The world's largest cruise shipowner Carnival Corporation & plc is in the preliminary stages of commissioning new mega-ships from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, boasting an impressive 208,000 gross tons volume, and max capacity ~10,000 (passengers plus crew).
If materialized, these vessels would mark the largest ever constructed in Italy, with an estimated order value of EUR ~7 billion.
The anticipated delivery of the first unit is slated for the end of 2028.
The announcement aligns with Pierroberto Folgiero's (Fincantieri CEO's) statement in September 2023, indicating that new orders were in the pipeline, with finalization expected in the early months of 2024.
While formal construction contracts are yet to be signed, Carnival Corporation is signaling its readiness to move beyond the challenges posed by the COVID crisis and resume substantial investments in new ship ventures.
As of now, Carnival Corporation has a modest 3-ship order book, exclusively from Fincantieri. This includes Sun Princess and Star Princess for Princess Cruises and Queen Anne for Cunard Line UK.