb Chops, and Cannolis for dessert.

Like Uku Lei Lei, guests receive one complimentary meal, with additional visits costing $8.

This move makes a lot of sense. Cucina del Capitano originally launched as an inexpensive specialty restaurant years ago. As specialty dining has evolved across the cruise industry, a generic Italian concept may not resonate as much with guests. Introducing an entirely new Mediterranean restaurant gives the cruise line room to evolve the experience while still offering value to guests.

Emeril’s Coastal Seafood Replaces Rudi’s Sea Grill

Perhaps one of the most surprising changes is the departure of Rudi’s Sea Grill. The upscale seafood restaurant is being replaced by Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, bringing the signature flavors of Chef Emeril Lagasse to another Carnival venue.

Carnival describes the restaurant as offering: gulf shrimp, whole roasted fish, coastal cuisine, fresh seafood, and Emeril’s creative Creole-inspired dishes.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we expect it to be comparable to Rudi’s Sea Grill.

Le Bistro Musicale Debuts

Another entirely new specialty restaurant arriving aboard Carnival Festivale is Le Bistro Musicale.

Replacing Emeril’s Bistro on Deck 6, this Paris-inspired restaurant embraces the ship’s musical theme while serving elevated French comfort food. Menu highlights include: French onion soup, chicken cordon bleu, Croque Madame, fresh oysters, and profiteroles.

With live entertainment nearby, Le Bistro Musicale promises one of the most unique dining atmospheres aboard the ship. Pricing has not been released as of this update, however, we expect it to be similar to Emeril’s Bistro.

Returning Carnival Favorites

Thankfully, many guest favorites return on Carnival Festivale, including:

• Guy’s Burger Joint
• BlueIguana Cantina
• Big Chicken
• Street Eats
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
• Bonsai Sushi
• Bonsai Teppanyaki
• Seafood Shack
• The Chef’s Table
• Lido Marketplace
• Main Dining Rooms

Deck plans also indicate Pizza Palooza, Rhythm & Rolls Deli, and Fresh Creations will be onboard, although Carnival has not yet officially shared additional details about those venues.

Three Brand-New Bars Are Coming to Carnival Festivale

Dining isn’t the only area receiving a major refresh. Carnival Festivale introduces several all-new bars.

The Spark

Located in Studio 724, The Spark is described as a lively entertainment lounge that will feature live performances along with music-inspired cocktails.

Mix

Replacing the traditional Alchemy Bar location outside Limelight Lounge, Mix gives guests the opportunity to customize cocktails by layering unique ingredients and flavors.

We wonder: Will guests have the ability to craft their own spirits like we did at Uncharted Alaska Distillery in Ketchikan? If so, that would be so cool and Carnival can take all of our money!

Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar

Coffee lovers will appreciate Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar on Deck 8. Serving specialty coffees by day and cocktails by night, this venue looks like the perfect place to grab an espresso. Or perhaps an Espresso Martini.

The Largest Alchemy Bar in the Fleet

Carnival fans, don’t worry. Alchemy Bar isn’t going anywhere. Instead, Carnival is dramatically expanding one of its most popular venues.

Festivale’s Alchemy Bar will become the largest in Carnival’s fleet. Festivale’s Alchemy Bar will take over the space that Brass Magnolia, Golden Mermaid, and Golden Jubilee sit in today. This space is not only larger, but provides an entire lounge area for cruisers to enjoy their cocktails and live music.

Unlike her Excel-class sisters, we expect this space to become one of the main social gathering spaces onboard.

Scenic Overlook Bar

Another welcome addition is the Scenic Overlook Bar at the aft of Deck 17. Every new ship that’s launched recently seems to feature this type of concept. So it makes sense that Carnival Festivale has added in a bar to take in the wake of the ship. Thanks to redesigned upper decks, guests will have another place to enjoy drinks while overlooking the ocean views.

WaterWorks Ultra Replaces BOLT

One of the biggest physical differences between Carnival Festivale and her sisters is what won’t be onboard. Unlike Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee, BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster has been removed. In its place comes WaterWorks Ultra, Carnival’s largest and most family-focused water park ever built.

The expanded attraction includes:

• Six waterslides
• Racing Currents
• Family raft slides
• Dedicated splash areas for younger children
• Expanded family play spaces

Carnival is clearly positioning Festivale as its most family-focused Excel-class ship to date.

A New Snow Room in Cloud 9 Spa

Guests visiting Cloud 9 Spa will also discover a first for the Excel class: a dedicated Snow Room. Alternating between sauna-style heat and cold therapy has become increasingly popular on cruise ships, making this an exciting addition for spa enthusiasts.

More Surprises Are Still Coming

While Carnival has revealed most public spaces aboard Carnival Festivale, several locations on current deck plans remain labeled “Fun To Be Revealed.” That means additional announcements are almost certainly on the way before the ship enters service.

We’ll continue to share updates on YouTube and posts here on the website. If you haven’t already, be sure that you sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss out on any updates.

Final Thoughts

Although Carnival Festivale may resemble her sister ships from the outside, she’s shaping up to be much more than another copy of the Excel class.

Between brand-new restaurants, innovative bars, the largest Alchemy Bar in the fleet, WaterWorks Ultra, redesigned public spaces, and several exciting surprises still waiting to be announced, Festivale represents the biggest evolution of Carnival’s Excel-class design since Mardi Gras debuted.

We’ll be sailing aboard Carnival Festivale during her inaugural season in spring 2027, so be sure to follow along as we continue sharing the latest updates, deck plan changes, dining news, and our firsthand experiences once she’s officially welcomed into the Carnival fleet.

If you’d like to tour the brand-new Carnival Festivale with us, check out our Carnival Festivale First Look. We tour the ship from top-to-bottom to give you an exclusive first look.