Costa and Aida ships getting Carnival rebranding

Carnival Cruise Line will grow its fleet over the next three years with the addition of two ships from sister brands.

The line will take over the delivery of an Excel-class ship that had previously been planned for Aida Cruises in 2023 and will also take the Costa Magica from Costa Cruises.

The Magica is going into drydock, where it will be converted to a Carnival ship and will join the line in 2022.

Carnival said the addition of those ships, plus its new Mardi Gras and the upcoming Carnival Celebration, will bring the number of ships in its fleet to 27 by the end of 2023. Carnival said the ships would bring “many new amenities and features for guests” as well as environmental benefits and enhancements.

Related story: Carnival’s Mardi Gras arrives in Port Canaveral

Carnival Corp. has been adjusting its brands’ fleet sizes during the pandemic. Last year, the company said it would sell 18 of its ships. Those included four of Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy-class ships.

In a statement, Carnival president Christine Duffy said that the additions of the Aida and Costa tonnage “reflect the strong position that Carnival has established in the U.S., the pent-up demand we continue to see for cruise vacations and the overall plans by Carnival Corp. to optimize capacity and growth in key markets.” 

Ship names and other details will be announced at a later date, Carnival said. 

Source: Read Full Article