Carnival Corporation to launch four new ships in 2019

International cruise ship operator Carnival Corporation will launch four new ships in 2019 across three of its global brands: Carnival Cruise Line, Italian cruise line Costa Cruises and California-based Princess Cruises. 

Carnival Cruise Line will welcome Carnival Panorama in 2019, scheduled to launch on 11 December, from Long Beach, California. She will sail seven-day year-round voyages to the Mexican Riviera from 14 December. The world will get to preview the ship when its floral replica takes part in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day, celebrating the line’s first new ship based here in 20 years. 

The 4,008-passenger ship is the third in the line’s Vista-class series and the largest ever constructed for Carnival Cruise Line. She will feature a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences, including the tropics-inspired Havana section, a WaterWorks aqua park, the Cloud 9 Spa and the line’s latest feature - the first-ever trampoline park at sea, in partnership with Sky Zone.

Sky Princess will join Princess Cruises’ fleet with voyages beginning 20 October 2019, with a seven-day Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise from Athens (Piraeus) to Barcelona. The ship will carry 3,660 guests and is designed to offer them a relaxing onboard experience, with the adults-only Sanctuary area, private cabanas, a Wakeview pool, two deep-tank top deck pools, a Retreat Pool and jacuzzis. She will also boast 700 square feet Sky Suites, with large private balconies viewing the ship’s Movie Under the Stars screen. 

On November 17, the ship is scheduled to set sail from Barcelona for Fort Lauderdale, where guests will enjoy tropical holidays in the Caribbean before the ship returns to tour Europe beginning in April 2020. 

Costa Cruises will welcome two new ships in 2019 – Costa Venezia and Costa Smeralda which will launch in March and October respectively.  

Costa Venezia has been designed specifically for the Chinese market. She will offer the brand’s Italian experience tailored to its Chinese guests, including Italian dining and shopping, as well as Chinese cuisines and Chinese-style karaoke bars. She will feature Venetian-inspired interiors and gondolas, and sail her preview cruise on 3 March from Trieste, Italy which is open to European and North American guests. Her 53-day inaugural cruise will follow on 8 March sailing through the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Southeast and East Asia before arriving in Shanghai.

Costa Smeralda will be Costa Cruises’ first ship to be powered by LNG in port and at sea. She will feature a three-level domed Colosseo that will offer performances each evening, as well as The Costa Design Museum. The museum will be dedicated to the excellence of Italian design, showcasing Italian designers that contributed to the ship's construction and its “Made in Italy” décor. With over 2,600 guest rooms, Costa Smeralda will be Costa Cruises’ largest ship. 

Her maiden voyage will take place on 20 October with a 15-day cruise from Hamburg, Germany to Savona, Italy. On 4 November she will make her six-day inaugural cruise from Savona to Rome, Italy and she will continue sailing the Mediterranean until April 2020.  

“Each launch of a new ship generates lots of interest and excitement among consumers, whether they are among our many loyal guests or they are new to cruising,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “Our four new ships in 2019 will be no exception as our brands will introduce spectacular new vessels that have been designed with one purpose in mind: to dazzle our guests as they enjoy an extraordinary vacation experience.”