A new livery for Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest ever 180,000-ton XL class of ship has been unveiled at the cutting of the first steel at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The traditional ceremony signalled the official start of construction of the first of two XL ships, slated for delivery in 2020.
Work on the second ship will start the same year for arrival in 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Carnival Cruise Line’s founding.
At the ceremony, the company also revealed a dramatic new red, white and blue hull and paint 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 colour scheme 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-ft-long ship.
“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 holiday memories for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Following the steel-cutting ceremony, construction began on the 5,200 berth ship
Following the steel-cutting ceremony, construction began on the 5,200-plus lower berth ship which will offer a variety of never-before-seen innovations and will be the first North American-based cruise ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), part of Carnival Corporation’s “green cruising” design platform.
“The start of construction of this amazing ship is a historic day for our company as we are laying the foundation for an experience that will take our cruise offerings to the next level,” Duffy added.
The name of the ship, which will operate from Port Canaveral, Florida, will be revealed in December, while details of the inaugural season are expected in January.