A brand new class of cruise ship and the largest ever for Carnival Cruise Line had its first steel cut at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Set to be delivered in 2020, the 180,000-ton XL vessel that will be the first-ever ship operating in North America to use liquefied natural gas (LNG).
At the ceremony, Carnival Cruise Line also revealed a dramatic new red, white and blue hull design that celebrates its legacy as America’s Cruise Line and pays homage to maritime tradition. Developed by New York-based Bluarch Architecture, the design builds upon the company’s iconic color scheme that has made Carnival one of the most recognizable brands in travel and is highlighted by a stately navy blue hull inspired by officers’ uniforms along with vibrant red and white accents running the entire length of the 1,130-foot-long ship.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line said:
“This new ship promises to be truly special, from its groundbreaking technology and one-of-a-kind features to its distinctive livery and hull design that is both timeless and forward-thinking while paying tribute to our nearly 50-year history of making wonderful vacation memories for our guests,”
“The start of construction of this amazing ship is a historic day for our company as we are laying the foundation for an unparalleled seagoing vacation experience that will be like no other and take our cruise offerings to the next level,”
Carnival had previously announced that Carnival XL will home port in Port Canaveral, Florida in 2020. More details are to be released in the coming months including the ship’s name, itineraries and information on dining, activities and entertainment.