Fincantieri cuts steel for Carnival Cruise Line’s first Ace-class ship

More than 70 per cent of onboard venues and attractions on Carnival Destiny will be new to the brand when the ship debuts in summer 2029 

Fincantieri cuts steel for Carnival Cruise Line’s first Ace-class ship

Carnival Cruise Line

From left, Fincantieri chairman Biagio Mazzotta, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, shipyard director Cristiano Bazzara, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy, Fincantieri CEO and managing director Pierroberto Folgiero, chairman of the Carnival Corporation board of directors Micky Arison, and Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri's merchant ship division
Rebecca Gibson

By Rebecca Gibson |


Fincantieri cut the steel for Carnival Cruise Line’s first Ace-class ship at its yard in Monfalcone, Italy, on 10 July. During the ceremony, the cruise line revealed the ship would be named Carnival Destiny and be the “most outward-facing megaship at sea” when it debuts in September 2029.

The 230,000gt newbuild will be more than twice the size of the original 101,000gt Carnival Destiny, which now operates as Carnival Sunshine and was the first cruise ship in the world to exceed 100,000gt when it was delivered by Fincantieri in 1996.

Carnival Destinty will feature a redesigned lanai deck, an “unprecedented number” of ocean-view balcony cabins and more than 4.5 acres of glass – including multi-storey glass walls – to enable guests to view the sea from more onboard spaces.

More than 70 percent of the ship’s dining venues, bars and lounges, immersive entertainment and outdoor spaces, and other attractions will be new concepts for the cruise line.

“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.”

Carnival Destiny will initially sail to destinations in the ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’, which are located in The Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico.

Fincantieri will deliver an additional Ace-class ships in 2031 and another in 2033.

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