Carnival Corporation has entered into agreements with Fincantieri and Meyer Werft to build nine new cruise ships over a four-year period, starting in 2019.
The shipbuilding agreements, which include options for additional ship builds in the coming years, are subject to several conditions, including satisfactory financing.
The two ships will be part of a next-generation design with a focus on efficiency, Carnival Corp. said in a release announcing the plans. They are expected to serve established cruise markets in North America and Europe, as well as newer markets, including China. Each new ship will be specifically designed and developed for the brand and guests it will serve.
"We're excited to take this next step in our fleet enhancement plan with these two new agreements that are consistent with our long-term strategy of measured capacity growth over time," said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation.
Fincantieri will develop and construct five ships at its shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy. Meyer Werft will build its four ships at its shipyards in Papenburg, Germany, and Turku, Finland.
As part of each company's long-term strategic partnership with Carnival Corporation, additional new ship orders are being explored over the coming decade.
Additional information on Carnival Corporation's cruise ship design, and which of the company's nine brands will add these next-generation vessels to their fleets, will be made available at a later date.
Visit www.carnivalcorp.com