Carnival Starts Building First Ace Class Ship for 2029 Debut
Current planning figures put Carnival Destiny at about 230,000 gross tons, more than double the tonnage of the 1996 vessel that first carried the name.
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. Current planning figures for the new Carnival Destiny put the ship at about 230,000 gross tons, with more than 3,000 cabins and capacity for roughly 8,000 guests at full occupancy; Carnival has not released full official dimensions, speed or crew count.
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.
“With this steel cutting we begin construction on a new class of ships for Carnival Cruise Line, which we are officially calling Ace class,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, 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. The ship was renamed Carnival Sunshine in 2013 after a major refurbishment and remains separate from the newly announced 2029 vessel.
Carnival’s relationship with Fincantieri dates back more than 30 years, including the original Destiny project. The new ship 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 for Carnival Destiny. The company said more details on the ship’s features and guest experiences will be released later this year.
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