Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's leading cruise company, has made waves once again with the announcement of its agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard for the construction of a fifth Excel-class cruise ship for its renowned Carnival Cruise Line brand. Set for delivery in 2028, this new addition solidifies Carnival's commitment to growth and innovation in the cruise industry.
The decision comes on the heels of Carnival Corporation's recent announcement in mid-February regarding the addition of a fourth Excel-class ship to its fleet, set to join the Carnival Cruise Line in Spring 2027. With this latest development, the company reaffirms its dedication to expanding its fleet across its four distinguished brands, marking the 11th Excel-class vessel within the corporation.
Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Carnival's Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies." She highlighted the success of previous Excel-class ships, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, all of which have garnered high guest satisfaction ratings and generated significant excitement and demand among cruise enthusiasts.
Like its predecessors, the fifth Excel-class ship will boast a robust design, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and capable of accommodating over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew members. This commitment to environmentally friendly technology underscores Carnival's dedication to sustainability within the cruising sector.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, emphasized the strategic significance of the new order, stating, "This new order continues to balance our commitment to growth with our responsible capital approach." He highlighted the company's focus on improving its balance sheet and reducing leverage levels while enhancing shareholder value.
Looking ahead, Weinstein outlined Carnival's measured capacity growth strategy, aiming to add one to two ships per year starting in 2027. This approach reflects the company's efforts to meet growing demand while ensuring operational excellence and maximizing return on invested capital.
Bernd Eikens, CEO of MEYER Group, expressed pride in the longstanding partnership between Meyer Werft and Carnival Corporation, affirming their collective commitment to success. The agreement is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be finalized later this year.
This comes just weeks after Carnival announced it would buy a fourth Excel-Class ship for the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet. As Carnival Corporation continues to chart its course toward future expansion and innovation, the addition of a fifth Excel-class ship marks another milestone in its ongoing journey to redefine the cruising experience for travelers worldwide.