Carnival Adding Shorter Cruises to Excel-Class

Carnival Celebration (Carnival)

(Press Release) MIAMI, August 12, 2025 – Big fun will be available to more Carnival guests with a larger variety of options as Carnival Cruise Line adds short itineraries into the mix for its Excel-class ships in 2027/28. Mardi Gras will be the first Excel ship to offer shorter cruises for the first time. Carnival Celebration, homeporting year-round from Miami, will continue its popular seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean offerings for 2027/28. Most of the new sailings offer a visit to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest exclusive destination.

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​“With a new Excel class ship on its way to Port Canaveral in 2027, we’re excited to offer more ways to experience these fabulous ships our guests love, with new shorter itineraries on Mardi Gras for the first time” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Mardi Gras introduced a number of new entertainment and dining options along with the first roller coaster at sea, so it’s fitting that this ship will take on another first for us as the largest-ever to sail short cruises. This will give our guests more variety as they choose their next family vacation – whether that’s a short getaway on Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral or a week-long sailing on her beautiful sister Carnival Celebration from Miami.”
 
Mardi Gras
After three week-long voyages from Port Canaveral departing May 1, May 8 and May 15, 2027, Mardi Gras will begin an all-new schedule for 2027/28 of four- and five-day sailings to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral, in conjunction with the arrival of Carnival Festivale. Beginning on May 22, 2027, the five-day sailings will visit three ports: Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. Kicking off Memorial Day weekend, on May 27, 2027, the four-day cruises make the perfect getaway, visiting two ports: Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. For all new Mardi Gras sailings currently open for sale from Port Canaveral, click here.
 
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Celebration will continue its successful deployment by extending its seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from PortMiami from May 2027 through April 2028. Beginning on May 2, 2027, a variety of Eastern Caribbean sailings will visit popular destinations including Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. One special New Year’s sailing will depart on Dec. 26, 2027, and visit Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Nassau. Western Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration begin on May 16, 2027 and include stops in Celebration Key, Cozumel and Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay). For all new Carnival Celebration sailings from Miami, click here.

With a unique nod to Carnival’s history of iconic ship names, Excel-class ships represent the pinnacle of fun and innovation at sea. Carnival currently sails three Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. Each Excel-class ship carries more than 6,400 guests and offers 20+ dining venues, 12 bars and lounges, relaxing spaces like Loft 19 and the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, along with standout attractions including BOLT: The Ultimate Seacoaster. Guests can also enjoy an endless lineup of entertainment, from nightly comedy shows to showstopping Playlist Production shows. In spring 2027, Carnival Festivale will join the Excel-class lineup, followed by her sister ship Carnival Tropicale in 2028 – each bringing a variety of new features for guests to enjoy.

Fun continues to be on the move as Carnival plans to unveil more future itineraries as part of its larger 2027/28 deployment rollout, adding a variety of options for guests to enjoy. To view all sailings currently open for sale, click here.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.