Carnival Cruise Line Announces New Itineraries for 2026/27: A Look at What’s Coming

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled its plans for 2026 and 2027, introducing new itineraries that will expand their offerings from several major U.S. ports. These updates include new destinations, longer cruises, and the expansion of one of their most popular private islands, Half Moon Cay. Here’s a closer look at what families can expect from these upcoming voyages.

Half Moon Cay Gets a Major Upgrade

One of the highlights of Carnival’s announcement is the expansion of Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas that has long been a favorite stop for many cruisers. Known for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters, the island is set to undergo significant improvements. The expansion will include a larger beach area, enhanced dining and beverage options, and a new pier that will allow larger ships, including Carnival’s Excel-class vessels like the Mardi Gras, to dock directly at the island. This means more accessibility and convenience for guests looking to enjoy this tropical retreat.

New Itineraries from Miami

From Miami, Carnival Celebration will offer a range of seven-day cruises exploring both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. These new itineraries will feature stops at the soon-to-open Celebration Key, another exclusive destination Carnival is developing, as well as other popular ports like Nassau, Grand Turk, and San Juan. These options provide a variety of experiences, from exploring historic sites to enjoying beautiful beaches, catering to different interests and travel styles.

Expanded Offerings from Port Canaveral

Carnival’s Mardi Gras and Carnival Venezia will sail from Port Canaveral with new itineraries that also include visits to Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key. The Mardi Gras will focus on seven-day cruises, while the Carnival Venezia will offer both seven- and fourteen-day options, including Southern Caribbean routes. The Venezia, known for its Italian-themed decor and experiences, will add a unique flavor to these Caribbean cruises, offering families a blend of cultural immersion and tropical adventure.

Galveston-Based Cruises

For those departing from Galveston, the Carnival Jubilee will launch new itineraries beginning in September 2026. The ship will offer six- and eight-day cruises to the Western Caribbean and The Bahamas, with stops in destinations like Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, and Nassau. Carnival Dream and Carnival Breeze will also sail from Galveston, providing a mix of shorter and longer cruises to the Caribbean. These itineraries are designed to offer flexibility, whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or an extended journey.

Unique Journeys from Baltimore

Carnival Pride will continue to sail from Baltimore, offering week-long cruises to the Bahamas and Bermuda. Notably, Carnival Pride will also feature longer, 14-day cruises to the Southern Caribbean, as well as a unique journey to Greenland and Canada. These itineraries are ideal for families seeking more off-the-beaten-path destinations and the chance to experience different cultures and landscapes.

What These Itineraries Mean for Families

The new itineraries from Carnival Cruise Line provide families with a wide range of options for their next vacation. Whether you’re looking to explore new destinations, enjoy time on a private island, or embark on a longer adventure to more remote locations, these cruises offer something for everyone.

FreshCruiser Tip: Whether you’re a frequent cruiser or planning your first voyage, these new options provide plenty of inspiration for your next family adventure on the seas.

Diary: Our first cruise with children

It was a big moment in our parenting journey. We introduced our children to the joys of cruising. We took our one-year-old and three-year-old on a 3-day cruise leaving out of Long Beach on the Carnival Inspiration. The ship departed on Friday evening and returned early Monday morning.  The itinerary included one day at sea and a port of call in Ensenada, Mexico.  My husband and I have taken over 10 cruises before having children. Cruising with kids opened up a whole new world to us. We loved it.

My husband and I like to explore the entire ship upon embarkation. As we entered the Carnival Inspiration, we set off to discover all the fun places on the ship. At one point my son stopped and looked down at the Lido deck at all the people sun bathing, eating, and drinking. He was memorized. It was a moment I will never forget.  I was viewing everything through his eyes. I realized that it is important to slow down and take it all in.  My husband and I tend to rush from one place or activity to the next.  

Pre-children, we would rush to arrive at the buffet or dining room before breakfast was over. On this cruise, we were the first people to arrive at the dining room for breakfast. We got there at 7:20am. We were all dressed and ready to go but found out it was too early for breakfast.  After a quick wait, we had a nice quiet breakfast together. There’s a magical feeling of having the cruise ship to yourself in the early morning.

Soft serve yogurt for breakfast? Sure.

Pushing the bed to the wall so the kids could stand on it to look out the window? Of course.

Riding in the glass elevators to glaze at the people in the atrium? Every time.  

Bedtime? Bedtime was when we were partied out. One night we followed the show’s dancers to the after party in the atrium. My son and I danced to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary while my daughter fell asleep in my husband’s arms. Another night my son was completely exhausted and begged to go to bed during our 5:30pm dinner.

We weren’t even off the ship and were already discussing when we could go again. My kids tried new foods, heard a wide spectrum of music, watched in awe during the nightly shows, and learned cruise terminology (port, starboard, cabin, lido deck, aft, forward). Before having children, we would be extremely relaxed and well rested as we disembarked at the end of a cruise. This time, we were exhausted. It was 100% worth it.

A little extra to spend on your honeymoon cruise: Wedding Registry & Gifts

Norwegian Cruise Line

With seven weddings to attend this year,  I’m in store for a lot of celebrations.  Since I love to travel and talk about travel, I always enjoy asking the couple where they decided to go on their honeymoon.

One of my good friends got married last year and I gave her a Carnival Cruises gift card as part of her wedding gift.  It was her first cruise, and I couldn’t be more excited for her to find out all the joys of cruising. She and her husband were incredibly sweet to tell us that she used the gift card for a city tour in Boston.  She even took pictures and sent them to us showing her appreciation.  The gift card worked out great as she was able to pick what she wanted to spend it on.

There are a few ways to a gift to someone if going on a cruise for their honeymoon including a way for couples to “ask” for a little help in paying for things on their honeymoon cruise.

Click to read more ...