{"id":6358,"date":"2026-07-03T12:33:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=6358"},"modified":"2026-07-03T12:33:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:33:59","slug":"carnival-updates-new-class-of-ships-july-4-meetup-at-sea-destination-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=6358","title":{"rendered":"Carnival updates: New class of ships, July 4 meetup at sea, destination upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As the summer heats up\u00a0ahead of the Fourth of July weekend,\u00a0Carnival Cruise Line is planning a special at-sea meetup<\/span>\u00a0for the holiday while working on a new class of ships and destination upgrades.<\/p>\n

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In celebration of America\u2019s 250th birthday, Carnival will host seven ships sailing from the East Coast for a meetup and fireworks show on July 4 near Carnival\u2019s exclusive destination in Grand Bahama, Celebration Key. Three ships will also meet up for a \u201cfront row seat\u201d to Port of San Diego\u2019s Big Bay Boom.<\/p>\n

Carnival\u2019s onboard activities will also feature patriotic displays, \u201cUS YAY!\u201d parties with balloon drops, themed food and drinks, Red, White and Blue Deck Parties and patriotic appearances from Dr. Seuss\u2019s Cat in the Hat.<\/p>\n

After the July Fourth festivities, Carnival has a new class of ships under development, private destination upgrades, changes to its rewards program and more. Here\u2019s a roundup of the latest Carnival Cruise Line news.<\/p>\n

Project Ace<\/h4>\n

Carnival\u2019s new class of ships, currently called \u201cProject Ace,\u201d includes three 230,000-gross-ton megaships built by Fincantieri in Italy. Each will include more than 3,000 staterooms and will be the largest in the Carnival Corporation global fleet, with room for nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity.<\/p>\n

During a recent media sailing aboard the Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy revealed that the steel-cutting ceremony for the first Project Ace ship, slated for delivery in 2029, would be on July 10. During that time, the company will reveal the ship\u2019s exterior design before announcing more details this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all building ships, and as we\u2019re building them, they\u2019re getting bigger and bigger. We\u2019re on that bandwagon,\u201d Duffy said. \u201cWhat we\u2019re able to do with a megaship in terms of experience that you can deliver to the guests on the ship, it is pretty incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second and third ship of Project Ace will be delivered in 2031 and 2033, respectively.<\/p>\n

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Next year, the Excel-class Carnival Festivale, will arrive at Port Canaveral to join the fleet as the cruise line\u2019s largest ship in service yet. In 2029, it will be eclipsed as the first Ace ship hits the water.<\/p>\n

In 2027, Carnival will also reach a milestone with a total of 30 ships across its fleet.<\/p>\n

Destination upgrades<\/h4>\n

While Carnival focuses on building more ships, the company is also upgrading its private destinations in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

The company recently cut the ribbon on the newly expanded\u00a0RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, a private destination \u2014 about 100 miles southeast of Nassau \u2014 known and loved for its shimmering blue waters and pristine beaches. The north section of the destination now includes a pier that can accommodate two Carnival ships, a tram system, two food venues, six bars, cabanas, gift shops and more.<\/p>\n

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The south end of the island will still be utilized by Holland America guests who will reach the destination by tender boats.<\/p>\n

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Carnival upgrades RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in Bahamas for guests seeking pristine beaches<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n