The Fifth LNG-Powered Carnival Cruise Ship Is Coming to Life

Carnival Corporation has been one of the pioneers of LNG cruising; among its brands, Carnival Cruise Line is now ready to reach the fifth LNG-powered ship in its fleet.

A new Carnival Cruise Line ship is being built at one of the largest and most sophisticated shipyards worldwide, Meyer Werft. It's a special one because it will be the operator's fifth LNG-powered vessel. It's a culmination of the US-based cruise operator's partnership with the German shipyard. Along with Meyer Turku, the shipyard brought to life a total of nine LNG-powered cruise ships for four Carnival Corporation cruise lines.

All of them were built on the same technical platform, and so will the upcoming vessels. The one that is currently under construction and set to be completed by 2028 will combine a length of around 344 meters (1,128 feet) with an impressive 180,000 GT volume, allowing it to accommodate more than 6,400 guests comfortably. This translates to better comfort for the passengers and increased operational efficiency, coupled with all the advantages of LNG.

Carnival's ambitious goal envisions a total of 11 LNG-fueled ships operating by 2025, with six of them being already in operation. The Group's LNG adventure began more than a decade ago when the AIDAsol ship (with AIDA Cruises) became the first cruise ship in the world to get power from an LNG hybrid barge in port. It happened in Hamburg, Germany, and it was one of the first demonstrations of its kind, confirming that LNG can successfully be used to fuel cruise ships.

Only three years later, the AIDAnova would officially become the world's first cruise ship powered entirely by LNG. Carnival also set a historic record for the US cruise industry with the launch of Mardi Gras. In 2020, Mardi Gras became the first cruise ship in North America to be fueled by 100% LNG. That same year, Iona became the first P&O Cruises UK ship with LNG capabilities.

Mardi Gras made a splash not only due to its eco-friendly capabilities but also as the first cruise ship to offer a rollercoaster at sea. The rollercoaster named BOLT was described as a motorcycle-style speed machine operating in the open air and allowing riders to control the speed level for the perfect experience. A tribute to Carnival's first-ever ship, the 1972 TSS Mardi Gras, the 2020 Mardi Gras marked the beginning of a new era for the cruise giant and the industry as a whole.

Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee followed in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The brand's Excel-class fleet will ultimately include five of these innovative, LNG-powered ships.