Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans for a fourth Excel-class ship to enter service in spring 2027.

The cruise line has signed an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build the 6,400-passenger ship, which will join Carnival’s current Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ship is the first newbuild order placed by owner Carnival Corporation in five years.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said: “Our Excel-class ships have been a tremendous addition to the Carnival fleet and proven very popular with our guests.”

Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein said the group will add ‘one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, which will be allocated to our cruise lines that most need the capacity to satisfy outsized demand’.