By
Rebecca Lambert |
Carnival Corporation & plc has signed two strategic memorandums of agreement that will add a total of nine new cruise ships to its fleet over a four-year period between 2019 and 2022.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and German shipbuilder Meyer Werft have been contracted to build the next-generation ships, designed to be the most efficient vessels in the company’s history.
The new ships are expected to serve established cruise markets in North America and Europe, as well as newer markets, including China.
"We’re excited to take this next step in our fleet enhancement plan with these two new agreements that are consistent with our long-term strategy of measured capacity growth over time,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “Our goal as a company is to exceed the expectations of every guest on every ship every day, and these new ships will further enable us to do just that. These will be the most efficient ships we have ever built and the great guest experience will create even more excitement around cruising – helping new cruisers realise the superior vacation experience and value that cruising offers versus land-based vacations.”
Fincantieri will develop and construct five ships at its shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy. Meyer Werft, meanwhile, will build four ships at its shipyards in Papenburg, Germany, and Turku, Finland.
As part of each company’s long-term strategic partnership with Carnival, additional new ship orders are being explored over the coming decade.