Calling all cruise enthusiasts! Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s most popular cruise line under the Carnival Corporation & plc umbrella, has announced exciting news. They’ve signed an agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard for a brand new, fifth Excel-class ship! This vessel is slated for delivery in 2028, marking a significant expansion for Carnival Cruise Line and a continued commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
Expanding the Excel-Class Fleet: A Recipe for Success
This announcement builds upon the momentum of Carnival Corporation’s previous order for a fourth Excel-class ship in February 2024. With this latest addition, the total Excel-class fleet across Carnival Corporation’s various brands reaches an impressive 11 ships, solidifying its position as a leader in innovative and guest-centric cruise vacations.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy expresses her enthusiasm: “Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies.” Since the introduction of the first Excel-class ship, Mardi Gras, in 2021, the fleet has garnered significant praise for its exceptional amenities, driving excitement, high demand, and impressive guest satisfaction ratings. The upcoming arrival of Carnival Firenze in April 2024 marks the completion of a remarkable feat – adding five new ships to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in less than 20 months!
This latest addition to the Excel-class family signifies the beginning of a new growth phase for Carnival Cruise Line.
Setting the Standard for Efficiency and Sustainability
The new Excel-class ship will share the same impressive features as its sister vessels. This 180,000-ton behemoth will boast:
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion: This environmentally friendly technology minimizes emissions and ensures a more sustainable cruising experience.
Spacious accommodations: The ship will comfortably accommodate over 6,400 guests, offering a variety of cabin options to suit all preferences.
A dedicated crew of 1,800: This ensures exceptional service and attention to detail for all passengers.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, emphasizes the strategic growth behind this decision: “This new order continues to balance our commitment to growth with our responsible capital approach.” By strategically utilizing its resources, Carnival Corporation aims to optimize its balance sheet, reduce debt, and enhance shareholder value.
Measured Growth and Strategic Expansion
Carnival Corporation remains focused on measured and strategic growth, aligning new capacity with market demand and its position as an industry leader. Weinstein outlines their plans: “This measured capacity growth strategy will result in our adding one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, and we will be identifying additional fleet plans over the coming months for our cruise lines to meet capacity demand and improve execution across all aspects of our operation, with the benefit of yielding higher return on invested capital.”
This strategic growth plan positions Carnival Cruise Line for continued success, ensuring they can meet the ever-growing demand for exceptional cruise experiences.
A Collaborative Success Story
The new Excel-class ship signifies a continued successful partnership between Carnival Corporation and the renowned Meyer Werft shipyard. Bernd Eikens, CEO of MEYER Group, acknowledges the longstanding collaboration: “We are proud of the role the Excel class from MEYER WERFT and MEYER TURKU has played in contributing to the success of Carnival Corporation for many years now. We look forward to continuing this success story together.”
This enduring partnership leverages the expertise of both entities – Carnival Corporation’s dedication to guest satisfaction and Meyer Werft’s innovative shipbuilding capabilities.
