MONFALCONE, Italy – July 10, 2026: Carnival Cruise Line has revealed Carnival Destiny as the first vessel in its next-generation Ace Class, with the ship scheduled to enter service in summer 2029.
The announcement was made during a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, according to an official Carnival Cruise Line press release. The event included the unveiling of the ship’s name through a 3D hologram presentation, which offered the first visual preview of Carnival Destiny and the new Ace Class.
First of three Ace Class ships
Carnival Destiny will be the first of three ships planned for the new Ace Class. Two further vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2031 and 2033.
The new ship takes its name from the original Carnival Destiny, which was built by Fincantieri as part of a shipbuilding partnership with Carnival spanning more than 30 years. When it entered service, the original vessel was the world’s largest cruise ship and marked a major development in Carnival’s fleet.
During the ceremony, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy and Monfalcone shipyard director Cristiano Bazzara held the first section of steel cut for the vessel.
The event was also attended by Carnival Corporation chief executive Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation board chairman Micky Arison, Fincantieri chief executive and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri chairman Biagio Mazzotta and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Division.
Design to increase sea views
Carnival said the design of Carnival Destiny will place a stronger emphasis on views of the sea from across the vessel. The ship will include more than 4.5 acres of glass, including large multi-storey glass walls intended to extend sightlines through public areas. It will also feature a redesigned lanai deck and what the company described as an unprecedented number of ocean-view balcony cabins.
Together, the design elements are intended to make the sea visible from more locations on board and create what Carnival describes as its most outward-facing megaship.
More than 70 per cent of the ship’s venues and attractions will be new concepts for the cruise line. The planned spaces will include redesigned dining experiences, new bars and lounges, immersive entertainment and expanded outdoor areas. Carnival has not yet released details of the individual venues or attractions.
“Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “With this ship, we’re elevating the guest experience again creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun.”
Paradise Collection destinations planned
Carnival Destiny will operate voyages to destinations within the Paradise Collection by Carnival. Carnival describes the collection as the cruise industry’s largest portfolio of exclusive destinations across the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Mexico.
The company has not yet published the ship’s specific itineraries, deployment schedule or homeport. Carnival said it will release further information about Carnival Destiny’s features and onboard experiences later in 2026.
Delivery remains scheduled for summer 2029. The second and third Ace Class ships are planned to follow in 2031 and 2033 respectively, completing the three-vessel class announced by Carnival.
Source: Official announcement by Carnival Corporation & plc on 10 July, 2026
