Carnival Just Launched Their Newest Ship and It's Sailing From Orlando
If you've been waiting for the right excuse to book a cruise out of Port Canaveral, this is it. Carnival Festivale is Carnival's newest Excel Class ship! It is their biggest, boldest category yet, and she is sailing 6 and 8-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Fly into Orlando, cruise the Caribbean, and be back without the hassle of a complicated port drive. For anyone on the East Coast or flying into Florida, this is one of the most accessible departure situations Carnival offers.
I'm a certified Carnival travel advisor and this ship has me genuinely excited. Let me tell you exactly what you're looking at.
What Is Excel Class and Why Does It Matter
Carnival Festivale is an Excel Class ship, this is Carnival's newest and largest category of vessel. Excel Class ships aren't just bigger versions of older ships. They're built differently, with more thoughtful use of space, more onboard venues, and more ways to actually enjoy your time at sea versus feeling like you're navigating a floating mall.
Here's the full picture:
- Over 5,000 guests across 17 decks
- Fun Italian Style theme throughout: stunning piazzas, Italian design, la dolce vita energy at sea
- Spacious rooms and suites with multiple cabin categories to fit every budget
What's Onboard
WaterWorks
Thrilling waterslides and splash zones for all ages. This is the pool deck done right! It’s more than just a couple of slides! You are getting a full water park experience built into the ship.
Serenity Adults-Only Retreat
When you need actual quiet. No kids, no waterslide noise, just sun and peace. This is the spot you'll want to know about on sea days.
Family and Kids Programming
Camp Ocean for the little ones, Circle C for tweens, and a dedicated teen club. The kids have their own world on this ship, which means the adults can actually relax.
Entertainment
With broadway-style shows, comedy, live music, game shows, there is something happening every single night. You won't run out of things to do after dinner.
Dining
From Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina to Italian dining, specialty restaurants, and the main dining room, there's genuinely something for everyone at every price point. Specialty dining costs extra but I can tell you exactly which ones are worth it.
Sports and Activities
Can't quite turn off the competitive switch even on vacation? Good news! Festivale brought the ropes course, mini golf, basketball, and pickleball..all the tools you need to stay active with some friendly competition.
Bars, Lounges and Shopping
Multiple live music venues, bars throughout the ship, and duty-free shopping including Carnival logo gear.
Cloud 9 Spa
Full spa experience available for when you want to take the relaxation up another level.
The 6-Day Eastern Caribbean Itinerary
One of the featured sailings covers these ports:
Day 1
Port: Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL — departure
Day 2
Fun Day at Sea
Day 3
Port: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Day 4
Fun Day at Sea
Day 5
Private Experience: RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
Day 6
Private Experience: Celebration Key
Day 7
Port: Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL — return
Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key are two of Carnival's private destination experiences. They are essentially a beach resort day included in your cruise fare. If you've never done a private island stop on a Carnival cruise, these are the ones worth building a trip around.
Why Book Through a Certified Carnival Advisor
Carnival's website will get you booked. It won't watch for price drops, remind you when online check-in opens, help you decide which specialty dining is worth the up-charge, or answer your 10pm "wait, do I need a passport for Dominican Republic?" question, I will.
Booking through me costs you nothing extra. My commission comes from Carnival, not from your pocket. What you get is someone who actually knows this product, knows this ship, and is in your corner from deposit all the way to disembarkation day.
Ready to Sail on Carnival Festivale?
Let's talk dates, cabin categories, and pricing. I'll pull current availability and walk you through your options with zero pressure.
Let's plan your Carnival Festivale cruise →
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Christina Keech is a certified Carnival travel advisor with InteleTravel, specializing in cruises, Disney, resort getaways, and family vacations. She knows the Carnival fleet inside and out and loves matching people with the right ship for their trip.
