Cruise Industry News looks at the planned itineraries for Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel class ships during the recently announced 2027-28 winter season.
Mardi Gras
Year Built: 2021
Capacity: 5,200 guests
Tonnage: 183,900
Itineraries: Short cruises to the Bahamas
Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States)
Sailing from its homeport in Port Canaveral, the Mardi Gras will switch to short cruises to the Bahamas starting in spring 2027.
Currently offering weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean, the vessel will become the first in the series to operate four- and five-night cruises. All sailings will feature visits to Carnival’s private destination of Celebration Key in Grand Bahama.
Carnival Celebration
Year Built: 2022
Capacity: 5,200 guests
Tonnage: 183,900
Itineraries: Weeklong cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas
Homeport: Miami (United States)
The Carnival Celebration will continue to offer a year-round schedule of weeklong cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas during the 2027-28 season.
Sailing from Miami, the 5,200-guest ship operates itineraries to a wide range of destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, Mahogany Bay in Honduras and Carnival’s Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
Carnival Jubilee
Year Built: 2023
Capacity: 5,400 guests
Tonnage: 183,900
Itineraries: Weeklong cruises to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas
Homeport: Galveston (United States)
Sailing from Galveston on a year-round basis, the Carnival Jubilee will offer a series of six- to eight-night cruises to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas.
The itineraries are highlighted by visits to Carnival’s private destinations, such as RelaxAway at Half Moon Key and Celebration Key in the Bahamas, as well as Isla Tropicale in Honduras. Other ports set to be visited include Cozumel in Mexico and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Carnival Festivale
Year Built: 2027
Capacity: 5,400 guests
Tonnage: 183,900
Itineraries: Weeklong cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas
Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States)
With the Mardi Gras switching to short cruises, the new Carnival Festivale will take over the company’s schedule of weeklong cruises from Port Canaveral.
Upon debuting in May 2027, the 5,400-guest ship is set to operate six- and eight-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas. The inaugural season includes visits to a wide range of destinations, such as Aruba, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Celebration Key and more.
