Tag Archives: Carnival cruise

New Festivale to Feature Carnival’s Biggest Waterpark

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New Festivale to Feature Carnival’s Biggest Waterpark

The Carnival Festivale will feature the biggest waterpark in Carnival Cruise Line’s history, the company announced in a press release.

Set to debut in 2027, the Excel-class ship will introduce Carnival Waterworks Ultra as part of the new Sunsation Point family adventure zone.

According to Carnival, the waterpark will feature six water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels.

The lineup includes two family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides and duelling Racing Currents slides, as well as the Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister.

Other features of Waterworks Ultra include splash pads and shaded play areas for all ages, the company said.

Carnival also stated that the new venue will introduce the first nighttime Waterworks operation of its fleet, which will include a live DJ and other special features.

Taking over the area occupied by BOLT! on previous Excel-class ships, the waterpark will be located at Carnival Festivale’s Deck 18.

In addition to Carnival Waterworks Ultra, Sunsation Point will also offer a hub of family-friendly activities and dining options on Deck 16, as well as a pool, a splash pad and a bar.

Deck 17 is a place to rewind with nostalgic elements, Carnival said, including the Vault Retrocade, which combines a retro theme with modern arcade games.

The deck also features the Scenic Overlook, a sports bar that offers outdoor games like pool and giant Jenga, as well as a new mini-golf course and Treehouse, which is described by Carnival as an all-new concept with netted bridges high above the deck.

As the fourth ship in Carnival’s Excel class, the Carnival Festivale is currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

Sailing from Port Canaveral, the ship is scheduled to offer seven-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas starting in May 2027.

MSC Joins Carnival and Royal in Grand Bahama Shipyard Partnership

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MSC Joins Carnival and Royal in Grand Bahama Shipyard Partnership

Grand Bahama Shipyard is set to welcome MSC Cruises as a partner, joining Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean, who are part owners of the facility in the joint venture, according to a statement.

The yard is set to expand with two new floating docks, which are part of a $600 million investment.

“We are delighted to see positive momentum on our expansion and modernisation, which is expected to increase activity here in the shipyard, boosting local businesses, creating economic opportunities, and enriching the community for Grand Bahamians,” said Chris Earl, CEO of Grand Bahama Shipyard.

The new docks are set to be operational in 2026.

Carnival Cruise Line to Launch New Loyalty Program in 2026

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Carnival Cruise Line to Launch New Loyalty Program in 2026

Carnival Legend arriving in Liverpool, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr account.

Carnival Cruise Line announced today it will launch its new loyalty program, adding new features, new ways to earn status, new reward categories and a new name: Carnival Rewards.

The new program will take effect in June 2026, providing guests plenty of time to learn about the changes while they continue to earn status in the current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program that will be their entry point into the new program, the company said in a press release.

Carnival Rewards is introducing a dual-earning structure where guests accumulate both Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed on Carnival purchases and status-qualifying stars that will determine a guest’s tier status.

Instead of focusing solely on the number of nights guests sail, which is the model Carnival currently follows under its VIFP program, Carnival Rewards will offer more opportunities to earn rewards and achieve higher status levels based on spend, including cruise fare and onboard activities, the company said.

The new program will be closely tied to everyday spending on the co-branded credit card with Barclays – the Carnival Rewards Mastercard – allowing cardmembers to earn points and status even faster.

“The evolution of our loyalty program to Carnival Rewards represents our commitment to creating more meaningful recognition for our valued guests. Our current VIFP program has served us well for many years, and while we’ve enjoyed truly extraordinary growth in our loyal customer base, it has become challenging to deliver the exceptional experience our Diamond and Platinum members deserve,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “

By introducing a points-based system, we’re enabling greater flexibility so guests can personalise their rewards in ways that matter most to them. This transition honours our past while building a future where loyalty is recognised through both cruising frequency and overall engagement with the Carnival experience, bringing Carnival Rewards into the top tier of travel loyalty programs that provide our guests with ways to earn status and points through their everyday spending on the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.

Guests will earn Carnival Reward points as well as status-qualifying stars on every eligible Carnival purchase, including cruise fares and onboard purchases. The dual structure gives guests more control over their rewards and status.

  • Points can be redeemed for almost anything Carnival offers, including onboard activities, spa treatments, speciality dining and even toward a future cruise.
  • Stars introduce a new way to unlock higher status among the four tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Status is earned over two years and retained for the following two years.

As part of the transition to Carnival Rewards’ launch on June 1, 2026, members’ existing status will carry over and serve as a new entry point into the program for two years through May 31, 2028.

Diamond members will retain their status for six years through May 31, 2032. This ensures that all current loyalty statuses are honoured while giving members time to familiarise themselves with the enhanced rewards. Guests will continue earning VIFP status as usual until the new program launches. In addition, upon launch of the Carnival Rewards program, current cardmembers, as well as any new cardmembers between now and the launch of the updates, will have the balance of their Fun Points converted to Carnival Rewards points in their Carnival Rewards account.