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 Line’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 Carnival’s Senior Vice President of New Builds Ben Clement and Meyer Turku’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.
Christine Duffy, the President and CEO of Carnival Cruise Line thinks Carnival Celebration will be an unforgettable experience for her guests:
“The steel-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for Carnival Cruise Line. 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 we’re sure our guests will enjoy”
“We’re equally excited about Carnival Celebration’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.
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.
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 Celebration’s arrival in November 2022 and the line’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
