Key Aspects:
- Mardi Gras will offer 4- and 5-night cruises from Port Canaveral beginning in May 2027 when Carnival Festivale arrives.
- Carnival Celebration will continue sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami.
- More “dancing of the ships” deployment announcements are coming soon for additional Carnival ships.
Carnival Cruise Line’s trio of Excel-class ships are some of the fleet’s most popular vessels. Unfortunately, not all guests have been able to enjoy Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or Carnival Jubilee because the three ships only offer 7-night or longer sailings.
Now, the cruise line has announced that its very first Excel ship, Mardi Gras, will also be the very first to offer shorter cruises beginning in May 2027.
This will come as Carnival Festivale debuts, giving Mardi Gras the opportunity to shift to shorter sailings that will give more guests the chance to enjoy all the stunning features of these larger ships.
“With a new Excel class ship on its way to Port Canaveral in 2027, we’re excited to offer more ways to experience these fabulous ships our guests love, with new shorter itineraries on Mardi Gras for the first time,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president.
“Mardi Gras introduced a number of new entertainment and dining options along with the first roller coaster at sea, so it’s fitting that this ship will take on another first for us as the largest-ever to sail short cruises.”
These 4- and 5-night sailings will still depart from Port Canaveral beginning on May 22, 2027, just as Carnival Festivale arrives.
The first short sailing is the 5-night itinerary, which will visit three beautiful Bahamian ports: Celebration Key, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.
Worth Reading: The Surprising Cruise Length Carnival Guests Don’t Like
The first 4-night sailing is the ideal relaxing cruise departing on May 25, 2027 for Memorial Day Weekend. The 4-night cruises will visit both of Carnival’s private Bahamian destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.
Despite the shorter cruise length, guests boarding Mardi Gras will still have plenty of time to enjoy all the stunning ship offers. From Bolt: The Ultimate Seacoaster to the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat and the expansive casino space to Playlist Production shows, Mardi Gras has something for everyone.
While Mardi Gras will be shifting to shorter cruises, Carnival Celebration will continue offering the ever-popular 7-night cruises from PortMiami, the classic cruise length that so many travelers love.
These voyages include both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, visiting top port such as Amber Cove, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, and more, plus Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.
Worth Reading:
“This will give our guests more variety as they choose their next family vacation – whether that’s a short getaway on Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral or a week-long sailing on her beautiful sister Carnival Celebration from Miami,” Duffy said.
These new sailings aboard both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now available for booking. Interested guests will want to book early for the best selection and best deals on their future cruise vacations.
Dancing of the Ships Continues
This time of year is what Heald refers to as the annual “dancing of the ships” as future itineraries are announced. This includes the redeployment of different ships to different regions, bringing new and exciting voyages to eager guests.
Of course, some ships remain in their popular homeports, ensuring favorite vessels and itineraries stay available as go-to cruise vacations.
For example, Carnival Panorama will remain sailing from Long Beach at least through April 2028, offering her wildly popular Mexican Riviera itineraries ranging from 5-8 nights.
Similarly, Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Luminosa will continue their Alaska seasons for summer 2027. All three ships will also host remarkable Carnival Journeys sailings as they reposition to the Last Frontier.
New Orleans will welcome a brand new vessel in 2027 with the arrival of Carnival Dream, replacing Carnival Valor from the Big Easy. Carnival Liberty will remain in New Orleans at the same time.
What additional new deployments will Carnival Cruise Line release in the coming weeks? Stay tuned to find out where you’ll be able to set sail next!
