Slides at sea: Carnival to supersize water parks for next 2 megaships, including 1 to sail from Port Canaveral
It's slated to be a busy few years for Carnival Cruise Line.
From new vessels to investments in its private destinations and an upcoming overhaul of its loyalty program, the self-described "fun ship" line is leaning into the trend of new megaships offering differentiated experiences for guests while trying to drive deeper loyalty from frequent cruisers. And that's exactly what you'll find when its next two ships take to the seas in 2027 and 2028.
Gone is the Bolt roller coaster — Carnival's game-changing, first-of-its-kind ride at sea — replaced instead by an expansive new water park with a half dozen slides and extended opening hours.
Carnival hosted a media day on Sunday aboard Carnival Celebration in Port Miami, where Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, shared more details about the cruise line's new "Innovation Itinerary" initiative — its long-term strategy focused on fresh onboard attractions and evolved guest experiences.
Here's what you need to know.
What to expect from the new megaships launching in 2027 and 2028
The first brand-new Carnival ship since 2023 will hit the seas in 2027 when Carnival Festivale begins sailing from Port Canaveral. Themed around music and celebration, Carnival Festivale will incorporate many of the same amenities as the other three Excel Class vessels that debuted in recent years — Mardi Gras (2021), Celebration (2022) and Jubilee (2023). Its biggest changes will be at the stern, with Carnival swapping the "thrill" of its popular Bolt roller coaster for "chill" with a sprawling new water park.
Dubbed Sunsation Point, the water park will feature six slides, two of which will be family-friendly raft rides. Some of the slides will even welcome children as small as 3 feet tall. These slides will wind around pools, splash pads and shaded lounge areas, offering amenities for all family members.
Perhaps most exciting is the announcement that Sunsation Point will offer evening access on select days, with extended opening hours allowing the slides to remain open into the evening — enabling cruisers to experience the slides at night.
In addition to the water park, Festivale will feature nearly 70% more interconnecting cabins, replacing the current Family Harbor staterooms and lounge on existing Excel Class ships to better accommodate larger, multigenerational groups who may have shied away from the dedicated family area in the past.
Itinerary details for Festivale will be released sometime this summer.
Duffy also announced the name of the fifth Excel Class vessel at Sunday's event: Carnival Tropicale, which will take its first voyage in 2028. However, no further details on itineraries nor its home port were announced.
Since Duffy confirmed that Carnival Festivale will call Port Canaveral home, that also means another exciting change is on the horizon.
Carnival Mardi Gras to operate shorter itineraries
Carnival Mardi Gras was the first ship in the line's Excel Class when it took its maiden voyage in 2021. Calling Port Canaveral home, it currently operates predominantly six-, seven- and eight-night sailings to the Caribbean.
That'll change with the launch of Festivale.
The line has announced that Mardi Gras will shift to shorter-duration cruises in 2027, allowing guests to experience the amenities of Carnival's first true megaship without committing to a lengthy voyage. This could especially appeal to families looking to combine a trip to Orlando's venerated theme parks with a short cruise getaway.
Related: 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea
Other developments
Carnival also highlighted a number of developments still to come, including the upcoming debut of its private beach development, Celebration Key, which will begin welcoming guests July 19. The beach will be located in the Bahamas on the south side of Grand Bahama Island and, upon opening, will be able to accommodate up to 13,000 guests per day.
Related: Sneak peek! First photos of Carnival Cruise Line's new beach club in the Bahamas
Elsewhere, Duffy showcased the previously announced private island investment in RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, which should be complete by the end of 2026, along with some new amenities coming to Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras — which will be renamed Isla Tropicale next year.
Finally, Duffy confirmed that a revamped VIFP Club loyalty program is on the horizon, with full details expected this summer and a launch sometime in 2026. While details are still under wraps, Duffy noted that Platinum membership has more than doubled since 2021, and Diamond ranks have tripled — validating the line's loyal membership base, though it remains to be seen how existing members will fair in an overhauled program.
Bottom line
There's a lot to be excited about if you're a loyal Carnival cruiser — or if you've been considering booking a sailing in the next few years. The line is investing across its portfolio, with two more megaships joining the fleet in 2027 and 2028, both of which will feature a massive new water park (though at the expense of the Bolt roller coaster). And we're just over three months away from the debut of Celebration Key, the company's newest private destination.
Stay tuned, as there's a lot more to come.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.