Carnival Cruise Line has just revealed details of its newest ship, Carnival Festivale™, and it’s shaping up to be one of their most exciting launches yet. While the name is a nod to one of Carnival’s earliest ships, this Festivale is a completely fresh design, built around six themed “zones” and a whole lot of family-friendly fun.
Set to sail from Port Canaveral in 2027, she’ll also offer an exclusive one-way sailing from Southampton to Port Canaveral – perfect for us in the UK who want to make the journey part of the adventure.
Here’s what you can expect onboard.
Six Zones of Fun, Food, and Music
Carnival Festivale’s layout is all about creating themed spaces that each have their own look, feel, and flavour. Here’s a tour of the highlights.
1. Grand Central
The ship’s atrium is designed to wow from the moment you step aboard, with floor-to-ceiling windows, massive LED screens, and 1,400 colour-changing lights. By day, you can enjoy coffee at JavaBlue™ Café, sushi at Bonsai Sushi™, or a laugh at The Punchliner Comedy Club™. By night, Center Stage comes alive with live entertainment, while Grand View Bar is the place to enjoy a drink with a view.
2. Studio 724
One of the ship’s most innovative spaces, Studio 724 spans two decks and combines immersive lighting, music, and animation to create a unique multimedia experience. Alongside the atmosphere, there’s plenty to sip – from the creative cocktails at Alchemy Bar to new venues like The Spark and Mix.
3. The Festival
Think of this as a floating music festival, complete with casual bites like Pizza Palooza and Rhythm & Rolls Deli (inspired by street food classics). Day or night, you can grab a drink at Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, which transforms its vibe after sunset.
4. Summer Landing
Carnival calls this “the greatest chill spot at sea,” and it’s easy to see why. Expect BBQ at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, cold pints of Parched Pig® beer, a poolside bar, and the laid-back Heroes Tribute™ Lounge. Oh, and did I mention free soft serve at Swirls™?
5. Lido
Lido deck regulars will find familiar favourites like Guy’s Burger Joint™, BlueIguana Cantina™, and Shaq’s Big Chicken™. Street Eats brings quick bites from around the world, while the two-deck RedFrog® Tiki Bar adds a tropical twist to your poolside cocktail.
6. Sunsation Point
This is the ship’s ultimate family zone, and it’s big. Carnival WaterWorks Ultra will be the cruise line’s largest waterpark ever, with raft rides like SunSoaker and Turning Tides. There’s also mini golf, a ropes course, sports court, scenic lounging areas, and retro arcade fun at The Vault. Evening entertainment here will keep things buzzing long after the sun goes down.
Why I’m Excited About Carnival Festivale
For me, it’s the mix of new immersive experiences and returning favourites. I love that Carnival is keeping classics like Alchemy Bar™ and Piano Bar 88™, but also trying fresh concepts like Studio 724. The family areas look huge, and The Festival sounds like a fun, relaxed place to hang out with great food options.
The one-way Southampton to Port Canaveral sailing is also a big draw for UK cruisers – a rare chance to enjoy a transatlantic crossing without flying out first.
If Carnival’s track record is anything to go by, there’s still more to be revealed. I’ll be keeping an eye out for further announcements as we get closer to 2027.
