Carnival Corporation & plc announced it has signed an agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard for a fifth Excel-class cruise ship for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand, with the delivery set for 2028. In mid-February Carnival Corporation had announced the first newbuild order placed in five years with news that a fourth Excel-class ship would join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in Spring 2027. This announcement confirms an 11th Excel-class ship for the corporation's fleet across four of its world-class brands, and the fifth to be sailed by Carnival Cruise Line.

This fifth Excel-class ship will be built on the same platform as its sisters, with the 180,000-ton ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and designed to carry over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew. This order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year.