Carnival Cruise Lines Makes Waves with Major Announcements - Including Project Ace
- cruising50
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Carnival Cruise Line has made a splash with a flurry of announcements in just 24 hours! We now know the names of the fourth and fifth Excel-class ships, have learned about a name change and enhancements at Mahogany Bay, and have new details on deployment changes involving both ships and homeports.
But amidst all the big news, one small nugget might have slipped under the radar: the official project name for Carnival’s next generation of ships—Project Ace.
Introducing Project Ace: Carnival’s Bold New Chapter
Initially announced in July 2024, this new class of ships is expected to be approximately 230,000 gross tons, making them the largest ever built for Carnival Cruise Line. While specific details have been scarce—until now—what we do know is that Project Ace will launch an entirely new platform for Carnival, ushering in a bold new era of "Fun Ship" cruising.
“Looking ahead, we have the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel-class ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships in our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.
The new ships are being constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, known for delivering large, innovative vessels like Sun Princess (160,000 GT), MSC Seascape (170,000 GT), and Carnival Firenze (135,500 GT).
Ship Size, Capacity & Features
Three Project Ace vessels are currently on order, with deliveries set for 2029, 2031, and 2033. Each is expected to accommodate nearly 8,000 guests at full capacity, although standard double occupancy numbers haven’t been revealed. If these ships include more family-friendly staterooms (sleeping four or five guests), their double occupancy figures may be significantly lower.
In terms of size, these ships will rival Royal Caribbean’s popular Oasis-class (225,000–236,000 GT) and come just behind the Icon-class, currently the largest cruise ships in the world at 248,700 GT.
Though many features are still under wraps, Carnival has already begun planning new experiences for Project Ace.
“These ships clearly represent the next generation of Fun Ships,” said Duffy. “This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment, and reimagined outer deck amenities. Our New Build team is in the midst of designing these vessels, so stay tuned for more as we get closer to delivery.”
Carnival is known for continually evolving its onboard experiences. Recent changes—such as replacing underused libraries with more popular venues and adding non-smoking casinos—reflect its focus on guest preferences. Expect Project Ace to follow suit with updated youth areas, expanded specialty dining options, and fresh adrenaline-pumping attractions.
Where Will Project Ace Ships Sail?
Carnival hasn’t yet confirmed homeports or itineraries for the new ships, but Duffy hinted at some exciting possibilities.
“They will be experiences unto themselves and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise vacations for guests,” she noted.
Carnival’s exclusive destinations include Celebration Key, RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, and the soon-to-be-renamed Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Honduras. These hints suggest that at least one of the Project Ace ships may sail Caribbean itineraries, possibly from homeports like Port Canaveral, PortMiami, or Galveston—each of which already hosts Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, respectively).
That said, it's not uncommon for new ships to begin with a variety of unique itineraries during their inaugural years. A season in Europe, a maiden voyage in Alaska, or even time in Australia or Asia are all on the table.
No matter where they sail, the Project Ace ships are set to redefine cruising with Carnival, blending innovative design, family-friendly features, and the classic fun that guests have come to love. The future is bright—and it’s sailing full speed ahead!
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