Construction Begins on Carnival Cruise Line’s 2nd Excel-Class Ship

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Just weeks after Mardi Gras was handed over to Carnival Cruise Line, the line had reason to celebrate again as the steel was cut for Carnival Celebration.

Carnival Celebration is scheduled to sail for the first time in November 2022 and will play a large part in Carnival Cruise Lineโ€™s 50th- birthday celebrations. She will be Carnival’s second vessel of the fleet’s XL class, together with sister ship Mardi Gras.

Build-time just over 22 months

It will take just over 22 months to go from the maritime tradition of the first steel cut to the final delivery and inaugural sailing for Carnival Celebration. This would be a few months faster than for Mardi Gras, for which the steel was laid on November 15, 2018, and delivered on December 18, 2020.

The ceremony was attended by Carnivalโ€™s Senior Vice President of New Builds Ben Clement and Meyer Turkuโ€™s CEO Tim Meyer. It marks the start of a build that will feature much of the same as Mardi Gras, including the different zones and rollercoaster Bolt. She will, however, have a lot of features entirely unique, including several new signature venues.

Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Christine Duffy, the President and CEO of Carnival Cruise Line thinks Carnival Celebration will be an unforgettable experience for her guests:

โ€œThe steel-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for Carnival Cruise Line.ย  Not only will Carnival Celebration feature signature amenities from Mardi Gras but usher in a new era for Carnival Cruise Line with some special innovations created just for her that weโ€™re sure our guests will enjoyโ€

โ€œWeโ€™re equally excited about Carnival Celebrationโ€™s role in our 50th birthday festivities, which will serve as an unforgettable way for our fans to mark this exciting milestone in our company’s history.”

The Most Anticipated Ships in Recent Years

Carnival Celebration will be a sister ship to Mardi Gras, handed over by Finnish shipyard Meyer-Turku only a few short weeks ago. Mardi Gras has been voted the most anticipated ship of 2021; it would come as no surprise if Carnival Celebration is the same for 2022.

Photo Courtesy: Meyer Turku

Both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration will be 180,800 gross tons with a guest capacity of 5,282 at double occupancy along with 1,282 crew members. Both vessels are part of the Excellence class of ships.

A class of ships that herald in a new era of cruising as the vessels are propelled by the environmentally friendlier liquified natural gas. Mardi Gras is currently the ninth-largest in the world.

Port Miami As Homeport

Carnival Celebration will be calling Port Miami her homeport once she debuts in 2022. Terminal F, which is being upgraded specifically for Carnival Cruise Line, will see the vessel calling here year-round.

New Look Terminal F Renderings
Rendering: Carnival Cruise Line

Once completed in October 2022, the plans for Terminal F will result in it being the largest cruise terminal in North America. This will be just in time for Carnival Celebrationโ€™s arrival in November 2022 and the lineโ€™s 50th birthday celebrations.

Carnival’s celebrations will start in March 2022, 50 years after the line started. Carnival will feature multiple commemorative sailings with unique entertainment and itineraries like ship meetups. The festivities will conclude with the arrival and maiden voyage of Carnival Celebration in November.

Photos Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

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Robert McGillivray
Robert McGillivray
Robert has been involved in the cruise industry since January 2007. He joined his first ship, the Seabourn Pride, in Miami Florida, and never looked back. Robert started his cruise career as a bar-waiter and worked his way up to being a corporate trainer for the same luxury 6-star cruise line. After a short break from ships in 2013, Robert has worked as a Hotel Director onboard several different cruise ships worldwide and even in Antarctica, and on the North Pole. As a writer for Cruise Hive Robert stays on top of all current developments and brings you breaking news, facts, and special reports. As an avid traveler and photographer, Robert has visited no less than 101 countries worldwide and stepped on to his 7th continent on his 30th birthday. His photos have been published by news media like Bloomberg and The New York Times, and are used by Celebrity and Azamara Cruise lines for their promotional materials. Robert currently resides in the Philippines on the tropical island of Panglao, with his wife and two daughters. Find out more about us here.

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