The Biggest Carnival Ship
The Excel class, its homeports and the bigger ships Carnival has ordered.
Quote a Big-Ship CruiseThe biggest Carnival ship is not a single vessel but the Excel class, a family of liquefied-natural-gas-powered giants that introduced the first roller coaster at sea. Here is where each one sails, what sets the class apart, and what Carnival has in the pipeline.
Carnival’s Excel Class
| Ship | In service from | Where it sails (as announced) |
|---|---|---|
| Mardi Gras | 2021 | Port Canaveral, seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean |
| Carnival Celebration | 2022 | Miami, seven-day Caribbean through spring 2027 |
| Carnival Jubilee | 2023 | Galveston, with a new rotation from September 2026 |
| Carnival Festivale | May 2027 | Transatlantic maiden voyage to Port Canaveral |
| Carnival Tropicale | 2028 | Announced; deployment to be confirmed |
Size figures for the class are usually given as about 180,000 to 184,000 gross tons, with capacity for more than 5,000 guests at double occupancy.
What Sets the Biggest Carnival Ships Apart
- BOLT, the roller coaster that made Mardi Gras the first cruise ship with one, also found on its sisters.
- Themed zones that divide the ship into areas with their own restaurants, bars and character.
- LNG power, making these ships part of the industry’s move to cleaner-burning fuel.
- Carnival’s familiar style, from casual dining favorites to comedy clubs, on a much larger stage.
Below the Excel Class
Carnival’s next tier includes the Vista-class ships and the two Venice-class ships, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, which came from sister brand Costa and bring an Italian theme. They are noticeably smaller than the Excel class but still big ships by any standard, and they often sail from ports the giants do not use. If a particular homeport matters more to you than the very biggest ship, ask about these first.
What Comes After
Carnival Corporation has announced three new ships of about 230,000 gross tons for Carnival Cruise Line, scheduled for 2029, 2031 and 2033 — larger than anything Carnival sails today. For every ship due in the next few years, see New Cruises. Carnival runs frequent short sales; Largest Cruise Sale explains how they work.
Which Excel-Class Ship Should You Choose?
Start with the port. Floridians on the Space Coast and Orlando visitors usually find Mardi Gras the easiest, South Florida and fly-in guests often prefer Carnival Celebration from Miami, and Texans and travelers from the central states can drive to Carnival Jubilee in Galveston. The three ships share the roller coaster and most of the signature venues, with some differences in themed areas and restaurants. From 2027, Carnival Festivale adds another option from Port Canaveral. If the ship’s size matters less than the price and the port, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will also quote Carnival’s other big ships on the same dates so you can see the difference.
Carnival Questions
What is the biggest Carnival ship?
The Excel-class ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — are Carnival’s largest, at about 180,000 gross tons or a little more. Carnival Festivale joins the class in 2027.
What is the biggest Carnival ship out of Galveston?
Carnival Jubilee, an Excel-class ship, which Carnival scheduled for a new rotation of Galveston itineraries from September 2026.
Will Carnival build bigger ships?
Yes. Carnival Corporation announced an order for three ships of about 230,000 gross tons for Carnival Cruise Line, due in 2029, 2031 and 2033.
Quote the Biggest Carnival Ship From Your Port
Port Canaveral, Miami or Galveston: our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price Mardi Gras, Celebration or Jubilee for your dates, free.
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