Carnival Is Adding a Brand-New Cruise Ship at Port Canaveral

Carnival Cruise Line is adding a major new ship at Port Canaveral, continuing its expansion at one of its most important homeports.

The new ship, Carnival Festivale, is currently under construction and slated to debut in 2027. It will introduce several new features to the Carnival fleet, including music-themed zones and what will become the cruise line’s largest-ever water park.

“Port Canaveral has been a cornerstone of Carnival’s success for 35 years,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re proud to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside the community that has been such an essential part of our growth.”

The announcement comes as Carnival prepares to launch Celebration Key, its new Caribbean private destination on Grand Bahama. Carnival Vista, currently homeported in Port Canaveral, will make the first official call to Celebration Key when it opens next month.

All Carnival ships sailing from Port Canaveral will visit Celebration Key, offering guests a new Caribbean destination experience designed for daylong beach-focused getaways.

Carnival currently operates more than 300 sailings to the Caribbean annually from Port Canaveral, contributing an estimated $450 million in regional economic impact.

“We are proud to celebrate Carnival Cruise Line’s 35th anniversary of sailing from Port Canaveral,” said Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral. “From the inaugural sailing of the TSS Carnivale in 1990 to having five year-round and seasonal vessels today, Carnival Cruise Line is our longest continuous cruise business relationship.”

Carnival offers a wide range of Caribbean cruises from the Central Florida port, including short sailings to The Bahamas and longer itineraries to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. With the port’s close proximity to Orlando, many travelers combine cruises with visits to the area’s world-famous attractions.

Sailings from Port Canaveral are currently open for booking through spring 2027.