Carnival Corporation Finalizes Agreement with Fincantieri for Two Next-Generation AIDA Cruises Ships Set for Delivery in fiscal 2030 and 2032

Rhea-AI Summary

Carnival (NYSE/LSE: CCL) has announced an order for two new ships for AIDA Cruises, Germany's leading cruise line. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri includes the design and construction of multi-fuel-capable vessels, scheduled for delivery in Q1 fiscal 2030 and 2032.

The new ships will feature approximately 2,100 cabins each, positioning them between AIDA's 1,600-cabin Hyperion Class and 2,600-cabin Helios Class vessels. Upon delivery of the second ship, AIDA's fleet will expand to 13 vessels, strengthening its position in the German cruise market.

This order brings Carnival 's newbuild pipeline to eight ships scheduled for service between 2025 and 2033. The company maintains a disciplined growth approach, focusing on high-performing brands like AIDA Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, which account for seven of the eight ships on order. The agreement is contingent upon financing, expected to be completed in 2025.

Positive

• Strategic fleet expansion with two new mid-sized vessels
• Multi-fuel capability provides operational flexibility and future-proofing
• Strengthens AIDA's leadership position in German cruise market
• Disciplined growth approach focusing on highest-performing brands
• Strong free cash flow being used to reduce debt balance

Negative

• Significant capital expenditure required for new ships
• Long wait time until delivery (2030-2032)
• Financing not yet secured for the order

World's largest cruise company's newbuild pipeline includes eight new ships scheduled to enter service between 2025 and 2033

Multi-fuel-capable engines will provide new ships flexibility to operate using a range of fuel types, including low- and no-carbon bio and synthetic fuels when available at scale

MIAMI, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced an order for two new ships for the most popular cruise line in Germany, AIDA Cruises, for a new class of mid-sized vessel. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these multi-fuel-capable ships, which will be delivered in the first quarter of fiscal years 2030 and 2032, respectively.

"With approximately 2,100 cabins each, these remarkable new ships give our guests a completely new class of ship which slot in perfectly between our 1,600 cabin Hyperion Class vessels and our more than 2,600 cabin Helios Class vessels," said Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises. "Our next generation of ships will delight our guests with amazing new features and experiences that we will reveal over time. Its innovative technology with multi-fuel propulsion systems including LNG will future proof our operations into the coming decades."

Eichorn added that once the second ship is delivered, AIDA will have a total of 13 ships in its fleet, further expanding its leadership position in the German cruise market.

"The introduction of these next-generation ships, when combined with the AIDA Evolution program modernizing much of the existing fleet's décor, features and technologies, will drive even more demand for our AIDA brand, which is synonymous with cruising in Germany," said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.

According to Weinstein, with today's order, Carnival Corporation's newbuild pipeline includes eight new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2033, including Star Princess this year and one each from 2027 to 2033. "We're maintaining our disciplined approach to growth and strategically directing new capacity to the highest-performing brands in our world-class portfolio like AIDA Cruises and its sister brand Carnival Cruise Line, which now account for seven of our eight ships on order. This growth plan will maximize our returns and allow us to use our strong free cash flow to continue lowering our debt balance and transferring value from debt holders back to shareholders," he said.

"We are honored that our long-standing partner Carnival Corporation has selected Fincantieri to build ships for AIDA Cruises for the first time in our history. This milestone confirms our ability to serve the entire Carnival Corporation portfolio, while ensuring long-term term visibility for our shipyards. These new ships will embody the most advanced technologies for sustainability and efficiency, further strengthening Fincantieri's and Carnival Corporation's roles as leaders in cruise industry innovation," said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO, Fincantieri.

Design details and itinerary information for the new AIDA ships will be announced in the future.

This order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

For more information, please visit www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruises.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.

To learn more about Carnival Corporation's purpose and our positive impact worldwide on people and the planet, go to www.carnivalcorp.com/impact/.

 

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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc

FAQ

When will the new AIDA Cruises ships ordered by Carnival (CCL) be delivered?

The two new ships will be delivered in the first quarter of fiscal years 2030 and 2032 respectively.

How many cabins will the new CCL AIDA Cruises ships have?

Each new ship will feature approximately 2,100 cabins.

How many ships are in Carnival 's (CCL) current newbuild pipeline?

Carnival has eight new ships scheduled to enter service between 2025 and 2033.

What type of fuel system will the new CCL AIDA ships use?

The ships will feature multi-fuel-capable engines that can operate using various fuel types, including low- and no-carbon bio and synthetic fuels.

How many ships will AIDA Cruises have after the delivery of these new CCL vessels?

AIDA Cruises will have a total of 13 ships in its fleet after the second ship's delivery.