Keel Laid for Carnival Festivale, Cruise Line’s Next LNG Flagship

Carnival Cruise Line held a keel laying ceremony for Carnival Festivale, its next Excel-class ship, now under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany.

Keel Laying Marks Start of Major Construction Phase

Two people in hard hats stand at a podium on a red carpet before a massive LNG flagship under construction, with confetti falling and a Carnival Festivale banner overhead. Other cruise line workers and equipment are visible in the background.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

A traditional keel laying ceremony took place this week at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany for Carnival Festivale, Carnival Cruise Line’s fourth Excel-class ship. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in spring 2027.

Commemorative coins featuring musical notes were placed under a 598-ton keel block by executives from both Carnival and Meyer Werft. The coins are intended to bring good fortune to the ship throughout its build and operation.

Two men in hard hats and safety gear smile and hold a commemorative coin in front of a large ship section. A Carnival Festivale cruise line launch event banner is displayed above them, celebrating the LNG flagship's debut.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Brett Vitols, associate vice president of new builds for Carnival, and Petu Kummala, associate vice president of interior design and architecture, participated in the ceremony alongside Meyer Werft’s project manager Georg Schauen.

Music-Themed Features and Family Amenities

People walk through a modern, well-lit interior space with a large staircase and hanging light fixtures. A "Studio 724" sign is visible, along with shops and seating areas—reminiscent of Royal Caribbean’s signature onboard promenades.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Festivale will debut with immersive, music-themed zones that highlight various aspects of musical creation and performance.

These areas will include interactive technology, dynamic lighting, and curated dining and entertainment experiences.

One of the ship’s key features will be Sunsation Point, a multi-deck family zone located on Decks 16 through 18. The area will include Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, which Carnival describes as its most family-friendly water park at sea.

Additional features include:

  • More than 1,000 interconnecting cabins for families
  • Expanded youth spaces and updated programming for younger guests
  • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion, aligning with Carnival’s sustainability initiatives
Aerial view of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship deck featuring large, colorful water slides, a splash zone, and various water play structures, surrounded by people and positioned on the ocean.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

The ship will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida, joining Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee as part of the Excel-class fleet.

Carnival recently opened bookings for Carnival Festivale’s inaugural sailings. The vessel will offer a range of itineraries upon launch.

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Frank M

Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel. He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.
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