News

Carnival's next new ship to sail 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 August 2025 13 August 2025

Carnival Cruise Line today announced that reservations are now open for Carnival Festivale, its exciting new ship launching in 2027, and revealed further details of the ship’s features set to transform the cruise experience into a non-stop celebration of music and family fun.

Carnival Festivale will make its way home to Port Canaveral with a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England on May 2, 2027. This maiden voyage features calls to some of Europe's most captivating destinations including La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, as well as Tenerife in the Canary Islands, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, visiting Grand Turk and arriving to its Port Canaveral homeport on May 16, 2027.

On May 19, 2027, Carnival Festivale will begin cruising from Port Canaveral with its first sailing – a 4-night Bahamas cruise featuring visits to Carnival's exclusive private destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. The ship’s primary cruise schedule will offer a comprehensive selection of 6- and 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises. Itineraries feature destinations such as Amber Cove; San Juan; St. Thomas; St. Maarten; as well as the award-winning RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. All Carnival Festivale sailings will offer a visit to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. Southern Caribbean sailings will also include the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. A special 7-night New Year's cruise departing December 27, 2027, is also among the more than 50 voyages opened for sale today aboard the new ship.

Transformative zones create perfect soundtrack of family vacation

Continuing the Excel-class tradition of sharing its name with a classic Carnival ship, the all-new Carnival Festivale will further innovate on the popular Excel platform and represents a new chapter for the award-winning class.

"Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”

Duffy said the ship will deliver truly immersive environments, where the love of music inspires a variety of unique experiences across three transformative zones:

Just beyond the ship’s Grand Central atrium, which serves as the main hub, as well as a three-deck-high live entertainment venue, is Studio 724: a first-of-its-kind celebration of the creative music-making process. Through interactive experiences powered by technology, the vibrant zone reacts in real time to sound with synchronized lights and animations to capture the creative energy of mixing, recording, and listening to music, inviting guests to become part of the musical journey rather than simply observe it.

One of the zone’s highlights is The Spark on Deck 6, where guests will enjoy a vibrant setting designed to embody the art of songwriting, as well as cocktails inspired by iconic songs and nightly live music performances. The zone also features Carnival’s signature Alchemy Bar on Deck 6, famous fleetwide for its craft cocktails and molecular mixology. On Carnival Festivale, Alchemy Bar will offer an enhanced experience, with its own dedicated space adjacent to the atrium, and features an expanded lounge with a stage for live music performances. Already a celebration of music fleetwide, Carnival Festivale’s Piano Bar 88 will be right at home on Deck 6 as well.

At Mix Bar on Deck 7, guests can enjoy creatively named cocktails like the Synth and Hi-Fi, or craft their own unique drink by layering flavor “tracks” beneath a turntable-themed bar. Also on Deck 7 is Limelight Lounge, another venue where guests are brought together by music across the fleet. Carnival Festivale’s iteration of the lounge will bring a completely redesigned look and feel to match the music-inspired theme of Studio 724.

The Festival: Outdoor music festival energy at sea

The Festival on Deck 8 captures the authentic social atmosphere and energy of outdoor music festivals in a cruise ship setting. An inviting, brightly colored promenade connects guests to several food and beverage venues through an atmosphere that transforms from day to night with evolving lights and sounds.

In this zone, guests will find Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, which anchors the space with specialty coffee creations and festival-inspired cocktails. Dynamic lighting and music shift the venue from an energetic daytime vibe to a mellow nighttime ambiance. Pizza Palooza delivers fresh pizzas, which Carnival guests know and love fleetwide as a quick bite that’s perfect for sharing among friends. Rhythm & Rolls Deli rounds out the casual dining options with gourmet sandwiches. The pizza and deli venue designs are inspired by festival food trucks and complement the energetic atmosphere with specialty cocktails that capture the spirit of summer music festivals.

Sunsation Point: The ultimate family adventure zone

Spanning three decks 16-18, Sunsation Point represents the crown jewel of family fun and entertainment at sea. This area is anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea – and biggest in Carnival history.

Deck 16 is the place to relax as well as a hub of family-friendly activities and dining options designed to cater to all ages. At Sunsation Sips, everything from craft cocktails to slushies will be served up to cater to all ages and cravings. The vibrant Vista Pool is also perfect for any age group and features a baby splash pad for the littlest cruisers in swim diapers. Guests can enjoy familiar favorites like Big Chicken and Swirls ice cream, signature offerings across the Excel class.

Decks 17 and 18 take entertainment and adventure to the next level. Deck 17 is a place to rewind with nostalgic elements, including the Vault Retrocade, which combines retro charm with modern arcade games. The Scenic Overlook, a bar with breathtaking aft sunset views, TVs for sports, and outdoor games like pool and giant Jenga complements the adjacent new mini golf course that will be illuminated at night. This deck will also be home to the Treehouse, an all-new concept that features an adventure trail with netted bridges high above the deck filled with fun obstacles and a dry slide. Nearby, a toddler playground provides climbing fun for little ones.

Deck 18 is also home to Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, where families can enjoy thrilling slides, splash pads, and shaded play areas for all ages. This expansive aquatic playground features six thrilling water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels, including two innovative family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides. Guests can also enjoy thrills and some friendly competition on the dueling Racing Currents slides. The Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister are perfect for kids.

Sunsation Point, as Carnival previously announced, will introduce the first nighttime WaterWorks operations. Activating the multi-deck zone with vibrant illumination and a live DJ, water park hours will be extended on special evenings for guests of all ages to enjoy more fun together.

Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, nearly 70 percent more than on the first three Excel-class vessels. The ship will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program which is for children six months to two years, and more experiences for its youngest cruisers on the open decks, in addition to the enhancement of all youth spaces to support additional programming.

Carnival Festivale will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, where it joins Excel-class sister ship Mardi Gras, adding more variety and more capacity to the popular homeport. Additional deployment plans for the 2027/28 cruise schedule will be announced for Port Canaveral soon.

The 182,015-gross-ton Carnival Festivale will be constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

Princess Cruises to deploy two ships in Japan in 2027

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 August 2025 07 August 2025

In a historic first, Princess Cruises announces its most expansive Japan season ever in 2027, featuring two Japanese-built, sister ships – Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – sailing from the Tokyo region throughout the entire season.

Marking a major milestone for the brand’s legacy in Asia, the 2027 program includes 78 departures across 50 unique itineraries, with voyages ranging from seven to 28 days, making it Princess’ most robust Japan deployment to date. The March – December 2027 Japan season opens for sale August 20, 2025.

“This upcoming 2027 season is more than an expansion – it’s a homecoming,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises. “Our story in Japan has deepened over time and experience and in 2027, we return promising unforgettable experiences, including the renowned Cherry Blossoms, seven spectacular festivals and journeys that immerse you in the awe and wonder of this destination.”

2027 deployment overview:

– Two Japanese-built ships: 2,670-guest Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – both built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki
– 45 cruise destinations across 6 countries
– 78 total departures and 50 unique itineraries from the Tokyo region

Itinerary highlights:

– Cherry Blossom Voyages (9–24 days): Timed to follow the blooming season from south to north across all four of Japan’s main islands.
– Festival Cruises (8–24 days): Celebrate Japan’s most vibrant summer festivals including the Aomori Nebuta, Tokushima Awa Odori, and Kochi Yosakoi with late-night stays.
– Circle and Grand Japan Voyages (9–28 days): Circumnavigate the country with visits to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and more.
– Okinawa & Taiwan Itineraries (9–18 days): Explore the subtropical beauty of Okinawa and the cultural richness of Taipei and Hualien.
– Japan Explorer Cruises (9–13 days): Discover iconic cities like Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Kobe (for Kyoto), and Kagoshima.
Exclusive Festival Experiences:

Guests can experience seven spectacular festivals with late-night stays in port, including:

– Aomori Nebuta Festival (Aug 2 and Aug 7) - Towering illuminated floats, traditional music and energetic dancers.
– Hakodate Minato Festival (Aug 3) - A maritime celebration with a historic parade with spectacular floats.
– Akita Kanto Festival (Aug 6) - Performers balance towering bamboo poles with candlelit lanterns to festive flute and drum music.
– Yamagata Hanagasa Festival (from Sakata) (Aug 7): A colorful celebration featuring 10,000 local dancers to the rhythm of taiko drums.
– Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival (Aug 12): One of Japan’s largest festivals, with vibrant dance teams and audience participation.
– Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival (Aug 13): A centuries-old dance event known for the joyful “Fool’s Dance” performed throughout the city.
– Kumano Fireworks Festival (Aug 17): A dazzling display of over 10,000 fireworks.

More time ashore:

With 12 More Ashore late-night ports, guests enjoy extended evenings in vibrant destinations like Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakodate, Sakata, and Halong Bay.

Cultural enrichment & world heritage sites:

Princess guests can visit 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as:

– Mount Fuji (from Shimizu)
– Itsukushima Shrine & Hiroshima Peace Memorial (from Hiroshima)
– Ancient Kyoto Monuments (from Kobe or Osaka)
– Jomon Prehistoric Sites (from Aomori or Hakodate)

Scenic sailings:

Marvel at iconic sights from sea:

– Sail past Mount Fuji in Shimizu Bay
– Cruise the Kanmon Straits and Japan Inland Sea
– Admire Sakurajima Volcano from Kagoshima Bay
– Legendary Cities & Cultural Gems:
– Experience Japan’s vibrant contrasts - from the electric streets of Tokyo’s Ginza district to peaceful Zen gardens in Kyoto, bustling fish markets in Shimizu, and the powerful reflection of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.

Japanese touches onboard:

Guests sailing on Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will come back from an immersive day in port to enjoy Japanese touches onboard, such as:

– Regional dishes including noodles and freshly prepared sushi
– Spirited drinks like fine Japanese whiskeys, sake and shochu
– Delight in the 400-year tradition of storytelling known as “rakugo”
– Join in an evening of karaoke and watch folkloric dancers bring Japanese culture to life

Guests booking by August 27, 2025, will enjoy Captain’s Circle Savings up to $200 per stateroom.

Meyer Turku delivers Star of the Seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 July 2025 10 July 2025

Meyer Turku has today handed over the Star of the Seas to Royal Caribbean. Star of the Seas is the second Icon class ship built at the Meyer Turku shipyard. Star of the Seas will leave the shipyard in mid-July and will later in the summer start sailing on the Caribbean from its base port in Port Canaveral.

Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku said, "Star of the Seas is already the second cruise ship of the world's most advanced Icon class to be built at our shipyard. In good cooperation with the customer and our network companies, we were able to draw on the lessons learned during the prototype ship building process and Star was completed in record time and with high quality.

Star of the Seas is the largest single industrial product ever built in Finland. At the same time, the ship is another important step towards the green transition, which is the shipyard's main competitive advantage. Such a demanding project is made possible by the high level of expertise and quality project management of Meyer Turku and the companies of the entire maritime cluster."

Star of the Seas' eight different neighbourhoods include the largest water park in the seas, the Central Park with live plants, the AquaTheatre with water acrobatics and around 40 different places to eat. The cabin and entertainment solutions of this state-of-the-art ship have been developed in cooperation with long-standing partners of Meyer Turku Shipyard.

“The delivery of Star of the Seas marks another bold step forward in Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reimagine the future of vacations. Star and the Icon Class are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, imagination and our relentless focus on delivering exceptional experiences come together, ultimately creating unforgettable memories for millions of families and vacationers,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We’re proud to bring this next-generation vacation experience to life with our valued partners at Meyer Turku.”

The third ship in the series, Legend of the Seas, will after the summer be floated out from the dry dock to the outfitting pier.