Carnival Starts Building First Ace Class Ship for 2029 Debut

Updated July 25, 2026

Carnival Cruise Line has started construction on Carnival Destiny at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, naming the summer 2029 newbuild as the first vessel in its new Ace Class. The line said two additional Ace Class ships are planned for 2031 and 2033.

The newbuild revives the Destiny name from the 1996 ship that was, at launch, the first passenger vessel above 100,000 gross tons. Carnival Destiny is planned at approximately 230,000 gross tons, with more than 3,000 cabins and capacity for over 8,000 guests at full occupancy. It will be the largest ship built by Fincantieri and the largest constructed in Italy. Carnival has not released full official dimensions, speed or crew count.

The Ace Class ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas. Fincantieri said they will include technologies intended to improve energy efficiency, waste management and emissions reduction.

Design centers on outward-facing spaces

Carnival said the ship will be its most outward-facing megaship, with an expanded number of ocean-view balcony cabins for the brand, a redesigned lanai deck and more than 4.5 acres of glass, including multi-story glass walls. The line said the design is intended to open sightlines across more of the vessel.

More than 70% of Carnival Destiny's venues and attractions will be new concepts for Carnival, covering dining, bars and lounges, entertainment and outdoor areas. The steel-cutting event also included a 3D hologram preview of the ship.

"Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said. "With this ship, we're elevating the guest experience again, creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun."

"With this steel cutting we begin construction on a new class of ships for Carnival Cruise Line, which we are officially calling Ace class," Duffy said at the event.

The ceremony brought together senior Carnival and Fincantieri executives, including Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation board chairman Micky Arison, Fincantieri chairman Biagio Mazzotta and Fincantieri CEO and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero.

Destiny name returns

The original Carnival Destiny was delivered from Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard in 1996 at 101,353 gross tons, with 1,321 cabins, standard capacity of 2,642 passengers and maximum capacity of 3,360 passengers. In 2013, the ship was renamed Carnival Sunshine after a major refurbishment, and it remains separate from the newly announced 2029 vessel.

The steel-cutting ceremony also fell on the 30th anniversary of the Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri partnership, which began with the original Destiny project. Fincantieri has since delivered 76 ships across Carnival Corporation's cruise brands, including 15 for Carnival Cruise Line. The new Carnival Destiny will be more than double the original vessel's tonnage.

What's ahead for Carnival Destiny

The Ace Class is part of Carnival's announced fleet growth through 2033. Carnival lists a 29-ship fleet and five planned additions over that period, including fourth and fifth Excel-class ships scheduled for 2027 and 2028. The three Ace Class vessels follow.

Carnival said Carnival Destiny will sail to destinations in the Paradise Collection by Carnival, the line's exclusive-destination portfolio in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. Named destinations in the collection include Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, Isla Tropicale at Mahogany Bay in Roatan and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

Carnival did not identify a homeport, inaugural itinerary or booking date. Duffy said the next major update about the ship is expected in November 2026.

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