Carnival Corporation is expected to have Europe and the Caribbean tied as its biggest cruising regions in 2027, with each claiming 34% of the company’s capacity, according to CEO Josh Weinstein.
The company is following its guests, who are increasingly heading to Northern Europe for cooler summer sailings and outdoor activities.
Despite the expansion in Europe, Carnival is not backing away from its Caribbean cruises, with the company working to stand out in a crowded market. If anything, it has to work harder there: Caribbean cruise capacity overall has grown 37% in three years, which puts pressure on Carnival to stand out in a crowded sea.
Carnival Festivale, the company’s new ship, will debut in the Caribbean, and more of the company’s lines will send ships to Celebration Key than ever before. Weinstein said 3.5 million guests across 31 ships will call on the destination in 2027.
The company has also upgraded its private island, Half Moon Cay, adding new amenities like a pier, food and drink venues, and a beach club.
Carnival is developing its destination footprint, with a focus on differentiating its vacation experiences and making its existing fleet more valuable. Next year, 35% of Carnival’s Caribbean capacity will be on itineraries that visit both RelaxAway and Celebration Key, pairing a laid-back beach day at RelaxAway with a higher-energy one at Celebration Key.
The company has added new amenities to its private destination, Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Honduras, including a pool area, cabanas, and a swim-up bar. The port added a pool area in May, with 48,000 square feet of recreational space, cabanas, a kids’ splash pad, and a swim-up bar.
